How did Darko Nejašmić perform against Olympiacos?

He was named man of the match, with 113 touches, 71 accurate passes, 3/3 dribbles, 12 ball recoveries, and 8 duels won.

Who is NEC's next opponent in Champions League qualifying?

Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, with the winner of that tie securing a spot in the league phase of the Champions League.

Why is Nejašmić compared to Busquets?

Because of his dominant play in the holding midfield role and control of the game, and Nejašmić himself confirmed he was called that during his time at Hajduk.

Football

Nijmegen's Busquets Shines in Champions League

B.M. · Prije 2h | 2 min

Darko Nejašmić named man of the match in NEC's victory over Olympiacos. Dutch club one step away from historic Champions League qualification.

Summary

Darko Nejašmić was named man of the match in NEC's 2:1 victory over Olympiacos.
NEC is one step away from historic Champions League qualification, with Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt up next.
Nejašmić has been dubbed 'Nijmegen's Busquets,' and he revealed he was called that back in his Hajduk days.

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Croatian midfielder Darko Nejašmić continues to impress in the jersey of Dutch club NEC Nijmegen. In the second leg of the third qualifying round for the Champions League, where his team beat Olympiacos 2:1 at home, the 27-year-old was officially named man of the match.

After already being the highest-rated player on the pitch in the first encounter in Greece, Nejašmić once again dominated in the holding midfield role in Nijmegen. He finished the match with an impressive 113 touches of the ball, 71 accurate passes, and a perfect dribbling record (3/3). He also recorded 12 ball recoveries and won eight of 14 duels.

"That's what they called me at Hajduk"

After the match, a journalist paid him a compliment by comparing him to the legendary Spaniard, suggesting he could be called "Nijmegen's Busquets." Nejašmić responded, as reported by Dutch outlet FCUpdate.nl: "Thanks for that because I love Busquets, but I think I'm a slightly different player. However, I get what you mean-they used to call me that occasionally at the start of my career when I played for Hajduk Split."

A historic opportunity for NEC

Last season, NEC caused a sensation in the Dutch league by finishing third, which for the first time in the club's history earned them a spot in Champions League qualifying. The final hurdle on their path to the elite competition will be Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, and in case of failure, they are guaranteed a place in the Europa League.

Nejašmić, a former Hajduk and Osijek player, joined NEC in the summer of 2025 after a one-year stint in the United Arab Emirates with Sharjah FC. In his first season, fans already voted him the club's best player, and now he is leading them in the fight for historic qualification.