Watch the stunner with which Janković unlocked the Finns
Niko Janković's brilliant goal in the 16th minute gave Rijeka the lead against Ilves in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.
Niko Janković's brilliant goal in the 16th minute gave Rijeka the lead against Ilves in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.
Rijeka took the lead against Finnish side Ilves at Rujevica in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the Conference League, with Niko Janković becoming the hero of the evening. The home midfielder scored a fantastic goal in the 16th minute to make it 1:0.
Janković received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, surrounded by the visiting defenders. Despite the pressure, he opted for a shot and, while falling, sent the ball just inside the right post, leaving goalkeeper Krkalić with no chance. Rujevica erupted in delight.
This goal carries extra weight for the player himself, who earlier this year was out of favor with former coach Victor Sánchez. As a result, he was sent on loan to Slovan Bratislava last season, where he scored just one goal in 15 appearances.
With Sánchez's departure and Matjaž Kek's return to the Rijeka bench, Janković has been reinstated in the starting lineup. It seems the period outside Sánchez's plans hasn't affected him, and he's once again thrilling the fans at Rujevica.
After the goal, Rijeka completely took control of the match. In the 27th minute, Pavić struck the outside of the far post from 20 meters following a scramble in the visitors' box. Earlier, in the 14th minute, the same player nearly caught out the Ilves goalkeeper from a tight angle, but the ball was deflected for a corner.
The visitors from Tampere threatened in the 11th minute from a free kick, but goalkeeper Todorović was alert. As early as the fifth minute, Barco cleared a dangerous cross from five meters out just in time.
The hosts had already threatened in the second minute when Devetak crossed for Fruk, whose header lacked power. Coach Kek had emphasized the importance of concentration in the buildup: "Every European match in the qualifiers has its own rules and things you have to be prepared for. At Rujevica, Rijeka has something to prove, and it's up to us to show what we're made of."
On the other side, Ilves coach Camilo Speranza, a Uruguayan with Spanish citizenship, promised a fight: "Rijeka has talented players, a lot of quality, and is a well-organized team. We came here to make things difficult for them and to compete. We respect the opponent, but we fear no one."
The match at Rujevica is officiated by Ishmael Barbara from Malta, with live coverage on RTL television. Rijeka advanced past Northern Ireland's Derry City in the second qualifying round, and the only absentee in the home squad is Teo Barišić due to injury. The winner of this tie will face the better of Irish side Bohemians and Danish side Midtjylland in the playoff round.
