Poles Drop Former Dinamo Player from Squad: 'He Moves Like It's the 119th Minute'
Marko Bulat has been removed from the first team of Raków Częstochowa due to dissatisfaction with his behavior and attitude, Polish media have confirmed.
Marko Bulat has been removed from the first team of Raków Częstochowa due to dissatisfaction with his behavior and attitude, Polish media have confirmed.
Marko Bulat, a 24-year-old midfielder who came through Dinamo's youth system, is facing serious consequences at Polish club Raków Częstochowa. The club's management has decided to remove him from the first team, and the reason is not health-related-it is a disciplinary measure prompted by dissatisfaction with his attitude and influence on the dressing room. As a result, he will not be available for the return leg of the third qualifying round of the Conference League against Hammarby in Sweden.
The information was first reported on August 12, 2026, by Kamil Głębocki, a journalist from the local outlet naWylot.tv, which closely follows Raków. "Recently, there have been many complaints about the Croatian's behavior and attitude, as well as his influence on the team," wrote Głębocki. He also emphasized that Bulat's return to the first team is not ruled out-the door remains ajar if there is a change in his mindset and effort. "This is not about a transfer. I get the impression that he doesn't really feel like playing football anymore," he added.
Bulat's performances had already drawn negative reactions, especially after the first leg against Hammarby, which ended goalless. During that broadcast, renowned Polish commentator Mateusz Borek did not hold back in criticizing his defensive effort. "At times, Bulat moves in the 25th minute as if it were the 119th minute. There's actually no attempt to close anyone down," Borek said.
Kanał Sportowy also pointed out the lack of intensity from the former Dinamo player. It is still unclear whether that particular performance was decisive or if dissatisfaction within the club had been simmering for some time. On Thursday, Raków will try to secure a place in the play-off against Hammarby without him, and the situation is further complicated by a poor start in the domestic league, where they have suffered two defeats in the first two rounds under coach Dawid Kroczek.
A year ago, Raków invested significant effort and money to bring him in. They paid Dinamo around 800,000 euros and offered the player a long-term contract until the summer of 2030. Club representatives even traveled to Croatia and Slovenia to persuade him to join their project.
At first, it seemed like a good move. He quickly earned a place in the starting eleven, but over time, his playing time diminished. Local media had already drawn parallels in December with his previous season at Standard Liège, where he also started well and then lost his starter status. However, in the second half of that season, he regained form, and in May, he scored a spectacular free-kick goal against Piast in a 3-1 victory. He finished that season with 43 appearances, three goals, and five assists. In the Polish club's shirt, he has so far made 47 appearances, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
Bulat developed his football skills at Šibenik, from where Dinamo brought him in January 2021 for approximately 2.2 million euros. For the Zagreb club, he made 87 official appearances, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists, and he won three league titles, one Cup, and two Supercups.
He is remembered by fans for his masterful set pieces, especially the free kick against AEK in the Champions League qualifiers in 2023. However, he never fully secured undisputed starter status. He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Belgian club Standard under coach Ivan Leko, but the Liège club did not activate the purchase option. After returning to Maksimir, he continued his career in Poland last summer.
