A Return in Style: Mirko Marić Heads Lokomotiva into the Lead
The experienced striker returned to the SHNL from Monza and scored his first goal for Lokomotiva in the 12th minute, his 85th career league goal.
The experienced striker returned to the SHNL from Monza and scored his first goal for Lokomotiva in the 12th minute, his 85th career league goal.
Lokomotiva and Gorica faced off on Saturday evening at Maksimir in the second match of the 2nd round of the SuperSport HNL, with the home side taking an early lead. The 1:0 advantage came courtesy of returning striker Mirko Marić, who found the back of the net in the 12th minute of the match.
The goal was initiated from the right side of the pitch, with the ball then switched to the left flank to Marko Pajač. The Lokomotiva left-back had ample time and space to deliver a precise cross to the far side of the penalty area, where Marić arrived and headed the ball into the net. It was the home side's first serious attempt on goal in the match.
This is Marić's first goal in a Lokomotiva shirt since returning to the Croatian league from Italian side Monza this summer. It is also his first goal in the SHNL in over two years, his last strike came on April 21, 2024, for Rijeka in a 3:0 victory over none other than Gorica. This brings his career total in the SuperSport HNL to 85 goals.
The team led by coach Nikica Jelavić won their opening match 3:2 away to Istra, while Gorica aims to bounce back from a home defeat to Osijek. The visitors had several chances, coming closest to equalizing in the 16th minute when Braut got past Pajač, entered the box, and shot from 7-8 meters, but the ball flew high over the bar.
Just a few minutes later, in the 23rd minute, Gorica had another big opportunity. Čustović played a long ball to Bogojević, who broke free from the defense and shot on the run from 13-14 meters, but goalkeeper Posavec made a brilliant save to keep Lokomotiva ahead.
The main referee for the match is Antonio Škobić from Osijek, assisted by Marko Reljan (Osijek) and Filip Đerđ (Darda). The fourth official is Patrik Pavlešić from Duga Resa, with Ivan Bebek (Rijeka) and Kristijan Novosel (Valpovo) in the VAR room.
Lokomotiva took to the field with: Posavec, Vešović, Triantafyllou, Jukić, Pajač, Katić, Subotić, Vuković, Vasilj, Sušak, Marić. Gorica lined up as: Matijaš, Perić, Filipović, Cvijanović, Braut, Kavelj, Pavičić, Bogojević, Custovic, Frigan, Mijić.
