Raków in Chaos Ahead of Poljud: Captain and Midfielder Out of Squad
The Polish club arrives at Poljud on Thursday with three league defeats, defensive personnel issues, and without two key Croats, while Hajduk seeks entry into the Conference League.
The Polish club arrives at Poljud on Thursday with three league defeats, defensive personnel issues, and without two key Croats, while Hajduk seeks entry into the Conference League.
Hajduk hosts Raków on Thursday at 9 PM at Poljud in the first leg of the Conference League play-off, and the Polish club arrives in Split in far from ideal shape. While the Split side finally recorded their first league win of the season on Sunday, beating Gorica 2-1, Raków suffered their third defeat in as many rounds in the Polish Ekstraklasa and sit at the bottom of the table as the only team without a point.
According to 24sata, Raków will almost certainly be weakened by the absence of two Croatian players. Defender and team captain Fran Tudor (30), a former Hajduk player, is struggling with an injury and is doubtful for the first clash with the "Whites." Midfielder Marko Bulat (24), on the other hand, was not in the squad against Cracovia due to alleged indiscipline and has been removed from the team.
Raków coach Dawid Kroczek did not hide his concern after the league defeat at Cracovia 2-1. The situation in defense is particularly alarming, where Oskar Repka had to play as a center-back in the closing stages even though, according to the coach, he was not physically ready for such a role.
"We simply don't have enough players, especially in defense. We finished the match with only one classic center-back, Racovitan, and Jurek Napieraj, who is just joining the seniors. We couldn't make substitutions because we no longer have defensive players in the squad. This is a big challenge, and we must do everything to ensure reinforcements finally arrive," said Kroczek.
The Polish tactician dismissed the notion that the European campaign is to blame for poor league results. "There are no important and more important things. Both the Ekstraklasa and Europe are equally important to us," Kroczek said, adding that the team must learn to play every three days and distribute the workload among players.
Interestingly, Raków looks completely different in Conference League qualifying than in the domestic league. First, they eliminated Valletta with two wins, then beat Swedish side Hammarby 1-0 away. It is precisely this European run that suggests the Poles will be significantly more dangerous at Poljud than their league form indicates.
On the other hand, Hajduk coach Gonzalo Garcia is aware of the difference between league and European pace. Asked whether he should give the nod to Marko Livaja, who decided the match against Gorica in the 87th minute, or the more mobile Michele Šego (26), the Uruguayan was clear: "And what do you think? The league is slow, there's no tempo, it's much different than in Europe. In Europe, it's a different sport. Those we think are best will play," said Garcia.
Ticket sales for the match at Poljud began yesterday, and only active club members have the right to purchase until matchday. For West Premium, the most expensive category, adults pay 80 euros, while children pay 40 euros. On the rest of the west stand, adults pay 55 euros, and children 27.50 euros. Admission to the East is 40 euros for adults and 20 euros for children. For the North, the price is 30 euros, while tickets for the south stand are also 30 euros for adults and five euros for children.
The stakes of the tie are enormous for Hajduk. According to rumors, if the club fails to qualify for Europe, coach Gonzalo Garcia and president Ivan Bilić could leave, further worsening an already weak financial situation. The return leg will be played a week later in Poland, with the winner securing a place in the league phase of the competition.
