Rijeka Opens SHNL with a Win, but It Wasn't All Smooth Sailing
Matjaž Kek's side defeated top-flight returnees Rudeš 2:1 at Rujevica, extending their winning run after the European victory over Derry City.
Matjaž Kek's side defeated top-flight returnees Rudeš 2:1 at Rujevica, extending their winning run after the European victory over Derry City.
Rijeka kicked off the new SuperSport HNL season with a victory. At Rujevica, the team led by Matjaž Kek beat Rudeš, who returned to the top tier of competition, 2:1, thereby extending a good run after defeating Derry City in Europe. The home side held on to all three points, but the fans at Rujevica couldn't be completely at ease until the final whistle.
From the outset, the Rijeka players imposed their rhythm and spent nearly the entire first half in the visitors' half. Rudeš defended their goal resolutely for over half an hour, with goalkeeper Lovro Rogić playing a crucial role, stopping several dangerous attempts by the home side.
In the 31st minute, after sustained pressure, Rijeka finally found the back of the net. Toni Fruk and Mladen Devetak combined nicely, and Fruk then delivered a precise cross to the far post where Justas Lasickas was waiting. The Lithuanian struck first-time and gave Rijeka a fully deserved lead.
Rijeka continued to control the match after the break. In the 62nd minute, Tiago Dantas played a brilliant through ball to Daniel Adu-Adjei, who calmly received the ball and slotted home to make it 2:0. The Englishman thus continued his impressive streak, having scored days earlier in the win over Derry City in the Conference League qualifiers.
Although the game seemed decided, the visitors fought to the end. Shortly after coming on, Stefan Vukić capitalized on a well-worked team move and finished precisely to make it 2:1, marking Rudeš's first goal since their return to the SuperSport HNL.
The conceded goal injected nerves into the home side, but Rijeka came closer to scoring a third than Rudeš did to an equalizer. Niko Janković hit the woodwork, and Amer Gojak had several chances, but Rogić's saves kept the visitors in the game until the very end.
In the end, Rijeka managed to preserve their slender lead and secure the first points of the new league season. Thus, Kek's side successfully balanced European and domestic commitments and can look forward to their next European challenge against Finland's Ilves with a winning spirit, while Rudeš, despite the defeat, showed they could be far more competitive than expected.
