Hajduk Split crisis deepens with opening-day loss; coach laments 'silly goals' and missed penalty

Hajduk Split's difficult start to the season continued with a 2-1 loss to Varaždin in a dramatic opening match of the Supersport HNL. The defeat intensifies the pressure on coach Ivan Leko, who is already dancing on the edge of dismissal just weeks into the campaign.

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We conceded silly goals. The second one shouldn't even be commented on, but we can't react like that for the first one from a set-piece two games in a row. We concede silly goals, but such shit happens sometimes. The players are tired, we have a deficit in some positions. We only have one winger, and our other one injured her knee. I'm playing Melnjak and Šego in positions that are not theirs.

Following a disappointing elimination in Cyprus, Hajduk desperately needed at least a point in Varaždin. However, they conceded soft goals, including one from a set-piece and another resulting from a defensive error. Varaždin took the lead in the 53rd minute through Mario Mladenovski. Hajduk equalized quickly via Rokas Pukštas in the 56th minute, but Varaždin regained the advantage in the 62nd minute with a goal from Luka Mamić after a significant lapse in the Hajduk defense.

The situation became even more dire when Hajduk had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 90th minute from a penalty. However, Marko Livaja's spot-kick was saved by Varaždin's goalkeeper, Josip Silić, sealing the victory for the home side.

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We had a great emotional release after the Conference League and that elimination by Jablonec on Thursday. It was very important that the guys reset, and they succeeded. The way we played the first half was excellent, we limited Hajduk to almost nothing. Tactically, it was top-notch. We conceded a goal out of carelessness, but it's hard for Hajduk not to create a chance for you for 90 minutes, they have great quality after all. I congratulate the scorer of the winning goal Mamić and our president on their birthday, this is a gift for them.

Coach Leko lamented the "silly goals" conceded, particularly the first from a set-piece, noting that the team's fatigue and player deficits in certain positions contributed to the issues. He highlighted the challenge of playing wingers out of their natural positions due to injuries. Varaždin's coach, Nikola Šafarić, praised his team's tactical discipline and resilience, especially after their midweek European exit, while Silić, the penalty-saving hero, acknowledged the emotional nature of the game, particularly given his brother plays for Hajduk.

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After being eliminated by Jablonec, where we had an emotional release and were eliminated after four set pieces, we agreed to try and rise above it. I think we fulfilled everything we agreed on. We limited Hajduk. We had the initiative. My brother on the other side of the field, it was a very emotional game.