Janković after victory against Ilves: 'We deserved to celebrate with more goals, we go to Finland for advancement'

Niko Janković secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Rijeka against Ilves in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie. His 16th-minute goal gave the Croatian side a narrow advantage, but Janković felt the team should have capitalized on more of their chances.

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I think we were dominant, we started the match well and created many opportunities. Faris Krkalić saved excellently, he made several stops. I am not completely satisfied because, based on our performance, we deserved a win by two or more goals. I hope we will be more effective in the second leg and score enough to advance.

"I think we were dominant, we started the match well and created many opportunities," Janković stated after the game. "Faris Krkalić [Ilves' goalkeeper] saved excellently, he made several stops. I am not completely satisfied because, based on our performance, we deserved a win by two or more goals. I hope we will be more effective in the second leg and score enough to advance."

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We expect them to be different at home. They are more dominant there and it will surely be demanding, but we go there confidently and want to secure advancement. We believe in ourselves and know we are the better team.

Janković anticipates a different challenge in the return leg in Tampere, acknowledging that Ilves plays more offensively at home. "We expect them to be different at home. They are more dominant there and it will surely be demanding, but we go there confidently and want to secure advancement. We believe in ourselves and know we are the better team," he asserted.

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We are a winning team, we have that mentality. The defense does its job, and in attack, someone always finds a way to score. We hope it will continue like this.

Despite the respect for the Finnish opponent, Janković highlighted Rijeka's "winning mentality" and defensive solidity, having conceded only one goal in their European matches this season. He also lauded coach Matjaž Kek, calling him "perfect" and expressing his honor in playing under his guidance. "We are a winning team, we have that mentality. The defense does its job, and in attack, someone always finds a way to score. We hope it will continue like this."

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The coach is perfect. It is a great honor for me to play under his leadership and I believe that we will continue like this.