Rijeka coach Kek: 'We allowed them too much, they were faster and more dangerous'

Croatian football club Rijeka has been eliminated from European competitions after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Danish side Midtjylland. The loss, which followed a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, means Rijeka will not feature in European club tournaments next season. This outcome leaves Dinamo and Hajduk as Croatia's sole representatives in European football.

Head coach Matjaž Kek expressed disappointment following the match, admitting his team's performance was below par. "They didn't shift into a higher gear, we allowed them too much and did something that should not be done against a team like this," Kek stated. He acknowledged that Midtjylland was faster, more direct, and more dangerous throughout the game.

Kek reflected on the team's strategy, noting that while they started offensively as planned, Midtjylland capitalized on set pieces. "We tried to go even more offensively, and they met us from a set piece and decided the game," he explained. The coach conceded that Rijeka is not currently at the same level as their opponents, a fact they were aware of prior to the draw.

Looking ahead, Kek emphasized the need for improvement in both physical and mental preparation. "We have to learn from this through physical preparation and mental things which are very important," he said. He also touched upon the club's transfer strategy, noting that player sales are crucial for most Croatian clubs' finances. Despite the European exit, Kek expressed satisfaction with his current squad, believing they showed potential in the first half but were ultimately undone by crucial errors.