Rijeka needs a miracle: Club's European honeymoon ends with daunting deficit

Rijeka faces an uphill battle in their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying match, needing a near-miraculous performance to overcome a 0-2 deficit against Denmark's Midtjylland. The first leg saw the Danish side dominate possession, shots, and clear-cut chances, leaving Rijeka with a mountain to climb in the second leg at home.

History offers little comfort for the Croatian club. Rijeka has never managed to overturn a two-goal deficit in a European second-leg match. Their previous attempts to qualify for the Conference League main phase have also been largely unsuccessful, with only one successful qualification in five attempts last season, where they reached the round of 16.

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some players will obviously have to go through a little more school to understand how football is played

Adding to the pressure, coach Matjaž Kek has been openly critical of his team's recent performances. Despite a 3-2 league victory over Istra, Kek lamented the team's lapse in concentration and execution in the latter stages of the match. He has voiced concerns about player attitude and readiness, suggesting some need further "schooling" to understand the game.

The team's initial perfect start to the season, with four wins, has been attributed by some to weaker opposition. While the defense appeared solid, scoring goals has been a persistent issue, with a notable seven halves producing only one goal before their recent league match. This offensive sterility remains a key concern as they face Midtjylland.

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some players have really disappointed me