Tonći Kukoč harshly criticizes Hajduk's play in Slovakia: 'If stoppage time were longer, Albania would have repeated'

Hajduk Split advanced to the second qualifying round of the Conference League with a narrow 3-2 aggregate win over Slovakia's Žilina. After a convincing 2-0 victory at home, the Croatian team delivered a lackluster performance in the away leg, ultimately losing 2-1.

Despite taking an early lead through Van Hoorenbeeck, Hajduk conceded two goals, including an own goal by Melnjak, to fall behind. The team faced renewed criticism following the match, with former player Tonći Kukoč launching a particularly sharp attack on coach Gonzalo García and player Bamba.

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Look at Bamba's movement and reaction during Žilina's second goal. He's late for his player and then makes a half-hearted tackle, letting him enter the middle as if he's at a training session. The man came into the game in the 75th minute. If you don't have the strength and energy to track your player in 15 minutes, what are we even talking about?

Kukoč specifically highlighted Bamba's perceived lack of effort, questioning his fitness and commitment after being substituted in the 75th minute. "If you don't have the strength and energy to track your player in 15 minutes, what are we even talking about?" Kukoč wrote on social media. He further suggested that Bamba, who came on before Marko Livaja, did not appear suited for serious matches and that numerous players in lower leagues are superior.

Reflecting on the team's struggles, Kukoč drew a stark comparison to Hajduk's previous defeat against Dinamo City in Tirana. "Thank God the added time wasn't ten minutes, or Albania would have repeated itself," he stated, implying that a longer match could have led to an even more damaging result.

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Thank God the added time wasn't ten minutes, or Albania would have repeated itself.