NK Varaždin host NK Osijek in the eighth round of the SuperSport HNL on Saturday, September 19, at 5 p.m. Visiting coach Federico Bessone expects a very good match and stresses his team will need to be flawless to secure a win.
Bessone highlighted that Varaždin has a solid defensive block and is a very compact team. "I believe both teams will play attacking football and we can expect a very good match," said the Osijek coach. He does not attach importance to tradition, statistics, or previous encounters with opponents, focusing instead on the present moment.
Osijek arrives in Varaždin with confidence after a victory over Dinamo, and Bessone received the Coach of the Month award for that successful run. "I would primarily like to share this award with my colleagues on the coaching staff and with my players." Bessone stated.
New players Luka Tunjić and Alejandro Cantero have integrated into the squad this week. "I’m very happy that they are here." the coach said about the reinforcements. Given the schedule, Bessone decided to give the players a week off after the match in Varaždin. Preparations for the next league match against Istra 1961 begin on September 28, with a possible friendly match planned for the week before.
The coach confirmed that Marko Dolček will be ready after the international break. On the other hand, Matija Kolarik will need to wait for his opportunity as other players are in better form. Bessone mentioned that individual mistakes led to the defeat in Rijeka and were repeated in Sisak, but he remains optimistic. He was sad about missing the Cup final but woke up positive the next day, thanks to support from the sporting director and club president.
Varaždin enters this clash as a team from the upper part of the table. Following the draw with Osijek, the team sits 4th in the HNL with 15 points from eight games played. A look at the standings shows they are just one point behind leaders Dinamo Zagreb. In their last five matches, Varaždin has remained unbeaten, with a run of two wins and three draws. Their next challenge is away to NK Lokomotiva Zagreb on October 10, who currently occupy 7th place.
Bessone concluded by saying he believes his team is closer to success than to defeat. The match in Varaždin will be a true test for two ambitious sides battling at the top of the table.
Read the full report at nk-osijek.hr
