NK Varaždin beat Lokomotiva 1-0 to climb to second place in the HNL. Luka Mamić scored the only goal in the 40th minute at Maksimir, and Nikola Šafarić's team now has 18 points from nine matches.
That victory puts them just one point behind leaders Hajduk. Dinamo, with 16 points and a game in hand, is currently third. Varaždin is unbeaten in its last five matches and has earned the right to fight for the top of the table in the next round at Poljud.
The match was extremely tight and combative from the start. Lokomotiva created a chance early on, but goalkeeper Josip Silić made the save. The decisive moment came just before halftime. Petar Bočkaj won the ball on the right flank and delivered a perfect cross to find Luka Mamić, who headed it home. That was Mamić's fourth goal of the season in nine appearances.
The team held firm until the end, and the situation was eased by the sending-off of Marko Vešković in the 86th minute for dissent. Before the match, Varaždin also had to make an unplanned substitution as Iuri Tavares was injured during the warm-up.
After the match, coach Nikola Šafarić highlighted the importance of this hard-fought win. He said it was a combative match, tough from both sides, and that Lokomotiva started the match very well, with Silić saving a good chance.
He then sent a message about what comes next. He stated they are going to compete at Poljud and enjoy an atmosphere and a situation they don't find themselves in so often, clearly stating the team's ambitions.
All attention now turns to the big derby against Hajduk. The match is scheduled for October 18th at Poljud. A win in Split would put Varaždin at the top of the HNL table. The team goes into this encounter with confidence, remembering last season's 2-1 win over Hajduk on their own ground.
NK Varaždin has scored 14 and conceded just 7 goals this season. Next week at Poljud will be the true test of their ambitions.
Read the full report at Index.hr Sport
Manager Nikola Šafarić confirmed on October 14th that Iuri Tavares injured his thigh during the warm-up before the match against Lokomotiva. The club stated the forward will undergo further examinations. Varaždin is unbeaten in the last five matches (WDDDW) and sits second with 18 points, one behind leaders Hajduk.
Manager Nikola Šafarić highlighted on October 14th that the team had chances to extend their lead against Lokomotiva. "We had several more situations where we could have increased the lead," said Šafarić. The team is unbeaten in their last five matches and is in second place with 18 points, one behind leaders Hajduk.
