NK Varaždin were defeated 1-0 by league leaders HNK Hajduk Split at Poljud in the 10th round of the SuperSport HNL. The only goal was scored by Mathieu Acapandie in the 86th minute, a header from a corner kick. This defeat leaves the team third in the table with 18 points from ten games, having recorded five wins, three draws, and two losses.
Hajduk coach Gonzalo Garcia admitted it was a tough match. "It was a very good week. We played against strong opponents. Varaždin are second in the table. We knew it would be difficult," said Garcia. He noted his players were tired but grew into the game. Garcia also acknowledged Varaždin's resilience, adding, "Varaždin were good.
Match Statistics
Hajduk dominated possession and had 18 shots, with six on target. Varaždin responded with seven shots, only one of which was on frame. Possession was 56% for the hosts in the 26th minute and 59% at halftime. One report had Varaždin finishing with just 36% possession. The attendance was 14,882.
For Varaždin, this is their second defeat of the season, leaving them third in the table with 18 points from ten games. They trail leaders Hajduk by four points. The team has scored 14 goals this season while conceding only eight. Their next task is a home match against 8th-placed NK Slaven Belupo on Friday, 24 October. This is the round's derby, to be played at the Anđelko Herjavec Stadium.
Alongside the defeat, Varaždin had injury concerns. Defender Dino Duraković required medical assistance in the 22nd minute. The coach later made several substitutions, including bringing on Ivan Puclin and Franco Uchegbu in the 62nd minute. Top scorer Luka Mamić, who scored the winner against Lokomotiva last round, was unable to find the net this time. Mamić remains the team's leading scorer with four goals in nine appearances.
Despite the loss, Varaždin remain near the top of the HNL with a +6 goal difference. Their last victory was against Lokomotiva just a week ago. They must now regroup quickly for the aforementioned derby against Slaven Belupo. The team showed resilience in Split but now needs to turn their form around in the next round.
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Manager Gonzalo Garcia confirmed he decided to rest a key player. "I decided to give Šego a rest," Garcia said. Varaždin remained in third place with 18 points after the defeat. In their last five matches, they have a record of one win, three draws, and one loss. Their next task is a home match against Slaven Belupo on Friday.
The club has confirmed that defender Dino Duraković is injured. NK Varaždin stated that Duraković sustained a hamstring muscle injury. The manager said a detailed diagnosis will be known after further examinations. The team remains in 3rd place with 18 points. Their form in the last five matches is one win, three draws, and one loss.
The NK Varaždin manager confirmed that Ivan Canjuga had an excellent chance to equalise in the 81st minute of the defeat to Hajduk. "Canjuga almost scored a wonder goal," said the manager. Varaždin returns to third place with 18 points ahead of the home derby against Slaven Belupo.
MAXSport TV commentator Andrija Cmrečnjak suggested that Marko Livaja should move to Varaždin on loan. "I have a proposal... Marko Livaja in Varaždin?! Varaždin needs a striker," said Cmrečnjak. The club remains in 3rd place with 18 points ahead of the home derby against Slaven Belupo.
