RIJEKA. Rijeka was finally too strong for Istra 1961 with the goal of Veldin Hodza (10′), Niko Jankovic (34′ pen) and Mirko Marić (74′). Rijeka made the most of its better ball possession (56%).
The match was played at the Stadion HNK Rijeka stadium in Rijeka on Sunday and it started at 3:00 pm local time. In front of 7,588 spectators. The referee was Ante Čulina who was helped by Luka Pušić and Dario Kolarević. The 4th official was Zdenko Lovrić. The weather was scattered clouds. The temperature was cold at 13.05 degrees Celsius or 55.49 Fahrenheit. The humidity was 61%.
Match Statistics
- 56 Ball Possession 44
Shots
- 14 Total 2
- 7 On Target 0
- 4 Off Target 0
- 3 Shots blocked 2
- 132 Attack 101
- 77 Dangerous attack 36
- 0 Ball safe 0
- 1 Penalties 0
- 3 Corners 2
- 1 Off Sides 2
Fouls
- 20 Total 11
- 2 Yellow Cards 2
- 0 Double Yellow 0
- 0 Red Card 1
Other
- 5 Substitutions 5
Ball possession
Rijeka had a strong ball possession 56% while Istra 1961 was struggling with a 44% ball possession.
Attitude and shots
Rijeka had a more offensive attitude with 77 dangerous attacks and 14 shots of which 7 were on target. This is one of the reasons why Rijeka won the match.
Rijeka shot 14 times, 7 on target, 4 off target. Regarding the opposition, Istra 1961 shot 2 times, 0 on target, 0 off target.
Cards
Rijeka received 2 yellow cards (Lindon Selahi and Bruno Bogojevic). On the opposite side, Istra 1961 received 2 yellow cards (Lovro Majkic and Ante Erceg).
Also, Istra 1961 didn’t end the match with 11 players after Antonio Mauric (Istra 1961) was sent off after receiving a straight red card (45′).
Match Timeline
Standings
After this encounter, Rijeka has 44 points to sit in the 1st place. Talking about the opposition, Istra 1961 will stays with 18 points to sit in the 9th place.
Next matches
In the next match in the 1. HNL, Rijeka will play away against Gorica on the 10th of February with a 10-9 head to head stats in favor of Gorica (3 draws).
Istra 1961 will host Osijek on the 10th of February with a 26-11 head to head statistic in favor of Osijek (18 draws).
Rijeka – Formation
Rijeka
57'
17'
34'
Rijeka started with a 4-2-3-1 line-up (4-2-3-1).
The manager Željko Sopić decided to play with the following team: Nediljko Labrovic , Ivan Smolcic , Niko Galesic , Stjepan Radeljic , Bruno Bogojevic , Lindon Selahi , Veldin Hodza , Marco Pasalic , Niko Jankovic , Marko Pjaca and Jorge Obregón .
The home team had on the bench: Lovro Kitin, Matej Mitrovic, Emmanuel Banda , Martin Zlomislic, Dejan Petrovic , Alen Grgic, Mirko Marić , Damjan Pavlovic, Danilo Veiga , Franjo Ivanovic and Momo Yansane.
Rijeka could not rely on the presence of Dejan Petrovic (injured).
Substitutions
Rijeka made 5 changes: Marco Pasalic for Franjo Ivanovic (77′), Niko Jankovic for Dejan Petrovic (37′), Lindon Selahi for Emmanuel Banda (58′), Jorge Obregón for Mirko Marić (57′) and Bruno Bogojevic for Danilo Veiga (58′).
Player of the match: Ivan Smolcic
The player that probably impressed the most for Rijeka was Ivan Smolcic even if he didn’t score any goal.
His rating is with 57 passes (89% accurate) and 1 key pass. He won 4 duels out of 9. He performed 2 crosses.
Istra 1961 – Formation
Istra 1961
45'
Istra 1961 started with a aggressive line-up (4-3-3).
David Català Jiménez played with: Lovro Majkic , Moris Valincic , Ante Majstorovic , Dario Maresic , Advan Kadusic , Frano Mlinar , Slavko Blagojevic , Antonio Mauric , Emmanuel Ekong , Ante Erceg and Matej Vuk .
These were the players on the bench: Marijan Coric, Ville Koski , Mateo Lisica, Oleksandr Petrusenko , Terrence Douglas , Iurie Iovu, Ivan Calusic , Dukan Ahmeti , Mladen Devetak, Jan Paus-Kunšt and Elias Filet.
Istra 1961 could not rely on the presence of Dukan Ahmeti (injured).
Substitutions
Istra 1961 made 4 changes: Advan Kadusic for Terrence Douglas (63′), Frano Mlinar for Ivan Calusic (46′), Matej Vuk for Ville Koski (46′) and Emmanuel Ekong for Oleksandr Petrusenko (46′).
Player of the match: Oleksandr Petrusenko
Following our analysis, the most impressive player for Istra 1961 was Oleksandr Petrusenko.
His rating is with 18 passes (94% accurate) and 0 key passes. He won 4 duels out of 5. He performed 1 cross.
His performance was extraordinary also because he commenced the match from the bench before entering in the 46′.
Results of the day
These are the results of the day in the 1. HNL.
- Dinamo Zagreb – Gorica – 2-0
- Rijeka – Istra 1961 – 3-0
