VARAžDIN. Varaždin conquered Gorica to win 2-1. A. Elezi was the key player for his team after scoring 2 goals. It was Varaždin to strike first with a goal of A. Elezi at the 10′. Then A. Elezi scored again for Varaždin in the 43′ minute scoring a double. Eventually, D. Juric reduced the distance for Gorica (61′). Finally, that was it, and the result remained 2-1. Gorica lost this match even if it was better in terms of ball possession (58%).

Varaždin remained in players after M. Sego received a red card in the 74′. Even so, Varaždin still succeeded in win this match playing only in 10​. On the other side, also D. Juric received a red card (90′)​. This double yellow card was one of the reason why Gorica lost the match.

The match was played at the Stadion Anđelko Herjavec stadium in Varaždin on Saturday and it started at 6:55 pm local time. The referee was Radoslav Gidzhenov with the support of Georgi Minev and Georgi Stamboldzhiev. The 4th official was Ante Čuljak. The weather was cloudy. The temperature was pleasant at 17.5 degrees Celsius or 63.48 Fahrenheit. The humidity was 35%.​

Match Statistics​

Ball possession

Gorica had a strong ball possession 58% while Varaždin was struggling with a 42% ball possession.

Attitude and shots

Gorica was more pushing with 90 dangerous attacks and 11 shots of which 2 were on target. Even so, Varaždin was capable to find the solution to win this match.​

Varaždin shot 7 times, 3 on target, 4 off target. On the other side, Gorica shot 11 times, 2 on target, 9 off target.

Cards

Varaždin received 3 yellow cards (L. Belcar, M. Pilj and J. Pellumbi). On the other side, Gorica received 3 yellow cards (T. Fruk, D. Juric and M. Steenvoorden).

(Varaždin) was sent off after receiving a red card in the (74′).

Also, Gorica didn’t end the match with 11 players after D. Juric (Gorica) was sent off after receiving a second yellow card (90′).

Standings

After playing this encounter, Varaždin will have 12 points to hold in the 3rd place. On the opposite side, Gorica will stay with 5 points like Rijeka to sit in the 9th place.

Next matches

In the next match in the 1. HNL, Varaždin will play away with Gorica on the 27th of May with a 4-3 head to head record in favor of Gorica (3 draws).

Gorica will play away agasint Dinamo Zagreb on the 3rd of June with a 15-1 head to head statistic in favor of Dinamo Zagreb (1 draw).

Varaždin – Formation

Varaždin started with a mid-fielder-oriented line-up (4-1-4-1).

The manager Mario Kovačević decided to play with the following team: Oliver Zelenika (6.6), Matija Kolarić (6.7), Luka Jelenić (6.5), Jorgo Pëllumbi (7.0), Itsuki Urata (6.7), Leon Belcar (6.2), Andris Herrera (6.4), Tonio Teklić (7.5), Agon Elezi (8.8), Michele Šego (6.1) and Fran Brodić (6.6).

The home team had on the bench: Božidar Radošević, Filip Brekalo, Jozo Stanić (7.0), Marko Stolnik (7.0), Luka Škaričić, David Puclin (6.2), Demir Peco, Marin Pilj (6.1), Mato Stanić (7.0), Ivan Ćubelić, Noa Vugrinec and Karlo Perić.

Substitutions

Varaždin made 5 changes: L. Belcar for M. Stanic (57′), A. Herrera for J. Stanic (68′), A. Elezi for M. Pilj (68′), F. Brodic for D. Puclin (75′) and M. Kolaric for M. Stolnik (76′).

Best player: Agon Elezi​

As per our analysis, the most impressive player for Varaždin was Agon Elezi.

His rating is (8.8) with 2 goals, 21 passes (90% accurate) and 0 key passes. He was won 3 duels out of 4. He performed 1 cross.

Gorica – Formation

Gorica started with a aggressive line-up (4-3-3).

Samir Toplak played with: Ivan Banić (6.3), Momčilo Raspopović (6.6), Matthew Steenvoorden (6.8), Krešimir Krizmanić (6.8), Matúš Vojtko (6.8), Jurica Pršir (6.6), Paulius Golubickas (6.3), Joey Suk (7.0), Merveil Ndockyt (6.8), Caio Cruz (6.6) and Toni Fruk (6.8).

These were the players on the bench: Karlo Žiger, Aleksandar Jovičić, Amet Korça, Moussa Wagué (6.8), Tyrese Francois (6.4), Edin Julardžija, Josip Mitrović, Dominik Prokop (6.8), Fran Tomek, Wallace, Deni Jurić (6.9) and Ante Matej Jurić (6.2).

Substitutions

Gorica made 5 changes: M. Ndockyt for D. Prokop (46′), C. Da Cruz for D. Juric (46′), M. Raspopovic for M. Wague (58′), P. Golubickas for T. Francois (58′) and J. Prsir for A. M. Juric (81′).

Best player: Joey Suk​

The player that probably impressed the most for Gorica was Joey Suk.

His rating is (7.0) with 50 passes (92% accurate) and 0 key passes. He was won 7 duels out of 10.

Results of the day

These are the results of the day in the 1. HNL.​

• Varaždin – Gorica – 2-1
• Osijek – Šibenik – 1-1