HNK Rijeka dropped points in the fifth round of the Croatian First Football League after a 0-0 draw with HNK Gorica. The match in Velika Gorica, as reported by Gol.hr, was delayed by 30 minutes due to floodlight issues and finished goalless despite Rijeka's dominance.
Rijeka currently sits fifth in the standings with six points from three games, recording two wins and one loss. They have scored five and conceded five goals this season, sitting six points behind leaders NK Osijek. In Velika Gorica, they controlled possession and spent almost the entire match in the opponent's half. Early chances came quickly. Vignato fired an attempt in the third minute, and Fruk shot over the bar five minutes later. Dantas missed from distance in the 54th minute.
Why couldn't Rijeka score?
Despite their territorial advantage, Rijeka lacked sharpness in the final third. The first half passed without major alarms for the Gorica goalkeeper. The hosts had their best opportunity in the second period. In the 85th minute, Mijić had a clear chance from six meters out but blasted the ball over the crossbar. Earlier, in one of Gorica's rare attacks, defender Cvijanović almost scored an own goal from a cross aimed at Adu-Adjei. Rijeka had more attempts but none were precise enough to break the deadlock.
What is the league situation?
The draw leaves Rijeka in fifth place with seven points after five rounds. This is a result that does not match the club's ambitions. Gorica remains at the bottom of the table. For Rijeka, this was their first clean sheet of the season, which is a positive takeaway. However, given the opponent was the last-placed team, three points were expected. This result further complicates their path to the top. Data on top scorers and assist providers can be found on our stats page.
What's next after this result?
Rijeka's next challenge will be much tougher. As early as Tuesday, September 5th, league leaders NK Osijek will visit Kantrida. It will be a direct clash to cut the six-point deficit. The match against Osijek represents an immediate opportunity for correction and proof that Rijeka is a serious title contender. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. Preparations for that important derby are already underway.
Furthermore, Rijeka will need to find better attacking efficiency. Numerous chances in Velika Gorica were wasted. The coach will likely test new combinations in the attacking third. The squad composition and potential changes can be followed on our squad page. Rijeka hosts Osijek at home on September 5, 2026.
