Goalkeeper Igor Vekić made his HNL debut for HNK Rijeka in a match against Gorica. The game ended in a goalless draw, with Vekić keeping a clean sheet in his first top-flight appearance for the club.
According to a report from the club's official website, Vekić commented on his first minutes in a Rijeka shirt after the match. "A debut in the HNL, I'm glad about that, it would of course be sweeter with a win," said the goalkeeper. While Rijeka wanted to create more chances, Vekić noted that they were also solid in defence.
How did Vekić perform on his debut?
Igor Vekić did not have too much work to do in his first league appearance for Rijeka. The match against Gorica was balanced, with both teams having limited clear-cut chances. Vekić was, however, focused and reliable when called upon. His first official match for the club came in the 4th round of the HNL. According to our data on the standings page, Rijeka remained in the upper part of the table after this draw.
This debut comes at a time when Rijeka has several key players on the injury list, which you can follow on our injuries page. Vekić therefore got the chance to show his qualities. Manager Alen Horvat trusted him for this important away fixture.
What did Vekić say about the upcoming match?
After his debut against Gorica, Igor Vekić immediately turned his attention to the next challenge. "Osijek awaits us, we have quality, I believe the stadium will be well-filled with the support of the fans and we have to respect that," the goalkeeper stated. Rijeka will face NK Osijek next weekend at the Rujevica stadium. Details of all upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page.
The match against Osijek will be Vekić's first potential home game for Rijeka. Significant fan support is expected, which the goalkeeper himself mentioned. Rijeka will aim to break a run of two league matches without a win.
Where does Vekić stand among the squad's goalkeepers?
Igor Vekić's arrival at Rijeka happened before the start of the season. He is one of several goalkeepers in the wider squad, and his debut indicates the trust of the coaching staff. Our squad list shows that Vekić is currently one of the younger goalkeepers battling for a starting spot. His competition includes more experienced players in that position.
This appearance could be an important step in his season. If he continues with good performances, he could earn more minutes. For now, he is pleased to have gotten the opportunity at all. "In the end, a point, Gorica set up well in defence." Vekić added in his statement for the club.
The next test for Igor Vekić and HNK Rijeka will be the match against NK Osijek on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at the Rujevica stadium.
