HNK Rijeka's European season is over following a 1:4 home defeat to FC Midtjylland. The Whites were eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League in the playoff round, as reported by nk-rijeka.hr. Tuesday's match at Stadion HNK Rijeka, attended by 6352 fans, sealed a 3:1 aggregate win for the Danish side, who carried a 2:0 advantage from the first leg.
Rijeka started brightly and took the lead in the 4th minute through Adu-Adjei. However, the visitors equalized in the 17th minute via Iheanacho. After that, Midtjylland took control of the game. Osorio put the guests ahead in the 51st minute, and Jensen added a third goal just five minutes later. Cho scored a fourth in the 79th minute, sealing the Danish club's passage to the group stage. The match referee was Belgium's Jasper Vergoote.
How did the match unfold?
The game had a fast start. Rijeka created a chance in the 30th minute through a combination involving Dantas and Fruk. After Midtjylland turned the score around, Rijeka tried to respond early in the second half with an attack involving Vignato, Fruk, and Kabadayi. The Rijeka defense, led by Majstorović, blocked dangerous efforts from Gabriel in the 34th and Iheanacho in the 36th minute. Nevertheless, the Danish team showed greater efficiency in the final stages.
The Rijeka coach made five substitutions during the match. Janković was replaced by Kabadayi at halftime. In the 63rd minute, Adu-Adjei and Vignato came off, with Puljić and Ćubelić entering. In the 82nd minute, Fruk and Dantas were substituted for Grulović and Gojak. For Midtjylland, Erlić was injured and replaced as early as the 31st minute, while Wätjen and Osorio came off during the second half.
What is the current situation in the HNL?
This European defeat comes as Rijeka sits 5th in the HNL table. After three matches played, the club has six points, with a record of two wins and one loss. The team's recent league form is WLW. Rijeka has scored five goals in the league but has also conceded five, resulting in a goal difference of zero. They currently trail leaders NK Osijek by six points. You can track all the statistics on our standings page.
What comes next after the European exit?
The club now turns its full attention to the domestic championship. The next challenge is on Friday, September 5th, when Rijeka hosts league leaders NK Osijek at home. This match represents a direct clash to cut the gap at the top of the table. The schedule for all upcoming fixtures is available on our fixtures list. The coaching staff will have the task of quickly rebuilding morale after the European disappointment and preparing the players for this important league duel.
Yellow cards in the match against Midtjylland were shown to Lasickas, Puljić, and Majstorović of Rijeka, and to Bech of the visiting team. Rijeka's starting lineup consisted of: Todorović in goal, and Janković, Pavić, Fruk, Adu-Adjei, Vignato, Oreč, Lasickas, Dantas, Majstorović, and Husić. Midtjylland started with Ólafsson in net, and Sigmann-Jensen, Kristensen, Erlić, Billing, Osorio, Iheanacho, Bravo, Castillo, Bech, and Wätjen.
