HNK Rijeka hold a 1-0 lead over Derry City in the UEFA Conference League second leg at Brandywell, with Toni Fruk, the £10 million-rated attacking midfielder, scoring the only goal in the first leg in Croatia. In the final 2025 HNL table, Rijeka finished 4th with 41 points (11 wins, 8 draws, 10 losses) and a +6 goal difference (39 scored, 33 conceded).
Derry City midfielder and former Arsenal player James Olayinka stated that while Rijeka have quality players, his team won’t alter their approach. 'I don’t think anyone will get special attention, but we must understand how they can hurt us,' said Olayinka, who previously faced CSKA Sofia’s Stefano Sensi in European competition.
Fruk, a Croatia international, demonstrated in the first leg how he can exploit space and time. However, Olayinka believes aggressive play and pressing can nullify Rijeka’s advantage. 'No one likes it when someone is in their face, forcing quick decisions,' he emphasized.
After this tie, HNK Rijeka will travel to face HNK Gorica (currently 8th in the table) on 20 February 2027. Until then, the focus remains on maintaining their lead and advancing to the next round of the Conference League.
