All game long, Home Team Creates Chances, Many More Might-Have-Been Goals.
A Pity that more spectators weren’t present at Gradski Vrt, who would have come to see Osijek fight against Slaven Belupo, regardless of the colder weather and near-zero Centigrade temperature. However, all those who stayed glued to the small screen had a chance to see a good showing by Osijek, surely one of the most consistent ones since that victory over Rijeka at Rujevica.
Since the first moments, all up until the ending ones, Osijek acted aggressively and determined, chances were being created on the opponent’s side, who wasn’t able to neutralize near-constant attempts by the home team, whose victory could have been more exaggerated. 2-0 was the end result, with an incredible 19 direct shots at Marković’s gates, being saved twice by the post and having been lucky due to the ball quite literally hitting him.
Pressure from Start to Finish
The start into the match was just as Zekić and the fans wanted. The pressure from the first minute was present without any unnecessary show of force. Osijek pressured Ivković’s squad in every attack as they looked for openings to quickly and easily find situations to be a menace in. The menace was present from every corner, the ˝pharmacists˝ being on the run, so that it was only a matter of when. It happened in minute 17 when Lopa reminded us of his best versions from past season. He scored a grand goal, his first of the season and when he’s in the mood, so is Osijek. After that, Hajradinović struck the post, immediately followed by Grgić’s shaking of the same, while the enemy threatened Malenica, who reacted accordingly.
A much needed victory mindset
The second half was pretty much the same. The home team pressured incessantly, looked for a lead increase and all the offense players had at least one chance. A pity that Grezdina’s resolve wasn’t rewarded with a score in some prospective situations, neither was Marić’s being non-present in opportune moments after many a cross from the wing positions. Hajradinović, too, could have been the striker, but it’s not important who shot it but the way it was achieved. This time, it was 2 beautiful goals with shots a bit outside the penalty area, enough to achieve 3 pts.
The necessity to win had imposed itself in the beginning stages of the season, after the loss in Zaprešić, when a tie was scored against Cibalija and 2 lost points at Poljud. Osijek has answered in the right manner and we believe that it will be like that for the remaining 2 matches pre-winter break. This is the return to a winning streak.
