Many young players once again got their opportunity, and every minute on the pitch is invaluable for them.
Just ten days remain until the official start of the new season and our opening league away fixture against Gorica in Velika Gorica, scheduled for 31 July. During the final week of preparations, the White-and-Blues played another friendly match, this time against Cibalia from Vinkovci, members of the Croatian First Football League. The match was played behind closed doors, as the coaching staff placed the emphasis on tactical preparation and testing different solutions in controlled conditions.
As in all previous pre-season fixtures, the result was not our main priority. Instead, the focus was on giving every player an opportunity and implementing specific tactical and technical ideas. Through training sessions and matches like this, the coaching staff continues to build the clearest possible picture of each player's current condition and capabilities, as well as the team's overall cohesion.
In the 9th minute, Balelo converted a penalty won by Mersinaj. Barić doubled the lead in the 54th minute with an excellent header following a corner kick. Omerović then scored the third goal in the 66th minute to seal a convincing 3–0 victory.
Once again, many young players were given valuable playing time, with every minute on the pitch contributing to their tactical development, physical preparation and overall understanding within the team ahead of the start of the competitive season. Before the opening league match against Gorica, only one final dress rehearsal remains – a friendly against Turkish side Rizespor, scheduled for Saturday, 25 July, in Slovenia.
The following players featured against Cibalia: Ćurčija, Jovičić (Mustafić), Mersinaj (Vrbanac), Jelenić (Kolarik), Kalem, Petrusenko (Vrbančić), Bakti (Mikolčić), Ježić (Farkaš), Bukvić (Dolček), Ljatifi (Omerović), Balelo (Barić, Leon).
