Die Lokomotive schlug Istria im Finale und holte alle drei Punkte aus Pula.

In the early evening match at Velika Gorica, Osijek delivered a commanding performance against Gorica, securing a 2-0 victory in the first half. The game, part of the first round of the SuperSport HNL, saw Osijek take control from the outset, with new head coach Federico Bessone making his mark. The Italian tactician, who joined the club this summer, guided his team to a dominant display, capitalizing on key moments to secure an early lead. The match began with Osijek pressing high and creating immediate chances. In the 7th minute, a penalty was awarded after Perić fouled Ježić inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Omerović stepped up to convert the opportunity, sending the ball into the left corner of the goal. The scoreline read 0-1, and Osijek’s momentum continued to build. Just five minutes later, another chance came for Osijek. A well-worked move down the right flank led to a cross into the box, where Dolček found himself alone in front of goalkeeper Matijaš. With a precise strike, he made it 0-2, giving Osijek a comfortable cushion. The visitors were clearly the more dangerous side, with their attacking play flowing smoothly through the middle of the park. Despite the early pressure, Gorica managed to keep the game competitive. In the 14th minute, a powerful shot from Bukvić hit the crossbar, narrowly missing the target. The moment was a sign of the resilience shown by the home side, though they struggled to find consistent rhythm against Osijek’s disciplined defense. As the first half progressed, Osijek maintained its dominance. In the 35th minute, Omerović fired a long-range effort from outside the box, but the ball struck the crossbar before bouncing away. The near miss highlighted the quality of Osijek’s attack, which remained relentless throughout the half. By the 42nd minute, Gorica had begun to show signs of resistance. A counterattack led to a shot from Mijić, who curled the ball towards goal, but Matijaš was equal to the challenge, pushing the ball away. The home side’s efforts were commendable, yet they could not match the intensity of their opponents. The first half ended with Osijek leading 2-0, having created numerous chances and controlled the tempo of the game. The second half would see further developments, but the outcome of the first 45 minutes was clear, Osijek had taken command of the match and set the tone for the rest of the encounter. The players on the pitch reflected the contrasting fortunes of both teams. For Osijek, the win marked a successful start to the season under Bessone, while Gorica faced the challenge of regaining composure after conceding two goals within the opening 15 minutes. The match will continue to unfold in the coming hours, with both sides eager to extend their performances and shape the final result.