The ex-Firefighters punched Garcia, "This is a disgrace, he's always good, he's got to be more realistic".

Former Croatia international Hrvoje Vejić criticized coach Gonzalo García after Hajduk's defeat at Varazdin over the weekend, calling the performance a disgrace and urging the manager to be more realistic about his team's capabilities. The match ended with a 1-2 loss for Hajduk, marking a disappointing start to their new season. Vejić, who played for both Hajduk and the Croatian national team, expressed frustration with the team's lack of effectiveness during the game. The weekend saw two of the three top teams in the league, Dinamo Zagreb and Rijeka, secure victories in their opening matches. Dinamo defeated Slaven Belupo 2-0, while Rijeka beat Rudar Velenje 2-1. However, Hajduk struggled against Varazdin, failing to capitalize on chances and ultimately losing the match. Vejić highlighted the contrast between the performances of the other top teams and Hajduk's underwhelming display. Vejić praised Luka Stojković for his contribution to Dinamo's win, noting that the midfielder's assist for Dion Drenski's second goal was crucial. He emphasized that Stojković had shown how much he had missed during European competitions due to suspension and believed the player was a strong candidate for inclusion in the Croatian national team. Vejić pointed out that Stojković's performance demonstrated his unique qualities compared to other players in the league. In contrast, Vejić was critical of García's management style and the overall performance of Hajduk. He argued that the team's failure to create meaningful opportunities reflected poorly on the coaching staff. Vejić suggested that García needed to reassess his approach and provide a more accurate assessment of his squad's abilities. He noted that García often claimed Hajduk was creating chances, but in reality, they were not generating enough quality attacks to threaten the opposition. Vejić's comments came amid growing concerns about Hajduk's ability to compete with the stronger teams in the league this season. The club has been working to rebuild its squad following several key departures, but the early-season loss to Varazdin raised questions about whether they have the depth and cohesion required to challenge for titles. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if García can turn things around in the coming weeks. García did not respond immediately to Vejić's criticism, but it is expected that the coach will address the issues raised by former players and fans in upcoming press conferences. The focus will shift to the next set of matches as Hajduk looks to bounce back from their opening defeat. Meanwhile, Dinamo and Rijeka will aim to build on their successful starts to the season, setting the stage for a competitive race for the league title.