We must be powerful because we are the River

Matjaž Kek, head coach of Hajduk Split, has warned that certain aspects of his team's performance were not satisfactory ahead of the new SuperSport HNL season. The team successfully passed their European qualifiers against Derry City earlier this week and will now face their first league match against newly promoted Rudeš on Sunday evening at 9 PM local time at Stadion Rujevica. The coach acknowledged that while the team managed two clean sheets in their qualifying matches, there were noticeable shortcomings that need addressing. He emphasized the importance of continuing to develop positive aspects of the game while working on areas that require improvement. Kek highlighted the need for more aggression in the style he prefers and noted that the team still requires additional time and joint training sessions to refine their approach. Despite these concerns, he expressed satisfaction with having secured passage through the European qualifiers and stated that the focus is now fully on the domestic league campaign. Kek pointed out that every victory contributes to building confidence and security, which is crucial for a young squad like Hajduk Split. He mentioned that while they can extract many positives from the recent matches, the upcoming league season presents a different challenge altogether. Describing the league as a marathon spanning 36 rounds, he stressed the necessity of maintaining concentration and respect for each opponent throughout the season. In analyzing their first opponent, Rudeš, Kek noted that the club has entered the top flight with ambitious goals and brought in several new players, significantly altering the dynamics compared to last season. He indicated that the team had studied some of Rudeš's matches, including watching them live, ensuring that the players would have sufficient information before facing them. However, he underscored the importance of recovery, particularly noting the challenging change in weather conditions from pleasant 15 degrees Celsius to a sweltering 36 degrees Celsius, which could impact the team's readiness. Transitioning from European commitments to league duties, Kek reiterated that focusing entirely on the league is essential. He acknowledged that Rudeš would certainly look to capitalize on their chances at Stadion Rujevica and emphasized the responsibility of preventing such opportunities. His goal is to secure a positive result and make a strong start to the league season. Regarding expectations for the match and team composition, Kek suggested that Hajduk Split should aim to dominate possession during certain moments, aligning with their strategic objectives. Nevertheless, he stressed the need for increased aggressiveness and concreteness in the final third of the field, issues that have persisted since the preparatory matches. Reflecting on the current state of the squad, he mentioned the additions of Fruk and Janković, which have broadened the roster. He also discussed the potential availability of Ćubelić, who played some minutes in the Derry City match, and Puljić, who was not even registered for European competitions due to injury. Considering possible rotations in the lineup due to European obligations, Kek maintained that securing a win remains paramount. While acknowledging that starting the season earlier might provide a slight advantage, he cautioned that the situation with other teams' rosters would soon become clearer, as there are likely to be further arrivals and departures across clubs, including Hajduk Split itself. Finally, Kek emphasized the expectation for the team to demonstrate strength, as they are Hajduk Split. He expressed a desire for the team to be frequently questioned about their performances, highlighting the need to showcase their quality and defensive capabilities on the pitch rather than through rhetoric.