This is Garcia's triumph, and the break helped Hajduk. The new Bambi deal? He came...

Vladimir Balić discussed the recent success of Hajduk Split in a podcast, highlighting coach Gonzalo García's triumph and suggesting that the team's break might have benefited them. The club has had a successful week, defeating Dynamo Zagreb, Ajax, and Varazdin in just seven days. This period was anticipated as crucial, and Hajduk managed it without any mistakes, showcasing their ability to compete with favored teams. Marko Livaja was substituted in the 65th minute during the match against Varazdin, despite receiving a passing grade for his performance. His stats were below average compared to other players, including one shot, 27 touches, two fouls committed, 12 lost ball possessions, and 58% accurate passes. Although he made some effective plays, his overall impact was lacking. Ivan Rakitic received a lenient score due to his contributions to the Croatian national team and his arrival at Poljud on the recommendation of local businessman Marko Bralic. However, Livaja's lack of a consistent starting role under García has been questioned, especially considering his return to Hajduk in February 2021 and his status as the league's best player over four years. Livaja has played in 19 matches this season, often coming on as a substitute. He started only once and was substituted three times, missing several games due to injuries or being rested. Despite these challenges, Hajduk managed to secure victories without him, indicating that the team does not solely rely on his performance. The match against Varazdin proved challenging, with the opposing team showing strong cohesion and high-quality play. Hajduk's coach, García, opted for minimal changes, bringing on only Livaja and Adrian Pajazitija. The expectation was for Livaja to make an impact, given his past missed opportunities, but the result suggested that the team can perform well even without his involvement.