"Gospodje, na podlagi česa to počnete?

Hajduk has faced a dramatic turn of events following their unexpected 4-0 defeat to Pafos in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, leaving them with little time to recover before the start of the new season in the SuperSport HNL. The loss was particularly painful because the team had led 1-0 through much of the match and looked poised for a positive result until the final minutes, when they collapsed under pressure. This outcome has sparked intense internal discussions within the club, especially regarding the coaching staff’s tactics and player performance. The situation escalated further when former Hajduk legend Marko Livaja, who played a crucial role in the team's previous victory over Pafos, expressed his frustration with the current state of affairs. In an interview with tportal, Balić, a former Hajduk goalkeeper and recipient of the Hajdučko srce award, criticized the team’s lack of resilience and questioned the decision-making process of coach Gonzalo García. He pointed out that while Livaja managed to create opportunities during the match, he felt the team failed to capitalize on them effectively. “Livaja was the only one who could have done something,” Balić said. “I can’t understand why Bamba was playing. Why did he even lead Bamba? That man doesn’t know where his head is, and where his bones are.” Balić also highlighted the ongoing tensions within the club, particularly between García and key players such as Livaja. He noted that these issues have been exacerbated by recent conflicts involving other members of the squad, including past disputes between García and former captain Igor Vučević. “We’ve had problems with García and Vučević, and then with García and Livaja,” Balić explained. “This is the biggest problem for Hajduk. Livaja accepted his role in García’s team. He accepted sitting on the bench and entering when García decided it was necessary. I warned that this relationship needed to be resolved. Obviously, it has been resolved at the moment when Livaja accepted the bench.” Meanwhile, the club’s fans have also taken to social media to vent their frustrations, with some expressing disappointment over the team’s poor performance in European competition. However, there is optimism among supporters that the team will bounce back stronger in domestic play. “García and everyone in the club has the obligation to keep Hajduk in Europe as long as possible,” Balić added. “But above all, they must ensure that they don’t fall behind early in the league. Whether the team can recover will show time, but I’m confident they’ll find the strength.” In another unrelated but equally contentious issue, the local fan group Torcida has announced a complete boycott of ticket sales for the upcoming match against Varaždin. The group, known for its vocal stance, has accused the club of imposing unfairly high prices for tickets and failing to meet basic standards of hospitality. Their statement, published on the club’s website, includes harsh criticism of the stadium conditions, security measures, and overall management practices. “You’re not just a bad club, you’re a disgrace,” the statement reads. “You’ve created a hostile environment for our fans, and we won’t tolerate it anymore.” Despite these challenges, there are signs of hope for Hajduk as they prepare to face Varaždin in the opening round of the HNL. Marko Livaja, who had previously been used as a substitute, is set to return to the starting XI for the match. This move has been welcomed by many fans, who believe that Livaja’s presence could provide the leadership and experience needed to stabilize the team. Meanwhile, the young talents in the squad continue to develop, with several promising players showing potential in recent matches. As the team gears up for the new season, the focus is shifting toward rebuilding confidence and ensuring that the mistakes made in European competition do not repeat themselves domestically. With the stakes high and the expectations rising, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Hajduk can reclaim their position as one of Croatia’s top football clubs. For now, the team is preparing to take on the challenge ahead, hoping that the lessons learned from their recent setbacks will translate into success on the pitch.