Gattuso stands at the entrance like a strict guard. Euphoria can’t even peek inside. If she peeked through the keyhole, she would get an Italian finger in the eye and pouring coconut water on her.
We never saw coaches in Hajduk who did not take their basic job so seriously, let alone these secondary details. Admittedly, many could not even have euphoria because of the bad results.
However, Gattuso is also aware that Hajduk’s game has its own oscillations, which should be solved as quickly as possible, while winning. It’s much nicer and easier for the overall atmosphere. Not to mention especially preserving or increasing the difference at the top. Those desperate 25 minutes and slightly better next 10 from Koprivnica is something that must be worked on. The so-called fine-tuning of the excellent Hajduk from the beginning of the season. After all, after the goal, Hajduk played with Slaven Belup.
Prpić was missing. Uremović played a slightly worse game for his high standard. Sharlija fell asleep at times. Hrgović is still young and on the opposite side. Fans don’t appreciate Diallo enough. Lučić was a little distracted (didn’t Neuer also have such trips as a representative of that school). And Hajduk again, despite all that, did not concede a goal. More precisely, only one was conceded in the last 7 games. The one from Gorica.
Slaven’s pressing then completely exposed Hajduk. There was no organized attack, and the defense was shaking like a rod. Fortunately, it could not last longer due to the physical limitations of the opponent. As soon as they exhaled a little, the story was over.
So, it is clear why the euphoria peeks out from behind the cantonment, but also why the caution with the double lock on the door.
Lokomotiv always starts the season slower, which is logical considering the constant changes in the staff. However, here they are already on a draw with Rijeka. Čabraja is doing well again, and peppering Hajduk at Poljud is a constant dream of every coach as a final confirmation of class.
Hajduk will miss Prpić and Durdov, but the recovered Šarlija and Bamba are waiting like guns. The others are also waiting, but it’s getting harder and harder to get into the first line-up. Knowing that, when they don’t take advantage of the opportunity, a reaction like Dayaku’s is more understandable. Angry only at himself, he will pay for his teammates’ dinner. With a reason. His punishment was well measured, like a joke and seriousness in one. A carrot and stick. A possible repetition would lead to a more difficult conflict with the coach.
Gattuso is a very open and honest man, but with a sufficiently large professional distance towards the players. A rare characteristic nowadays. So that everyone, no matter how unhappy they are about not playing, knows for sure why. At the same time, he does not shy away from criticism. For example, according to Biuk, whom he clearly told that he has to do even better in training because he is aware that Biuk has a rarely seen talent, which is easily ruined by flies in the head.
On the other hand, he will not allow unjustified excessive media criticism, thus respecting his players, whom he always says are the best in the world. Which is true. You can’t replace them.
One very interesting character who makes boring press stories quite interesting.
The gatekeeper of the euphoria entrance gets another knock today. We will see how well the players understood the warning and completed the tasks for Lokomotiva in training. The warning from Koprivnica is as fresh as the morning dew. There are no easy entrances to the match.
Gattuso is wrong in one respect. HNL is not a particularly dangerous league. I guess the multi-year European results of Croatian clubs are proof enough. However, every opponent is as dangerous as you let me be. It can also be a third league player. So the Italian strategist here is subconsciously thinking more about how to keep his players awake.
One thing is certain, the fans will not fail, and there is no better invitation than +4 on the table.
