February 6, 2023 - The SuperSport HNL 20th round was played from February 3 to 5, 2023. It was another round where Dinamo slipped up, this time against Belupo, Osijek lost to Lokomotiva, and Hajduk failed to take advantage of both results after losing to Rijeka at Poljud. While the race for the title could have been shaken up again this round, Dinamo once against sits comfortably at the top.
Istra 1961 v. Varazdin (2-1)
Istra and Varazdin opened the 20th round on Friday, February 3, in Pula in front of 952 fans.
The game was exciting from the get-go as Erceg missed a penalty for Istra in the 5th minute. However, Galilea scored for 1-0 Istra in the 42nd minute, which is how the match ended at halftime. It didn't take too long for Varazdin to equalize when Brodic scored for 1-1 in the 57th minute. But in the final minute of regulation time, Maresic put Istra back ahead at 2-1 for the victory.
The match was close overall. Istra maintained 51% of possession to Varazdin's 49%. Both teams had four shots on target, while Varazdin had 17 to Istra's 7.
Istra is in 5th place with 27 points and a game in hand, while Varazdin is in 6th place with 27 points.
Lokomotiva v. Osijek (1-0)
Lokomotiva and Osijek met in Zagreb on Saturday, February 4, in front of 710 fans.
Pivaric scored the only goal of the match in the 39th minute. Lokomotiva maintained 55% of possession throughout the game compared to Osijek's 45%. In addition, Lokomotiva had four shots on target to Osijek's 4 and 14 total shots compared to Osijek's 8.
Lokomotiva is currently in 7th place with 22 points, while Osijek is in 3rd with 34.
Slaven Belupo v. Dinamo (1-1)
Belupo and Dinamo met for the second match on Saturday in Koprivnica in front of 1,743 fans.
Drmic gave Dinamo the early lead for 0-1 in the 3rd minute. Jambor equalized for 1-1 in the 32nd minute. Dinamo mostly struggled against a weaker Belupo. While Dinamo maintained 69% of possession throughout the match, they only had two shots on target (just like Belupo) and seven shots total (Belupo had 9). Dinamo also blocked three shots from Belupo, while Belupo only blocked one for Dinamo. Both keepers made one save.
Belupo is currently in 4th place with 24 points, while Dinamo is in 1st with 46 and a game in hand.
Gorica v. Sibenik (0-3)
Gorica and Sibenik met on Sunday, February 5, in Velika Gorica in front of 1,024 fans.
Cop scored Sibenik's first goal for 0-1 in the 44th minute. Dolcek made it 0-2 in the 64th minute and Cop again for 0-3 in the 90+4'.
Gorica had more possession throughout the match (53%), while both teams had six shots on target. Gorica had 26 total shots to Sibenik's 15.
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Gorica is currently in last place with 20 points, while Sibenik is 9th with 16.
Hajduk v. Rijeka (1-2)
Hajduk and Rijeka closed out the 20th round on Sunday in front of 13,098 fans who braved the icy bura.
Knowing they had yet another chance to capitalize on Dinamo's draw against Belupo this weekend, Hajduk failed to secure 3 points. The first half went without goals, and Rijeka shocked Poljud by scoring two in the second half - in the 65th and 83rd minutes. Hajduk was awarded a penalty in the 90th minute, which Livaja scored for some hope in the 8-minute-long stoppage time, though another penalty was given to Hajduk six minutes later, which was saved by Labrovic.
Hajduk maintained 57% possession with eight shots on target to Rijeka's 43% possession and six shots on target.
Hajduk remains in 2nd place with 38 points, while Rijeka is in 8th with 22.
You can check out the HNL table HERE.
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