February 13, 2023 - The SuperSport HNL 21st round was played from February 10 to 12, 2023. Another exciting round saw Hajduk score four goals against Varazdin for an important win, while Dinamo, Lokomotiva, and Rijeka also recorded 3 points.
Dinamo v. Istra 1961 (1-0)
Dinamo and Istra opened the 21st round on Friday, February 10, at Maksimir in front of 2,412 fans.
Josip Drmic missed a penalty for Dinamo in the 29th minute, though Ristovski found the back of the net less than 10 minutes later to make it 1-0 at halftime. The second half saw two disallowed goals for Dinamo - one in the 64th minute when Spikic's goal was called offside and another four minutes later when Petkovic's goal was called offside. The game thus ended 1-0 for Dinamo, who had 56% of possession throughout the match and three shots on target compared to Istra's zero.
Dinamo remains in first place with 49 points and a game in hand, while Istra is in 5th place with 27 points and a game in hand.
Varazdin v. Hajduk (1-4)
Varazdin and Hadjuk met in the first Saturday match in Varazdin in front of 5,881 fans.
After a scoreless first half, Melnjak put Hajduk ahead for 0-1 in the 47th minute. Brodic equalized four minutes later for 1-1, but a red card for Elezi complicated Varazdin's chances as they played with a man down for the remainder of the match. Livaja found the back of the net in the 77th minute, Pukstas scored one minute after that for 1-3, and the young star scored again in the first minute of stoppage time for the final 1-4. Possession was even during this match at 50-50, while Hajduk had eight shots on target compared to Varazdin's 5. Both keepers also recorded four saves.
Varazdin is in 6th place with 27 points, while Hajduk is in 2nd with 41.
Osijek v. Slaven Belupo (0-0)
Osijek and Belupo met in the second Saturday match in front of 2,007 fans.
The game went without goals and was overshadowed by a nasty injury for Osijek player Kristijan Lovric who claimed he couldn't feel his legs. In the 70th minute, Lovric was motionless after a tackle and was carried off the pitch by an ambulance. Fortunately, an MRI of his spine and pelvis showed that he was not seriously injured but received a blow to the lower back. Lovric hopes to return to training as soon as possible.
Osijek is in 3rd place with 35 points, while Belupo is in 4th with 29.
Sibenik v. Lokomotiva (0-4)
Sibenik and Lokomotiva opened Sunday's games in Sibenik in front of 628 fans.
Kulenovic and Drum scored two goals within four minutes for 0-2 Lokomotiva in the first half. Gorican scored for 0-3 in the 77th minute, and Tuci scored for the final 0-4 in the 85th minute. Possession was relatively equal in this match, with Sibenik maintaining 47% to Lokomotiva's 53%. Sibenik had six shots on target to Lokomotiva's 7.
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Sibenik is in 9th place with 16 points, while Lokomotiva is in 7th with 25.
Rijeka v. Gorica (2-0)
Rijeka and Gorica closed out the 21st round on Sunday at Rujevica in front of 4,479 fans.
After a scoreless first half, Marin scored a penalty for 1-0, and Liber made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute. Rijeka maintained 54% of possession throughout the match and had nine shots on target. Gorica's goalkeeper had to make seven saves.
Rijeka is in 8th place with 25 points, while Gorica is in last place with 9 points.
You can check out the HNL table HERE.
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