February 17, 2022 - Captian Ivan Rakitić and Sevilla top Dinamo 3:1 in the first leg of the Europa League playoff on Thursday in Spain. 

In the first match of the Europa League playoff, Dinamo Zagreb lost to Sevilla 1:3 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. The return match is on February 24 at Maksimir Stadium.

As a reminder, eight winners of the Europa League groups won a direct place in the round of 16, while eight second-placed teams, including Dinamo, entered the play-off round against the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League.

Dinamo was second in Group H behind West Ham, while Sevilla was third in Group G of the Champions League behind Lille and RB Salzburg. The better of this pair will win a place in the Europa League round of 16.

Sevilla took the lead in the 13th minute with a penalty scored by former Croatia player Ivan Rakitic. Mislav Oršić equalized in the 41st minute, though the host turned the score around with two goals by the end of the first half. Lucas Ocampos scored in the 44th for 2:1, and two minutes later, Anthony Martial scored for 3:1.

Dinamo welcomed the visit to Sevilla with a series of seven consecutive victories, while Sevilla celebrated only once in the last five matches before Dinamo. However, Sevilla had lost only once in 15 home games - to Lille in the Champions League.

Željko Kopić could not count on Josip Mišić due to yellow cards, while Dino Perić and Emir Dilaver suffered injuries. Unfortunately, Luka Ivanušec dropped out last minute due to an adductor problem.

Captain Ivan Rakitic led Sevilla on Thursday night.

"It was strange to see Livaković in goal," said Rakitic with a smile after the match. 

"We are happy and proud; we achieved a victory against the fantastic Dinamo. It was not easy; we played an interesting game and deservedly won," Rakitic added.

"It was important that we reacted quickly after Oršić's goal. Then, in the second half, we controlled the result. This is a good result, but open. We know how important Europe is; you must always be at the highest level," concluded the Croatia midfielder.

Source: HRT

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August 22, 2019 - Gent topped NK Rijeka 2:1 in the first leg of the Europa League play-off round in Belgium. 

In the first match of the Europa League play-offs, NK Rijeka was unlucky against Belgian club Gent, losing 2:1 away for a 1:0 aggregate, reports HRT.

Rijeka took the lead in the 40th minute thanks to a goal by Tibor Halilović, though, in the second half, Gent’s Laurent Depoitre managed a turnaround for the Belgian club with two goals in the 57th and 71st minute. 

Rijeka came to Gent with a clear goal - to achieve a result that gives them a chance to advance to the Europa League group stage. They let Gent keep possession of the ball, played disciplined, and all attempts by the Belgian club to threaten Rijeka's goal in the first half were unfruitful. 

The hosts had their only opportunity in the 36th minute after an error by Acosty.

Rijeka led in the 40th minute after Tibor Halilović played Čolak in the penalty area, though his back was to the goal. However, Čolak managed to lay off the ball to Halilović who shot from 10 meters out to give Rijeka the lead. 

At the start of the second half, Gent put even more pressure on the Rijeka defense. After two unsuccessful headers, Gent equalized in the 57th minute. Yaremchuk made his way through the left side and crossed into the penalty area where Laurent Depoitre scored for 1:1.

Gent's pressure once again produced a goal in the 71st minute thanks to a Depoitre header for 2:1.

The home side had their last chance at the 80th minute, though Yaremchuk's header went over the crossbar.

The return game in Rijeka will be played in one week. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Not a great start for Dinamo in the next Europa League season.

What a night.

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Unfortunate results from our Croatian representatives in the Europa League playoffs last night as Dinamo, Hajduk, and Osijek will not advance to the group stages of the competition.

My day one observations of Everton supporters in Split.

It's game time!

All in the name of Hajduk Split. 

Charges are brought against Hajduk and Everton after their supporters clashed at last night's match