July 9, 2022 - Dinamo beat Hajduk 4:1 on penalties to win the SuperSport Superkup on Saturday in Zagreb. 

Dinamo and Hajduk opened the new season of Croatian football, fighting for the first trophy of the season - the SuperSport Superkup.

Around two and a half thousand Hajduk fans visited Maksimir for the first derby of the season, many of them on the 'Bili Vlak', or organized train transport that left this morning from Split. Around 17,000 spectators were expected at the match in total. 

Dinamo was said to have a slight advantage tonight playing at home, though we must remember that last season, Hajduk beat Dinamo twice, one match ended in a draw, while Dinamo celebrated in the last derby of the season. 

Dinamo has won six Superkups, Hajduk is close behind with five, while Rijeka has one. However, from 1995 to 2001, the Superkup was not played because Dinamo won the championship and the Cup, for the same reasons it was not played in 2008 and 2009, 2011 and 2012, as well as from 2015 to 2018, when they dominated again.

Lineups

Dinamo (4-3-3): Livaković - Moharrami, Lauritsen, Perić, Ljubičić - Ademi, Mišić, Ivanušec - Špikić, Petković, Drmić

Hajduk (4-3-3): L. Kalinić - Mikanović, Borevković, Simić, Melnjak - Vuković, Grgić, Krovinović - Livaja, N. Kalinić, Biuk

Match Report

Dinamo was more offensive in the first 5 minutes of the match before Livaja, Biuk, and Kalinić picked things up for Hajduk in the next few attacks. The closest call of the match so far was in the 10th minute when Livaja hit the net near post. 

Petković was dangerous for Dinamo in the 22nd minute with a brilliant Lovre Kalinić save for Hajduk to keep it 0:0. Mikanović hit the crossbar for Hajduk in the 30th minute. 

Petković took a dangerous free kick in the 37th minute which was shot over the goal. The first half ended 0:0. 

Hajduk was the first to be dangerous in the second half. Livaja shot powerfully from 18 meters but it went far to the right post. A minute later, Ademi shot from the edge of the penalty area which Kalinić deflected into the corner. Two minutes later, Ivanušec shot over the goal.

Biuk went up the right wing and tangled with Moharrami. Hajduk looked for a penalty, but the referee remained silent.

Biuk came off for Sahiti in the 58th minute. Kalinić continued to be outstanding in goal, with another superman save to keep Dinamo from scoring. What a match so far. 

Livaja had a chance in front of Dinamo's goal in the 62nd minute which Lauritsen managed to clear. Drmić missed directly in front of Hajduk's goal in the 66th minute. 

Kalinić was having the match of his life - saving yet another close call from Dinamo a minute later. Nikola Kalinić came out for Mlakar in the 70th minute. 

Ademi was dangerous dribbling into the penalty area which Kalinić ultimately stopped. Ademi was subbed off for Baturina in the 77th minute.

A Dinamo corner in the 82nd minute put Kalinić to work again and Sipic headed towards the goal. It was 0:0 with 5 minutes left.  

Livaja shot near post in the 84th minute before Dinamo attacked again. Menalo was subbed on for Spikic in the 87th minute. 

Orsic was one-on-one with Kalinić which he too managed to save. It was 0:0 in the 90th minute with four minutes of stoppage time added before penalties would decide the winner.  

Penalties

Bruno Petković was up first to score for Dinamo - 1:0.

Livaja scored for Hajduk - 1:1.

Orsic scored for Dinamo - 2:1. 

Mlakar shanked over the goal to keep Dinamo ahead 2:1. 

Ljubicic scored for Dinamo - 3:1. 

Vukovic's penalty was saved by Livakovic for 3:1. 

Ivanusec scored for Dinamo (4:1) and the SuperSport Superkup title in 2022. 

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

July 8, 2022 - Hajduk and Dinamo will meet in the SuperSport Superkup match at Maksimir Stadium at 20:00 on Saturday.

At the first official press conference this season, Hajduk coach Valdas Dambrauskas and striker Nikola Kalinić gave their views on the upcoming match and answered numerous questions.

The Hajduk coach first reflected on the recent preparations in which four games were played against strong rivals:

"We are satisfied with our preparations; we have fulfilled the set goals and played matches against solid rivals. Therefore, in the pre-season, I don't worry about results, we are focused on progress, and I am sure the team will be at the right level soon. We also brought in a new player during the preparations; he played in a strong league, he plays in the style we want to play, and he is fast and will get in shape in a few games.

The season is just starting, the game will undoubtedly be challenging for both teams, and I think derbies are rarely attractive. Both teams will try to limit each other, and I think a moment of individual quality will decide the game. We have prepared well for this match, and we want to prove to everyone that we are ready," said the coach of Hajduk.

Asked about the expectations for the next season and the importance of support from the stands, striker Nikola Kalinić said:

"We play for the biggest Croatian club, and we have to fight for every trophy. Last year we won the Cup and were second; we are expected to be in a higher position this season. There are many games ahead of us; others have the same goals, and we can only promise the fans that we will do our best. Our fans are the best in the country and show it at every game. There will certainly be a lot of them in Zagreb, and I hope that we will repay them on the field, and in the end, we will all celebrate together," concluded Kalinić.

Dinamo Zagreb is also ready and presented their new jersey before the Superkup against Hajduk. Arijan Ademi, Josip Drmić, Luka Ivanušec, and Dario Špikić appeared in front of the press on Friday. 

"We went through a lot of difficult preparations, worked hard, and are satisfied with how it all ended. We hope to be successful in the new season," said captain Ademi and revealed the expectations for the new season.

"It's just the beginning of the season, and it's hard to predict how the championship will end. Anyway, we'll do our best not to make it so dramatic. I hope we will be good and win the championship."

Ademi spoke about Dinamo's new additions - forward Josip Drmić and midfielder Robert Ljubičić.

"Both are excellent. We already saw last season what kind of player Drmić is, a real 'killer.' Ljubičić already showed us that he is a great player. They will be reinforcements for sure", concluded Ademi.

Drmić had a very good last season in Rijeka. He was the club's top scorer, but the expectations are even higher at Dinamo. 

"It's hard to say what awaits us against Hajduk; I hope it will be a good match. The derby is already at the start; it will show where we are and what form we are. I'm looking forward to the match; we'll be ready," said Drmić.

"I'm not thinking about the goal; the most important thing is that we win and present ourselves well in the new shirt. If I manage to score, it will be great."

Bruno Petković will be his biggest competitor for that position. 

"Bruno is a top player and top quality. He is one of the best players on our team. I think we can present ourselves well as a tandem. We complement each other well, each has his qualities, and we can make a good mix. The coach will decide whether we will play together, but we will certainly do our best."

Drmić is aware of the pressure at Dinamo and the high expectations.

"I always say that I work best under pressure. So it is important that teammates help, and then we will handle it well in the future and be successful if we work together," concluded Drmić.

After several months of problems with his abdominal wall, Luka Ivanušec is fully ready for the new season. He commented on the speculation that he could leave Dinamo in the summer transfer window.

"At the moment, I am focused only on Dinamo, and there are always stories and interests. I'm preparing for the season as if I'm staying at Dinamo, and then we'll see what happens."

Dario Špikić said that Dinamo had prepared well for the new season.

"We are ready for Hajduk; I believe in victory," said Špikić.

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