“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Lovre Rogić will call it something else in private.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Istra 1961 defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at HNK Rijeka pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 5 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at HNK Rijeka pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 9 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I will know when it is time. I am not there yet.” Dario Melnjak is 35, with 243 appearances behind him, and HNK Rijeka will have to plan for whichever answer comes.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Toni Fruk
BoardroomThe HNK Rijeka board put their names to it
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A 2-1 win over Lokomotiva Zagreb, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Lovre Rogić will call it something else in private.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The deal that would have taken Dino Bogdan to HNK Vukovar 1991 has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to HNK Rijeka with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 8 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
HNK Vukovar 1991 will want this one forgotten quickly: 3-0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. HNK Rijeka were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The name of Andrés Chávez has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Ante Majstorović keeps the shirt for now, at HNK Rijeka's convenience rather than his own.
The best deals are the ones the accountants never notice. Joël Kabongo arrives at HNK Rijeka with his wages the only cost and something to prove the only clause.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. HNK Rijeka have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Karlo Bručić is 36 and has run out of things to prove. What he has left is where to stand, when to slow it down and what to say at half-time, and none of that is on a fitness chart.
The name of Andrés Chávez has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
He is 20, and nobody at HNK Rijeka signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Niko Bjelica is back at HNK Rijeka, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Marko Kasalo has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at HNK Rijeka has been clear about where Vinko Međimorec stands, which is more than many ever get.
A season average of 6.53 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. HNK Rijeka know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The fee is $760.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. HNK Vukovar 1991 drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Daniel Adu-Adjei and HNK Rijeka agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at HNK Rijeka has been clear about where Justas Lasickas stands, which is more than many ever get.
Qualification is secured, and next season the big floodlit nights are continental ones. For the players it is a stage; for the accounts it is a lifeline; for the supporters it is passports.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 12 appearances in 44 say he has earned the hearing.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 12 appearances in 40 say he has earned the hearing.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 12 appearances in 36 say he has earned the hearing.
He is 20, and nobody at HNK Rijeka signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
He is 20, and nobody at HNK Rijeka signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
The name of Samuele Vignato has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The name of Eduardo Teixeira has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Dinamo Zagreb pay $630.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
Every touch is being weighed now, in print and everywhere else. Some players grow into that and some are quietly ruined by it, and nobody knows which in advance.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 3 appearances in 18 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Ante Majstorović keeps the shirt for now, at HNK Rijeka's convenience rather than his own.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Ante Matej Jurić has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
In brief
BoardroomThe HNK Rijeka board put their names to it
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 3 appearances in 14 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at HNK Rijeka is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at HNK Rijeka that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 3 appearances in 10 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Lovre Rogić will call it something else in private.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Toni Silić knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” HNK Rijeka have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. HNK Gorica defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at HNK Rijeka that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
The board have answered with money instead of encouragement, which is the only answer a manager ever wants. Spending it well is now entirely his problem.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Istra 1961 will want this one forgotten quickly: 3-0, every duel lost, and a long ride home. HNK Rijeka were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
0-3 to Hajduk Split, and it was every bit as bad as the number suggests. There are defeats you argue about and defeats you apologise for; this was the second kind.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Everything was agreed until it was not, and Sebastian Musiolik reports back to HNK Rijeka with a summer to forget. Neither club is saying who walked away from the table.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
Everything was agreed until it was not, and Alfonso Barco reports back to HNK Rijeka with a summer to forget. Neither club is saying who walked away from the table.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. HNK Vukovar 1991 defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The fee is $720.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Hajduk Split drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at HNK Rijeka has been clear about where Duje Čop stands, which is more than many ever get.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The shirt still fits. Vedran Sutalo is back at HNK Rijeka, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
The shirt still fits. Domagoj Petkov is back at HNK Rijeka, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Tornike Morchiladze and HNK Rijeka agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Tornike Morchiladze has let it be known that he does not like the way HNK Rijeka are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Toni Fruk
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
36 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Dejan Petrovič plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what HNK Rijeka can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Daniel Adu-Adjei has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at HNK Rijeka that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The name of Mile Škorić has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at HNK Rijeka has been clear about where Noel Bodetić stands, which is more than many ever get.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Qualification is done, and next season the floodlights come on for something bigger. A stage for the players, oxygen for the accounts and a passport for everybody else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Ante Matej Jurić plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Diego Oliveira plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Dejan Petrovič plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Ante Matej Jurić plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. HNK Rijeka know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Ante Majstorović plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 13 say he has earned the hearing.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Ante Majstorović has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 9 say he has earned the hearing.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at HNK Rijeka pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Tornike Morchiladze has let it be known that he does not like the way HNK Rijeka are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
In brief
The terracesThe press have found their man in Lovre Rogić
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at HNK Rijeka, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Diego Oliveira will call it something else in private.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
MarketThe window shut and Téo Barišić is still in the building
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Toni Fruk suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. HNK Rijeka have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at HNK Rijeka, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at HNK Rijeka has been clear about where Mile Škorić stands, which is more than many ever get.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around HNK Rijeka they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
The name of Noel Bodetić has come up in conversations HNK Rijeka were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
A new face in his position, and Ante Majstorović suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. HNK Rijeka have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.