HNK Hajduk Split opened their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round with a 2:0 win over Pafos at Poljud Stadium. Michele Šego scored in the 56th minute and Dario Melnjak added another in the 65th, while the return leg is set for July 30. Last season, Hajduk finished second in the HNL with 68 points from 36 games (20 wins, 8 draws, 8 losses), 18 points behind Dinamo Zagreb.

What happened at Poljud?

Fans quickly noticed the unusual sight of Hajduk players wearing white socks instead of the usual blue. The reason? UEFA’s kit rules require teams to avoid color clashes, and the governing body ruled Hajduk’s blue socks were too similar to Pafos’s blue shorts. Although Hajduk had been cleared to wear blue socks, the VAR room intervened just before kick-off and ordered a change to white.

Why did the kit change matter?

UEFA’s color-contrast rule exists to prevent confusion for referees and viewers. In this case, Hajduk had to adjust its equipment to meet the criteria. The sock swap didn’t disrupt the game, but it sparked debate among supporters who expected the standard white-blue-blue kit. While Hajduk kept its winning momentum, the incident showed how even small oversights in preparation can complicate European ambitions.

What’s next for Hajduk?

Hajduk now has eight days to prepare for the July 30 return in Pafos at 19:00 local time. Back home, Hajduk eyes a February 13, 2027 home clash with Osijek. The Split side has scored 61 goals and conceded 36 this season, with a +25 goal difference, and has logged a recent form of win, loss, draw, win, loss (WDLWD).