HNK Hajduk Split has acquired the defensive player they were missing, and now the task falls to sporting director Robert Graf to address one more squad need. This narrative emerged following a 2:0 home victory over Lokomotiva at Poljud, just four days after the team fielded a full-strength lineup in Poland.
The club currently sits 4th in the HNL with 10 points from 5 games, recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Their goal difference stands at +6, having scored 11 and conceded 5. Hajduk trails league leaders NK Osijek by just 2 points, having decisively beaten them 4-0 in their last match on August 23rd.
What did Hajduk gain against Lokomotiva?
Playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation against a Lokomotiva side managed by former Hajduk player Nikica Jelavić, the white shirts were completely dominant. "Hajduk dominated in all segments. Their technical execution was very good," Jelavić told Index.hr Sport.
The key takeaway was the performance of defender Adrion Pajaziti. Alongside the dominant Rokas Pajaziti, he formed the central defensive partnership. However, analysis suggests Hajduk still requires a more physically imposing partner for Pajaziti to achieve a fully balanced back line.
Why is one more player needed?
While the defense received reinforcement, a clear need for another acquisition remains. That need is in the defensive midfield position. Alberto Del Moral provides stability in front of the defense and allows other players to focus more on attack.
The problem is the current lack of an adequate alternative for him. Hajduk urgently requires a defensive midfielder who can protect the back line and break up opposition attacks. This is the task facing sporting director Robert Graf, and the deadline is tight. The club has only two days left to register players for the Conference League.
What is the club's current situation?
Hajduk is in a transitional period and is working to improve squad depth. The team is not perfect but is working with its current resources. The main league rival remains Dinamo, and the goal is to continuously increase the team's value following strong performances like the one against Lokomotiva.
Recent form shows one win, one draw, and one loss in the last three matches, indicating a need for greater consistency. All current squad and injury data is available on our squad page.
What comes next?
Hajduk's next challenge is a home fixture against NK Slaven Belupo on September 12th. Slaven Belupo currently occupies 9th place in the table. This will be an opportunity to continue building positive results before competition resumes in European cups.
An overview of all upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page. The club's current HNL standing and detailed statistics are tracked on the standings page. Hajduk must use this period before the transfer window closes to finalize the squad and be ready for all upcoming challenges.
