HNK Hajduk Split has secured a place in the Conference League this autumn following Rijeka's elimination by Danish side Midtjylland. According to a report by Gol.hr, this is the main consequence of this week's European qualification matches for Croatian clubs.
Rijeka lost 5-1 on aggregate, confirming a significant quality gap between the teams. The Danish champions dominated both legs, with Rijeka failing to mount serious resistance. Manager Matjaž Kek now faces the difficult task of rebuilding a squad that had a challenging summer transfer window.
How will Hajduk handle the double workload?
Hajduk's European campaign brings its own challenges. The club must simultaneously compete for the HNL title and participate in the Conference League. This has been a problem in the past even for Dinamo, who had a deeper squad.
According to our data, Hajduk currently has 28 players in their first-team squad, which should allow for rotation. However, injuries could quickly change the situation. The current status can be followed on our injuries page. The club has already played five official matches this season, with at least six more European group stage games in the Conference League ahead.
What is the situation with the competition?
Rijeka will now focus exclusively on the HNL, which could give them an advantage domestically. However, their current form and squad problems don't inspire optimism. Kek will need to find solutions for defensive and offensive shortcomings.
Dinamo, on the other hand, has already secured Champions League football, meaning Croatia will be represented by two clubs in Europe this season. Hajduk will hope to repeat last season's Conference League success, when they reached the round of 16. Their first European match this season will be on September 17.
What do the numbers show?
Analysis of Hajduk's performance in the 2026/27 season reveals certain trends. The club has averaged 2.2 goals per game across all competitions while conceding 1.1 goals per match. These are numbers they'll need to maintain to be competitive both in Europe and the HNL.
| Competition | Matches Played | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| HNL | 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Cup | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Europe | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 11 | 5 |
Looking at the schedule, Hajduk will play four matches across three different competitions over the next three weeks. This includes two HNL matches, one Cup game, and their first European fixture. The full calendar can be viewed on the fixtures page.
What does the Conference League competition look like?
The Conference League presents specific challenges. As noted by a Gol.hr analyst, quality differences between teams are often dramatic. Luck in the draw can be crucial for progression to the knockout stages. Hajduk will hope to draw opponents whose style of play suits them.
Last season in the Conference League, the club achieved three wins, two draws, and one loss in the group stage. That experience should help them prepare for the new European campaign. Hajduk currently sits second in the HNL table with seven points from three matches, one point behind leaders Dinamo. The current standings can be checked on the standings page.
Hajduk's first European match of the 2026/27 season will be on September 17 against an opponent yet to be determined from next week's draw.
