HNK Hajduk Split manager Gonzalo Garcia has selected his starting lineup for the decisive second leg of the Conference League play-off against Rakow Czestochowa. The match in Poland kicks off at 19:00, with the Croatian side needing any victory in regular time to secure a place in the competition's group stage.
The first leg at Poljud ended 2-2, despite Hajduk taking the lead twice. Everything will be decided in Czestochowa. Garcia's chosen eleven, as reported, features Lovre Kalinić in goal, with a defensive line of Stipe Biuk, Dario Melnjak, Filip Uremović, and Josip Elez. The midfield trio consists of Mihael Žaper, Rokas Pukštas, and Yassine Benrahou, while the attack will be led by Marko Livaja and Nikola Kalinić.
To reach the Conference League group stage, Hajduk requires a win by any scoreline within the 90 minutes of regular time. A draw would force extra time and potentially penalties. Rakow will advance if they win or secure a draw with a margin greater than two goals. Hajduk last competed in a European group stage in the 2010/2011 Europa League season.
This match will be the last in the white jersey for several players. Rokas Pukštas and Marko Livaja are targets for foreign clubs, and transfers could be finalized before the window closes. The current Hajduk squad heavily relies on the experience of captain Livaja, who scored one of the goals in the first leg.
Hajduk will be without Albanian international Adrion Pajaziti, who was sent off with a red card in the first leg against Rakow and serves a one-match suspension. On a positive note, the club hopes for the return of Isak Hasa from the bench following a minor fitness issue. Manager Garcia has almost his full-strength squad available, a rarity for this stage of the season.
The fixtures schedule shows that, regardless of tonight's outcome, Hajduk will visit Rijeka on Saturday in an important domestic league clash. European success could provide additional momentum for the team in their fight for the Croatian title, where they currently sit in second place in the standings.
Hajduk has achieved solid results so far in the 2026/2027 season. They are on a winning streak in the domestic league and in European qualifiers have overcome Moldova's Petrocub and Sweden's IFK Göteborg. Qualification for the Conference League would bring the club significant financial resources and prestige. According to club data, the average attendance at Poljud this season exceeds 20,000 spectators per match.
The club is also active in the transfer market, with several targeted reinforcements for the winter window. The main focus remains on preserving the core of the team and extending contracts with key players. The next official match after tonight's European test will be the away fixture against Rijeka in the 8th round of the HNL, scheduled for September 13th.
