In general, we can be satisfied with the refereeing, there were minor mistakes, but they did not excessively affect the outcome of the matches, the referee expert began. Mario Terrible in HRT’s show Stadion, which analyzed the referee’s decisions of the 24th round of the First HNL.

Photo: Luka Stanzl

Coach of Rijeka Sergej Jakirovic for the first time he was a guest on HRT’s Stadion show and briefly commented on the situation that found him upon his arrival at the club.

– There was a big turnover of players and it was not easy. At the moment, we have the youngest team in the league and we have shown that we know how to play for the result, and we hope that we will be even better in the future – said Jakirović.

In the last match of the 24th round of the SuperSport HNL, Dinamo and Osijek played 1-1 in front of 5,100 spectators at the Maksimir Stadium.

The main referee was Duje Strukan, and in the 69th minute, Ljubičić broke through the left side, Barišić started on the ball, and referee Strukan immediately pointed to the penalty spot. However, Ljubičić himself showed that there was no contact.

Foto: Goran Stanzl/PIXSELL

– The fact is that he made a mistake. On the field, when you have a situation like this, any referee would call this because it looks like a cleanup. Ljubičić reacted brilliantly and showed the referee with a facial expression that there was no penalty kick. It should be emphasized that his reaction is not final as far as the decision itself is concerned, it must be checked with VAR, and all credit to Ljubičić – said Strahonja.

In the 83rd minute, Lovrić worked brilliantly for Mierez, who scored a fantastic goal for 2-1, but the Argentine was also in the minimal backfield.

– This is a minimal hinterland that only technology could remove. I think the decision is correct – said Strahonja.

Photo: Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL

In the match of the 24th round of the SuperSport HNL, Lokomotiva beat Hajduk 4-3 in a great match at Poljud in front of 13,459 spectators, and the referee was Patrik Kolarić.

– His decisions are convincing and acceptable to the players. Now he is an international referee and I expect him to raise the bar to a higher level. There is room for improvement – Strahonja started, after which the disallowed goal of Goričani from the 35th minute was looked back:

– Aliyu influenced the goalkeeper because at the beginning of the action he is in the backfield position. With his foot, he influenced the opposing player, in this case the goalkeeper. Great reaction from the VAR room and Kolarić – said Strahonja.

Photo: Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL

In the 65th minute, Marić brought down Livaj and Kolarić awarded a penalty.

– Violations from behind are punishable by a yellow card. Likewise, this penalty kick was improperly taken. We see that the attacker ran in too early. Goalkeepers are burdened with double control from both the assistant referee and the VAR room, and the referees should look at the cross line of the penalty area, so I expect them to be more careful in the future – said Strahonja.