Hajduk will be followed by around 1,460 fans in Žilina: police step up measures ahead of the Europa League return leg
Hajduk Split visit MŠK Žilina on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at 8:30 p.m. in the return leg of the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, with Gonzalo Garcia's team arriving in Slovakia with a 2:0 advantage secured at Poljud. The match at the MŠK Žilina Stadium, also known as the Stadium under Dubno, has attracted exceptionally strong interest from the visiting supporters. According to information available on 14 July, the allocation of 1,460 tickets intended for Hajduk supporters is almost sold out, meaning that one of the Split club's largest European away followings in recent years is expected. Because of the large number of travellers, previous experiences involving these opponents and the anticipated gathering of supporters in the city centre, the Slovak police have, according to available information, classified the match as a high-risk fixture. Residents and visitors have been advised to avoid larger groups of supporters in central Žilina and along routes leading towards the stadium, and to follow the instructions of the police and stewarding services.
Strong support from the stands should be an important factor for Hajduk, but the result of the first match leaves no room for relaxation. Žilina must make up a two-goal deficit to advance, which is why a more aggressive start by the home team, higher pressing and considerably greater risk-taking than at Poljud are expected. Hajduk, on the other hand, have the opportunity to control the tempo, exploit the space behind the home defence and make the Slovak side's task even more difficult with a single goal. At stake is not only overcoming the first obstacle, but continuing their journey in the Europa League, a competition in which the Split club want to extend their summer and move closer to European football in the autumn. Nevertheless, the first qualifying round is only the beginning of a long journey, so eliminating Žilina would represent an important, but still only one of the necessary steps towards the league phase.
Away section considerably larger than UEFA's minimum
At the beginning of July, Hajduk officially announced that 1,460 places would be available to their supporters for the return leg and that the price of an individual ticket would be 12 euros. That number is unusually large for the away section at Žilina's stadium. UEFA's Europa League regulations stipulate that the home club must make at least five per cent of the stadium's UEFA spectator capacity available to visiting supporters, while larger allocations can be agreed between the clubs subject to compliance with security conditions. In this case, Žilina provided Hajduk with an allocation almost three times larger than the usual minimum, thereby responding to the expected high demand.
MŠK Žilina's official website states that the south stand has 2,262 seats and four sectors, with sector B4 normally designated for visiting spectators. For the match against Hajduk, the away area has clearly been expanded in accordance with the agreement between the clubs and the organisers' assessments. The final number of tickets sold by 14 July has not been officially announced, but the available information indicates that most of the allocation has found buyers. This means that Hajduk supporters could occupy a highly visible part of the stands and create an atmosphere rarely seen at first qualifying-round matches.
The large number of visiting supporters simultaneously increases organisational requirements. The arrival of buses and private vehicles must be coordinated, supporter routes separated, entrance checks carried out and the unobstructed movement of residents ensured. UEFA's safety rules provide for a physically separated section for visiting supporters and an organisation agreed in advance with the police and local authorities. For that reason, enhanced measures do not necessarily mean that disorder is expected, but rather constitute a preventive response to the number of people, the emotional intensity of the match and the need to bring different groups safely to the stadium and escort them away from its surroundings after the match.
Police warn about gatherings in the city centre and on approaches to the stadium
According to a warning by the Slovak police issued ahead of the match, the security focus will not be limited to the stadium, but will also cover central Žilina, transport hubs and the routes along which supporters will travel towards the Stadium under Dubno. Residents have been advised not to remain close to larger groups of supporters, particularly in the period immediately before the start of the match and after its conclusion. Increased police patrols, surveillance of public areas and possible temporary traffic restrictions are expected, depending on how the situation develops. Match visitors are advised to arrive at the stadium early, carry identification documents and tickets, and respect the entrance arrangements designated for the away section.
The measures are particularly sensitive because of the events of 2009, when Žilina and Hajduk met for the first time in European qualifying. That match in Slovakia was also remembered for clashes between some Hajduk supporters and the police outside the stadium, concerning which Croatian and Slovak media published differing accounts of the circumstances and responsibility. Seventeen years later, the organisers have the opportunity to avoid a repeat of such scenes through clear ticket sales channels, a section designated in advance and a coordinated reception of visiting supporters. The large official allocation itself reduces the risk of a large number of people travelling without tickets and attempting to approach the stadium without organised admission.
Supporters also have an important responsibility. Pyrotechnics, violence, hate speech, concealing one's identity and attempting to enter a section not specified on the ticket may lead to removal from the stadium, police action and disciplinary consequences for the club. Support from the stands can be a major advantage for Hajduk during the European season, but only if it remains within the boundaries of sporting support and safety regulations. Any incident could shift the focus from the match to events off the pitch and raise the possibility of UEFA sanctions.
2:0 advantage from Split, but Garcia will not allow relaxation
Hajduk won the first match 2:0 at Poljud on 9 July through goals by Roko Brajković in the 22nd minute and Dalisson in the 49th minute. After dribbling past his opponent, Brajković struck precisely into the opposite top corner, while Dalisson, in his official debut for the Split club, completed the move with a shot from approximately 20 metres. The home side created several more very good opportunities, with Hajduk's official report highlighting attempts by Dario Melnjak, Michele Šego, Adrion Pajaziti and Rokas Pukštas. Žilina also had moments in which they could have changed the course of the match, particularly when Michal Faško went through against goalkeeper Toni Silić in the ninth minute but failed to hit the target.
Hajduk coach Gonzalo Garcia stressed after the victory that the job was not finished. According to him, Žilina are a quality team who managed to threaten even at Poljud and can cause problems if Hajduk do not maintain the same level of energy, togetherness and running intensity in the return leg. Garcia praised the contribution of the entire team in both directions, with particular mention for Dalisson, Šego, Melnjak and Brajković. That message has a clear tactical background: Hajduk do not want to defend the result deep in front of their own goal, but to repeat the proactive approach that allowed them to control most of the first match.
The players also spoke cautiously after the encounter. Brajković said that being considered favourites means little unless the team complete the job in the return leg, while Melnjak warned that Žilina, as the home side, would have to start more strongly. Their statements confirm that the 2:0 advantage is not considered a guarantee of progression in the dressing room. An early goal for the home side could quickly change the psychological balance on the pitch and lift the atmosphere in the stadium, while a Hajduk goal would force Žilina to score at least four times to complete a turnaround. The opening twenty minutes could therefore be crucial in determining the course of the entire return leg.
Žilina promise pressure and believe in a turnaround
After the defeat in Split, Žilina coach Pavol Staňo said that his team could play better and were capable of creating pressure and showing more in the attacking phase on home soil. The Slovak side struggled in the first match with Hajduk's intensity, rapid ball recoveries and the runs of their wide players, but the 0:2 result leaves them with a clear plan: seek an early goal, raise the tempo and force the visitors to defend. Such an approach also carries risk because space may be left behind a high defensive line for Brajković, Šego and Hajduk's other fast players.
Žilina traditionally invest in the development of young footballers, and their official UEFA list for the return leg contains a number of players under the age of 23. Experience is provided by Filip Kaša, Miroslav Káčer, Michal Faško and Croatian striker Marko Roginić, while 21-year-old goalkeeper Jakub Badžgoň made a series of saves at Poljud that prevented a more convincing defeat. The home side will probably try to combine the energy of their younger players with the experience of the team's key figures. Hajduk's task will be to avoid unnecessary fouls in dangerous areas, retain control of midfield and prevent the crowd from giving Žilina an additional lift after a possible spell of early pressure.
The match will be played at the stadium where Žilina drew 1:1 with Hajduk in 2009 before securing progression with a 1:0 victory at Poljud and a 2:1 aggregate score. That history gives the home side motivation and warns the visitors that an advantage in European qualifying must not be treated as a finished story. Nevertheless, the current situation is significantly different: this time Hajduk are arriving in Slovakia with a two-goal lead and a large, officially organised allocation of supporters. Unlike in 2009, the visiting support should be numerous and accommodated within a clearly designated section.
Progression leads to Pafos, while the defeated side continue in the Conference League
According to the previously conducted UEFA draw, the winner of the tie between Hajduk and Žilina will face Cypriot side Pafos in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The eliminated club will not immediately end its European season, but will move into the second qualifying round of the Conference League, where Polish side GKS Katowice await. Such a system mitigates the consequences of elimination, but does not diminish the importance of the return leg. By remaining in the Europa League, the club retains a route towards a competition of greater financial and sporting value, while defeat would mean switching to a demanding alternative path.
For Hajduk, progression would also have broader significance. The club opened its European season with a convincing performance in front of 22,352 spectators at Poljud, and victory in the first competitive appearance of the new season raised expectations surrounding Gonzalo Garcia's team. Dalisson's debut goal, Brajković's continued development and a good defensive response provided a positive initial signal, but the real test of stability comes away from home. European qualifying often punishes brief lapses in concentration, so the ability to manage the result will be just as important as attacking quality.
Around 1,460 Hajduk supporters in Žilina should provide the team with strong backing during periods of home pressure. At the same time, the size of the visiting group places additional responsibility on the organisers, the police and the supporters themselves. The sporting objective is clear: preserve or increase the advantage from Split and secure a place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The security objective is equally important: ensuring that the arrival, match and departure of a large number of people pass without incident. If both are achieved, the evening under Dubno could be remembered for Hajduk's result and the atmosphere in the stands, rather than for events off the pitch.
Sources:
- HNK Hajduk Split – official announcement regarding the return-leg date, the allocation of 1,460 places and the ticket price of 12 euros (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – official report from the first match and chronology of the 2:0 victory at Poljud (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – statements by coach Gonzalo Garcia after the first match (link)
- MŠK Žilina – official information about the stadium, stands and away section (link)
- UEFA – official Europa League regulations concerning the minimum ticket allocation for visiting supporters (link)
- UEFA – official page for the Žilina – Hajduk Split return leg (link)
- HNK Hajduk Split – official schedule and attendance figure for the first European match of the season (link)
- Sportnet / TASR – reactions from coach Pavol Staňo and the context of the return leg in Žilina (link)