Hajduk - Rakow: two matches for a place in the league phase
Hajduk and Raków Częstochowa open their Conference League qualifying play-off tie at Poljud, the final obstacle before the league phase of the competition. The first match will be played on Thursday, 20 August at Gradski stadion Poljud in Split. According to Hajduk's current schedule and Rakow's confirmation, kick-off is at 21:00, while the return leg will be played seven days later in Częstochowa.
The stakes are simple: after 180 minutes, one team will continue its European season in the league phase, while the other will end its qualifying campaign. Hajduk enter the tie after an exceptionally convincing victory over Žalgiris, while Rakow showed a completely different way of getting a result in the previous round - they did not concede a goal in two matches against Hammarby and advanced thanks to a 1:0 victory in Stockholm.
That is why the first match at Poljud is not merely a meeting between two teams from different football environments. It will also be a clash between Hajduk's desire for aggressive, attacking football and Rakow's ability to survive periods of opposition pressure while remaining dangerous from set pieces and transitions.
Tickets for this match have been in high demand among supporters. Hajduk opened sales several days before the match, and any availability on the day of the game itself will depend on whether any seats remain.
Hajduk's form: nine goals against Žalgiris followed by an important league win
Hajduk's best argument ahead of Rakow can be found in their latest European performances. Gonzalo Garcia's team defeated Žalgiris 5:2 in Vilnius and then won even more convincingly, 4:0, at Poljud. The aggregate score of 9:2 over two matches is particularly significant because Hajduk did not depend on a single goalscorer or just one way of creating chances.
In the return leg, Dario Melnjak, Adam Huram, Bamba and Michele Šego all got on the scoresheet. Šego scored after coming off the bench, while Melnjak opened the scoring following a cross from Anđelo Šutalo. Hajduk thus showed that the threat can come through the middle, from the wings, via the full-backs and through changes made during the second half.
A few days later came the first league victory of the season. Hajduk won 2:1 away at Gorica: Michele Šego put the visitors ahead right at the start of the match, and after the hosts equalised, Marko Livaja scored the winning goal late on. After three league rounds, Hajduk have four points with a goal difference of 5:5.
- Žalgiris - Hajduk 2:5
- Hajduk - Žalgiris 4:0
- Hajduk - Istra 1961 2:2
- Gorica - Hajduk 1:2
Such a run gives Garcia's team attacking confidence, but at the same time it also leaves a warning. Hajduk lost 2:1 away at Varaždin at the start of the league season and let victory slip against Istra 1961, so the results show that controlling a match has not always meant a calm finish. Before the match against Gorica, Garcia therefore emphasised the need for his team to remain energetic, organised and attack-minded instead of dropping back after taking the lead.
Livaja, Šego and Pukštas offer different threats
Marko Livaja remains the player around whom the character of Hajduk's attack can change. His winning goal against Gorica was his first of the season, and after that match Garcia particularly stressed that Livaja and Michele Šego represent two different attacking profiles. This gives the coach the possibility to adapt during the match, depending on whether Hajduk need more play between the lines or more movement in behind the defence.
Šego has made a very tangible contribution in recent appearances. He scored twice in the 5:2 away win against Žalgiris, also found the net in the return leg and then scored again against Gorica. Rokas Pukštas is also important with his runs from deeper positions. He scored against Žalgiris in Vilnius, found the net against Istra and assisted Šego in Velika Gorica.
During his work with the team, Garcia has used several structures, including 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 4-2-4, but he has himself emphasised that the players' roles are more important than the initial formation. Against Rakow, this could be particularly visible. The Polish team can defend with a large number of players behind the ball, so Hajduk must avoid static possession and look for positional rotations, midfield runs into the penalty area and attacks down both flanks.
One confirmed absentee is Roko Brajković. The winger suffered a serious knee injury in training at the end of July and underwent surgery at the beginning of August, so Garcia cannot count on him. His absence has reduced the number of natural options on the wing, something the coach had already highlighted following the injury.
Rakow: poor league start does not reflect their European form
Looking only at the domestic table could create the wrong impression of Rakow. After three league matches, the club from Częstochowa sit 18th in the Polish Ekstraklasa without a single point, with three goals scored and six conceded. In their latest league appearance, they lost 2:1 away at Cracovia.
Their European results look considerably better. Rakow won 4:0 away at Valletta and then came through their tie with Hammarby without conceding a goal. The first match against the Swedish side ended 0:0, while in Stockholm Stratos Svarnas headed in the only goal of the match during first-half stoppage time.
That is a fact that should matter more to the supporters at Poljud than Rakow's position in the domestic table. The team coached by Dawid Kroczek have already shown that they can play a qualifying match with few chances and remain focused long enough for one situation to decide who advances.
Against Hammarby, Rakow started with Kacper Trelowski in goal, three players in the back line and Michael Ameyaw and Erick Otieno on the flanks. Oskar Repka and Vladyslav Kochergin played in midfield, while Patryk Makuch, Oliwier Kwiatkowski and Mahir Emreli occupied the attacking positions. Tomasz Pieńko, Jean Carlos, Karol Struski and Lamine Diaby Fadiga came on during the second half.
Trelowski made several important interventions in Stockholm, particularly in the second half. Svarnas decided the match from a set piece, while Repka was also dangerous in the air. Hajduk must therefore take into account that Rakow's corners and free kicks are not merely a way to get a break from opposition pressure, but situations from which the Polish team can directly change the score.
Makuch and Emreli look for space when the opponent loses balance
Rakow took the lead in the defeat against Cracovia through a goal from Patryk Makuch. Mahir Emreli had several attempts, while Michael Ameyaw was once again active on the flank. Although the team ultimately came away without points, their line-up shows the types of players Hajduk will probably have to control: forwards capable of receiving the ball under pressure, quick wide players and midfielders who can immediately look for a vertical pass after winning possession.
For Hajduk, it will therefore be important where they lose the ball. If both wide players stay high at the same time, Rakow will try to attack the space behind them. If the home side lose possession through the middle, the visitors will have the opportunity to bypass the first line of pressure with one or two passes.
On the other hand, Rakow's league results show that their defence is not untouchable either. Three league defeats in three appearances mean Hajduk have no reason to approach the match as though they must patiently wait for just one opportunity. The home side have enough attacking quality to test the visitors' back line from the opening whistle.
Where the match could be decided
The first area will be the space around Hajduk's wingers and wide players. In the return leg against Žalgiris, moves from wide positions were precisely what caused the visitors serious problems. Melnjak scored after Šutalo's cross, while Šego scored the fourth goal after Bamba's run. Rakow will try to prevent Hajduk from easily creating two-against-one situations along the touchline.
The second area is midfield. Pukštas' runs towards the penalty area, Pajaziti's play on the ball and the possibility of Livaja dropping away from the highest position can pull Rakow's midfielders out of their structure. Hajduk will particularly benefit if they can force a visiting centre-back to step a long way out of the defensive line.
The third area is set pieces. Rakow scored the winning goal against Hammarby precisely from a free kick. Svarnas and Repka showed how troublesome they can be in aerial duels. Hajduk must therefore avoid unnecessary fouls in areas from which Kwiatkowski and the other takers can deliver a quality ball into the penalty area.
The fourth area is game management and tempo. Against Žalgiris, Hajduk showed that they can increase the pace after the break and make use of the depth of their bench. Rakow showed the opposite against Hammarby - that they can withstand home pressure, defend a result and wait for their opportunity. The first team to impose its own rhythm on the opponent will gain an important advantage ahead of the return leg.
Seats in the stands are disappearing quickly. For a match with stakes like these, it is particularly important to plan your arrival in advance, because this is the first of only two matches that will determine who progresses to the league phase.
Poljud as a factor in the match
Gradski stadion Poljud is not merely the venue but one of the important elements of this tie. The stadium was built in 1979 for the Mediterranean Games, was designed by Boris Magaš, and Hajduk lists its capacity as 33,987 seats. Its distinctive structure consists of two large covered stands and a shell-like shape that makes the stadium one of the most recognisable sporting venues on the Adriatic coast.
European matches this season have already shown how large a crowd Hajduk can attract. According to club figures, more than 70,000 spectators in total attended the first three European home matches at Poljud, an average of more than 23,000 per match. The game against Pafos attracted 27,752 spectators, while 22,352 attended against Žilina.
- Stadium: Gradski stadion Poljud
- Address: 8 Mediteranskih igara 2, Split
- Year built: 1979
- Capacity listed by Hajduk: 33,987 seats
- Kick-off according to the current schedule: 21:00
For Rakow, such an environment will be different from their latest European away match. Hajduk will try to use the initial energy from the stands and immediately raise the tempo, while the visitors will welcome every period in which they can slow down the game and reduce the number of incidents in front of their goal.
For spectators, this means that the opening twenty minutes or so could be particularly interesting. If Hajduk create several chances early on, the pressure on Rakow could rise quickly. If the visitors survive the initial surge without damage, the match could turn into a more patient tactical contest in which every set piece and every lost ball takes on greater importance.
It is worth securing tickets in good time.
Getting to Poljud and practical information
Poljud is located in an urban part of Split, at 8 Mediteranskih igara 2. For visitors unfamiliar with the city, the most important thing is to allow enough time to arrive. Split has an extensive network of urban and suburban bus routes, while Promet Split publishes current timetables and a map showing vehicle positions in real time.
Those arriving by car should reasonably expect heavier traffic around the stadium and should not plan to arrive immediately before kick-off. The exact opening time of the stadium entrances for the match against Rakow is not stated in the verified information used for this guide, so the safer option is to arrive earlier and follow any additional organisational announcements on the day of the match.
On matchday, particular attention should be paid to the ticket sales arrangements. Hajduk announced that active members have the right to purchase tickets until the day of the match, while general sale on matchday depends on whether any tickets remain. The club also stated that sales points around the stadium will begin operating from 16:00 on matchday if tickets are still available.
- Arrive in the stadium area sufficiently early because of expected traffic and the larger number of spectators.
- For public transport, check the current timetable before departure.
- If you are arriving by car, do not assume that you will quickly find a space in the immediate vicinity of the stadium shortly before the match.
- Check the status of your ticket before arriving and have it ready for entry.
- Recheck organisational information that may change on the day of the match.
What supporters can expect on the pitch
Hajduk enter this match with stronger attacking momentum. Nine goals against Žalgiris, the win away at Gorica and an in-form Šego give Garcia more ways to attack than the team had at some earlier points in the season. Livaja can drop towards midfield, Pukštas can attack the space that opens behind him, while Melnjak, Šutalo and the other wide players can provide width.
Rakow bring a completely different kind of threat. The Polish team still have no points in the league, but have progressed through qualifying much more securely so far. Against Hammarby, they conceded zero goals in 180 minutes, Trelowski was very good in the return leg, and Svarnas punished one situation from a set piece. This is the profile of an opponent against whom possession dominance alone will not be enough.
Hajduk will want to take an advantage from Split so they do not have to chase the result in Częstochowa. Even a narrow result would leave the return leg on home soil open for Rakow. For that very reason, the home side must find a balance between aggression and control: attack strongly enough to make use of Poljud, but not leave Rakow simple opportunities in transition.
The referee for the first match will be Michal Očenáš from Slovakia. Rakow announced that he will be assisted by Adam Jekkel and Tobiáš Pacák, while Matej Choreň will be the fourth official.
For a neutral viewer, this is an interesting meeting between two teams that did not reach the same stage of qualifying in the same way. Hajduk scored nine goals in the previous round and demonstrated a wide range of attacking solutions. Rakow advanced against Hammarby by an aggregate score of 1:0 and proved that they do not need an open match to progress. Poljud will therefore be a test of patience just as much as a test of quality.
Sources:
- Hajduk.hr - match schedule, Hajduk's results in the 2026/27 season, information on the matches against Žalgiris and Gorica, and ticket information for Rakow.
- Hajduk.hr - information about Poljud stadium, the year it was built, its architect and capacity.
- Rakow.com - reports from the matches against Hammarby and Cracovia, team line-ups and information about the return leg against Hajduk.
- Ekstraklasa.org - current Polish league table and Rakow's position after three matches.
- HNL.hr - current league table, the Gorica - Hajduk result and Hajduk's statistics after three rounds.
- Promet Split - current timetable and information about Split's public transport network.