Ahead of the MAXtv First League match against NK Osijek at Gradski vrt stadium (Saturday, kick - off 15:00), a 26 year-old player of Hajduk, Hrvoje Milic, born in Osijek but a supporter of Hajduk from early childhood, said the following:
"I remember that I used to be enthusiastic about Hajduk victories even as a young player of Osijek, so I had to do extra running at trainings, as a punishment. In 2004, when I was U-17 player of Osijek, I was a ball boy at the match in Osijek when Hajduk won 0:1 (Neretljak scored), thus winning the Championship."
Milic came to Hajduk as a 17 year-old player. It is a well known story and so is a story about his return to Hajduk this season, after playing for Djurgarden, Istra and Rostov. Today, he is one of the most experienced players of Hajduk, together with the captain Goran Milovic and Lovre Kalinic, and it is expected from him to lead Hajduk in this match in his hometown.
"I always look forward to coming back home. I'm sorry for financial and result crises of NK Osijek but I'm only interested in Hajduk and I'm coming to Osijek to win three points. This is a very important match for us after a defeat against Rijeka. We analized that match and learned from our mistakes, so this loss didn't set us back, it instead motivated us.The result was terrible, but things could have been different. In Osijek we will show that we had put this match behind us. This bad feeling for having lost a match at Poljud should be transformed into victory in Osijek."
Milic introduced the upcoming match in Osijek:
"Osijek is always highly motivated when they play against Hajduk. They want to win, but we have to play well and prevent their attempts to win. I don't expect a great game, they make frequent fouls and they rely on a counter attacking game."
Hajduk's left back also added:
"Hajduk has to accept the role of favourites in each match, it won't be easy but I expect that we win."
Hajduk has set a clear goal.
"He have to concentrate on ourselves. Among the upcoming four matches, we have three away matches, but we are thinking only on the first following match. Hajduk can win the autumn championship, players are really confident, we have set clear goals but we are not going to tell them. The match in Osijek will show that."
Hrvoje MIlic has collected 16 caps in offical games for Hajduk. He had four assists, but is still waiting for the first goal.
"If I score a goal in Osijek, I will celebrate it as it would be my first goal for Hajduk. I left Osijek as U-18 player, I never played for their first team. Among their current players, I played with Sorsa and Mikulic, the others are no longer playing for Osijek. But I expect many friends and other supporters of Hajduk at Gradski vrt stadium" said Hrvoje Milic.
