Hajduk lost the Europa League Playoff first-leg match against Everton, the English team won 2:0 in Liverpool thanks to Michael Keane, who scored in the 30th and Idriss Gueye, who scored in the 45th minute. Hajduk played more decisively in the second half, creating several great chances, but failed to find a way to Jordan Pickford's goal, since he saved attempts by Franck Ohandza, Ante Erceg and Hysen Memolla.
"I'm sorry for this kind of result. It has been proved that in such matches, individual mistakes are very expensive and we are punished as a team. We played well, but practically we conceded two goals from two actions. There are 90 more minutes ahead of us in which we will give our best and present Hajduk in the best possible way" said captain Zoran Nizic after the game.
"We lost, but in the second half we showed that we can play against them. It's a pitty that Erceg and Memolla didn't score, it would be far more uncertain match if we scored, but we still have a chance at home, with our supporters' help" said Ahmed Said Said.
"At the beginning, as if we had too much respect for them, but when we got used to the match, we created our chances. Memolla, Ohandza, Vlasic and I could have scored, but we unfortunately didn't. We have to believe in success in the second - leg match, I'm sure we can still surprise them in front of our supporters. They are a very good team, they play fast, but we can handle them" said Ante Erceg after the match, who entered the game as a substitute in the 66th minute and had a good chance to score but the goalkeeper Pickford saved his shot into a corner.
"We were well opposing to a strong opponent and had our chances. It is a great shame that in the first half we conceded such goals from their actions that were not particularly promising. We were punished for our mistakes. I'm sorry we did not get a better result from Liverpool, but we also have to believe that we have another chance at Poljud and we will try to do our best to surprise them in front of the crowded stadium" said Nikola Vlasic, who played a great match at Goodison Park.
