Rijeka vs Omonia – News and Probable Lineups

With a spot in the Conference League’s round of 16 at stake, HNK Rijeka must manage to avoid a defeat on Thursday against Omonia at Stadion HNK Rijeka in order to secure their progression.

The home team took a 1-0 lead in the first leg of their playoff matchup against Omonia, thanks to a late winner from Daniel Adu-Adjei on February 19, giving them a crucial advantage in the quest for the knockout stages.

Match overview

In the first leg, HNK Rijeka struggled to create opportunities, with their goal coming in the 86th minute from just two shots inside the box after halftime.

If the hosts advance to the round of 16, it will mark their first appearance in the knockout stages of a European competition since the 1979-80 season.

This season, the club has kept the number of goals conceded low in the Conference League, with six out of their seven matches featuring two or fewer goals scored.

RJK has not allowed a goal in four straight matches in the tournament, having achieved two wins, one loss, and scored four goals in their last four outings.

Head coach Victor Sanchez del Amo has seen his team record one victory and two draws in their last three home fixtures, while also maintaining two wins and a draw in their three Conference League matches at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Omonia will be surprised to find themselves trailing heading into the second leg, having created almost 3.5 expected goals along with four significant chances.

This result marked their second consecutive 1-0 loss in Europe and their second defeat by the same scoreline in all competitions.

Manager Henning Berg’s squad had scored at least twice in eight of the 10 matches preceding their two defeats, yet they have managed to net more than once in only one of their seven fixtures in the Conference League.

Shamrock has now met Rijeka three times historically, with each team securing a victory once against the other.

Omonia’s seven-match unbeaten run away from home came to an end with a 1-0 loss to APOEL on February 22, although they remain unbeaten on the road in the Conference League, having won one and drawn two of their three European matches this season.

Team News

Rijeka is expected to field a similar lineup to the one that triumphed in the first leg, with defenders Teo Barisic, Ante Majstorovic, and Mladen Devetak likely to feature.

Midfielder Tornike Morchiladze, who came off the bench in the 74th minute, received two yellow cards, meaning he will be absent and Tiago Dantas, Alfonso Barco, and Dejan Petrovic are projected to begin together.

If striker Ante Matej Juric is to score on Thursday, he will need contributions from Toni Fruk, who may return to a forward position.

Omonia’s center-forwards Muamer Tankovic and Ryan Mmaee will hope that wide attackers Andreas Christou and Willy Semedo can provide them with the necessary chances.

Carel Eiting and Panagiotis Andreou are likely to occupy midfield positions, playing in front of central defenders Senou Coulibaly and Jure Balkovec.

HNK Rijeka probable starting XI:

Breakers; Barisic, Majstorovic, Devetak; Orec, Barco, Dantas, Petrovic, Lasickas; Fruk; Juric

Omonia probable starting XI:

Fabiano; Dionkou, Coulibaly, Balkovec, Odubajo; Christou, Eiting, Andreou, Semedo; Tankovic, Mmaee