Rijeka convincingly defeated Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 in the SuperSport HNL derby match held at Rujevica, significantly impacting the standings and momentum for both teams.
The match, played on February 22, 2025, kicked off at 17:45, with 7,091 fans witnessing Rijeka’s remarkable performance. This victory propelled Rijeka to 45 points, solidifying their position at the top of the table, with Hajduk closely trailing at 41 points after their victory over Osijek.
Dinamo, previously sitting third with 38 points, faced significant challenges throughout the match, particularly with the red card issued to their player Kanga, reducing them to ten men before halftime. This decision proved pivotal, as Rijeka capitalized on their numerical advantage.
Nais Djouahra opened the scoring for Rijeka at the 27th minute with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Following his lead, Niko Janković doubled the lead by scoring from close range just before the halftime whistle. The home team continued their dominance, with Petrović netting the third goal from a corner kick just before halftime.
After the break, Duje Čop added the fourth goal early in the second half, confirming Rijeka’s overwhelming control of the match. The fourth goal was initially disallowed for offside, but VAR check confirmed it was legitimate.
With this win, Rijeka's head coach Radomir Đalović expressed satisfaction, stating, "The team displayed great energy, and we were fully prepared for this match. Our ambition is clear, and this win bolsters our morale as we head for the championship title." The overwhelming support from fans was palpable, as they celebrated loudly, rallying behind their team.
On the other hand, Dinamo's coach Fabio Cannavaro faced tough scrutiny following the defeat. He acknowledged the challenges his team faced due to injuries and suspensions, stating, "We have been struggling with consistency and injuries, which played heavily on our performance today. But this loss serves as feedback for us to improve going forward." Cannavaro reiterated the importance of maintaining focus as the season progresses.
Historically, this match marked the 186th meeting between the two sides, with Dinamo holding the upper hand in overall victories, boasting 97 wins compared to Rijeka's 45 prior to the match. But today’s decisive win may shift the narrative surrounding this storied rivalry.
During the match, the atmosphere was charged as both fans supported their sides intensely, introducing flare displays and chants typical of such high-stakes encounters. Unfortunately, the match experienced interruptions due to crowd disturbances, particularly when flares were thrown onto the pitch around the hour mark.
Rijeka's next challenge will be maintaining this momentum as they head to future fixtures, with their players now believing they can push for the title with unwavering confidence. Meanwhile, Dinamo must regroup quickly if they wish to remain competitive.
This encounter not only showcased the current standings and tactical prowess of Rijeka but also raised questions about Dinamo's ability to bounce back. The evident quality and ambition from Rijeka elevated their pursuit of the championship, leaving fans excited for the coming matches.