The 2023/24 Croatian football season begins this weekend and the games do not come much bigger than the Eternal derby.
This match is the Croatian Super Cup and it will be contested by Dinamo Zagreb and HNK Hajduk Split.
FT Dinamo - Sparta Praha 1:1 💙💪🏻🦁⚽️ Bruno Petković Remi za kraj priprema u Sloveniji. Dinamo se vraća u Zagreb, a već za tjedan dana čeka nas prva utakmica sezone, Superkup protiv Hajduka 🔥#dinamozagreb 📸 Marko Lukunić/Pixsell pic.twitter.com/TavMxOh49n— GNK Dinamo (@gnkdinamo) July 7, 2023
FT Dinamo - Sparta Praha 1:1 💙💪🏻🦁⚽️ Bruno Petković Remi za kraj priprema u Sloveniji. Dinamo se vraća u Zagreb, a već za tjedan dana čeka nas prva utakmica sezone, Superkup protiv Hajduka 🔥#dinamozagreb 📸 Marko Lukunić/Pixsell pic.twitter.com/TavMxOh49n
The game will be played on the 21st of July at the Stadion Maksimir with Dinamo Zagreb as the league winners from last season and Hajduk Split the cup winners.
Dinamo Zagreb come into the match having played a series of 4 friendly games. The most recent fixture was against Sparta Prague and the game finished 1-1.
There was also a 2-2 draw against Koper and Dinamo Zagreb enjoyed victories over Dugo Selo and CSKA 1948 Sofia.
In terms of competitive matches, Dinamo Zagreb last played in the HNL at the end of last season and recorded a 4-1 home win over HNK Gorica but the title was already sealed before that victory.
Dinamo Zagreb are on a run of 9 domestic matches without defeat, all of which were played in the league. They are undefeated in 33 of their last 36 HNL fixtures.
As this game is held at the home of Dinamo Zagreb, we can look at their home form and they are undefeated in their last 18 league matches on home soil. Dinamo Zagreb have won 5 of the last 6 Super Cup matches in Croatia.
Hajduk Split have also been playing friendly matches as they get up to speed in time for the start of the HNL season.
Their most recent fixture came against Trabzonspor and Hajduk Split recorded a good 2-0 win in Slovenia, with both goals coming in the first half.
Hajduk Split were undefeated in 4 of their 5 friendly games, with a win over MTK and draws with Spartak Trnava and Radomlje.
Trends show Hajduk Split ended the 2022/23 HNL season undefeated in 7 matches.
They were comfortably the second best team in Croatia last season and won each of their final 5 fixtures, one of which was the cup final against Šibenik.
Hajduk Split won the game 2-0 and both goals were scored in the second half.
Unfortunately for Hajduk Split, they have a poor recent record in the Super Cup and have lost each of their last 3 Super Cup matches. All 3 defeats have come at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb.
Team news: Dinamo Zagreb have two new signings who could both feature in defence.
Mauro Perkovic has joined from NK Istra and Maxime Bernauer has arrived from Paris FC.
Hajduk Split have added two players to their squad on free transfers, with Zvonimir Sarlija and Leon Dajaku joining from Panathinaikos and Sunderland, respectively.
Dinamo Zagreb are the dominant force in Croatian football and will want to stamp their authority on Hajduk Split in the Super Cup.
However, this is the first game of the season and the previous three Super Cup fixtures between these teams have seen just 3 goals. This match could end 0-0, with penalties deciding the winner.