Croatian clubs brace for decisive second-leg Europa ties

Varaždin coach Nikola Šafarić warned that the work is unfinished ahead of the team's return leg in the Czech Republic, where they hold a narrow 1‑0 advantage over Jablonec. He stressed the need for bravery, said the side will miss injured players Duraković and Puclin, and noted a lower-than‑expected crowd of about 3,600 at the first‑leg venue.

Rijeka manager Matjaž Kek also urged his side to improve on their 1‑0 first‑leg lead against Derry City in Northern Ireland. Kek highlighted the importance of mental preparation, the experience gap for many young players, and the requirement to play with higher quality to avoid complacency before the decisive 90 minutes.