The Croatian league has a total of ten teams and operates on a four-round-robin format.
This means each team plays against every other team four times – twice at home and twice away – totaling 36 league matches per season.
Among the entire Croatian league, the three strongest teams are Lokomotiva Zagreb, Dinamo Zagreb, and Hajduk Split.
Hajduk were last season's champions.
Lokomotiva Zagreb, on the other hand, has absorbed a number of players from their crosstown rivals and rapidly grown in strength.
Last season, they even defeated Dinamo Zagreb three times, making headlines across the league.
As for Dinamo Zagreb, their once-dominant status has become more of a deterrent in name only. Many are skeptical about this newly assembled and youth-oriented team.
Despite their impressive performance in one game, the season is long and whether these young players can endure the grind remains uncertain.
Still, based on Dinamo Zagreb's rich foundation, they remain the most threatening club in Croatian football.
Therefore, when Dinamo Zagreb traveled to face Šibenik, the home team was visibly nervous.
Even though most of Dinamo's lineup consisted of young players, just the presence of Davor Šuker was enough to suffocate their confidence.
Šubićevac Stadium , which can hold 10,000 spectators, isn't particularly large, but it's well-equipped.
There are separate changing rooms for the two teams, and even a small space outfitted with some training gear for pre-match warm-ups.
Šuker was warming up on a stationary bike.
Beside him, Modrić was lying on a yoga mat receiving a massage from the assistant coach.
Everyone else was actively preparing for the game.
After a while, Šuker felt his legs starting to warm up. He wiped his sweat and got off the bike.
"Starting players, change into your kits and get ready to take the field!"
Head coach Bešić clapped his hands and shouted.
Šuker and the others immediately changed into their away kits.
Once everyone was ready, Bešić looked at the group and said, "Remember, our goal is a draw!"
The moment he finished, Modrić and the others pulled long faces, clearly not satisfied with that.
Šuker, meanwhile, was quietly stretching his arms, listening carefully.
"Our main attacking route is still down the left wing," Bešić said, looking at Šuker. "Don't drop too deep!"
Šuker grinned and nodded immediately.
Bešić continued, "Defense is key. Watch out for their winger Gusić – he's great at cutting inside and shooting. Don't go for the tackle easily; I trust you guys have learned a thing or two from dealing with Šuker in training!"
Full-backs Pranjić and Srna grinned.
In intra-squad matches, they often got roasted by Šuker's wing runs, but that also helped them improve defensively.
"Always be mindful of your positioning and cover. I keep saying this – play like a unit, understand?"
"Understood!" everyone shouted.
"Alright, let's head out!"
After Bešić finished speaking, Šuker approached Davor Šuker.
Šuker said, "When I start dribbling, you get ready to make your run!"
Davor nodded. "Then you better get the timing of the through-ball right."
"No problem!" Šuker nodded firmly.
Davor Šuker's runs and finishing, paired with young Šuker's break-ins from the top of the box – after repeated training sessions, the two had developed a basic chemistry.
"And another thing! Don't hog the ball all the time!" Davor suddenly said sternly. "Pass when you should, pass even more if needed!"
Davor had seen too many players whose careers were ruined by dribbling too much.
No matter how skilled you are with the ball, overdoing it invites injury.
If you get targeted by defenders, you could end your career early.
He hoped the rising Croatian star would develop a more team-oriented style to prolong his career.
"I got it!" Šuker agreed readily, though he didn't take it too seriously.
After all, he had a bunch of recovery cards in his system inventory – it was nearly impossible to get injured badly.
Šibenik (4-3-3):GK: RotrićDefenders: Jaklim, Pedra, Bastkro, MirnaćMidfielders: Bascelić, Capeć, Tia MasForwards: Gusić, Marimpeć, Desić
Dinamo Zagreb (4-3-3):GK: GrestićDefenders: Srna, Jarni, Štimac, PranjićMidfielders: Modrić, Vukojević, DujmovićForwards: Šuker, Davor Šuker, Valević
Dinamo Zagreb kept the same starting lineup as the last game.
Clearly, Bešić considered this the most stable lineup at the moment.
In the stadium, around 7,000 Šibenik fans had already filled the seats.
Compared to the fiery Maksimir Stadium, this reminded Šuker more of Zrinjski Mostar – even less lively than that, honestly.
Around 2,000 Dinamo Zagreb fans had traveled, filling up the away section.
After their victory in the last match, fans were hyped to follow this young team again.
Those fierce runs and passionate attacks had fired them up.
Many more were watching from home.
In the commentary booth, Krauševic was already in full swing:
"Players are lining up. Dinamo Zagreb will kick off the first half. Both Šukers are already in the center circle – we all know the legendary Davor Šuker, but the younger Šuker has drawn serious attention after his last performance!"
"We're hoping for another dazzling game from him today!"
In the center circle, Šuker was bouncing on his toes, keeping his body alert.
His eyes scanned ahead.
The opposition's defensive line wasn't too compact – a better setup for breaking through than the last match.
"Nervous?" Davor suddenly asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Šuker responded, confused.
Davor slicked his gelled hair back and smiled, "Keep that attitude."
At that moment, the referee stepped out of the circle and blew the whistle!
A sharp blast rang out – Davor Šuker passed the ball.
Šuker stepped forward, stopped it, turned and passed it back, then ran out toward the wing.
But he didn't go too deep – instead, he lingered near the halfway line.
He looked back at the opposing fullback Jaklim – the defender stepped up a little, but didn't stick close. Instead, the defensive midfielder shadowed him from behind.
A buffer for the back line.
But… there was too much space between the midfielders.
Šuker's brain was spinning, constantly scanning the field.
He moved laterally, occasionally linking up with Modrić.
But each time, he only took one touch before passing the ball off again.
This frustrated Šibenik's midfielder Bascelić, who couldn't find a good moment to tackle.
Šuker kept running and knocking it back – but never turned around.
Bascelić was happy to let him play that way.
He thought the kid was scared and didn't dare to turn on him.
In the stands, Dinamo fans were confused.
Why wasn't he turning?
A lot of people were here just to see Šuker show off his dribbling.
"Break through, Šuker!"
"Do it like last game!"
"Destroy that fullback!"
Fans were shouting encouragement.
Šuker rolled his eyes.
Sure, he was good at dribbling, but it had to be the right time.
Modrić was clearly controlling the pace, helping the players get into rhythm. If Šuker just ran in wildly, he'd be isolated and mess up the midfield coordination.
So he waited patiently.
After about ten minutes of passing, Dinamo's players were visibly warmed up.
Šibenik's defense began to relax slightly from all the lateral movement.
That's when Modrić began pushing forward, dishing the ball to Valević on the opposite wing.
Valević dribbled toward the baseline, drawing defenders before returning it to Modrić.
Without taking a touch, Modrić switched it across the field.
Šuker caught it cleanly on the left wing.
"I'll take him!" yelled Jaklim as he rushed to mark him, blocking his path inside.
Šuker studied his stance – knees bent, center of gravity low, ready to move toward the sideline.
But… could he keep up?
Šuker didn't bother with fancy footwork – he simply pushed the ball forward and exploded off his planted foot like a missile.
Jaklim gasped and turned to chase.
But by the time he turned, he was already a step behind.
"What the hell kind of explosion is this!!" Jaklim thought in shock as Šuker left him in the dust.
"Šuker breaks through! Oh my God!! Insane acceleration! He's through! Šuker drives it across the box! Ahhh—Davor Šuker didn't get there in time! Dinamo Zagreb miss the chance!"