Đalović is the champion: Rijeka completes sensation for second title in history

Rujevica celebrates - Radomir Đalović performed a miracle and properly completed the job with Rijeka that had begun somewhat timidly back in August last year.

The team from Rijeka completed the sensation and became the champions of Croatia after preventing a surprise in the last round in which they - routinely and in the manner of champions - defeated Slaven 2:0.

This is the second title in history for Rijeka, but it seems that the 2025 title is a true feat, unlike the one from 2017. Back then, Matjaž Kek created a machine that scored 88 points and left Dinamo Zagreb behind...

A similar sentiment was echoed by Đalović, a former Montenegrin striker and coach who has a future ahead of him, but the present is too beautiful for the 42-year-old from Bjelopolje to look ahead.

And there is no doubt - if any coach in Rijeka deserved to celebrate like Kek, it was him after he refused to leave Rijeka for Dinamo with Sergej Jakirović at the beginning of last season.

"Jakirović is my friend. We hung out off the field and he wanted everyone to go with him - from Salatović, Ivančić, Roguljić... But I felt like I would betray the people in Rijeka because I came to the club before him," Đalović said recently.

He stayed, first as part of Željko Sopić's coaching staff, and then took over the helm in August 2024. It turned out that this decision by club owner Damir Mišković was historic...

Rijeka lost in Split seven days ago, if they had beaten Hajduk they would have secured the title then, but I guess it's sweeter this way because they threw a spectacular party for their fans in the last round.

It was clear in the 90th minute that the last 12 minutes would not bring much excitement when Niko Janković hit the far corner of the opponent's goal with a precise shot, and the start of the second half was signed - the title.

Then Slaven goalkeeper Ivan Sušak made a cardinal mistake and gave the ball to Toni Fruk, who scored the goal from almost 40 meters for 2:0.

Rijeka won the double in 2017, and they can do the same now, as they play the second leg of the Cup final at their home stadium on Thursday. Their rivals are Slaven again, after the first match ended in a draw (1:1).