NK Rijeka have ended their participation in European competitions for this season. The black-and-whites recorded a defeat against Danish side Midtjylland in the final stage of their European adventure, bringing their continental campaign to a close for the season. Although they progressed through three qualifying rounds to reach the Europa League and advanced to the knockout stage of the Conference League, the final outcome was not what the club and supporters had hoped for.
Having finished fourth last season, Rijeka had sufficient points to challenge for the title, but the current result stands as a defeat in European competition. Nevertheless, the club is now focusing exclusively on the Croatian league (HNL), where their objectives and ambitions remain clear.
The next challenge for Matjaž Kek’s team is a direct league battle. Rijeka will face Gorica tonight at 21:00, with the match taking place in Velika Gorica. This fixture carries additional context, as Gorica are the only team in the league yet to secure a single point. Although Rijeka have navigated European hurdles, this league match represents a new, no less significant, turning point in achieving their seasonal goals.
