FC THUN: Steffen – Fehr, Bamert, Bürki, Mambwa – Reichmuth (83' Lengen), Kait, Roth (od 78' Derbaci), Maier (70' Zoukit) – Dursun (70' Christoffersson), Labeau (78' Braschi)
HNK HAJDUK: Silić – Acapandié, Hadžikadunić, Marešić, Hrgović – Del Moral (78' Dendoncker), Fayad (85' Van Hoorenbeeck) – Bamba (85' Martin), Dalisson, Šotiček (71' Melnjak) – Šego (78' Livaja)
Hajduk Split's remarkable European run continued on October 22 as the Croatian club defeated Swiss champions FC Thun 1–0 at Arena Thun, maintaining their perfect record in the UEFA Conference League. After beating Dutch giants Ajax 2–1 at Poljud Stadium in their opening league-phase fixture, Gonzalo García's players delivered another disciplined performance to collect three valuable points away from home.
The victory was particularly significant because Hajduk faced an opponent accustomed to competing at a high level in Swiss football, while also having to adjust to the artificial playing surface in Thun. Despite those challenges, the Croatian side started confidently, controlled possession during the early stages and demonstrated the attacking quality that had helped them overcome Ajax a week earlier. Dalisson's first-half goal ultimately proved decisive, although the visitors created several opportunities to make the final score more convincing.
With six points from their first two European matches, Hajduk have made an excellent start to the league phase and strengthened their prospects of reaching the knockout rounds. The result also extended their winning streak across all competitions to four matches, following victories over Dinamo Zagreb, Ajax and Varaždin.
Dalisson Strikes Early as Hajduk Take Control
Hajduk approached the match with confidence, and García selected the same starting eleven that had produced an impressive performance against Ajax. The visitors immediately attempted to establish control through possession and quick passing combinations, forcing Thun to defend deeper than they had anticipated. During the opening quarter of an hour, Hajduk enjoyed more than 70 percent possession, although clear goalscoring opportunities were initially limited.
The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute, when Dalisson capitalised on a costly defensive mistake by the Swiss champions. After Thun failed to clear their lines, the Brazilian winger collected the ball in a dangerous position and attempted a shot that was initially blocked. He reacted quickly to the rebound, firing a precise effort into the bottom corner from approximately 15 metres to give Hajduk a deserved 1–0 advantage.
The early goal rewarded Hajduk's positive approach and immediately increased the pressure on the home side. Thun gradually improved their possession and attempted to create opportunities through longer passes towards their attacking players, but Hajduk's defensive organisation prevented the Swiss champions from establishing sustained pressure.
The hosts threatened in the 24th minute when Brighton Labeau tested goalkeeper Toni Silić, while Elmin Rastoder's teammates struggled to take advantage of the loose ball. Hajduk responded with further attacking moves, including a dangerous long-range effort from Ivan Šotiček that forced Thun goalkeeper Niklas Steffen into an important save.
Although Thun became more competitive as the half progressed, the Croatian visitors maintained their narrow advantage and entered the dressing room leading 1–0. The score reflected a first half in which Hajduk had demonstrated greater technical quality and attacking efficiency, even if the hosts had begun to find their rhythm.
Šego Misses Penalty as Thun Fight Back
The second half developed into a much more demanding contest for Hajduk, with Thun increasing their aggression and attempting to regain control of midfield. The Swiss champions applied greater pressure, won more second balls and forced the visitors into several uncomfortable defensive situations. Nevertheless, Hajduk remained dangerous whenever they managed to break through the hosts' pressing.
Thun created their first meaningful second-half opportunity in the 53rd minute when captain Jan Bamert's teammates combined effectively near the edge of the penalty area, allowing Nando Fehr to attempt a shot that narrowly missed the target. Shortly afterwards, midfielder Nils Reichmuth tested Silić, but the Hajduk goalkeeper comfortably dealt with the effort.
The match's defining missed opportunity arrived midway through the second half. In the 67th minute, Silić launched a counterattack with a pass towards Dalisson, who released Abdoulie Bamba into space. The Gambian winger beat his defender inside the penalty area before being brought down, prompting English referee Jarred Gillett to award Hajduk a penalty.
Michele Šego stepped forward to take the spot kick in the 68th minute, hoping to double his team's lead and effectively settle the contest. However, his effort travelled towards the centre of the goal, where Steffen remained standing and produced a straightforward save. The missed penalty gave Thun renewed hope and ensured that Hajduk would have to defend their narrow advantage for the remaining stages of the match.
Speaking afterwards, Šego showed little concern about the miss, explaining that penalties are an unavoidable part of football and that he would not hesitate to take another one in the future. The Croatian forward also praised Steffen for his decision to remain in the centre of the goal rather than committing himself to either side. His reaction reflected a player determined not to allow one missed opportunity to overshadow an important European victory.
As the match entered its final 20 minutes, Thun pushed increasingly aggressively in search of an equaliser. The hosts came particularly close in the 74th minute, when substitute Noah Christoffersson failed to convert a promising opportunity from close range. Hajduk also continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Dalisson striking the crossbar late in the contest as the visitors came close to securing a more comfortable victory.
García responded to the growing pressure by making several substitutions, introducing experienced players such as Marko Livaja and Leander Dendoncker to provide additional stability. The changes helped Hajduk navigate a tense conclusion, with the Croatian side maintaining their concentration until the final whistle.
Despite Thun's improvement after half-time, Hajduk successfully protected their lead to secure a valuable away victory that could prove crucial in the race for European qualification.
Thun Captain Makes Surprising Claim After Defeat
Although Hajduk celebrated another important victory, the post-match reactions from the Swiss camp attracted considerable attention. Thun captain Marco Bürki offered a confident assessment of his team's second-half performance, suggesting that the home side had controlled proceedings and deserved more from the encounter.
Speaking to Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten, Bürki said his team had felt as though they had pinned Hajduk back throughout the second half and that only a goal had been missing. His comments contrasted with the opportunities created by the Croatian visitors, who had missed a penalty and struck the crossbar despite coming under increasing pressure.
Thun had undoubtedly improved after a difficult opening period and created several promising chances, but Hajduk's attacking threat remained evident throughout the contest. The visitors demonstrated that they could both control possession and threaten quickly on the counterattack, making Bürki's interpretation of the match debatable.
Thun head coach Gian-Luca Privitelli offered a more measured assessment, acknowledging that his team had struggled during the opening 20 minutes and lacked the confidence required to compete effectively against Hajduk's technical players. He believed that Thun improved significantly after that difficult start and competed on more equal terms during the remainder of the match.
Privitelli also identified his team's lack of attacking penetration as the main reason for their defeat. Although the Swiss champions managed to establish periods of pressure, they struggled to turn possession into clear opportunities and failed to produce the finishing quality required to overcome Hajduk's defence.
The contrasting reactions highlighted how differently the two teams experienced the encounter. For Thun, the match represented a missed opportunity to secure their first Conference League points, while Hajduk viewed the victory as further evidence of their growing confidence and tactical maturity.
Hajduk Move Closer to European Knockout Stages
Hajduk's victory in Switzerland has placed the Croatian club in a promising position after two rounds of the Conference League league phase. Having already defeated Ajax at Poljud Stadium, García's team have collected the maximum six points available and demonstrated their ability to win matches through different styles of play.
The victory over Ajax was built on attacking intensity, technical quality and an energetic performance in front of their supporters. Against Thun, however, Hajduk required patience, defensive discipline and the ability to withstand periods of sustained pressure. That versatility could become particularly important as the European campaign progresses and the level of opposition continues to vary.
The Croatian club's next European assignment is scheduled for November 5, when they travel to Gibraltar to face Lincoln Red Imps. Hajduk will then return to Split for home fixtures against Belgian side Sint-Truidense on November 26 and Danish club Nordsjælland on December 10, before completing their league-phase campaign away against Midtjylland on December 17.
Under the Conference League format, the top eight teams in the 36-club league table advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs. With four fixtures remaining, Hajduk still have considerable work ahead, but their perfect start has given them a valuable advantage.
For García, the challenge will be maintaining the team's momentum while managing the demands of domestic and European football. The Spanish-Uruguayan coach has successfully introduced a style based on organised possession, attacking movement and collective defensive responsibility, and the results against Ajax and Thun suggest that his approach is beginning to produce positive outcomes on the continental stage.
Dalisson's growing influence provides another encouraging sign. The Brazilian winger has demonstrated his ability to make decisive contributions in important matches, combining attacking creativity with the composure required to finish opportunities. Meanwhile, the contributions of Silić, Bamba, Šego and the team's experienced substitutes have underlined the importance of a balanced squad.
Hajduk's 1–0 victory over Thun may not have been as spectacular as their triumph over Ajax, but it could prove equally important. By securing maximum points from their opening two Conference League matches, the Croatian side have established themselves as serious contenders for a place in the knockout stages and given their supporters renewed hope of a memorable European campaign.
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