Rijeka won the domestic double in 2024/25 and then failed to reach the Champions League after losing to Ludogorets 3-1 on aggregate, dropping into the Europa League. Progress in the Europa League requires navigating two more qualifying rounds. Rijeka recovered from a first-leg defeat to beat Shelbourne 3-1 at Tolka Park and advance 4-3 on aggregate. Ante Orec, decisive in the comeback, will miss the first leg through suspension. Toni Fruk remains influential with goals and 10 assists. Dalovic's side must exploit home advantage and match rhythm against a PAOK team with limited competitive outings.
Rijeka's prize for clinching the domestic double in 2024/25 was another attempt at reaching the Champions League, a competition that has always eluded them. Their past efforts ended in the second qualifying round in 1999/00 and the playoffs in 2017-18, and hopes of finally breaking through were dashed once more as Ludogorets prevailed 3-1 on aggregate. That setback left Dalovic's side dropping into the Europa League, where progress is far from assured, as two qualifying rounds must still be negotiated. The first test came against Shelbourne, and Rijeka made hard work of it after losing the first leg at home. At Tolka Park, though, they turned it around, with Toni Fruk and Tiago Dantas putting them 2-0 up and ahead 3-2 on aggregate.
Even so, the 24-year-old is still regarded as Rijeka's key attacking outlet, having netted 10 goals last season, including one in the last round. Alongside him, Fruk's influence remains vital, with his 10 assists underlining his dual role as both creator and scorer, providing Rijeka with an added dimension as they prepare for this playoff tie.
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