After getting the worst possible draw in the Champions League playoff round, being paired with Greek champions Olympiakos, Rijeka are now in business in the Europa League group stage. The Croatian champions are the only remaining Prva Liga club in Europe for the 2017/18 season and are guaranteed six group stage matches. They were drawn with Italian giants AC Milan, Austria Wien and AEK Athens.
Rijeka is not expected to top the group with Nikola Kalinić’s new club AC Milan in the group, but finishing second in front of Wien and Athens is more than doable. A Croatian club has not played in Europe past the new year in over a decade. But Rijeka has a very good chance of doing it this season.
Osijek gave Austria Wien trouble in the previous round, going 2-2 on aggregate after two matches with away goals being the ultimate decider. The group stage will begin with matches on September 14th and run through December 7th.
Chances Rijeka make it out of group: 70%
still upset they played those greeks, damn they should of been in UEFA Champions League
it was a set up 🙂
I think Livaja plays for AEK ha