Hajduk Split’s dream run ends in UEFA Youth League Final

Hajduk Split’s dream run ends in UEFA Youth League Final

GENEVA, 24 April 2023 – Hajduk Split’s dream run in this season’s UEFA Youth League has ended in the final at the hands of AZ Alkmaar.

The Dutch club won the UEFA Youth League for the first time when they beat Hajduk Split 5-0 in the final at the Stade de Genève on Monday.

Once again it was the Croatians who had all the support, with close to 10,000 fans making the trip to Geneva, but for most of the opening they would watch their side defend.

Hajduk keeper Borna Buljan had plenty of work to do in the opening half an hour and his fine saves would keep the scores level.

AZ would take the lead on the stroke of halftime when Hajduk defender Luka Vušković would make a clumsy challenge on Poku in the box as the ball was looking like it was heading out.

Jayden Addai made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-0.

Hajduk were more attacking at the start of the second half, and striker Mate Antunović came close to levelling but his shot would be well saved.

With 20 minutes to go, Poku scored AZ’s second and that would kill off any hopes of a Hajduk comeback.

It was all downhill from there as Poku got his second before Max Meerdink grabbed himself a brace to make it 5-0.

Despite today’s loss, it has been a dream season in the UEFA Youth League for Hajduk. They toppled a number of big clubs on their way to the final, including Manchester City Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.