2019–20_Croatian_First_Football_League
2019–20 Croatian First Football League
Football league season
The 2019–20 Croatian First Football League (officially Hrvatski Telekom Prva liga for sponsorship reasons) was the 29th season of the Croatian First Football League, the national championship for men's association football teams in Croatia, since its establishment in 1992. The season started on 19 July 2019. It was temporarily postponed from 12 March to 5 June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
Quick Facts Season, Dates ...
| Season | 2019–20 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 19 July 2019 – 12 March 2020[1]; 5 June 2020[2] – 25 July 2020 |
| Champions | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Relegated | Inter Zaprešić |
| Champions League | Dinamo Zagreb Lokomotiva |
| Europa League | Rijeka Osijek Hajduk Split |
| Matches played | 150 |
| Goals scored | 379 (2.53 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Antonio-Mirko Čolak Mijo Caktaš Mirko Marić (20 each) |
| Biggest home win | Hajduk Split 6–0 Gorica |
| Biggest away win | Rijeka 0–5 Dinamo Zagreb |
| Highest scoring | Lokomotiva 6–1 Slaven Belupo |
| Longest winning run | 6 games Dinamo Zagreb |
| Longest unbeaten run | 13 games Dinamo Zagreb |
| Longest winless run | 17 games Istra 1961 |
| Longest losing run | 15 games Inter Zaprešić |
| Highest attendance | 29,580 Hajduk Split 1–0 Dinamo Zagreb |
| Lowest attendance | 280 Inter Zaprešić 1–2 Lokomotiva |
| Total attendance | 458,390 |
| Average attendance | 3,526 |
← 2018–19 2020–21 → | |
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The league was contested by ten teams.
On 23 April 2019, Croatian Football Federation announced that the first stage of licensing procedure for 2019–20 season was complete. For the 2019–20 Prva HNL, only nine clubs were issued a top level license: Dinamo Zagreb, Gorica, Hajduk Split, Inter Zaprešić, Istra 1961, Osijek, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo and Varaždin. All of these clubs except Varaždin, who were newly promoted to the Prva HNL as champions of the 2018–19 Croatian Second Football League, were also issued a license for participating in UEFA competitions.[3] In the second stage of licensing, clubs that were not licensed in the first stage could appeal on the decision.
Stadia and locations
More information Dinamo Zagreb, Gorica ...
| Dinamo Zagreb | Gorica | Hajduk Split | Inter Zaprešić |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadion Maksimir | Gradski stadion Velika Gorica | Stadion Poljud | Stadion Ivan Laljak-Ivić |
| Capacity: 35,123 | Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 34,198 | Capacity: 5,228 |
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| Istra 1961 |
Locations of teams in 2019–20 Prva HNL |
Lokomotiva | |
| Stadion Aldo Drosina | Stadion Kranjčevićeva | ||
| Capacity: 9,800 | Capacity: 5,350 | ||
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 | ||
| Osijek | Rijeka | Slaven Belupo | Varaždin |
| Stadion Gradski vrt | Stadion Rujevica | Stadion Ivan Kušek-Apaš | Stadion Varteks |
| Capacity: 17,061 | Capacity: 8,279 | Capacity: 3,205 | Capacity: 8,850 |
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More information Team, City ...
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamo Zagreb | Zagreb | Maksimir | 35,423 | [4] |
| Gorica | Velika Gorica | Gradski stadion Velika Gorica | 5,000 | [4] |
| Hajduk Split | Split | Poljud | 34,198 | [5] |
| Inter Zaprešić | Zaprešić | Stadion ŠRC Zaprešić | 5,228 | [6] |
| Istra 1961 | Pula | Stadion Aldo Drosina | 9,800 | [7] |
| Lokomotiva | Zagreb | Kranjčevićeva1 | 5,350 | [8] |
| Osijek | Osijek | Gradski vrt | 17,061 | [9] |
| Rijeka | Rijeka | Rujevica | 8,279 | [10] |
| Slaven Belupo | Koprivnica | Stadion Ivan Kušek-Apaš | 3,205 | [11] |
| Varaždin | Varaždin | Stadion Varteks | 8,850 | |
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- 1 Lokomotiva hosted their home matches at Stadion Kranjčevićeva. The stadium was originally the home ground of third-level side NK Zagreb.
More information Rank, Counties of Croatia ...
| Rank | Counties of Croatia | Number of teams | Club(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  City of Zagreb |
2 | Dinamo Zagreb, Lokomotiva |
| 2 |  Zagreb County |
2 | Gorica, Inter Zaprešić |
| 3 |  Istria |
1 | Istra 1961 |
 Koprivnica-Križevci |
Slaven Belupo | ||
 Osijek-Baranja |
Osijek | ||
 Primorje-Gorski Kotar |
Rijeka | ||
 Split-Dalmatia |
Hajduk Split | ||
 Varaždin |
Varaždin |
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Personnel and kits
More information Club, Manager ...
| Club | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Sponsors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamo Zagreb |  Zoran Mamić |
 Arijan Ademi |
Adidas | Lana grupa |
| Gorica |  Valdas Dambrauskas |
Kristijan Kahlina |
Alpas | - |
| Hajduk Split | Igor Tudor |
Mijo Caktaš |
Macron | Tommy |
| Inter Zaprešić | Tomislav Ivković |
Tomislav Mazalović |
Joma | - |
| Istra 1961 | Ivan Prelec |
Marin Grujević |
Kelme | Croatia Osiguranje |
| Lokomotiva | Goran Tomić |
Denis Kolinger |
Adidas | - |
| Osijek | Ivica Kulešević |
Mile Škorić |
Nike | DOBRO |
| Rijeka |  Simon Rožman |
Franko Andrijašević |
Joma | Sava Osiguranje |
| Slaven Belupo | Tomislav Stipić |
Mateas Delić |
Adidas | Belupo |
| Varaždin | Samir Toplak |
Leon Benko |
Legea | TOKIĆ |
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Managerial changes
More information Team, Outgoing manager ...
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Replaced by | Date of appointment | Position in table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istra 1961 | Igor Cvitanović |
Sacked | 11 June 2019 | Ivan Prelec |
15 June 2019 | Pre-season |
| Varaždin | Branko Karačić |
Contract expired | 17 June 2019 | Borimir Perković |
22 June 2019 | Pre-season |
| Hajduk Split | Siniša Oreščanin |
Sacked | 19 July 2019 | Damir Burić |
20 July 2019 | Pre-season |
| Osijek | Dino Skender |
Sacked | 21 September 2019 | Ivica Kulešević |
22 September 2019 | 4th |
| Rijeka | Igor Bišćan |
Resigned | 22 September 2019 | Simon Rožman |
23 September 2019 | 3rd |
| Slaven Belupo | Ivica Sertić |
Removed from position | 7 October 2019 | Tomislav Stipić |
8 October 2019 | 8th |
| Varaždin | Borimir Perković |
Sacked | 8 October 2019 | Luka Bonačić |
9 October 2019 | 10th |
| Hajduk Split | Damir Burić |
Mutual consent | 19 December 2019 | Igor Tudor |
23 December 2019 | 2nd |
| Inter Zaprešić | Samir Toplak |
Sacked | 4 January 2020 |  Željko Petrović |
4 January 2020 | 8th |
| Varaždin | Luka Bonačić |
Sacked | 8 February 2020 | Samir Toplak |
10 February 2020 | 10th |
| Gorica |  Sergej Jakirović |
Sacked | 24 February 2020 | Valdas Dambrauskas |
25 February 2020 | 6th |
| Inter Zaprešić | Željko Petrović |
Sacked | 8 April 2020 | Tomislav Ivković |
9th | |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Nenad Bjelica |
Sacked | 16 April 2020 | Igor Jovićević |
22 April 2020 | 1st |
| Dinamo Zagreb | Igor Jovićević |
Sacked | 6 July 2020 | Zoran Mamić |
7 July 2020 | 1st |
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More information Pos, Team ...
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dinamo Zagreb (C) | 36 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 62 | 20 | +42 | 80 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
| 2 | Lokomotiva | 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 57 | 38 | +19 | 65 | |
| 3 | Rijeka | 36 | 19 | 7 | 10 | 58 | 42 | +16 | 64 | Qualification for the Europa League third qualifying round |
| 4 | Osijek | 36 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 47 | 29 | +18 | 62 | Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round |
| 5 | Hajduk Split | 36 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 60 | 41 | +19 | 60 | |
| 6 | Gorica | 36 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 44 | 48 | −4 | 49 | |
| 7 | Slaven Belupo | 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 34 | 51 | −17 | 39 | |
| 8 | Varaždin | 36 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 29 | 50 | −21 | 36 | |
| 9 | Istra 1961 (O) | 36 | 5 | 10 | 21 | 27 | 59 | −32 | 25 | Qualification for the Relegation play-offs |
| 10 | Inter Zaprešić (R) | 36 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 32 | 72 | −40 | 17 | Relegation to Croatian Second Football League |
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Source: PrvaHNL.hr
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (at home if two teams tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding champion, teams to international competition or teams for relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[12]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored (at home if two teams tied); 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off
(Note: Criteria 2-4 and 7 is only used if deciding champion, teams to international competition or teams for relegation and in that case criteria 6 will not be used).[12]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Each team played home-and-away against every other team in the league twice, for a total of 36 matches each played.
More information Home \ Away, DIN ...
| Home \ Away | DIN | GOR | HAJ | INT | IST | LOK | OSI | RIJ | SLA | VAR | DIN | GOR | HAJ | INT | IST | LOK | OSI | RIJ | SLA | VAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinamo Zagreb | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | — | 2–0 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 |
| Gorica | 2–4 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 |
| Hajduk Split | 1–0 | 3–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 6–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 2–3 |
| Inter Zaprešić | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 1–4 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 |
| Istra 1961 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 0–2 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–0 |
| Lokomotiva | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 4–1 | — | 2–1 | 0–1 | 6–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | — | 0–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 |
| Osijek | 0–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 4–0 | — | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | — | 1–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 |
| Rijeka | 0–5 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | 3–1 |
| Slaven Belupo | 0–3 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 0–4 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 1–0 | — | 0–0 |
| Varaždin | 1–0 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–0 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | — |
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At the end of the season, Istra 1961 contested a two-legged relegation play-off tie against Orijent 1919, the third-placed team of the 2019–20 Croatian Second Football League, since runners-up Croatia Zmijavci failed to apply for a top level license.
First leg
Referee: Fran Jović
Second leg
Referee: Igor Pajač
Istra 1961 won 3–1 on aggregate.
Top goalscorers
More information Rank, Player ...
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[13][14] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio Čolak |
Rijeka | 20 |
| Mijo Caktaš |
Hajduk Split | ||
| Mirko Marić |
Osijek | ||
| 4 | Kristijan Lovrić |
Gorica | 14 |
| 5 | Mislav Oršić |
Dinamo Zagreb | 13 |
| 6 | Ivan Krstanović |
Slaven Belupo | 12 |
| 7 |  Emem Eduok |
Hajduk Split | 11 |
 Lirim Kastrati |
Lokomotiva | ||
| Marko Tolić |
Lokomotiva | ||
| 10 |  Damian Kądzior |
Dinamo Zagreb | 10 |
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Annual awards
More information Award, Winner ...
| Award[15] | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Season | Bruno Petković |
Dinamo Zagreb |
| Manager of the Season | Nenad Bjelica |
Dinamo Zagreb |
| Young Player of the Season | Luka Ivanušec |
Dinamo Zagreb |
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More information Team of the Year ...
| Team of the Year[15] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb) | ||||||||||||
| Defence |  Igor Silva (Osijek) |
Mile Škorić (Osijek) |
 Denis Kolinger (Lokomotiva) | ||||||||||
| Midfield |
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Mijo Caktaš (Hajduk) |
Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb) |
Lirim Kastrati (Lokomotiva) | ||||||||
| Attack |
|
Mirko Marić (Osijek) | |||||||||||
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- "NASTAVAK NOGOMETNIH NATJECANJA 30. SVIBNJA". hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- "Središnji postupak licenciranja za natjecateljsku 2019/20. godinu za UEFA klupska natjecanja, Prvu HNL i u Drugu HNL završen u prvom stupnju" (PDF). hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 23 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- "Stadion Maksimir". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion Poljud". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion ŠRC Zaprešić". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion Aldo Drosina". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion Kranjčevićeva". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion Gradski vrt". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion HNK Rijeka". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Stadion Ivan Kušek-Apaš". prvahnl.hr. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "Propozicije natjecanja za prvenstvo Hrvatski Telekom Prve lige za natjecateljsku godinu 2019/2020" (PDF). hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.[permanent dead link]
- "Objavljeni dobitnici nagrade Trofej Nogometaš". NACIONAL.HR (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- Official website (in Croatian)
- Prva HNL at UEFA.com