Derry City 0-1 Rijeka result, stats and report

Gorica bossed possession, peppered the box with crosses, and still could not score. Rijeka barely showed up going forward. A 0-0 that tells you everything about both teams right now.

FC Midtjylland controlled this Conference League qualifier from the first whistle, scoring through a twentieth-minute header before a substitute struck two minutes into the second half to put the tie beyond Rijeka's reach.

Rijeka won comfortably enough on the balance of play, but a late header from Istra in the 90th minute exposed a defensive structure that had no reference point for holding a lead. The margin of victory flatters neither side.

Varaždin were clinical where it mattered, scoring twice in the first half through a headed goal and a converted penalty to claim all three points despite Rijeka controlling 61 per cent of the ball.

Rijeka host Hajduk Split in a Croatian 1. HNL derby on Saturday 19 September, with the home side's perfect defensive record at Rujevica making this a fascinating tactical puzzle for the visitors.

Osijek sit top of the Croatian 1. HNL with a perfect record, but Rijeka have kept back-to-back clean sheets at home and will not roll over for anyone. Saturday's fixture is a genuine test of character for both sides.

Rijeka host FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday 27 August, carrying a perfect home record and a defensive structure that has conceded nothing on their own patch. Sophie Hargreaves breaks down what the data tells us ahead of kick-off.