20-Year-Old Serbian Striker Srdjan Hrstic Shines in Häcken’s Victory – Two Goals and an Assist

Updated 21:02 | Published 19:55

Srdjan Hrstic cost Häcken just over SEK 18 million, but is already on its way to paying off.

The 20-year-old accounted for two goals and an assist in Häcken’s 3–1 victory against Zalgiris Vilnius.

– I am very proud, he says.

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Häcken had a questionable start in the third qualifying round for the Europa League away to Zalgiris Vilnius, the team that sent Malmö FF out of the Champions League qualification last year.

Goalkeeper Peter Abrahamsson, unhappy when Häcken went out of the CL qualifiers last week against the sensation Klaksvik, among other things saved a free position from Zalgiris midfielder Jurij Kendysh.

Invisible at first

Häcken’s record acquisition, 20-year-old Serbian Srdjan Hrstic, was relatively invisible for a long time. But when home goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas left a rebound on a shot from Mikkel Rygaard, Hrstic decisively pushed in 1-0 for the visitors with his left foot (38).

It was only two minutes into the second half before the young Serbian struck again.

Again, Srdjan Hrstic was in the right place and scored 2-0 for Häcken, with his right foot. The lead-up to the goal was initially disallowed for offside, but was approved after VAR assessment.

The €18m striker came close to a hat-trick when he tried to head home Ibrahim Sadiq’s cross from the right, but the Zalgiris keeper made the save.

Delicious playback

But Hrstic showed off more of his repertoire. In the 70th minute, the 20-year-old from Spartak Subotica provided a delicate heel assist to Mikkel Rygaard, who thundered into the net for 3-0.

In connection with a triple substitution in the 77th minute, Srdjan Hrstic stepped off the field after a successful debut for Häcken. The match ended 3–1 after reducing Zalgiris in the 85th minute through Nassim Hnid.

The return is played in one week in Gothenburg. If Häcken gets past Zalgiris – the starting position is good to say the least – they will meet Scottish Aberdeen in the playoff for a place in the Europa League group stage.

But Häcken is guaranteed a group stage in the Conference League if they lose against Aberdeen. Such a group game is estimated to be worth at least SEK 50 million.

Much suggests that Häcken will get there at least – and the investment in Srdjan Hrstic, just over SEK 18 million – can then be said to have already paid off.

“Approved plus”

Per Mathias Högmo about Hrstic’s debut:

– To score two goals and an assist in his first game for us is superb. It is an approved plus by him, says Häckentränaren.

Srdjan Hrstic was coughing and had a sore throat the day before, but gave the go-ahead to play on Thursday morning.

– For being the first match, it went really well. The team helped me a lot. At the first goal I felt the ball could end up there. I was in the right place and I couldn’t miss that position.

– At 2-0, I immediately had the feeling that it would be a goal. None of us were offside.

Will call the family

One goal with the left, one with the right. Which is the best foot?

– It is my strength that I am bipedal. Now I just need to practice a little on my main game and I will be complete, says Hrstic with a laugh by telephone via the interpreter Hristijan Cvetkovski.

He continues about the heel assist to make it 3–0:

– It’s part of my game. I saw that both Layouni and Mikkel were there so I instinctively kicked the ball forward.

Could you dream of a debut like this?

– I am very proud. I have felt some pressure on me. Now I want to talk to my family at home and share the joy with them. They watched the match on TV.

How do you see your chances of moving on?

– The victory was well deserved, we were the better team. If we play the same way at home, we will progress, says Srdjan Hrstic.

Srdjan Hrstic.

1 / 3Photo: EMMA WALLSKOG / BILDBYRÅN

2023-08-10 19:07:30
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