2025–26 NK Istra 1961 season

NK Istra 1961
2025–26 season
OwnerBaskonia - Alavés Group
ManagerGonzalo García
(until 13 June 2025)
Goran Tomić
(13 June 2025 - 13 September 2025)
Oriol Riera
(since 17 September 2025)
StadiumStadion Aldo Drosina
HNL6th
Croatian CupSecond Round

The 2025–26 NK Istra 1961 season is the club's 65th season in existence and the 17th consecutive season in the top flight of Croatian football.

First-team squad

As of 3 September 2025[1]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  CRO Franko Kolić
2 DF  CAN Jovan Ivanišević
3 DF  TUN Mohamed Nasraoui
4 DF  AUT Dario Marešić (captain)
5 MF  CRO Josip Radošević (vice-captain)
6 MF  ISL Logi Hrafn Róbertsson
7 FW  BIH Vinko Rozić
8 MF  CRO Antonio Maurić
9 FW  BIH Smail Prevljak
10 MF  BIH Stjepan Lončar
11 FW  NED Saydou Bangura
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF  DEN Emil Frederiksen
18 MF  NGA Israel Isaac Ayuma
21 DF  FIN Ville Koski
22 FW  ISL Danijel Djuric
23 DF  ESP Alejandro Jay (on loan from Deportivo Alavés B)
24 DF  BIH Filip Taraba
26 DF  GER Marcel Heister
40 GK  CRO Jan Paus-Kunšt
41 MF  CRO Marin Žgomba
70 FW  NGA Salim Fago Lawal
97 DF  BIH Advan Kadušić

Transfers

In

Pos Player Transferred from Fee Date Source
DF Iurie Iovu Deportivo Alavés B Back from loan 10 June 2025 [2]
DF Filip Taraba Široki Brijeg €200,000 13 June 2025 [3]
GK Carlo Jurak Uljanik Back from loan 29 June 2025
DF Jovan Ivanisevic Bologna Back from loan 30 June 2025
DF Mohamed Nasraoui CS Sfaxien €340,000 30 June 2025 [4]
FW Saydou Bangura Roda JC Kerkrade Undisclosed 3 July 2025 [5]
MF Emil Frederiksen Rosenborg €300,000 9 July 2025 [6]
DF Alejandro Jay Deportivo Alavés B Loan 11 July 2025 [7]
FW Smail Prevljak Hertha BSC Free 11 July 2025 [8]

Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza

Out

Pos Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
DF Iurie Iovu Dundee United €200,000 10 June 2025 [2]
DF Stephane Keller Deportivo Alavés Back from loan 11 June 2025 [9]
DF Luka Bogdan AEL Limassol Free 11 June 2025 [9]
FW Hamza Jaganjac Željezničar Sarajevo Loan 11 June 2025 [9]
FW Mateo Lisica Dinamo Zagreb €1,300,000 11 June 2025 [10]
DF Moris Valinčić Dinamo Zagreb €1,350,000 24 June 2025 [11]
GK Carlo Jurak FC Juniors OÖ Undisclosed 26 June 2025 [12]
MF Slavko Blagojević No team Retired 28 June 2025 [13]
GK Lovro Majkić Aris Thessaloniki €200,000 1 July 2025 [14]
GK Marko Juršić Banjole Free 18 July 2025 [15]
MF Ivan Ćalušić Radomlje Free 22 July 2025 [16]
FW Lorenzo Travaglia Mladost Ždralovi Free 22 July 2025 [17]
FW Giorgi Gagua DAC Dunajská Streda €200,000 24 July 2025 [18]
FW Lorenzo Travaglia Mladost Ždralovi Free 6 August 2025 [19]
DF Raul Kumar Uljanik Dual registration 19 August 2025 [20]
MF Dukan Ahmeti Uljanik Dual registration 19 August 2025 [20]
MF Dominik Celija Uljanik Dual registration 19 August 2025 [20]
FW Charles Adah Agada Uljanik Dual registration 19 August 2025 [20]
FW Stipe Ukich Uljanik Dual registration 19 August 2025 [20]
MF Irfan Ramić Stupčanica Olovo Free 1 September 2025 [21]
FW Kristian Fućak No team Free 3 September 2025 [22]

Source: Glasilo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza

Total spending: €840,000

Total income: €3,250,000

Total expenditure: €2,410,000

Competitions

Overview

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
SuperSport HNL 3 August 2025 May 2026 Matchday 1 17 7 5 5 23 21 +2 041.18
Croatian Cup 16 September 2025 5 November 2025 First round Second round 2 1 0 1 3 3 +0 050.00
Total 19 8 5 6 26 24 +2 042.11

Last updated: 19 December 2025
Source: Soccerway

Croatian Football League

Main article: 2025–26 Croatian Football League

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
1 Dinamo Zagreb 18 12 2 4 38 16 +22 38 Qualification to Champions League second qualifying round
2 Hajduk Split 18 11 4 3 29 17 +12 37 Qualification to Conference League second qualifying round
3 Istra 1961 17 7 5 5 23 21 +2 26
4 Slaven Belupo 18 7 5 6 26 28 −2 26
5 Varaždin 18 6 5 7 22 25 −3 23
Updated to match(es) played on 21 December 2025. Source: SuperSport HNL
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).[23]
Notes:
  1. ^ The 2025–26 Croatian Football Cup winners qualify for the Europa League first qualifying round (or the second-placed team if the Croatian Cup winners finish first). If the Croatian Cup winners finish in the top three, the second Conference League second qualifying round spot will be passed to the fourth-placed team.

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
17 7 5 5 23 21  +2 26 4 3 1 10 9  +1 3 2 4 13 12  +1

Last updated: 19 December 2025.
Source: SuperSport HNL

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819
GroundAHAAHAHAHHAHHAHAHA
ResultLDDLWLWDWLWDWLDWW
Position7678897756664555
Updated to match(es) played on 8 December 2025. Source: SuperSport HNL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

3 August 2025 1 Hajduk Split 2–1 Istra 1961 Split
21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
  • Benrahou 45+1' (pen.)
  • Kalik  53'
  • Karačić 86'
 Report
Stadium: Stadion Poljud
Attendance: 25,501
Referee: Patrik Kolarić
9 August 2025 2 Istra 1961 2–2 Lokomotiva Pula
18:15 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 3,483
Referee: Zdenko Lovrić
15 August 2025 3 Vukovar 1991 1–1 Istra 1961 Vinkovci
18:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
  • Banovec 41'
  • Mejía  76'
 Report
Stadium: Stadion HNK Cibalia
Attendance: 1,235
Referee: Ivan Vukančić
23 August 2025 4 Dinamo Zagreb 3–0 Istra 1961 Zagreb
21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
Attendance: 11,461
Referee: Duje Strukan
29 August 2025 5 Istra 1961 1–0 Gorica Pula
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 2,437
Referee: Ante Čulina
12 September 2025 6 Slaven Belupo 2–1 Istra 1961 Koprivnica
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Gradski stadion
Attendance: 1.513
Referee: Zdenko Lovrić
21 September 2025 7 Istra 1961 2–1 Osijek Pula
19:15 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 2,519
Referee: Patrik Kolarić
27 September 2025 8 Rijeka 0–0 Istra 1961 Rijeka
16:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report Stadium: Stadion Rujevica
Attendance: 5,369
Referee: Ante Čulina
3 October 2025 9 Istra 1961 1–0 Varaždin Pula
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 1,959
Referee: Patrik Pavlešić
19 October 2025 10 Istra 1961 0–3 Hajduk Split Pula
16:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 8,124
Referee: Patrik Kolarić
25 October 2025 11 Lokomotiva 1–2 Istra 1961 Zagreb
15:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
  • Stojaković 15'  67'
  • Diop  83'
  • Pajač  90+4'
 Report
Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
Attendance: 305
Referee: Ivan Vukančić
1 November 2025 12 Istra 1961 1–1 Vukovar 1991 Pula
18:45 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 2,209
Referee: Zdenko Lovrić
9 November 2025 13 Istra 1961 2–1 Dinamo Zagreb Pula
16:00 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 5,241
Referee: Duje Strukan
23 November 2025 14 Gorica 1–0 Istra 1961 Velika Gorica
18:15 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Radnik
Attendance: 463
Referee: Ante Čulina
29 November 2025 15 Istra 1961 1–1 Slaven Belupo Pula
18:15 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina
Attendance: 1,574
Referee: Patrik Kolarić
7 December 2025 16 Osijek 1–5 Istra 1961 Osijek
17:30 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Opus Arena
Attendance: 2,734
Referee: Igor Pajač
19 December 2025 18 Varaždin 1–3 Istra 1961 Varaždin
16:00 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Varteks
Attendance: 956
Referee: Igor Pajač
20 January 2026 17 Istra 1961 – Rijeka Pula
16:00 CET (UTC+01:00) Stadium: Stadion Aldo Drosina

Croatian Football Cup

Main article: 2025–26 Croatian Football Cup
16 September 2025 R1 Neretva 1–2 Istra 1961 Metković
16:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
  • A. Raguž  10'
  • Dodig  23'
  • Milićević 58'  82'
  • E. Raguž  80'
 Report
Stadium: Iza Vage
Attendance: 2,800
Referee: Ante Terzić
5 November 2025 R2 Kurilovec 2–1 Istra 1961 Velika Gorica
14:00 CET (UTC+01:00)
  • M. Pršir 13'  85'
  • Furmek 27'
  • Vujnović  48'
  • Novak  55'
  • Sedlaček  71'
 Report
  • Ayuma  60'
  • Agada  62'
  • Lawal 75'
  • Taraba  84'
 Stadium: SRC Udarnik
Attendance: 420
Referee: Zdenko Lovrić

Player seasonal records

Updated 6 November 2025

Goals

Rank Name League Cup Total
1 Smail Prevljak 1 1 2
Salim Fago Lawal – 2 2
TOTALS 1 3 4

Source: Competitive matches

Clean sheets

Rank Name League Cup Total
TOTALS 0 0 0

Source: Competitive matches

Disciplinary record

Number Position Player HNL Croatian Cup Total
     
4 DF Dario Marešić 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
8 MF Antonio Maurić 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
18 MF Israel Isaac Ayuma 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
24 DF Filip Taraba 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
77 FW Charles Adah Agada 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
TOTALS 1 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0

Appearances and goals

Number Position Player Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Total HNL[n 1] Croatian Cup[n 1]
1 GK Franko Kolić 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF Jovan Ivanisevic 2 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
3 DF Mohamed Nasraoui 3 0 1+0 0 2+0 0
4 DF Dario Marešić 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
5 MF Josip Radošević 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
6 MF Logi Hrafn Róbertsson 2 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
7 FW Vinko Rozić 1 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
8 MF Antonio Maurić 3 0 1+0 0 2+0 0
9 FW Smail Prevljak 3 2 1+0 1 2+0 1
10 MF Stjepan Lončar 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
11 FW Saydou Bangura 3 0 0+1 0 0+2 0
17 MF Emil Frederiksen 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0
18 MF Israel Isaac Ayuma 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
20 MF Dukan Ahmeti 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
21 DF Ville Koski 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
22 FW Danijel Djuric 2 0 0+1 0 1+0 0
23 DF Alejandro Jay 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
24 DF Filip Taraba 2 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
26 DF Marcel Heister 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
32 MF Dominik Celija 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0
38 DF Raul Kumar 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
40 GK Jan Paus-Kunšt 2 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
41 MF Marin Žgomba 1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
70 FW Salim Fago Lawal 3 2 1+0 0 2+0 2
77 FW Charles Adah Agada 1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
97 DF Advan Kadušić 2 0 1+0 0 1+0 0

Notes

  1. ^ a b First number represents appearances in starting eleven, while the second number indicates a substitute appearance.

References

  1. ^ "Team". www.nkistra.com.
  2. ^ a b "Iurie Iovu potpisao za škotskog drugoligaša! Istra će dobiti 200 tisuća eura i postotak od idućeg transfera" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ^ "FILIP TARABA JE NOVI IGRAČ ZELENO ŽUTIH" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Mohamed Nasraoui novi je igrač Istre 1961: Jedan od najtalentiranijih mladih braniča u Tunisu" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  5. ^ "DOBRO NAM DOŠAO SAYDOU BANGURA" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  6. ^ "DOBRO NAM DOŠAO EMIL FREDERIKSEN" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Alejandro Jay novo je pojačanje Istre 1961: stigao na posudbu iz Alavesa" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Smail Prevljak novo je pojačanje Istre 1961: Zeleno-žuti doveli iskusnog reprezentativca BiH!" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "KELLER I BOGDAN NAPUSTILI KLUB; JAGANJAC ODLAZI NA POSUDBU" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  10. ^ "MATEO LISICA OSTVARIO TRANSFER U GNK DINAMO ZAGREB" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Moris Valinčić i službeno potpisao za GNK Dinamo" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Mladi vratar Istre 1961 preselio u redove austrijskog bundesligaša" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Umirovio se Slavko Blagojević" (in Croatian). Index.hr. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Lovro Majkić potpisao za Aris: Kapetan Istre 1961 karijeru nastavlja u Grčkoj" (in Croatian). IstraIN. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 18.07.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Ivan Ćalušić više nije igrač Istre 1961" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 22.07.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  18. ^ "GIORGI GAGUA OSTVARIO TRANSFER U DAC 1904" (in Croatian). NK Istra 1961. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 06.08.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Zapisnik izvršenih registracija 19.08.2025" (PDF) (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Istra 1961 raskinula ugovor s Irfanom Ramićem, što je s Fućkom?" (in Croatian). Regional Express. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Bivši igrač Osijeka i Varaždina napustio Istru 1961" (in Croatian). Germanijak. 3 September 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Propozicije natjecanja za prvenstvo SuperSport Hrvatske nogometne lige za natjecateljsku godinu 2022/2023" (PDF). hns-cff.hr (in Croatian). 1 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
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