NK Maksimir and NK Concordia Zagreb played out a goalless draw in an international club friendly on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at Maksimir's home ground in the Croatian capital. With both sides using the fixture as a key part of their pre-season preparations, the 0-0 scoreline suited the occasion as coaches prioritised fitness, rotation and sharpness ahead of competitive action.

A Zagreb derby with a friendly edge

Although classified as an international friendly due to the format of the fixture, this was very much a local affair steeped in Zagreb football tradition. NK Maksimir, named after the famous stadium district of the capital, and NK Concordia Zagreb, a club with deep historical roots in Croatian football, are familiar rivals in the Zagreb regional football scene. The friendly therefore carried a natural intensity, with both sets of players eager to impress in front of a modest but vocal crowd.

The early minutes were lively, with both teams pressing high and attempting to play out from the back. NK Maksimir looked sharp on the break, while NK Concordia Zagreb controlled long stretches of possession through a well-organised midfield triangle. Despite the attacking intentions, neither side could convert territorial dominance into clear goalscoring opportunities in the first half.

Defences on top in the second period

The second half followed a familiar pre-season pattern, with a flurry of substitutions breaking up the rhythm of the game. Both managers used the opportunity to give valuable minutes to younger squad members, and the match naturally became more stretched as fresh legs entered the pitch. Concordia Zagreb came closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the half, striking the crossbar from a free-kick on the edge of the area.

At the other end, NK Maksimir created two late chances, including a dangerous cross that flashed across the face of goal. But the final touch remained elusive, and the referee's whistle confirmed a deserved share of the spoils in a well-contested friendly.

Key takeaways from the friendly

• NK Maksimir demonstrated defensive solidity and a clear positional structure, though their finishing will need sharpening before league play resumes.
• NK Concordia Zagreb showed comfortable ball retention and created the better set-piece chances, leaving the coaching staff with positives to build on.
• The clean sheet for both teams suggests strong organisation, but also reflected a pre-season match still lacking the razor edge of competitive football.

Friendly matches like this serve an important purpose, allowing players to build fitness and confidence without the pressure of league points. For the fans in attendance, a goalless draw against a local rival was still a worthwhile evening of football, with the promise of more competitive encounters between the two Zagreb clubs to come later in the season.