During the 1998–99 Croatian football season, Croatia Zagreb competed in the Prva HNL.
Season summary Croatia Zagreb made their debut in the Champions League group stage, drawn against Olympiakos, Porto and Ajax. Zagreb failed to win any of their first three group games, resulting in the departure of manager Zlatko Kranjčar. His replacement, Velimir Zajec, inspired a turnaround and wins against Porto and Ajax gave the club hope of reaching the quarter-finals. A home draw with Olympiakos in the final group stage match saw Croatia Zagreb finish second in their group, but as they were the lowest-ranked of all the group stage runners-up they did not progress.
In the first round of the Croatian Football Cup the club was sensationally knocked out by fourth-level amateur side NK Dugo Selo 3–2.
In the league, Croatia was unbeaten in the first 11 matches of the season. Their first defeat came in November against Rijeka. They ended the first stage of the championship in March on top of the table, with a single point ahead of Rijeka, and 11 points ahead of their biggest rivals Hajduk Split in third place.
In the championship playoff, played as a round-robin mini-league involving top six teams from the first stage, Croatia finished on top, winning their fifth Croatian title since the country's independence, and ninth national title overall.
First-team squad Squad at end of season
Left club during season
Competitions 1. HNL
First stage (Rounds 1–22)
Standings
Championship playoff (Rounds 23–32)
Standings
Croatian Cup
UEFA Champions League
Second qualifying round
Group stage
Standings
References
External links Croatia 1998–99 list of matches at RSSSF.org