CAPTAIN SRNA HAS SOME QUESTIONS TO ANSWER AFTER A HORRIBLE EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN
Current Europa League champions (formerly Uefa Cup) Shakhtar Donetsk, have been eliminated from this year’s competition by English club Fulham FC in the Round of 32. Shakhtar and Croatian captain Darijo Srna could not overcome a 2-1 first leg loss as they only managed a 1-1 draw at home in the second leg Thursday night. It was an extremely poor European season for the current Uefa Cup champs as they couldn’t even get passed Romanian club Timişoara in the Champions League third qualifying round; ultimately dropping them down to the Europa League tournament.
THIS IS WHAT THE EUROPA LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 LOOKS LIKE
Here’s what Srna had to say after the game in a Shakhtar.com interview:
– Darijo, have you done all your best today?
I’m sure, that the team did their utmost to go further. But we couldn’t, we missed the goal. Although we knew that when there are corner kicks they choose the position well, moreover they are all very tall.– There were two questionable episodes when the ball hit the hand…
What is the sense of talking now: the game is over, 1-1. We’ll go further. I feel sorry. But we are thankful to our fans who came to the stadium, supported us, especially during the last minutes. To put it bluntly, the team is very upset. We wanted to go to the next stage.– What is to be waited for next? Was this a hard psychological blow for Shakhtar?
Yes, it is a horrible blow. Everybody is in a very bad mood. But in two days we have the match against Vorskla – we should analyze everything and go further.
DOES THIS EUROPA LEAGUE SLIP UP MEAN THAT SRNA WILL LEAVE SHAKHTAR IN THE SUMMER?
PETRIĆ CELEBRATES A WELL-PLAYED GAME
Mladen Petrić and his Hamburg club will play in the Europa League ‘Round of 16’ even though they were defeated by PSV Eindhoven 3-2 on Thursday in the Netherlands. They move on because of ‘away goals’, as they won the first leg at home 1-0.
Petrić was all over the place in this game. He caused the deflection which gave PSV a 2-0 lead going into halftime, then scored a very hard fought goal seconds after the restart, almost had his ankle broken by a hard tackle (but stayed in the game) and even had time for an interview after the match. Please feel free to translate if you speak German. Hamburg take on Belgian club Anderlecht starting March 11th. Petrić is now the only Croatian international still playing in the Europa League this season.
PETRIĆ GOAL, DEFLECTION & INTERVIEW
IVAN PERIŠIĆ IN ACTION VS. VALENCIA
Ivan Perišić played the entire match as Club Brugge travelled to Spain to take on Valencia. After a surprising 1-0 home win, Club Brugge looked good to go through. However, Valencia scored in the very first minute of the match while Brugge couldn’t manage a goal. The game went into extra time where Pablo scored goals in the 97th and 117th minute to end Club Brugge’s European season. It’s not the last time you will see young Croatian prospect Ivan Perišić in European ball though; should he stay with his current Belgian club. Club Brugge will secure a Champions League qualifying spot for next season with two more points in three Belgian league games. Looks promising!
IN OTHER EUROPA LEAGUE NEWS…
Nikola Pokrivač sat on the bench as an unused sub in Red Bulls 0-0 draw with Standard Liege. Standard move onto the next round as they won the first leg 3-2.
Both Ante Rukavina and Mario Galinović remained on the bench unused as Panathinaikos once again surprised us all beating Roma 3-2. Who woulda thought they had it in them?
Darijo Srna is our captain, who deserve to become a legend.
He should stay at Shakhtar forever.
As i say i don't care who its with – it don't have to be with the Serbs, it can be with the Chinese league as far as i'm concerned as long as my Dinamo get some stronger matters. These games stink and some of them look settled before the match has kicked off..
Keeping players till 27 – that sounds pretty cool to me. Just imagine what our side would be – sounds great. In Croatia its like yes sir no sir with the smaller sides doing what their told – not being allowed to break the Dinamo/ Hajduk control. I think you can swap it from 12 to 16 back to 12 but its never really going to be right this HNL1. Maybe the Serbs is not the right way to go, but its clear for Dinamo we have a problem. I know full well Mamic is hunting for some resolution. Its not gonna keep him happy dealing with mediocrity and he has no interest in sharing the wealth to make the league better going by his bids for Zec and Vida, so some idea has to come from somewhere. In two years time i think some idea will be prepared which is not HNL1. What that idea is who knows – or maybe the collapse of the wider financial football market will change things as it is teetering.
The structure and rules of Yugoslavia brought success to the teams in the former Yugo. Kids could not leave until the age of 27 or 28. Any league would succeed when you are restricting athletes by not allowing them to leave.
Any idea of a league with serbs is a non starter. We dont need a joint league. As for the Czechs and Slovakia, they did not have a bloddy war. It was a peaceful break up, so that league can have a chance at success.
But, either way, hrvatska should not enter any league with the serbs.
Croats were in the league as they had to be fair enough but they hardly suffered in that very strong league which brought the kind of success that Balkan sides prob will never see again, but yes i accept that the war changed everything and since then everyone is left with mediocrity, corruption and hatred. And that's why i'm finding the league so boring. Wan a freaking challenge cos we deserve it. Don't care who its with.
It's only a matter of time before DZ receive a huge amount for Manzo. He refused a big transfer to Germany (Werder Bremen I think) last year. I thought it was a pretty fair deal but his agent wanted more. He needs to raise his profile by playing NT games. Every NT game I've seen him play, I thought he played very well.
"dinamofan:) said…
Ziva you was in the same league as the serbs for years and years and years and years.."
And that's where you lost me on this debate. Croatians were in that league because they had to be; since then, a war happened and now we will never be with them again.
Ziva you was in the same league as the serbs for years and years and years and years.. leading onto to damn sight better results than we're seeing these days. I understand things have changed now, but ultimately HNL1 is not working. We've got a situation now as well where Dinamo and Hajduk don't wanna give money to the rest of HNL1 sides apart from the sides their in a pact with like Hajduk and Zadar – Dinamo and Zapresic..
I'm not interested in Croatia at present. I know why Croatia does well as the player leave on mass from HNL1 and develop abroad. As well as guys like Rakitic, Klasnic, Simunic cropping up, so Croatia will always have a bright future, but seriously how big do you think Dinamo will be financially once Mandzo, Badelj, Tomecak, Morales go.. Financially it'll be a very big club, living in a league where sides ONLY recruit free agents… What concerns me is the future of Dinamo. Yes we can keep producing players, but what concerns me is that we should have opportunities to try to build something with the excellant resources we have. We should exist in a big league as we're a big club.
The regional league will be up to whoever decides these things. Theres no point me saying i want this and that to happen as it'll just be hot air. But if the Czechs and Slovaks get their regional league it'll be interesting of the repecussions. I can definitely see Badelj going end of season. All i keep hearing is Leverkusen and Bayern at moment. Even watching Bundesliga there talking about Badelj. Yeah maybe it might be good for national team that he goes to Germany, but at same time the kid is in no rush to leave if it wasn't for the fact the HNL1 is not presenting the challenges. I imagine that's also the reason for Mandzo's sulky face each week..
@Ziva
"Sometimes, it is about the money."
In Srna's situation, it certainly seems like it. You can't blame him, but at the same time, no one will remember your name coming from Shakhtar. Srna needs to transfer ASAP before time passes him by.
@Dinamofan
"Fulham caught Shaktar at just the right time"
Fulham is on fire. Playing excellent football right now. They bumped me up to first in fantasy league this week 🙂
@Ero Hercegovac
"Look at yourself first Srna. I cant believe hes the captain of our national team. I respect his skill but not his attitude."
I agree. I am disappointed with Dario and his "Italian" ways on the pitch. He didn't produce as captain of Croatia in qualifiers, doesn't deserve the captains band, period.
dinamofan,
You're absolutely right about Dinamo not being challenged, the finances, etc. but let me explain before I go further:
I definitely think SOME SORT OF A REGIONAL LEAGUE (apologize for the caps but it is important) WOULD greatly benefit Croatian soccer but not a league that includes any ex-yu clubs (Bosnia, Serbia, etc.). However, any potential regional league with Croatian soccer would sadly have to include ex-yu countries. For that reason alone, I say NO! You would just be mixing raw sewage and toxic waste only to expect Avion water. Not gonna happen.
Tournaments, however, may be more beneficial at this point in time with countries like Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic. Then again, would even a tournament do Dinamo justice? Probably not because no long term changes would be made.
The best thing for Croatian soccer right NOW is to drop Liga 16 and make it Liga 10 with relegation possible…or even Liga 8 with no relegation.
Your thoughts?
Since the break up Yugo, we have qualified in 6 of 8 tournaments, missing 2000 Euros and this summer's WC. Playing in a shit HNL has not made costs us missing these 6 tournaments. In no way, shape or form should we ever be in the same league of the serbs. Never!!! Nothing good can come out of that.
rE: Ante BBB
But our team is being unchallenged. We shouldn't have to suffer due to the quality of HNL1. I also don't like what i see in some games. As far as i'm concerned some of those goals in that Belupo Hajduk game shouldn't have happened. Belupo should not lose 5 to Hajduk. The league just does not seem right to me. Sometimes you see defenders stop and goalkeepers let in easy goals and its just too strange to be real.
I think we need more competition. I see how the rest of league functions and finances are not good enough to keep up with dinamo. it seems to me the leagues in other parts of balkans are dying as well. Got to do something about it – eventually there has to be a time. Badelj, Morales, Mandzo, Tomecak basically we have the finance to keep these players, but we don't have the matches to motivate them and we prob got to let go of all of them within a year which is annoying..
dinamofan,
Maybe tournaments…definitely not regional leagues; way too early for that.
It'd be good if Slovakia and the Czechs get the go ahead to do the regional league as it will be a good test to see how it works..
The former Czechoslovakia seems on the right side of UEFA at moment so perhaps maybe them putting forward an idea first is a good thing. I guess the only thing is though the Czech and Slovaks has a more peaceful break up so perhaps UEFA will be more pro their idea. But considering Welsh team play in England then i think there regional league ideas are okay.
That's abysmal what happen Aron Ramsey. Players often to return to their level after injuries like this. Maybe being 19 will help Ramsey and he doesn't need pace as much as Eduardo does for his position, but its kinda appauling that its this kid who is one really bright thing in the EPL. Also a massive loss for Wales. I'm sorry but Shawcross is one of those players. Don't give a shit about his tears. what does he think will happen when he does these things so often.
WTF you saying Sime Vrsaljko has no under 17 or under 19. That's disgusting. Who on earth is running that whole operation. If Vrsaljko can take out Etto then i believe he can play under 21's as Etto is a good player. I can't read too much into his win yesterday as Sesvete are a bad side who its an absolute disgrace were not relegated last year. Yeah fair enough have 16 teams, but please get rid of the worst team in the division HNS. There is no way Sesvete should be playing top flight football this season.
Great goal by Rakitic. I feel he can play better too but i have no problem with Rakitic. He's been playing out of position and produced 5 goals for Croatia since Euro ended so i don't see a problem with him. He's also highly responsible for improvement in under 21's. The only issue is that we know he has it in him to be like Kranjcar and Modric. Rather than being a great player on his day he needs it each week.
Srna does have a touch of the Mandzo's about him, but he also is highly dedicated and professional. Even after the defeat he shook hands and exchanged pleasent words with Murphy so its also thru a will to win which is no bad thing. Modric evades criticism a lot on CSR, but he didn't exactly do any favors to Eboue last year when he sat down. I think Kranjcar is actually the one example in Croatia's squad who thinks a lot about fair play. Corluka also doesn't dive around or play dirty.
About the HNL results still surprised Karlovac and Lokomotiva are functioning so well. It don't seem like much has changed. Cibalia still strong. I think Osijek and Rijeka aren't gonna do anything this season. Cibalia's definitely gonna get top 3. I actually fancy Belupo to move up for some reason. hajduk got a massive fight for Euro qualification.
With Dinamo – these games against Sesvete annoy me and is why the regional league is constantly discussed… is there some talk of Czech Republic and Slovakia putting one together as that may start the ball rolling? Some of our players at Dinamo are not getting tested at the moment – i'm thinking here of Badelj, Tomecak, Mandzo, Morales, Vrdoljak – all capable of playing at a higher level.
I personally think Tomecak is a national team player now. If he was Slovenian or Bosnian he'd be playing international football. I think that guys quality. Sammir also had a good game yesterday – but as i say Dinamo is too big for the Croatian league now. HNS has to start looking at solutions..
and yes..the ramsey tackle was intense to all the players around. But the tackler was horified and even cried after his tackle. Unlike Martin taylor who was complaining to the ref that his tackle wasnt a foul against eduardo
Petric had a good game for Hamburg.
Srna talked too much smack before the game and im so happy it bit him in the behind. He had to eat his own words. Not only that but whenever his team his winning and he is fouled he takes his time and rolls around a bit. If losing.he jumps straight up. He complained about time wasting to the ref about Fulham. Look at yourself first Srna. I cant believe hes the captain of our national team. I respect his skill but not his attitude.
@ Zach G
Indeed. Watching that tackle just brought back images of Dudu's leg break at Birmingham. Horrific, hard to stomach.
Aaron Ramsey… wow
Arsenal is cursed
Amazing goal. I have been quite critical of Rakitic, I feel he can offer far more than he is giving. However, that was a great goal and the ref should have given a card against the striker for diving. He should have never penalized Ivan for that foul in the box.
Big win by Dinamo today. Vrsaljko played the whole match. Granted, it was against a bottom of the table side. The kid needs his first Under 17 and 19 caps.
Beatiful game winner for Rakitic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDU8TnP5_JQ
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/index.php?cmd=show_clanak&clanak_id=18591
Too soon to tell. I don't see a statement from Srna or from the management of either Shahtar or Chelsea in the article verifying the move. It would be great to see considering he was just in London against Fulham and a verbal agreement could have very well been made. The story isn't reported anywhere else either, just a few Croatian sites, and we all know how reliable the sports media over there can be.
According to sportal.hr and sportske novosti, Srna to Chelsea is a done deal, and will go down this summer.
To Fulham's credit, their defense is solid. Tottenham have a gritty match this weekend against Everton. Everton's defence is as solid as Fulham's. I think Pavyulchenko can smash through it though if he's given the chance from Redknapp.
Fulham caught Shaktar at just the right time, but from Srna's point of view i can't see what more he can do at Shaktar. Surely he's achieved all that he can there. New challenge with harder games will prob start to appeal more to Srna now, but you're right only a cash rich club could take him. Atletico will prob throw it around when Aguero moves on so perhaps that could be a possibility, Bayern may consider a move and sides like juve and Milan are looking to rejuvenate aging sides.
He'll leave when another team decides to pay him in the same range of what he makes in Ukraine. Remember, the club pays the taxes for him. So, another team will have to overpay for him to leave Shaktar because of the tax situation. If he goes to a club in one of the bigger leagues he will have to pay the tax on his salary. That is a huge differance.
Sometimes, it is about the money.
He should have left the Ukraine long ago.
Srna should have left Shakhtar this past summer, but a club will have to eat a big chunk of his pay, and pony up big time cash.
He has nothing left to prove, and unless he wins the league (which Kiev will probably take), it'll be a bust.