Andrej Kramarić ended his two-and-a-half month goal drought in style, scoring a 1st half hat-trick against Borussia Mönchengladbach Wednesday night!
He opened the scoring in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot, then added two more in added time at the end of the first half to complete the hat-trick. His third and final goal was a sublime chip to the back post the completely froze the Monchengladbach keeper. Krama now had 6G/3A in 16 Bundesliga matches this season.
Even more impressive, he did it on the same day he set the Bundesliga appearance record for a Croatian player.
I’ve said this many times before. Although it’s a good thing if players are fit and in form ofcourse, this doesn’t translate to national team performance. Many times we have seen teams go to the World Cup stacked with top team talent and go out in the first round. France 2002, germany, Italy, England, Argentina,Brazil, Spain. All these teams have come to world cups with a team stacked on paper and failed. Croatia 2014 another example. On the other hand there are many examples of smaller teams who have excelled with maybe only one or two players on top leagues. Football is about teamwork and spirit. A player like Erlic is playing in the danish league. How many players from the danish league will Denmark have? It’s not necessary to have a team stacked with star players on big teams. This is playing the game on paper. Ofcourse the best example ever is roger milla 1990. The guy was 38 and literally retired. But the team found it’s mojo and roger Milla was the star of the tournament with 4 goals and 2 assists. It’s important to remember the shirt is bigger than any player. Whoever plays has to play well ON THE DAY. They could score 50 goals for Real Madrid during the season it guarantees nothing at the World Cup
We cannot be relying on ageing players to bail us out all the time..perisic modric budimir kramaric. In fact these are the players that are performing consistently in their clubs.
For upcoming world cup, in terms of younger players performing consistently well in their clubs (top 7 leagues), only stanisic gvardiol and kovacic (assuming he can play in next euro) can make it…but all of them are injured. We could still make an impact in this WC of the three are fully fit.
As for the rest,
Livakovic: searching for club
Semper: dropped for recent games despite playing well
Letica: not playing in decent league
Ivusic: injured
Labrovic: bench
Sutalo: poor form
Vuskovic: only one cap..playing in relegating club. Used to playing back 3
DCC: dunno he will be in starting 11
Erlic: not playing in decent league
Pongracic: poor form for country
Juranovic: despite recovering from injury, he doesnt have chance to sub in to play
Jakic: ocassionally dropped from lineup
Bradaric: bench occasionally and forced to play RWB
Sosa: gone case
Vlasic: form has picked up..need more consistency and less injuries
Majer: inconsistent form and frequently subbed off
Mario pasalic: on bench for past mth except yesterday which he didnt play well
Marco pasalic: MLS
Orsic: no goals and assist for past 2 mths. Cyprus league.
Musa: MLS
Petkovic: where is he?
Baturina: hopefully he has more chances to play?
Sucic P: playing lesser these days
L sucic: searching for new club.
Conclusion we need stansic kovacic gvardiol, they are important. Vuskovic may not used to playing in back 4. We shall see
Što više brojimo naše kokoši , to se više jaja razbije. Loša sreća.
Wake me up in June.
I personally have faith in Perišić and kramaric and of course king luka going out with every possible ounce left in the tank this summer
They will show up
The gvardi injury is the piece we will miss the most
Petar sucic shows up I know this
Comment in moderation. Luma Vusković could go to Bayern Munich.
Bavarian football world. I provided a link but my comment is in moderation.
If Bayern Munich are considering him then people need to start seeing the potential here. Apparently it’s a transfer/purchase not a loan.
Luka Vusković I mean.
I never like our players going to England. I would prefer to see Vusković in Bundesliga.
England has the best league as of now. I understand due to us always having injuries. No top talent in Bundesliga. Vušković should be tested in a better league if he can
No top talent in Bundesliga? That’s a bold statement
Name me a team that has recently won a CL since Bayern Munich in 2020? I’ll wait.
Croatian Canadian, its a huge stretch to say that England has the best league when they don’t have the most Champions League trophies, given that Spain have more and Italy is not the far behind them. I really disagree with that comment, they have a top league but it’s definitely not the best league in Europe based on success overall.
This may change but for now it’s how it stands.
It would be cool if he and Stanišić were part of the same back line
That was actually what I was thinking Anonymous Doom. He would have a chance to learn from Stanišić, and they would pair well together this way for the international squad it’s a perfect move that way.
@TGAD
💯
Bavarian football world is saying Vusković is being offered to Bayern Munich.
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/bayern-munich-transfer-rumors-news/159593/report-hamburger-sv-starlet-tottenham-hotspur-loanee-luka-vuskovic-offered-to-bayern-munich
it’s not Croatians getting better with age
It’s simply the talent hasn’t come up the pipe line to ever replace the guys we have even as they decline
Wish it were different
SMH.
Yes, and that’s why a top team like Inter Milan are inquiring about Ivan Perisic despite him being 37 years of age.
Simply put, our guys are taking care of themselves better than the 90s era, when Balkanci like Robert Prosinecki would smoke cigarettes at half time and drink right after games.
You think guys like Perisic, Krama, or Modric do those kinds of things?
Perisic came back 100% from an ACL injury he got at 35, and continues to play near his prime (despite being 37) and Inter are trying to pry him from PSV.
Madrid fans are criticizing their team for letting 40 year-old Modric go, and even their coach (Xabi) is running cover, trying to deflect blame from himself and onto the president.
There’s nothing wrong with our young talent. Guys like Gvardiol, Vuskovic, Petar Sucic, Baturina, Jagusic, etc. They’re all solid players who are getting better.
It’s just that our star veterans have taken such good care of themselves, that there has been VERY little dropoff in their play, despite hitting their late-30s.
Even Krama got a hat trick in the first half the other day (at age 35). Hoffenheim are trying to move on from him, but only because they realize he’s old…but they STILL need him. They are making a push for Champions League/Europa and know they can’t do it without him, lol.
Our older players seemed to have had better luck in staying off the surgery table than this latest generation.
The one black sheep was Brozovic, who was way old school, but he is not playing any more of course. Only the good die guy seemed to be his motto.
ughhhh…did you see the celebrations after 2018 world cup wins….You can take the seljak from the selo but cant take the selo out of the seljak. Bog i Seljaci!!!
Will ICE take my prsut iz Drnisa?
Depends. Did your prsut vote in the last election via mail-in ballot?
Ice might target you man
Drnish ima najbolji Prsut….
Drnis*
I know.. I don’t want the poor white elongelical americans taking my prsut iz drnisa to get even fatter than they are…
Rumours that Livakovic would go to Celtic and Perisic to Inter
Ljubicic with a goal today. Controlled the ball well on the cross. He’s now scored twice the last two games to equalize. Should be starting more.
That’s great news. Just when Dalić was complaining about having no acceptable strikers besides Budimir, Ljubičić starts scoring clutch goals off the bench in the Bundesliga
Baturina having a GREAT first half against AC Milan so far. He even picked up an assist.
100 percent agree.
I thought he worked hard, and was very physical when he was battling for the ball. Tenacious. Started the game, played about 60 minutes, and is now off the field.
I have only caught the second half and Baturina has been aggressive. Great to see him pressing and pushing.
There is talk that Leeds might be interested in buying Baturina or possibly having him on a loan?
I heard this as well, but sounds like Como has a lot of faith in Baturina despite his limited playing time and he’s willing to stay and fight for his place
No chance.
Baturina didn’t even want to go there when Leeds offered the most money (while he was still at Dinamo).
Como is going to lose Nico Paz this Summer.
No way they just let Baturina leave. He will get a bigger role, as they push for Europe.
Kramaric has always pulled up in all massive games for us. Whether it be Euros, WC or qualifying. I remember him scoring those two crucial goals against Ukraine in 2017 to secure that WC spot against Greece.
Key goals
-2018 against Russia WC
-2018 against Spain NL
-2022 against France NL
-2022 against Canada WC X2
-2023 against Netherlands NL
-2024 against Albania Euros
Let’s face it, he’ll be 35 in June. I understand he’s a clutch player for us in the most important parts and always shows up. However, he is slower and mostly a rebounder. He reads the game well and always in the right place at the right time. Having a 37 year old Perisic and him as our attackers might not be the most threatening. Not saying they won’t get scoring opportunities but a defender ten years younger like the ones on England or any other team can shut them down. Unless Perisic goes off with that brilliant left foot he still has or Krama gets a dirty goal in the 12 yard box. I’m skeptical to start both.
Baturina with start and assist.
I was hoping Andy Kramaric would be a bench sub for 2026 but it might just another old timer who gets better. As someone pointed out, we seem to get older Croatian players playing another level . I think that Perisic is the same. So, Andy starts instead. Could be worse. Still think our D without Gvardi is the biggest hole so all the best to Gvardi and God willing he feels good and shows his immense talent in June 2026. Samo nasi, neko drugo.
I like karma but it is what it is he’s older slower and I don’t see how he’s a starter for us in the system we play. Again if we play 3-5-2 ok but we don’t currently. He can’t play as the lone striker and he can’t play wing. In a real game at the WC he’s not playing centrally in mid as he did in qualifying. Besides his last game he hasn’t played as much this season.
Bottom line modric, perisic amd Krama all can’t start and if they do we are in trouble. And if you add budimir to that than save your money and don’t bother going to the WC.
He might be the most under hyped and under appreciated Croatian player of all time.
Only two players have scored more than him for Croatia. If Perisic retires and Andrej goes now , who knows where he finally stands, may 2nd only to Suker. He possibly could get 3 to 5 more goals this 26′ world cup and Euro 28 . More goals than the mighty Mario already.
Davor Suker, 45
Ivan Perišić 38
Andrej Kramarić 36
Mario Mandžukić 33
Eduardo 29
FYI Zlatan had 63 for Sweden. Shoulda,Coulda, woulda.
He never scored a World Cup goal. Sweden reached the QF of the World Cup without him and had more of a successful record after too. Overrated at the national level. We never needed that arrogant prick. He even missed a penalty in a shootout at Euros I think. Mandzukic and Perisic over him any day.
Luka leaves and Real is in shambles …youth is wasted on the young especially when they have no grit!
It started once Zidane left too. The midfield is garbage as well as the defending.
Anonymous smelled correctly
Biondic came on for the last 30 min y’day replacing Promise David (the game was already 2-0 and ended that way) – what an incredible story
Here are the highlights (don’t get too excited – not much in here – but at least you get to see him on the field – he tried one shot in the 87′ and in extra-time was aware in a defensive corner (good scanning) and was going to top of box to block a shot (but shot was wild so didn’t need to be blocked))
***.youtube.com/watch?v=1kGyMCrsMQY
Anonymous scheduled missed that Ajax played AZ in the Cup y’day
Ajax lost 6-0
Sutalo started and played the full 90′
***.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRmgvrcFxQ&t=316s
On goals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 – please watch Sutalo – even more concerning is as the game went on his body language, attitude got progressively more and more negative (and his effort got less and less like he didn’t care)
@Vlad – please watch – if we’re going to nit-pick 18 y/o Vusko – than only fair we assess almost 26 y/o Sutalo with an even more strict criteria
@Crnkovic – think you will enjoy Troy Parrott’s hat-trick – when Anonymous watched his movement, instinct and finishing Anonymous thought about how you were describing movement and touch and everything has to be automatic after years of practice – please watch and tell Anonymous if this is what you were talking about (v-a-v a striker everything needs to be on instinct – I think this hat trick captures it) – as an aside crazy that Tttenham sold him 1.5 years ago for 8m (he’s also doing well with Ireland)…
Hans Kraay jr. kritisch op Josip Šutalo 🫣
“Verschrikkelijk”
x.com/ESPNnl/status/2011754011083649092
@anonymous
At the moment it’s not good for Sutalo there’s no question. And if he he’s in bad form and not playing he won’t start or even be In the squad for WC and I’d be fine with that decision as it’s the right one.He has weaknesses to his game it’s been mostly Ariel through his career not so much the other stuff like lately.
However the reason why I believe In Sutalo there 4 years of him playing with the repka where he’s played really well for the most part. He has started I think the most than any other player in the CB role in last 4 years.I never said he is on Gvardiol level or world class but there is actually a lot of footage to look at and be like yeah he’s done good for us for the most part.
Also playing for repka as a CB is not a walk in the park. Constant High line our LB and RB constantly playing high as we have no wingers leaving our CB to play a lot in open spaces. I think he’s done well in those situations.
But again he is at the moment definitely down and isn’t guaranteed anything but he also has to play his way off the lineup not on, and yes currently he is playing himself off the lineup.
Your comment about picking on vuskovic i don’t agree. I’ve been consistent on one thing and I still am concerned about it.
I’ve watched most of his games lately and again so many things to like. But every game is the same Hamburg usually have less possession everything is in front of him doesn’t have to ever play in open space.
Last game is a good example for the first 20 mins pace is slow Freiburg passing the ball around no threats haven’t broken Hamburg’s shape and the first time vuskovic is caught in open space and has to turn he falls Freiburg should have scored.In a different system and better team that’s gonna be all game and at the moment he barely has to play in open space.
Vuskovic does offer so much and is so threatening on so many occasions in a match that I truly do think now it is worth considering changing the system to back 3 so he can play in middle like he does at Hamburg. I think that’s how we get the best from him, but just plugging him in on a back line of 4 in WC with our full back constantly pushing high again as we have no speed on wing is a little concerning for me.
And that’s just my opinion not hating.
Well, let’s just try out Vušković in both games (against Colombia and Brazil) in March.
Both are fast teams who like to run. Technically gifted and quick players who love to run at you in open spaces.
If Luka can handle that, then he should easily be fine against the likes of Panama and Ghana.
Of course, we all know he gets maybe one half in one of those games (and probably after those opposing teams clear their benches). So, we’ll still be left wondering how ready he really is for the World Cup.
I don’t really have time to scout Tottenham rejects and follow their careers. However as my good friend is Irish and I’ve travelled more than once to watch them
play with him (he has also come to support Croatia with me notably 1996 vs germany at old Trafford) AND because Sutalo is also in the same game. On this occasion I will watch the highlights and give my analysis on both Sutalo and Troy Parrot 🙏🏻
@anonymous. lol my answer to your question about Troy Parrot is awaiting moderation! I think it’s because of the word tttttnham. Is that correct @Ante? Don’t get me wrong, as an arsenal fan I think the spuds should be forced to play in HNL 2, just trying to work out what the rules are here
Ok @anonymous. I had a look at the highlights.
Sutalo: absolutely he has given up at Ajax. Completely uninterested. It’s very unprofessional. No professional player should ever play like that no matter the circumstances. Embarrassing for a member of the Vatreni to play like that. However, sutalo is a player that believes in his technical ability, whatever is happening at Ajax is not down to Sutalo. The club is a shambles. It’s in everyone’s best interest if he leaves this window.
Troy Parrot. Yeah excellent movement and anticipation throughout. I always think that the mist important attribute for a forward is movement off the ball. Even if the ball doesn’t come to you it pulls defenders around which creates all kinds of space for other players. He looks very sharp. He just makes the right runs and is aggressive with it. As a striker you have to hit the space and sometimes the balls comes to you sometimes it doesn’t. You keep working and eventually you get your reward if you keep your concentration and belief. It’s one area where for many years I’ve felt the NT has suffered: not enough players making runs behind the defence. It makes it easy for the opposition defence to keep its shape. It’s a great video to show young kids learning to play up front. People get obsessed with what a player can do with the ball. Movement is actually more important for a striker. A striker with good movement can hugely effect the game even without touching the ball once in 90 minutes. By creating space for others
I have flip flopped back and forth when it comes to Kramarić. I had an issue with him years back because his style of play was inherently selfish when it shouldn’t have been, but he really changed that. He has done a lot for Croatia and a lot for Hoffenheim. He truly is an exceptional player, and this is showcased here year after year.
My only issue for him is that by staying at this club for so many years he is playing it safe and not wanting to take risks. I think it makes sense now but five years ago he should have made a move somewhere. The reason I say this is that he needs exposure to higher levels of play like Champions League for instance which players like Modric, Perišić, Mandžukić, Rakitić and co all had/have. This is essential when your playing against tougher opponents which will be happening in the World and Euro cup tournaments. Bundesliga is not easy league granted, but Champions League is the highest level of competition which I think he is lacking quite frankly.
Your team will also get stretched because you won’t have the same system you have at club level. Dalic mentioned something like this (but not to this degree) when people kept questioning him as to why he cannot develop the system better around Kramarić to make him more successful. Dalic’s response was this is not Hoffenheim we don’t have what they have or any other club team.
Kramarić tends to get swallowed by certain opponents when he doesn’t have the right support. This happened I believe either against Czechia or a different opponent during Croatia’s qualifying campaign, it’s also happened before this campaign. Now that may be because of how Dalic decided to play Kramarić or based on the position he was playing I am not sure in this case but it still happens.
This is not saying anything against the guy, he is clearly a person of principle which I respect and an effective player when utilized correctly. He is also very important to the squad.
But we have to acknowledge something here in the youth for example who are taking on these risks. Visković, who is doing quite well at this stage with the huge leap he is taking. Ivanovic, L. Sučić, Petar Sučić and Co who in my view are taking far greater risks and trying to get their exposure as well as their experience.But people seem to be writing them off persistently in a way that I think is unfair, stating things like never give them a call up again and I think it doesn’t make sense really.
I just hope that Dalic continues to make the right decisions with certain things and fixes the things that don’t work. I hope he can resolve our backline now which will be a difficult task.
Krama played in the Champions League in 2018 after the World Cup – he scored 5 goals in 6 games vs. Man City, Lyon, Shakhtar – he has also played in Europa 3 times – including last season where they he vs. Tttenham (he was very quiet that game Anonymous remembers – couldn’t create nor penetrate)
The hat trick yesterday is nice – agree w Iggy the 3rd goal was Suker-esq – but the reality is he hadn’t scored since October – so it was just been a game he felt good and was confident (after scoring the first goal as a penalty) – he needs to actually score/assist more regularly – yesterday is going to add “chunk” to his overall season tallies
To your list of youngsters – add Prpic – Porto brought in 41 y/o CB Thiago Silva on a free in December (the guy with 113 caps for Brazil) – who played yesterday in the cup win vs. Franjo – so now Prpic is further behind a guy 20 years older than him who came back to Europe to top-level exposure as he tries to make Brazil World Cup squad
That’s fair anonymous. Those are some very decent points you made. But I think regular exposure to these tournaments is what meant, consistency is key. The only players so far that have been showing this in my view are the following:
Gvardiol (despite his injury now which is terrible for us);
Modric despite his age;
Petar Sučić who has been very good at Inter albeit he is still young;
Stanišić for Bayern (despite the injury which will hopefully heal in time for the world cup); let’s not forget his stint at Leverkusen.
Vusković, season after season…maybe not in Champions League just yet but a move to Bundesliga and potentially at Premier League at his age is phenomenal when one considers he is only 18 and contending for a spot. Few players manage this at such an age which is why so many think he could be another generational talent like Gvardiol.
Perišić (who always contributes to Croatia despite the occasion he did wonders at PSV.
Some of these new contenders
Jakić who was amazing for us on the flank… Maybe Anonymous you may have some insight on his season in particular I haven’t really followed or heard much of him lately.
Some people didn’t see it but I think
Marco Pašalić was pressing well in the games he played (the guy deserved at least a couple of goals during Croatia’s campaign) hopefully he can make a big move in Europe soon, I am not huge fan of our players making a move to MLS.
The last goal was particularly nice.
Kramaric has already been written off on this blog. So I guess we shouldn’t take it seriously; but Croatians it seems mature with age like fine wine. Let’s give Coach Dalic a chance. Viva Zlatko!
I don’t think Krama has been written off at all. I am not sure if that is what people are saying, if they are then like you I disagree with them. But I do think people on here are suggesting that Dalic tries new strategies and, in some cases, new players.
Krama has proved his place in the repka. I don’t know that anyone doubts that. But we have to look at the prospect of these guys retiring soon, and then what happens??! The backline has fresh faces now and we see the difference it has made. The impact is huge. When Gvardiol was added to he mix we had some of the best stats in the backline. We had many games where we shut people out and won by a narrow margin. Without a strong backline this isn’t possible, and our backline in 2018 was not the greatest not the strongest. Sure Vida and Lovren were decent but they weren’t the strongest defenders out there.
Now we have Gvardiol who plays for Man City, and plays extremely well with the exception of a game here or there. We have Stanišić as well who has played really well for Bayern Leverkusen in the past and now Bayern Munich which is not an easy team to get playing time on.
To sum up, I guess, when people on here have been saying give the young guys a chance it doesn’t equate to drop every older player from the squad. It just means give the younger players a chance.
In the case of players like Luka Vusković, for example, they might surprise us with what they can do.