Pep started Joško Gvardiol at center-back (alongside Ruben Dias) Wednesday night in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Leicester City. Does that mean Gvardiol will permanently move from LB to CB? Does it mean Dalić will follow suit in World Cup qualifying this year? Who knows. It's definitely too early to tell. But here is what the pundits had to say about Gvardiol's move back … [Read more...] about Pep Moves Gvardiol Back To CB
Croatians Around Europe 27: Ivanović Scores 2 More, Hajduk Back On Top Of The HNL
By 61 Comments
Franjo Ivanović scored two goals for USG on Saturday in a 5-1 win over Royal Antwerp. He received a 9.0 rating and MOTM honors. Ivanović made his international debut for Croatia this past week against France. Although he skied his penalty kick shot into the 14th row, he has been nothing but stellar in the Belgian league this year: 13G6A in 25 matches. Surely he will be moving … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe 27: Ivanović Scores 2 More, Hajduk Back On Top Of The HNL
2025 Wish List: A Right Winger
By 33 Comments
This is my personal "Wish List" for the Vatreni in 2025 as they move through World Cup qualifying in a group comprised of Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar. This is not something I think Dalić will ever move towards as his contract with the HNS ends in 2026, it's just something I would absolutely love for him to do. But I know it's not going to happen. Croatia … [Read more...] about 2025 Wish List: A Right Winger
Croatia vs. France Reaction: We’re Fine.
By 120 Comments
Nothing to worry about here. Croatia will be completely fine heading into World Cup qualifiers. We lost to a better French side in Paris via shoot out. We had zero business in that match playing a "soft bunker" with zero shots on goal. At this point in time, Croatia is not a top-4 European side. Spain, Germany, France, Portugal and England are all better because they have … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. France Reaction: We’re Fine.
PSA To Dalić: No Changes Needed For 2nd Leg In Paris
By 50 Comments
Dalić put together a perfect starting XI vs. France in Split. I couldn't have done it better myself. Neither could our very own Markus. :) With that said, Dalić should run back the exact same lineup this Sunday in Paris. -4 in the back is here to stay. With Gvardiol at LB and a healthy Stanišić at RB, Croatia is in good shape defensively while having the ability to push … [Read more...] about PSA To Dalić: No Changes Needed For 2nd Leg In Paris
Croatia Too Much For France In 2-0 Nations League Victory At Poljud, Perišić MOTM With G&A
By 119 Comments
FINAL: 2-0 Croatia! Perišić MOTM with a goal and assist. Budimir with a header goal. Kramarić missed a penalty in the opening 5 minutes. Both nations will play again Sunday in Paris. Winner moves on to play Spain/Netherlands in the June semifinal. After a horrendous 2024 for the Vatreni, they are off to a near perfect start in 2025! 85': SUB. Krama comes … [Read more...] about Croatia Too Much For France In 2-0 Nations League Victory At Poljud, Perišić MOTM With G&A
3 Pressing Questions For Croatia vs. France Nations League
By 38 Comments
1. Which Perišić are we going to get? 2. Will Dalić go back to the 4-4-2? 3. Does Kovačić still have a spot in the Croatia starting XI? … [Read more...] about 3 Pressing Questions For Croatia vs. France Nations League
Croatians Around Europe 26: Budimir Scores #15, Stanišić Assists For Bayern, Perišić With G/A
By 34 Comments
Ante Budimir converted a penalty Sunday night for his 15th La Liga goal of the season in 27 matches played. Of the 15 goals this campaign, seven have come from the penalty spot. Moving forward, should Budimir be Croatia's #1 spot kick taker? In my opinion, Modrić has always been shaky from 11 meters out. Budimir should have done better with a 2nd half chance late in the game as … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe 26: Budimir Scores #15, Stanišić Assists For Bayern, Perišić With G/A
The Return Of Ivan Perišić!
By 8 Comments
Perišić scored against Arsenal Wednesday night which means he now has 3 goals in his last 4 Champions League matches. Two vs. Juventus and one vs. Arsenal. Although PSV's European season is over as Arsenal defeated them 9-3 on aggregate. Still pretty impressive numbers for a 36 year-old winger returning from knee surgery and an awful homecoming in Split. I wrote him off a year … [Read more...] about The Return Of Ivan Perišić!
