Croatia

Queue the meltdown on all Croatian message boards across the worldwide web in 3...2...1... It was clear to anyone who watched Croatia's 3-0 loss to Austria in Nations League Friday night that the entire team was checked out for summer break. Or were they looking past Austria to Monday when the Vatreni will face France at Poljud? Either way, it was ugly in Osijek for any … [Read more...] about Vatreni Look More Interested In Summer Break Than Nations League In 3-0 Defeat To Austria In Osijek

On May 30th, FIFA released a wonderful documentary on the Croatian National Team and Croatia's rise to becoming an independent nation during the 20th century. The documentary covers everything from the war in Croatia in the 90s, Boban's kick at Maksimir, and the 3rd place finish at the 1998 World Cup for the Vatreni - their first ever World Cup appearance. A truly … [Read more...] about Croatia: Defining A Nation

SempreMilan reported Sunday that Ivan Perišić suffered a right calf injury in the 2nd half of Inter Milan's season finale versus Sampdoria. The injury has officially ruled Perišić out of all four UEFA Nations League matches next month versus France (x2), Denmark, and Austria. Although this seems like a huge setback for Dalić and the Vatreni, it's not. Croatia does not … [Read more...] about Perišić Ruled Out For June’s Nations League Matches

Who is Petar Musa? A nobody. But the 24 year-old, 6'3" striker could be a somebody very soon. He has been a journeyman across Europe since playing for NK Zagreb in 2016. Since then, he has been sold to Inter Zaprešić and Slavia Prague before being loaned out to Viktoria Zizkov, Slovan Liberec, Union Berlin, and Portuguese side Boavista four out of the last five seasons. He … [Read more...] about Petar Musa Needs To Get His Chance In June

The road to the World Cup Final has been set for Croatia. The Vatreni will play Belgium, Morocco, and Canada in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off on November 21st. The Final will be played December 18th. Croatia's first match will be played November 23rd against Morocco. They will then face Canada on November 27th before the group finale versus … [Read more...] about OFFICIAL! Croatia Will Play Belgium, Morocco, Canada At The 2022 World Cup

The 2022 World Cup draw is less than 36 hours away and we will soon know what Croatia's path back to the World Cup Final will look like. The draw will take place this Friday, April 1st, at Noon (ET). The Vatreni picked up the last Pot 2 berth available with their current FIFA ranking of #15 in the world. Croatia will not be able to play anyone in group stage from Pot 2 … [Read more...] about 2022 World Cup Pots Released: Which Group Is Best For Croatia?

The Croatian U21 team could have all but booked their ticket to the 2023 Euro tournament with a win in Varaždin versus Finland Tuesday night. After an uneventful 0-0 draw against Austria on Saturday, we all thought the Finland game on home soil would have been an automatic three points; especially with the Mladi Vatreni already beating the Fins at their house 2-0 this campaign. … [Read more...] about Murphy’s Law 1st Half Sees Croatia U21s Lose 3-2 To Finland

What did we learn this week? Ivica Ivušić is a much better goalie than Dominik Livaković and should be Dalić's first choice at the moment. Ivušić shows a confidence in the box Livaković simply does not have right now. There was nothing Ivušić could do on the Bulgarian goal as he was left high and dry on a break away. Andrej Kramarić is still Croatia's best striking option. … [Read more...] about Modrić, Kramarić Lift Croatia In 2-1 Friendly Victory Over Bulgaria

Expect tons of changes for the Bulgaria friendly on Tuesday, per Sportske Novosti. Croatia manager, Zlatko Dalić, has already said that many key starters from the Slovenia match will sit in lieu of a B-squad. Modrić, Perišić, Kovačić, Livaković will all see the bench for the following Starting XI: Ivušič will be in goal. Dalić looks to play another 3-5-2 formation with … [Read more...] about Modrić And Other Key Starters To Rest Versus Bulgaria