Croatians Around Europe

Luka Modrić and Real Madrid got crucified last week in North London, losing 3-0 to Arsenal, by two phenomenal Declan Rice free kicks. Is it an impossibility to overturn a 3-goal deficit in Champions League? Yes, on most days. However, if any club can do it on home soil, it would be Real Madrid. Modrić was rested at the weekend in La Liga action. Can we expect another 70 minutes … [Read more...] about Champions League Quarters Leg 2: Will Any Croatian Survive?

Mateo Kovačić scored a wonderful goal from 18 yards out Saturday as Man City came back from a 2-goal deficit to defeat Crystal Palace 5-2. He received the ball at the top of the box and cooly slotted home just inside the left post. It is Kova's 5th Premier League goal this season in 26 matches. Goal.com gave Kova a 8/10 grade as he "Smacked home City's crucial third goal in an … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe 29: Kovačić Wins It For City, Kramarić Brace For Hoffenheim, Budimir MOTM

Alright, here we go! The Champions League quarterfinals kick off tonight with Leg 1. There are three Croatians (2 players) left in the tournament. Luka Modrić has been given the nod and will start vs. Arsenal in North London Tuesday night. He started at the weekend and plated 77 minutes in a shock Real Madrid loss to Valencia. The dude is 39 and playing two huge games in a … [Read more...] about Champions League Quarterfinals: 1st Leg

Ivan Perišić strikes again! The 36 year-old winger scored from an incredibly tight angle with his head Saturday in PSV Eindhoven's 3-1 victory over Groningen. Perišićm now has 3G/7A in 22 Dutch League hames for PSV this season. Not to mention, Perišić scored three Champions League goals in four matches this season. The guy is heating up for one last run with the Croatian … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe 28: Perišić, Ivanović Remain Hot With Goals

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

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

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

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!