Croatians Around Europe

In the match of the weekend, Luka Modrić and Real Madrid took care of business, defeating city rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Saturday. Modrić was in prime form for the Atletico duel and was given an '8' grade: "Big game performance from Modrić, who helped his team wrest control of the midfield in the first half and provided a typically perfect assist for Bale's clincher," ESPN … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXIII

It was a slow week in Europe for Croatia's internationals but Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramarić got on the score sheet with a penalty kick against Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday. Kramarić stepped up to the spot in the 16th minute and cooly rolled the ball to the left of the Fortuna keeper. With he draw, Hoffenheim remain two points back of a Europa League … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXII

Talk Sport wrote a fantastic article on Ivan Rakitić in December and highlighted how he is irreplaceable at Barcelona; even with Messi and Suaraz playing alongside him. Luka Modrić received much of the praise during Croatia's World Cup run in Russia - rightfully so - but Ivan Rakitić offered an 'X-factor' component which was irreplaceable: he flew under the … [Read more...] about Ivan The Irreplaceable

There are rumblings around Europe that Inter Milan's Ivan Perišić has put in a transfer request ahead of Thursday's deadline and Arsenal would be his new club, SkySports has reported. Perišić was an unused bench player at the weekend in Inter Milan's 1-0 loss at Torino. There's a few combinations how Peričić could end up at the Emirates by week's end; one … [Read more...] about Rumor Mill: Perišić To Arsenal

Ante Rebić is on fire. After scoring a wunder-gol last week from 24 yards out, Rebić scored a beautiful left-footed curler from just outside the box on Saturday in a 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt draw against Werder Bremen. He was also responsible for the penalty kick call in the box against Bremen in the 68th minute. The draw puts Frankfurt only three points shy of a Champions … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXI

Luka Modrić got banged up against Sevilla on Saturday; having to play the majority of the match with a wrapped head after suffering a cut on his forehead. With Real Madrid up 1-0 in injury time, Modrić stole the ball from a Sevilla defender and and marched alone down field to score an insurance goal and cap off a 2-0 Real Madrid win. Although Los Blancos are suffering in La … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XX

Luka Modrić scored a stunning first goal of the La Liga season Sunday as Real Madrid defeated Real Betis to keep pace with the big boys in Spain. In the 13th minute, Modrić slammed home a deflected shot in the box from 18 years out to open the scoring in the match. The 2018 Ballon D'or winner has had some spectacular long-range shots in his career and he will certainly be able … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XIX

Mateo Kovačić. When will he arrive? Has he arrived? Where is he going? After riding the bench behind 2018 Ballon D'or winner Luka Modrić - both at Real Madrid and the Croatian national team for the past three years - Kovačić finally got his chance to shine as Real Madrid loaned him out to Chelsea this past summer. It was a move that was intended to give Kova … [Read more...] about The Kovačić Conundrum

After signing for English Championship side Aston Villa on the first day of the winter transfer window, Croatia's #1 goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić, had a rough day at the office in his debut match Saturday as his Villa side took on Premiership club Swansea City in the FA Cup. Swansea dominated the match and won 3-0 with Kalinić conceding all three goals with little help from his … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XVIII