Soccer

Ivan Rakitić has suggested that Barcelona's stars might be waking up with headaches on Sunday after celebrating their La Liga win in style. Ivan Rakitić played all 90 minutes in Barca's 1-0 victory over Levante on Saturday which clinched their second straight La Liga title and fourth in five years. With Barcelona taking on Liverpool in the Champions League semifinals this week … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXXII

Ivan Rakitić and Dejan Lovren will square off when Liverpool and Barcelona meet in the Champions League semifinals on May 1st. That means yet another Croatian will play in the Champions League Final for a seventh straight season when the trophy is lifted in Madrid on June 1st. Lovren and Liverpool played in the final last year but were defeated by Luka Modrić and … [Read more...] about Rakitić Or Lovren?

Mario Pašalić scored the game winner in the 80th minute for Atalanta Monday night to beat 2nd place Napoli 2-1. The win puts Atalanta even on points with AC Milan for Italy's last Champions League berth for next season with five matches remaining in Serie A. Pašalić was sold to Chelsea from Hajduk Split in 2014 and has been a 'loan journeyman' across Europe since the … [Read more...] about Pašalić Scores Winner vs. Napoli, Puts Atalanta In CL Range

Some would call him a late bloomer and ask for patience. Others would simply call him a bust. But I call his situation 'failure to launch'. Mateo Kovačić was supposed to be the next Luka Modrić in the Croatian midfield. Not only was that the plan, but Kovačić was able to share the same locker room with Modrić - one of the greatest midfielders of all time - for three … [Read more...] about The Fall Of Mateo Kovačić

Dejan Lovren was rested at the weekend in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Chelsea but did not make the trip to Portugal for his side's second leg match vs. Porto. Liverpool won the first leg at Anfield 2-0 and won again in Portugal Wednesday with a 4-1 result. Due to injury, Lovren has been fresh this season and solid off the bench late in games. Now Liverpool - last … [Read more...] about Lovren & Liverpool Will Play Rakitić & Barcelona In CL Semis

Ivan Rakitić played the full 90 minutes Tuesday night vs. Manchester United and kept Paul Pogba in check the entire match as Barcelona easily won 3-0 (4-0 on aggregate) to advance to the Champions League semifinals. Messi scored twice and Coutinho bent in a beautiful curler to end all hopes of an early United comeback. Although Rakitić did not get on the scoresheet during the … [Read more...] about Barcelona Through, Ajax Shock Juventus

It was one of the slowest weekends for Croatians in club play during the entire season. Ivan Perišić got the start for Inter Milan and played 70 minutes in a 3-1 Inter Milan win over Frosinone on Sunday. Perišić stepped up to the penalty spot for Inter in the 37th minute and cooly converted the spot kick to make it 2-0. Inter are now comfortably siting in third place in Serie A … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXX

Don't look now, but 2nd Division English side Aston Villa have won seven straight matches - all without new Croatian goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić. The current Croatian #1 last played club football February 16th in a 2-0 loss to West Brom, but was taken off at halftime as a precaution to a potential head injury. Kalinić was fine but hasn't seen the pitch for Aston Villa … [Read more...] about The End Of The Road For Lovre Kalinić?