It was an uneventful night across Europe Tuesday as not a single goal was scored in Champions League. Barcelona played out a scoreless draw with Lyon in France after five shots on goal and 64% ball possession. After the match, Barca's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić said, "Even with half an hour more, we wouldn't have scored." Rakitić played the full 90 … [Read more...] about Rakitić & Barcelona Go Scoreless With Lyon, Liverpool Too
Soccer
Croatians Around Europe XXIV
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Luka Modrić sat out Real Madrid's match against Girona on Sunday due to a yellow card suspension. Without their Ballon d'Or midfielder, Los Blancos lost 2-1 at home after taking the lead in the 25th minute through a Casemiro strike. Real Madrid could not find the all-important insurance goal and would concede twice to 15th placed Girona in the second half to get struck down at … [Read more...] about Croatians Around Europe XXIV
Viktoria Plzen Take Late Lead 2-1
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The tables have turned in Plzen as the Czech champions take a late 2-1 lead against the Modri. Dinamo entered the second half up 1-0, but allowed two unanswered goals to fall behind. Dinamo will still have a chance at advancement in the return leg at Maksimir on February 21. Dinamo fortunately have an important away goal in hand but must find away to keep the Czechs at … [Read more...] about Viktoria Plzen Take Late Lead 2-1
Modrić & Real Madrid Escape Amsterdam With 2-1 Win Over Ajax
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Luka Modrić and Real Madrid escaped Holland with a 2-1 road victory against Ajax after an incredibly controversial VAR ruling denied Ajax their opening goal in the first half. Real Madrid would finally get into their normal rhythm in the second half with Benzema knocking one into the upper left corner and Marco Asensio scoring the winner late off a wonderful cross from the … [Read more...] about Modrić & Real Madrid Escape Amsterdam With 2-1 Win Over Ajax
Croatians Around Europe XXIII
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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’S BACK! HNL Week 19
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The second half of the season is upon us and the race for second place is in a dead heat. Dinamo Zagreb sit at the top of the table with a 14 point lead that was just increased with a 7-2 shellacking of NK Rudes at Maksimir on Friday, which included a hat trick by Mislav Orisic. Orisic scored three goals in seven minutes to record the fastest hat trick in Dinamo's … [Read more...] about IT’S BACK! HNL Week 19
Croatians Around Europe XXII
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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
Perišić Staying Put
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Perišić is staying in Milan. For now. Arsenal wooed the Inter Milan winger but could not agree on a deal that would have either loaned out or sold Perišić to the North London club for the rest of the season. Multiple reports in Europe stated that Perišić was pro Arsenal move and even handed in his transfer papers at Inter Milan to force the club's hand. The … [Read more...] about Perišić Staying Put
Ivan The Irreplaceable
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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
