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
Soccer
Croatians Around Europe 27: Ivanović Scores 2 More, Hajduk Back On Top Of The HNL
By 61 CommentsFranjo 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
2025 Wish List: A Right Winger
By 33 CommentsThis is my personal "Wish List" for the Vatreni in 2025 as they move through World Cup qualifying in a group comprised of Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar. This is not something I think Dalić will ever move towards as his contract with the HNS ends in 2026, it's just something I would absolutely love for him to do. But I know it's not going to happen. Croatia … [Read more...] about 2025 Wish List: A Right Winger
Croatia vs. France Reaction: We’re Fine.
By 120 CommentsNothing to worry about here. Croatia will be completely fine heading into World Cup qualifiers. We lost to a better French side in Paris via shoot out. We had zero business in that match playing a "soft bunker" with zero shots on goal. At this point in time, Croatia is not a top-4 European side. Spain, Germany, France, Portugal and England are all better because they have … [Read more...] about Croatia vs. France Reaction: We’re Fine.
France Level With 2 Goals In 2nd Half, Defeat Croatia In 7th Round Of Penalty Kick Shootout
By 161 CommentsFull time: France full back 2 goals to level the tie on aggregate. Croatia could not withstand the pressure for an entire match. Dalić really took off Modrić and Kova for Jakić and Moro with 10 minutes left??? Talk about mailing it in. Halftime: 0-0 in Paris. A near perfect defensive half from the Croatians. We knew France would be on the front foot and it showed with their … [Read more...] about France Level With 2 Goals In 2nd Half, Defeat Croatia In 7th Round Of Penalty Kick Shootout
PSA To Dalić: No Changes Needed For 2nd Leg In Paris
By 50 CommentsDalić put together a perfect starting XI vs. France in Split. I couldn't have done it better myself. Neither could our very own Markus. :) With that said, Dalić should run back the exact same lineup this Sunday in Paris. -4 in the back is here to stay. With Gvardiol at LB and a healthy Stanišić at RB, Croatia is in good shape defensively while having the ability to push … [Read more...] about PSA To Dalić: No Changes Needed For 2nd Leg In Paris
Croatia Too Much For France In 2-0 Nations League Victory At Poljud, Perišić MOTM With G&A
By 119 CommentsFINAL: 2-0 Croatia! Perišić MOTM with a goal and assist. Budimir with a header goal. Kramarić missed a penalty in the opening 5 minutes. Both nations will play again Sunday in Paris. Winner moves on to play Spain/Netherlands in the June semifinal. After a horrendous 2024 for the Vatreni, they are off to a near perfect start in 2025! 85': SUB. Krama comes … [Read more...] about Croatia Too Much For France In 2-0 Nations League Victory At Poljud, Perišić MOTM With G&A
How Dalić Should Start vs. France
By 36 CommentsThe first leg of the UEFA Nations League Quarter-Finals kicks off in Split as Croatia host France. It's been a while since our beloved Vatreni have seen the pitch, so how does Dalić balance tactics with the players' recent form heading into this tilt? Does he stick to the three at back formation or is the experiment over? Will scorching hot Ante Budimir lead the line or does … [Read more...] about How Dalić Should Start vs. France
3 Pressing Questions For Croatia vs. France Nations League
By 38 Comments1. Which Perišić are we going to get? 2. Will Dalić go back to the 4-4-2? 3. Does Kovačić still have a spot in the Croatia starting XI? … [Read more...] about 3 Pressing Questions For Croatia vs. France Nations League