Soccer

This 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

Nothing 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.

Full 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

Dalić 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

FINAL: 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

The 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

1. 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