The cream has risen to the top. And only four clubs remain in battle for Europe’s Holy Grail.
Tuesday marks the beginning of the Champions League semifinals where Atletico Madrid take on Chelsea in the Spanish capital. Chelsea, who currently sit in second place in the English Premiership behind Liverpool, will have their hands full with a revamped Atletico side led by Diego Costa and David Villa. Atletico, who are on course to win the La Liga crown this season, shocked Barcelona in the quarterfinals and have the chance to do it again versus a Jose Mourinho led Chelsea side. Don’t sleep on the Spaniards as they have played lights out this campaign with some electric, fast-paced football. Expect them to play in the Final.
On the other side of the draw, Mario Mandžukić and Luka Modrić will face off against each other in the all-Croatia semifinal. Reigning champions Bayern Munich open up their two-leg tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu where arguably two of the best teams in the world will meet. It should be an absolute treat for all fans alike with these two powerhouses playing for a shot at the final. It will be a toss up who progresses, but Bayern need at least two away goals to have the edge as I predict a 1-1 draw Wednesday night. Gareth Bale has played phenomenal football lately and Ronaldo has been rested as he returns from a minor knock.
Prediction: All-Madrid Final on May 24th in Lisbon. Modrić lifts the Cup!
@ Poglavnice
Agreed. Perisic is probably the best winger we have right now. If Illicevic ever picked a month window to be healthy and in form, Brazil would be that time, but we can’t count on him. What about moving Kovacic out wide?
I like Ola as a forward but I get a knot in my stomach when I see him doing stepovers out on the wing….
@Armada
I think we to need to get something out of Perisic too to have a successful tourney. The book on us is out and everyone knows our strength is in the middle. We need to have SOME threat from the wings at some point to keep teams honest out on the touchline.
So I was curious on the Bayern effect on Mandzo’s performance vs that for croatia. Here are the stats I see for contribution rate (with contribution being either a goal or assist)
Bayern 2014: 1 per 78 minutes
Bayern 2013: 1 per 119 minutes
Bayern 2012: 1 per 127 minutes
Croatia: 1 per 149 minutes (Turkey 2012 to Present, no friendlies)
So clearly its true, that Mandzukic is fed by the Bayern machine. None-the-less, he still does contribute at a high rate for the national team at 1 per every 1.5 games roughly, and his year by year stats show improvement as well whichi s positive.
what does olic have this year? 13-14 goals or something like that, that ain’t far behind SMM and while wolfsburg been good this year, he ain’t getting SMM deliveries…
Why does everyone always just throw out the fact that Olic will play against Brazil.. sure he has made some screw ups in the past but he is always up for a big game, he is on his game right now, its his last world cup for sure and i’m sure he wants to go out with a bang..
He has played in big games before and delivered… I’m not saying he is going to put in 3 against brazil but i wouldnt’ be surprised if he gets something off the counter attack
Armada,what about defensive midfield?
Armada,bang on brother!
Rakitic really really needs to step up in this tournament. I’d say Rakitic, Lovren and Mandzukic really have to step up and have a above average tournament.
Rakitic – we know what to expect from Luka, but Ivan has to step his game up and if we can get even just solid play from guys like Perisic/Kovacic, we will definitely be in business – but Rakitic HAS to show up all 3 group games. And I don’t want to hear bullshit about where NK puts him, him and Luka need to figure it out, once and for all, how to play with each other and feed off each other. Both are way too talented to get in each others way.
Lovren – Srna/Corluka still run the backline, but as we all know – both have lost a step, are pushing or over 30 and consistently get shredded by quality forwards. Lovren must be our rock in the middle and mark guys like Neymar/Chicarito to the best of his ability. This is the tournament I feel where he can step up and really own the backline with Carli post WC. If Dejan shows up and if Carli can squeak out one more solid tournament, I feel like Brazil will be a close game.
Mandzukic – Blah blah, we all know about the service he gets at Munich and the lack of service at times he gets on the NT. He has to be clinical vs. Mexico/Cameroon and not just be passive waiting for a header. We’ll have to say a few Oce Nase for Brazil when we send out either Dudu or Jelavic, but come Mexico and Camerooon – Mandza must be on his A game.
If the above 3 guys, along with Modric being healthy and his normal self, turn in a good group stage performance, we’ll make it out of the groups 100%
Cameroon and Mexico will draw.
Croatia 1-2 Brazil
Mexico 2-1 Cameroon
Croatia 0-1 Cameroon
Brazil 3-0 Mexico
Croatia 2-1 Mexico
Brazil 2-0 Cameroon
Final standings:
Brazil 9 points, +6 goal difference
Croatia 3 points, -1 goal difference
Cameroon 3 points, -2 goal difference
Mexico 3 points, -3 goal difference
Going into the final game, Mexico will just need to draw against Croatia to advance.
Going into the final game, Croatia have nothing to lose after 2 losses.
I like our chances. I like the schedule.
If we get blown out 3,4,5 zero against Brazil, then we need Cameroon and Mexico to draw. If we lose by a goal, then we need mexico to beat Cameroon preferably by a goal.
If Cameroon beats Mexico, then we play a must win game against Cameroon.
@ Slavonac
You’re interpretation of the Trident is fine. Mine’s is an Attacking Trident which includes a finisher.
Rakitic has delivered sub-par performances in the past. But the past does not equal the future. Their comes a time in a player’s life when they must elevate their game…the WC is this time. And I’m confident he will do well.
@ Ziva
I’m glad Croatia did poorly in qualifying (I know it sounds heretical). This way opposing teams underestimate us. In fact I want them to think we are in bad shape.
Remember Sun Tzu’s iconic saying:
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
ziva,exactly! lets beat Brazil lol….fuck them!!
If we stay disciplined, which for the most part under Bilic we were, we will be ok!
Nobody is going to take us lightly. It is the World Cup.
On our day we can beat anyone, but also lose to teams many of you guys would consider to be weaker than us.
japan,columbia,uruguay etc..no Cro?
I have not felt this good about our team since euro 2008…not one mention of us as a dark horse…if people take us this lightly we will smash some teams!!!!
C vs A- I guess it’s all how you look at things. I see a Trident as 3 midfielders pulling all the strings….Ziva is right though, Ralitic had never performed for the repka and I’ll add that Rakitic, Modric and Kovacic did ok at times against Icrland….but Brazil, Cameroon and Mexico are not Iceland!
True, bad game. No team is going to look great all of the time, especially when facing one of the top teams in world in Real Madrid. Losing and playing poorly in Madrid is nothing new to Bayern. This is something like their 6th straigh loss in Madrid.
I think Mandza will have more of these type of games where he is invisible with the repka than he will with Bayern.
Ziva- Mandzukic doesn’t have the same type of service with the repka as he does at Bayern. His game is dependent on others providing him quality chances. He wont have the same amount with Cro.
Mandzukic got nothing today and he looked invisible! If you ask me, bad game for Bayern!
@ Slavonac
Mandzukic destroys, he’s the battering ram that finishes off the play. And he’s backed up by creators Modric and Rakitic.
The essence of footballing attack is to create and finish. Mandzukic serves the latter, like the long middle spear of a TRIDENT in a classical sense.
The Trident………Modric, Rakitic, Mandzukic
No qualms about Modric.
We have never watched Rakitic play at the same level for the repka that he has enjoyed this season and the last half of the 2012-2013 season at Sevilla.
Mandzukic doesn’t have the same type of service with the repka as he does at Bayern. His game is dependent on others providing him quality chances. He wont have the same amount with Cro.
C vs A- I would have thought you’d say:
Modric – Rakitic – Kovacic
That’s more realistic if you ask me…Mandzukic is hardly a player to create, make passes or be involved in forming an attack!
It’s TRIDENT, not (s). And we don’t have more than one TRIDENT, as there are areas where the Repka is lacking.
THE TRIDENT: Modric, Rakitic, and Mandzukic.
They’ll give 100%, and they are one the best Trios of the Tourney.
@Armada-Self employed.
Fat chance he learns a lesson. He has done that his entire career. The reason he gets away with it is because he is such a unique talent. But, yeah I agree, very selfish player.
just caught the end of the bayern/real game.
commentators sounded impressed with modric’s game… nice to see
not a cro player but cassilas however you spell his name, real’s keeper, the commentator said he has played every champions league game but none of the league games… this can’t be very common practice in soccer? just seems a bit strange to me
Choosing not crossing…shit iPhone!
…there was a play where Arjen Robben was on a 2 on 1…as usual, he chose to be selfish and go for goal…did I say as usual? I know he is a great player but in games like this, where there is no room for selfishness, errors or plain and simple crossing to “make the right play”, he can often be too selfish…I hope today he learns a good lesson!
C vs A- I kinda agree but form can change based on those you play with…I think Kovac has a good chance of having 3 great players that can have chemistry…we have to wait until they get together, learn the system Kovac wants and hopefully they all carry their current form to the NT!
Ok, but there is no proof they can replicate that playing together on the repka. Recent performances suggest no.
And curious as to who your TRIDENTS are that you are referring to?
Yes one of the best attacking TRIDENTs. What’s so difficult to comprehend? Don’t dwell on performances from LAST year. Jeeze Ziva!
Right now their in great form, and going into the tourney we have one of the best TRIDENTS. If their form was crap, then I would agree with you.
Denis- interesting view…it’s scarey to think we’d lose to Cameroon, I think experience will play a role in the group stage and I also think we are a far better team than they are just as we are far better than Mexico, if we are mentally prepared and restore the Euro 2012 discipline, we will do very well!
if we lose the first two matches, no chance we will beat Mexico unless they have already been eliminated.
Cameroon is the key game for us. After we lose to Brazil, we will need to get a postive result against Cameroon.
@likaJoey,
Yes, Mexico is slightly favored to win. Cameroon is the darkhorse in this group and will be extra motivated to show their talent on the big stage. All three sides have a chance for #2. All three sides failed to impress in qualifying. I just hope that Croatia doesn’t write off Cameroon before the tournament even starts.
I see us losing the first two matches and beating Mexico to qualify for the second round on goal difference.
@Croatia vs. Antwerp says…you said “we have one of the best attacking TRIDENTs in the WC.”
we do?????? we scored 12 goals in 10 qualifying games.
@Denis,even beating Mexico!
Real has done a phenomenal job at defending and counter attacks in the first half…I’m beginning to wonder what Bayerns strategy is?
Bayern has had approximately 75% of possession, they have attacked down the right side the majority of the time and almost no service in the box which has driven Mandzukic to the outside to get a few touches on the ball….kinda weird to see.
If Bayern continue like this they may end up getting another 1 or 2 goals on Reals counter attack, so far Real has had far fewer chances but far better quality.
Look for Muller to replace Mandzukic. Bayern have the possession but can’t get past the “Italian” defense.
Yessssss Benzema!!!!
we should make the sweet sixteen. And I fancy our chances against holland and chile.
Without question, we have one of the best attacking TRIDENTs in the WC.
Pep will make the right decision starting Mandza. And I say that not because he’s Croatian. But because it is the best tactical move.
Pep had to go with the obvious choice…I guarantee his mental midget demons in his head are pushing him to go with one of his “so called” tactical formations and player selection options BUT I guarantee you he knows if he fucks up at this point, he’d have a lot of splainin to do, how could he explain not starting his best and most reliable goal scorer?
No clue what the internal make up of the Belgium is and if they have issues like the Dutch have had in the past with the mix of immigrant players and the black/white divide. If there is strong leadership in that squad, then they have a good future ahead of them.
By having “any chance”, do you mean winning the whole thing.
Then yes, I’d agree with that. I think we have a very good chance of getting our of the group stage, but then would have to play Chile/Spain/Holland and all three of those teams would be considered favorites with Spain and Holland heavy favorites.
Anything is possible in sports. Hell, we watched Greece win the Euros. But, there are more than 10 teams I would put ahead of us a title contenders.
Second choice Adnan Januzaj? Maybe not second choice, but he sure took a looooooooong time to decide which national anthem he will have to learn.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/adnan-januzaj-chooses-belgium-young-3447346
How will Belgium accept Adnan? Does he make the World Cup team?
@lika Joey,
Any chance for what?
.
Not one article I read says we have any chance in brazil.lol
Nice article on Luka Modric….
http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/04/23/why-luka-modric-is-so-important-against-bayern-munich/20140423100431
.
For some reason I think those bastards at Chelsea will squeak one out. Bayern over Chelsea in the final 2-1.
Wait a minute, does this now mean Pep is not anti-Mandza? Or does that not fit the narrative today?
Any of you guys pay attention to basketball and the EuroLeague. I’m watching Panatinaikos – CSKA right now. And, man do I miss not having quality basketball in Cro anymore. That Greek crowd is great. The crowds for basketball are crazy in Greece (Panatinaikos, Olympiakos), Turkey (Fenerbache, Ulker) and even Serbia (Partizan). too bad that is no longer the case in Cro.
Conspiracy Theory is off I guess? We’ll just have to think up another one 😀
Dudu has been scoring a few lately, nice to see!
Btw- Mandzukic is starting today…Pep has been reading our comments for sure…hahaha
What kind of goal was it? Was it Olic-esque?
Dudu started today and has a goal. Shaktar up 2-0 right around half time
Darijo is resting on the bench currently
@ Ante(Zivas step dad)
do you work? go to school?
just asking.
Pep je perder.
Ancelotti + Modric Real Madrid will be a different cup of tea.
@ Nepoznat
Hvala for another great link.
Full respect to Eduardo as he should been at 2006 and if not injured would have gotten us in 2010.
This Brazil match is sticky situation. Maybe he comes off the bench for 20 minutes. I do not feel physically or emotionally he should start and sing both anthems.
Ironic … We have some who do not sing and now one who wants to sing both!
Minus all that he is best coming off the bench in Brazil. We need hard running for the first 45 minutes of every match.
You forgot to add D)Bobo ,Zivas basement monkey(he has unspeakable things done to him)
Friends,
Who has a brighter future:
A. “Look at me” Livaja
B. the school children who have not been recovered from the South Korean ferry that sank.
C. The passengers on the Air Malaysia flight from a month ago.
The answer is not a simple one.
@IvicA-Thats gotta hurt!
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich: Gareth Bale misses home leg with flu and Cristiano Ronaldo faces late test
This isn’t good.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/10781252/Real-Madrid-v-Bayern-Munich-Gareth-Bale-misses-home-leg-with-flu-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-faces-late-test.html
David Moyes is fired.
What a disaster move for him. Goes to Man United, and Everton ends up challenging for Champions League right after he leaves.
disability????? Me????? Nah!!!!!!!!!!
“its not worth going crazy over hearing about someone you have never met or know breaking their foot”
Really ? Bhahaha! Im covinced you have a disability
It’s not a conspiracy but more like odd, tell me a coach that doesn’t give his players the best opportunity to achieve a goal…a selfish coach like Pep….any other coach would do everything to help their player!
Dinamo 5 -0
Carmon hajduk.
@Slavonac……..I mostly agree with that, but until proven otherwise I will side with Pep.
Man, some of you guys have crazy conspiracy theories.
@nepoznat
you honestly think its a conspiracy to limit Mario’s goals?
you’re better than that man…. c’mon
“Man, a lot of hate for Pep.
I’ll go by his track record the last 5 or 6 years years in judging him.”
Ziva, no offense but you could have coached Barca to all those Championships in the past several years…they were simply a more superior team based on player personnel!
Pep will show his true colours soon, I’d love to see what he could do with a team that isn’t so stacked. First Barca and now Bayern…Ciro would look like a hero!
i’m reading that mandzukic is going to start on the bench vs real. that would lead me to cheer for real
@Ziva you would have a point if he was saving him for CL, but he will probably make the same mistake as the Man U game and start with Mueller and false 9 crap instead of Mario. And then you could not say he was saving him for CL
Plus Pep may want Lewandowski to win that award so as not to have to come to Munich to replace someone who outscored him
Man, a lot of hate for Pep.
I’ll go by his track record the last 5 or 6 years years in judging him.
If one coach knows how to beat Real Madrid, its Pep. No clue if he will this time around, because Real does have the players to go with Real. Getting to the CL semis proves Pep was the right hire for Bayern. It is so hard to repeat in sports, especially in Champions League.
Who cares about winning or losing the Bundesliga scoring title. That is an individual award. Lets say he did play Mandza more in the Bundesliga the last few weeks and then he gets hurt. People would be bitching why they played Mandza in a meaningless league game with the title already won and not saving him for Champions League.
Here’s the thing about Picketina Pep. The second he puts Mario in, he’ll score that game.
Its less about him as a person and more about his value to the national team that we all clearly care about.. Why ahould we care about the national team at all then? Ive never met any of them and most fans havent. Whats that kind of logic all about? Sorry Ziva, I usually agree with you and the troll was dumb but if Modric did hypothetically get hurt it would be fine to be upset about it as a real supporter of the repks, No? Sometimes I think you just say things for the sake of saying them lol.
@Ante B I would be too but screw Pep and his False 9 crap and limiting Mario’s chances to claim the top scorer in Bundesliga
I’m going for Bayern!
I can only imagine some of the people on this site were already panicking when they first read that “news” about Modric.
It is BS. Plus, even if it were true, its not worth going crazy over hearing about someone you have never met or know breaking their foot.
doubt it
lol trolls…that would be worst case scenario though. Without him, we are nothing.
Wait…is this true???
and “ilivic” who must be the same person as “ax”
I am officially requesting an IP ban for “ax”
😀
unbelievable! of all people, supposed bale slide tackled into him. the same guy who is supposed to be his buddy buddy
bad news. modric re-brakes leg in training for champions league match. out at least four months
Wales goal that we arent at the World Cup without??? Ziva?
Difference maker???????? based on what from the last few years. Correct me if I am wrong, but the only time I recall in the last few years when he was a difference maker was in Split against Georgia. Would love for him to produce at the World Cup, but I am not so sure.
He’ll be on the roster for nostalgic reasons.
dudu is a class act man! I dont mind him singing both national anthems. I hope his form improves a bit, i dont think he is a starter but he can be a difference maker.
Brazilian-Born Eduardo Dreams of Facing Brazil in the World Cup Opener
By Aleksandar Holiga
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2037474-brazilian-born-eduardo-dreams-of-facing-brazil-in-the-world-cup-opener
I’m torn on who I want to win. Would love to see Luka have success, but I think I am still going to pull for Bayern. Reason being is I’d like Mandzo to go out with a bang (two champion league wins a row) and set the bar super high for Lewandowski to try to follow . SMM can’t sem to get enough credit for his successes, perhaps he can get some better recognition through someone else’s failure
The next three or four weeks will determine if Real’s season is a success or not. They have a chance at La Liga and the Champions League. Win either one, the season can be called a success. Lose both titles and no way any Real fan can call this a success, especially with Barca looking in from the outside in La Liga and out of the Champions League.
why you don’t put up modric and mandzukic in that picture >