Champions League returns after a three and a half month break. It seems like an eternity since a match was last played pre-World Cup on November 2nd. But here we go in 2023 as the Croatian steak of winning 11 straight Champions League titles is on the line.
Out of the 16 remaining clubs in the tournament, only eight will play this week with the other eight kicking off next week.
On Tuesday, Ivan Perišić played the full 90 minutes as AC Milan squeaked by Spurs with a 1-0 win at San Siro. Ante Rebić came off the bench for AC Milan in the 90th minute and naturally did not do much. Perišić received a 6/10 grade from Football London as the “The 34-year-old showed his fitness to get up and down the pitch just three days after the Leicester game. Needed some more quality in his delivery.”
Josip Stanišić came on for Bayern Munich as extra added defensive support in the 90th minute Tuesday. Bayern beat PSG 1-0 in Paris with Mbappe’s 82nd minute equalizer nullified by VAR due to an offside my mere inches. Bayern head back home to Germany for the 2nd Leg with a golden 1-goal lead. Stanišić may see more time in that match as Pavard was sent off in Paris.
On Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund defeated Chelsea 1-0 in Germany. Mateo Kovačič returned to the Chelsea bench after nursing an injury for the past month but did not enter the game. Kova needs to leave the sinking ship that Chelsea is this summer. Go to Italy. Go anywhere!
Petar Musa remained on the bench as an unused substitute in Benfica’s 2-0 win over Club Brugge.
https://www.goalstube.online/2023/02/real-madrid-elche.html?m=m4
Beautiful strike by Modric.
Shame that Enzo Fernandez bailed on Benfica to go to Chelsea. Benfica could have gone very far with him.
They were probably headed for the semis in this tournament, and from there, anything could happen.
They have been killing it in the Portuguese league and they topped a pretty difficult Champions League group ahead of both PSG and Juventus.
They were pissed about Enzo leaving (even if it meant them breaking a transfer record on his sale). They were probably loving their chances of taking the Champions League trophy for the first time in 60 years (back in the Eusebio days).
I would have put Man City and PSG as their biggest obstacles, but they already got the better of PSG (who may get bounced now).
Losing Fernandez hurt them alot and brings them down into a pool of several other teams. Still a good team, but won’t win it now.
Stanisić came off the bench to provide some security and stability as Bayern started to fall apart at the end of their match. Stanisić helped them hold on for the win. There is a strong case to be made for Croatia switching to a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 formation. Perisić/Sosa, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Stanisić, Juranović is a pretty solid defensive line… With two actual strikers, we are more likely to score goals… The midfield will still be effective in such a formation because of the added security behind them and the extra attacking power in front of them.
Yep. The 3-5-2 is certainly something I’ve been thinking about for a while.
The late Ciro was the architect of that formation with us a generation ago. Only question is who will play Zvonimir Soldo? Soldo was awesome in his role. Maybe Brozović I was thinking but who knows.
Yea, Soldo was great at France ’98. I think he was on the bench during Euro ’96 because Jerkan was starter.
I will never forget Jerkan’s handball that cost us. Had no idea Jerkan was one of Dalic’s assistants at Euro2020. He’s just walking back luck.
I hear you about the handball.
I didn’t know that about Jerkan either.
Yea Soldo was a fantastic footballer, club and country. Stuttgart could use a 25 yr old Soldo again.
He’s son Nikola is in the Bundesliga last I saw at Kohln, he hasn’t done much though what a shame.
The jerk offs intentional handballs in the box were pure insanity.
He did that twice maybe 3 times. I recall watching with my limey buddies and they were shocked at his self sabotaging “hand of fraud!” Style of defending.
I still say he owed loads of bank to the mafia and was trying to clear his IOU!
Sounds like you’re talking about Stjepan Tomas at WC2006
I stand corrected …the jerk in Jerkan Thru me off!
The problem was that Jerkan also played with a broken nose at Euro 96. Blazevic prior to WC 2022 was commenting on Gvardiol playing with the mask and stating that he made a mistake in playing Jerkan at Euro 96 with a broken nose.
It is an interesting idea for a formation. The only thing I wonder is Brozovic’s role in such a formation. With five defenders it seems redundant to have him on. I would almost prefer a 4-1-3-2, with Broz a a central pivot for the defense (almost like a fifth defender. Then the front 3 midfield positions open up opportunities for the youth you can have Modric, Majer/Sucic and if Dalic still prefers Kova as well. Or possibly Perisic somewhere there as well, if Perisic is not up front (being one of our few goal scorers still).
In this formation it may kinda mask the forward issues we have currently have on the squad.
To be honest, I don’t really like the 3-5-2 as it was tried and failed on the Nations League qualifiers, I think. Dalic himself I think has gone away from this. The 5-3-2 or in my view 4-1-3-2 I Think can work better for the squad.
you will see Lovren still be there as a squatter!
NO in fucking way Dalic will shoo him | what a Jerk >
I specifically left Lovren’s name out so that you wouldn’t comment, but since you did… Yes, Lovren is also an elite defender with experience in a 3-5-2. If you don’t think he’s elite, then go see who Lyon has to thank for advancing in the Coupe de France.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that I thought Napoli is the dark horse but can they be considered under dogs when they pretty much have SERIE A wrapped up already ?
Compact and stingy on defense with a work horse midfield and maybe the hottest striker in Europe in Victor O I see Them getting to the semis at least?
Leipzig vs Man City really intrigues me. That matchup should provide some entertaining football.
There’s a good chance the CRO winning streak will continue. This is Real Madrid’s tournament. Luka and company will find a way through like they always do. I think your right about PSG choking, and the SS Chelsea sinking. Spurs vs Milan could go either way… but it would be great if Perisic finally scores. Broz and Inter should progress, but they won’t get too far unless their offence starts to click. I think the surprise team will be Napoli…no big superstars, but their playing some great football.