We’re now less than 48 hours away from Croatia’s second World Cup match versus Canada on Sunday. With many Croatians around the world dissatisfied with the Vatreni performance against Morocco, what changes need to be made against Canada?
- Kramarić needs to start the match on the bench. We’ve known for well over a year that Croatia will have a striker problem heading into the World Cup. And here we are. Krama’s natural position for Hoffenheim is a supporting striker behind the true #9. However, Dalić likes to play him as the lone striker, which has never really made sense. I understand if Dalić played him behind a true 9 like Petković or Mandžukić (in the past), but he hasn’t yielded results for Croatia in years. Krama also isn’t a point-man in the box for crosses from the flanks. Sit Krama. Put in Petković or Livaja. I don’t care, flip a coin. Either will be an upgrade versus Canada. And both will certainly be hungrier.
2. Kovačić should be replaced with Majer in lieu of more firepower. I’ve said this for years and get debated on it all the time. Modrić and Kovačić do not work together in the same midfield. They are they same player and there is nothing Kova can do that Modrić doesn’t do already. Kova is always in Modrić’s shadow as they both play the #8 role for Croatia; with Brozović behind them as the #6; a defensive midfielder. Take out Kova for the Canada match and let Lovro Majer play the #10 in front of Modrić. Dalić will 100% not make this change but it’s one I would make immediately. This would give Croatia more attack capability in the center of the field while supporting a #9 striker, where the team has been struggling to get results since Mandžukić left. Majer looked good when he came in for Kovačić in the 79′ vs. Morocco. I simply would have made the switch 15 minutes earlier. Kova out, Majer in.
Is Ante the worst Croatian reporter when it comes to the NT ? I thinks yes.
I love all you do but your takes and predictions are awful.
Well, the title of this article didn’t age well. Krama and Kova were our MVPs against Canada.
Are you surprised ? Ante has an awful feel for the game. This didn’t age well but just look a weeks in the past when he said that Kramaric wouldn’t even be on the team.
@ Anonymous
The Serbian Canadian keeper said he was born in a “Serbian” village in the Krajina region.
This is Serbian spin as of course Krajina is, has and always will be Croatia.
Serbs like the coach of Canada thought they were going to F Croatia through the Krajina region.
General Gotovina and Oluja operation secured this region in a 3 day offensive.
This was a Croatian military master class, that only Croatian intelligence could execute.
The English/Canadian coach has written a check that the Serbian/Canadian golman will need to cash today.
I pray Dalic can channel his inner Gotovina and line up our boys to bring Oluja today.
Iz naša Svi ..
Hrvatska
Small correction. There is no Krajina region in Croatia. That was what the Serbs called Croatian occupied lands during the war.
Any links for the match please?
I won’t be able to sleep. Fuck I’m pumped but nervous for this game. This feels like the England semi final just with more of an edge.
Of course we could use one Ante Rebić !!
He runs like a beast.
Who runs like him on our squad?
It was Rebić that was Johnny on the spot against Argentina ‘18 to change the game with that volley.
Give us poor man’s Mandžukić in Budimir.
At least he runs and provides presence up top.
Oršić runs too.
Please start runners as the game will be wide open from kick off.
Kovačić plays because of his speed.
They let proto-Croat off the team. WTF are they doing?
For the gamblers out there, Cro now +120 to win.
Yeah, I just saw Cro to win + 107. Yikes, that’s a decent price. We ain’t getting no last minute respect.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-john-herdman-croatia-comments-world-cup/. Oh oh
I hate to say it, but almost feels like one of those games you could use rebic on that right wing, running back down and pressuring on defense
as i’ve said several times before, a key to the wc 2018 was that perisic and rebic covered so much ground on the wings coming back in line with the defense. this actually allowed modric and rakitic to stay a bit higher up the pitch and mandzukic remained a target man
Do you think we’re gonna win?
https://youtu.be/Cdf6D19Etmc
Just showing how magical cro blood genes are in the soccer world….maradona has said he has cro relatives..so it’s awesome if it’s true.
It’s confirmed true. For a very long time now.
Not thrilled to see Lovren start again. Thanks Dalic for putting better CBs in Sutalo and Erlic on the bench. As Maminjo mentioned, the right side of our defense is going to be in for a rough ride vs Davies and David, but heck I think we will still do enough to beat Canada. Let’s get a +2 win or better to boost our confidence and goal difference, and it’d be a bonus if Livaja can smash one past that clown Borjan. AJMO!!
Can someone please translate the comments the Canadian keeper made.
thank you
God bless Mr. Dalic and the Croatian team for not lowering themselves into a shit talking contest, for not losing their discipline in the heat of the moment by making classless, arrogant comments. And I hope after the match Croatia just moves “on to Cincinnati”, in this case, Belgium.
Yeah i agree, Zlatko has been dignified above the level of that kinda garbage so good on him.
Let’s do our talking on the pitch.
AJMO!
Oršić and Livaja in? Thank God. They need to score early to avoid the nightmare scenario of conceding first.
I absolutely don’t buy Dalić’s bluster today about “respect” and soapboxing about our medals. Yesterday he seemed like he wouldn’t pay it any more mind after his comment on the Herdman soundbite but clearly it’s got in his head. A draw or some squeaker win is going to heap immense pressure on him… they have to go for the blowout or else the emperor has no clothes.
Majer impresses me. Very mature young kid in how he handled all this media sranje about the game. I hope most of the young kids take after him than izbornik’s mental midgetry.
Toronto Sun responds today to 24 Sata with ” OUR BALLS ARE BIGGER”!
That used to be the CFL’s tag line.
Livaja’s family is not too far from Knin.
Will be interesting to see what happens in the box and Borjan comes out for challenges.
Put on Siminic for some
Good ole cheap shots- pukni po glave
Hahahahahaha
Ante Budimir up top to set the tone.
Krama on the wing makes the #9 position a two man competition which is awesome. I’m favouring Petko but it’s now Liva’s to lose. Lovro for Brozo, having Kovo drop back is my only wish. Time to F Herdman. LFG
Dalic was never going to change his midfield of Modric, Kova, Broz. But with Livaja coming in for Vlasic as the 9 and Krama playing behind him (his natural position in Germany), this change goes in the right direction of adding extra attack and moving Krama into a better position. I’m fine with it. Not ideal, but at least Dalic is making a change that is needed.
And for you not big on Livaja. The guy is a fighter. His father just passed away in a motorcycle accident a few months ago. If you don’t think he’s going to play his fucken heart out, well, you’re in for a treat.
I agree on the livaja comment
Guy was obviously a typical Croat young trouble maker/headcase when younger
He has matured
Always had talent
And this is his chance
He will give 110 percent
I’d talent let’s him down it is what it is
But he will not be out signing a rebic sneaker deal on the side lines this I guarantee
At the end of the day, we know if we play with proper passion even if we lose that’s ok
Cause we ain’t vatreni otherwise
I’m not a fan of krama on the wing especially when we have orsic available but at least hes not playing lone striker again. Krama and vlasic playing together never works. Offensively krama on the wing isn’t terrible but we won’t have a fast outlet with over the top balls. Defensively it’ll be tough for us on the right side especially with Davies comming down that side. Dalic is literally playing every CAM we have on the wing besides the actual only other winger we have besides perisic. Orsic must have done something to piss off dalic/modric?
It is funny that we pretty much have an entirely healthy team and dalic starts a formation that did not start one wc qualifier, nations league or friendly game
Once again, croatia has remarkably 0 injuries outside of a minor knock on vlasic
Pretty much this.
I’m not against Livaja, but why are we experimenting now?
We’re trying a new formation, Lovren in the backline, Krama at RW, and now Livaja starting for the first time.
We’ve never done any of this before.
It might work out (since the talent gap between us and Canada is huge), but this is Euro2020 all over again.
Same old unprepared knee-jerk Dalić again.
Lovren destroys Modric. Period.
Livaja did his best Rebic impersonation. No touch.
Dalic is a fool for not making changes earlier in the match.
Livakovic terrifies me.
All that being said, if we can’t beat Canada…….
Kramaric on the wing is probably worse than Pasalic there.
This is going to backfire. Let’s just hope Dalic is quick to make subs if it doesn’t work out.
The problem with all these questionable moves is even if we overcome them, Dalic will be emboldened to continue with the same moves. Does anyone really see Lovren continuing gaffe free if we make it to the knockouts and beyond.
Red and White Checkers are us fans, Adriatic Blues are for players. Igraj Marko. Bog je govorio.
This team needs to play tomorrow with a sense of purpose and urgency, if they fucking embarrass us with a loss or even draw it will be a disgrace. Light a fire under their ass Dalic!!
Livaja in tomorrow according to various Croatian media outlets.
Ya up top, and move krama to Vlasic spot… should be interesting, lovren still in sadly..
How about KDB saying Belgium are too old to win WC, I have a feeling they get clipped by Morocco tommorow
Krama on wing??
Would have preferred brekalo on the wing with his speed
Both are not strong physically but least brekalo will take guys on more head on
Pretty predictable to be honest.
I knew Dalic would play the consensus lineup.
Since Lovren played well the first game (despite it being a game that plays to Lovren’s strengths), Dalic can always claim this as the reason he started him (and I’m sure many in the media will parrot this).
Juranovic stays in his spot and Krama shifts over to the vacant RW spot (now that Vlasic is not 100%).
Modric is just going to be a right-sided defensive midfielder for us tomorrow, having to cover that are for Krama, Juranovic, and Lovren…and we’ll all blame our team for not being able to take the reigns and dominate.
We should still have more than enough firepower to dominate possession and take out Canada…but I think Canada will continue to press hard (like they did to Belgium) and the passback to Lovren will pause every single one of our potential counters.
I get why people want him to start (and I believe he can fire up people with his patriotism)…but Herdman is a good coach who will recognize that weakened right side and attack it hard (depleting Modric, and preventing Modric from playing further forward). Add to this the fact that Kovacic and Brozovic may not be 100%, and Modric may get overworked again.
Hopefully we go all out as a unit and play the exact same way we did against France in Paris. Just a dominant display with crisp short passes and confident dribbling, forcing the Canadians to chase the ball all game long.
Yes, Everyone needs to step it up. In particular, I hope Brozović and Kovačić carry more weight- we can’t expect Modrić to do it all.
These look like reasonable changes to me. Livaja is a proper striker who is both strong and technically skilled. His minutes against Morocco showed that he should start. If he has no passing option, he usually get dribble his way into scoring position. In the absence of a true right winger, Kramarić, who is not a striker but is a very skilled player with both feet and who is good at controlling balls out of the air, is a good choice. Evidently Sučić has not made a strong enough claim to the position. And Krama has played as a winger for Hoffenheim on a few occasions. Most importantly, he won’t be playing as a #9. Canada isn’t going to win the midfield battle, so they will have to rely a lot of long balls and crosses. This makes Lovren a good choice again because he is very good in the air. He also is a tremendous threat on corner kicks. If it hadn’t been for Amrabat being perfectly positioned, Lovren would have our only goal so far.
Different game. Different opponent.
I hope we’re wrong about him, but Lovren is not a calm and cool defender. He makes a lot of mistakes when pressured, and applying pressure is all what Canada will do.
I don’t view Lovren’s so called calmness and coolness a reflection of his own abilities, but rather his confidence in the overall skill and capabilities of the team as a whole. If and when he slows the team down, (partially due I believe to his relative inaccuracy with longer passes) I hope it will pay off in a big way.
I can see Herdman pushing hard offensively, and as the result leaving the midfield and back line too exposed, which is where their weakness is. Belgium failed to take better advantage of that. Canada, certainly has pace and appears to have an above average amount of endurance, but they lack depth and were likely running on a lot of adrenaline.
I wonder if Canada can match that intensity again, and if they can keep it up for as long as they did- in particular, against a
much better Croatian midfield and defence than what Belgium brought to the table?
This is where Canada will mess up.
Outside of DeBruyne, our midfield line destroys Belgium’s when it comes to retaining possession.
Also, Canada’s defenders got a little too comfortable (which led to the Belgium longball goal).
They won’t be able to do that with us.
Ideally, Canada would approach this game with caution abd pace themselves for the full game. At the same time, Canada can’t really sit back and defend like Morroco…so going all out (like they did with Belgium) is probably the only play for them.
Herdman’s explosive type of character comes across both on and off the field. I predict he will instruct Canada to come out as hard and as soon as possible in order to get one or two quick / lucky goals. I think Canada wants so badly to score a goal at the World Cup for the first time.
Fucking pussy french divers! Why do do they always get all the calls? Hope Denmark takes this one!
I have a hunch we shall tie…then beat a second string non motivated Belgium 🇧🇪 to advance out of the group.
I hope not- even though I think we can beat Belgium, (and 5 points is usually required to advance in second place), I am not sure who or what Belgium can /will bring, and it makes me very uncomfortable.
I can see Morrocco either tie or beat Belgium with the way both played in their opening matches.
Does the outcome of that game affect how Croatia plays? I hope not, tomorrow has always been viewed as a should and must win game for me.
My older son told me he fears Croatia will lose if they play Canada like they did against Morrocco.
Could an upset happen tomorrow?
Yes, but if Dalić and company do their job and find a way to expose Canada’s weaknesses, while also neutralizing their strengths, and our guys play their best, there’s no way!
When I view the teams and their respective rankings,
I come up with the following:
Belgium -in their first game looking like a far lower ranked team.
Croatia- at our best are in the top 10.
Morrocco- are now better with the recent changes.
Canada- far better than their ranking suggests.
I know you’ve been against a Kovacic and Modric playing together for past 3 years or more.
Kova and Luka have a good football understanding together and putting in a younger not as much experienced big game player now will stress out Luka way too much now. I do love Majer but put him in and change the formation to help make the offense better equipped for attacking. Give us 3 or 4 in the box when breaking out. Not 1 player
Kramaric you’re right on the money but he’s our best bet. Livaja or Petko off the bench and in at half time I say. Either or
No real lineup changes for tomorrow
So VAR has screwed up for about the 67th time since it was introduced four years ago. It was supposed to take away the controversy, but has made it worse. Just waiting for Croatia to get their bi-annual burn. Maybe tomorrow?
Rođen ja u Hrvatsku. I came to United States extremely young. I am GRATEFUL AND LUCKY to be living in America. When it comes to USA national teams. I feel nothing lol I love it when USA loses in basketball and any other sport. If Croatia played USA. 100% Croatia!
Is it me or is Saudi Arabia actually quite decent. They’re moving the ball against the poles with confidence and fluidity. Fast, good passing and have some technicality in there game. Are u kidding me that we can’t produce similar with our talent !? We gotta up our game to show our World Class talent was no fluke. If we don’t beat Canada as a Cro Canadian I’ve lost all faith as our 2nd team should be able to beat there first. majer,orsic,livaja,stanisic need to start
because dalic is our coach and this is theirs…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YdhMUpDTkM
The main reason why coaches like Saudis, Iceland, etc are good is because they have prior experience that’s applicable to the World Cup. The Saudi coach gained experience in France and coached a few other African nations. Dalic has only coached at UEA and Qatari level. It was a immense jump for him. Going from managing a team in the Middle East to managing a national team at the highest level is a challenge. He gets scrutinized too heavily. Look, Dalic has his his flaws. Just like all all coaches. He came into Croatian football when we were down and out. Beat Ukraine, Greece and then took us to a final. After that, it has been a struggle. Give him credit. He went from managing a team that was already blending together but required guidance. Then boom..all retired, injuries, mishaps with players. It’s hard to incorporate new talent when your players are fresh and starting from scratch. Is he a raging hrvati that runs around like Bilic? No, but he’s composed and calm. Don’t expect his demeanour to change because of other coaches. Not all coaches are prone to make speeches and yell. “A quiet person has the loudest mind”-Stephen King
The draw against Morocco was the third time in an opening game we never scored. Last time was 2002 loss against Mexico and than 2006 loss vs Brazil. Both were 1-0. We’ve always come out when push comes in shove in a game that’s crucial. I was rewatching the game from Wednesday. Lovren didn’t get enough credit. Blocked shots, hustled to the 12 yard box and was aggressive. Morocco was tight and emphasized the importance of blocking shots and shutting down Kramaric, which isn’t hard. I think with Canada’s starting Centre backs we could break through. Petkovic is solid, strong and fights dirty for goals. Pasalic is tall but it will be a challenging task with Vitoria’s height. Johnson is above average too, being 6’0. I think we should put Petkovic at CF. Vlasic is injured still no? Pasalic at AM or Sucic. Even the midfielder’s are decently strong. Eustaquio and Buchanan are solid. Johnston is a player I saw flaws in. He can’t keep up with long balls and tends to cherry pick. Buchanan is good at crosses. This will be a wide open match unlike against Morocco. Gvardiol needs to be aware of Vitoria on crosses. He tends to be in box on corners. I saw Dalic make a comment regarding Brozovic’s status. “I don’t think I’ve seen him in this much difficulty”. Brozovic shouldn’t start and neither should Kova. Replace him with a speedy Majer. We need to replicate Canada’s speed. Modric is 37 and will be overwhelmed with being covered excessively. He needs youthfulness and quickness to help.I believe we can do it. It will be a insane match with this much build up. The newspapers, the comments, the Serb goalkeeper. Speed and capitalization on turn overs is what we lacked last game.
ZDS
It won’t be easy against Canada, but I’m optimistic that we will win. The match is being played in the late afternoon and that is a big advantage and I’m expecting our players to do a lot more running than they did in the mid-day heat against Morocco. The scheduling at this WC is favoring the so-called big teams being given late afternoon or night matches.
I don’t expect that Dalic will make too many changes to the starting lineup, apart from Kramaric and possibly Vlasic being replaced. Dalic needs to be more proactive with substitutions in the second half as players get tired. We have the player depth he just needs to believe in them.
I agree, early second half changes need to be made if nothing is happening.
okay that tennis thing was fucked.
let’s hope our guys vatreni do us a favour now and win cos im getting tired of losing when we are meant to win ffs
DANNYJ hold my hand PLZ GOD IM SCARED
We need to all hold hands and lay the batina
The boys I believe will play motivated
Let’s just hope we get our tactics right
If we bow out in groups surely dalic will be gone
We will be forced to have some growing pains
What’s bilic doing these days?
We could use some motivation and someone to take us into nations league
well Australia showed the way hey
cmonnnnn surely we can do this
100% agree Ante !!!
Why stubborn Dalic gave this another run is beside me. It drove me crazy during euros and I wanted for dalic to get replaced immediately after
They keep him for WC and he opens up with that nonsense for the WC again knowing that’s a bust lineup for goals??
Start Livaja instead of Kramaric
Start Majer instead of kovacic
If needed you can sub kova for modric if we go up a goal or 2 and preserve Luka a little bit.
Bring on Sucic any time
Bring on any of the three: Orsic/Budimir/petkovic if you need some new batteries
We have great depth and Dalić needs to use his subs better.
Last game was a physical and tiring one, and only used four subs and two of them were very late ones.
If there’s not much of a talent gap between some starters and some subs, then plan for some of them to go all out for 60 minutes because they’re being subbed out.
If we’re really going to start Pašalić at RW over Majer, then he needs to be told to save nothing in the tank.
Yeah Dalic has to be more aggressive with the subs. That first game felt like Ante Čačić waiting way too long. Depth is one of our advantages, use it.
Include Vlasic on the bench as well. I really like Vlasic but if he isn’t in the midfield 3 as the Attacking mid either starting or coming off the bench, there is no point of him playing at all.
SOMEBODY FUCKING HOLD ME PLZ
For some reason I can’t post the link
There’s a picture of a Serbian flag in their dressing room with a super imposed map of Kosovo on it
The Serbia Swiss game will be entertaining
Serbia gonna Serbia
I wonder if there will be any ramifications from it
At least it’s been an entertaining tourney thus far
A bit off topic but I assume there is not ONE Croatian Canuck who will be rooting for Canada?
If the U.S. played Croatia who would our Americans brothers root for ?
I ask this due to living and being raised in a border town seeing full well how much more patriotic Americans are than Canadians.
Part of the reason Americans are so engrossed in politics and Canadians could care less!
patriotism the past while with trudeaus government and just the way the country has been headed
It’s all been sold out to big money with housing and such
Canada used to be a special place
People like Don Cherry who essentially get run off the air are replaced by super liberal perspectives
I’m not saying the other side is right but Canada hasn’t had a back bone in years
We are leading the way on stupidity. Just look at our leader
Black face, brown face. Wearing socks with penis’ on it.
I wish it was better but he is a complete idiot. Sadly tho must be controlled by others…
Sorry for going political, but it’s pretty much how it is
Course I would like Canada do good, but no bloody comparison
You’re 100% correct (although the penis socks were fake). When you have 30 million people living in the second largest land mass with a shit ton of resources you become passive. People don’t have to fight with eachother to survive like other countries.
I thought AZ and NZ were bad with lockdowns when that was going on and US with the woke BS but Canada is officially the capital of the world for being a complacent order taker while smiling. I live here too but Deerfield Beach keeps calling my name.
Don Cherry, lol. The liberal wokeness is obviously idiotic, but Don Cherry loves Canadian that are only munjecakes. He constantly criticized European players. So he would be mocking Croatians no problem. Same mentality as Canada’s idiot coach.
This.
In one of his autobiographies (Hockey Stories Part 2) Grapes called out Canadian-born kids rooting against Canada at home qualifying games. Basically called them unappreciative turncoats that weren’t raised right, which I don’t agree with.
Where I am there are a lot of Hrvati who have a lot of respect for Canada in hushed tones, even if they definitely lean more towards Hrvatska
Croatian Canadian but for Sunday – Samo Hrvati-
Can-Cro here. Could care less about Canada’s MLS soccer team and after Herdman’s comments I want them to implode without a goal in the tournament.
That said, I don’t want Croatia’s best talent at their respective positions on the bench.
Start Petkovic, Majer, Stanic, Sucic.
The only good thing about Lovren is that he has that patriotism and he could possibly hype these guys up against Canada.
He’s guaranteed to start, so let’s hope he doesn’t fuck anything up.
He blocked a Moroccan shot in the 50th minute with his arm, right on the edge of the box. A half step back, and it probably would’ve gone to VAR to check for a penalty.
Let’s hope Lovren’s attempt to give away a penalty is out of his system.
I don’t think lovren is a lock, croatian media has hinted at a sutalo start, and in dalic’s press conference the day following the game the media made the point of addressing lovren’s inability to create from the back… dalic almost always makes the move everyone wants him to make (for better or worse)
Yes, I have also heard that either Šutalo or Erlić could / should start due to having more creativity.
That would be a Godsend.
I have nightmares about Canada exposing our poorly defended right side with Pašalić (RW), Juranović (RB), and Lovren (RCB).
All three are poor defenders who won’t be able to contain Davies if Canada chooses to have him attack on that left side.
Lovren is the biggest weak link, and Pašalić is simply a waste of a spot on that right side. Juranović brings alot offensively, but we need to pair him with competent defenders if he plays.
Davies attacked that side against Belgium all day. Lovren can’t handle Davies and I’m praying he makes a change either Sutalo or Erlic would do fine
Lol, it never is. I actually didn’t see that. If I did I would have more choice words to say about Lovren lol.
For 4 years I’ve been saying to bench kovacic in favor for an attacking mid. Euro 22 would have been very different if we played kramaric as CAM, Budimir striker, rebic RW, and sosa LB. But blind dalic has his group of favorites.
However, if canada come at us like they did vs belgium, then kovacic is the one guy i would actually want to start for his anti press abilities.
Ya I wonder if karmas role if he stays on in a more forward midfield type
Obviously it’s not the time to try stuff
I wonder if other teams are really in these situations and don’t try stuff more often in less important matches?
question for all posters here. Is there anyone in the savez that could over rule the coach and order him to sit players and make the changes that are needed. Or is this his show and his ship to sink?
Time to let Luka run the team on a big game for him- Dalic is not a manager or leader- Luka will want this game and a chance to lead Hrvatska once again- Dalic, ida kuci
Kovačić speed is necessary against Canada and actually everyone else.
Have him play #6 or just create a double pivot and add Sučić at the #10.
Brozovic comes on for tired Kovačić or maybe Modrić if we can finally take hold of a match.
Who is healthier between Kovačić and Brozović ?
Kovačić can play a #6 for us and offers more pace and driving runs through the lines. Brozovic looks a bit off of match fit?
Modrić can push up more.
It’s our lack of #9 and right winger that is the issue for our crowded midfield.
Morocco is the goods. They definitely can beat Belgium. They took Ziyech from the banished zone and Chelsea bench. And he is a difference maker for them.
Rebić not redeemable?
I digress.
Play Budimir up top.
Vlašić through the middle and Majer on the right wing.
Maybe Stanisic at the RB for a bit of quality?
We need to support our two world class players in Modrić and Perišić.
May have to play Perišić at the #9 and Oršić at LW?
Or Perišić at RW.
We need more quality across the final third.
We need to score.
The Canada game will be intense from the jump we need to have the legs to match the moment.
I would even throw in Sučić.
He is good enough to play against Canada.
whatever he does i hope its enough to win on sunday, we cannot lose to a country that clearly doesnt know football etiquette. idemo hrvatska! srce vatreno!
Is Dalic really on calculating that we will best belgium to top the group and progress
Is he happy to come second knowing he have to play?
It’s not clear to me he has a set agenda
The game against morroco was evidence of this
What is he up to
I’m pretty sure he’s just looking to get to the knockouts, so he can sell it like it’s some big success.
Same shit as the Euros, which managed to save his job.
Who is healthier between Kovačić and Brozović ?
Kovačić can play a #6 for us and offers more pace and driving runs through the lines. Brozovic looks a bit off of match fit?
Modrić can push up more.
It’s our lack of #9 and right winger that is the issue for our crowded midfield.
Morocco is the goods. They definitely can beat Belgium. They took Ziyech from the banished zone and Chelsea bench. And he is a difference maker for them.
Rebić not redeemable?
I digress.
Play Budimir up top.
Vlašić through the middle and Majer on the right wing.
Maybe Stanisic on the RB for a bit of quality?
We need to support our two world class players in Modrić and Perišić.
May have to play Perišić at the #9 and Oršić at LW?
Or Perišić at RW.
We need more quality across the final third.
We need to score.
I dunno I didn’t like Vlasic in the game with Marrocco. But I get it, he is speedy.
All these issues ought to have been resolved by now by Dalic
You would think Suba. But somehow they are still issues for us.
Kova is truly my favorite player to watch, Luka aside. I catch every Chelsea game watching what great move or burst of speed he will have next. Sad to say as I am a huge fan he does not play optimally with Modric. They are the same; the Mentor and the Protege as you indeed have mentioned for years.
Do have to mention there is no one better player when there is a Press and the Canucks will indeed press and Kova is great at finding those openings in this environment. Something to truly consider. Perhaps he starts and then put Majer in.
Perhaps he can substitute Luka depending on how things are progressing in the match as Luka looked worn out last game; he was playing close to a few yellows with those fouls. Quick thoughts from the office
The problem is when you have both Kova and Modric, Kova becomes invisible. He doesn’t really contribute as much, I am not saying he isn’t good but I see him right now as a substitute for Modric with how he did I’m the last. You need an offensive minded person on the other side Majer, Sucic, someone who has an eye for goal. People here have mentioned others as well.
Livaja or Petko need to be up top. Noone else in my view can do this, Budimir should sub in, since he was chosen over bother Musa and Colak. These are mistakes for Dalic I think in not chosing the last two players. I said before I wouldn’t have chosen Kramaric, Brekalo or Budimir instead I would have chosen Musa, Colak and Ljubicic. All three of those players were scoring, time to pay attention to stats mister Dalic.
once again the senationalism hits.
you make fair suggestions: replace kramaric, replace kovacic
but your all encompassing statements that kramaric has never performed for the repka or that modric/kovacic pairing doesn’t work isn’t grounded in any body of proof
As discussed the other day, for all the hemming and hawing about kramaric, he has a higher contribution rate (goals and assists) per game (1 per 1.4 games) than glorified mandzukic (1 per 1.6 games)
the modric/kovacic just lead us through 1 or 2 first place qualifyings in the past 14 years and to the top of the nations league tournament
the concept of replace kovacic for more final third threat in majer is fine. the logic of replace kramaric to get a better target man or hold up player like petkovic or livaja is fine. But the sensationalist comments to think that kramaric has NEVER performed or modric/kovacic have NEVER worked is just sensationalist.
remember… we don’t have ronaldo up top…our strike position stats are never going to look great. we gotta do the best with what we have
Yes and No Mr.Truth. I agree that Krama has contributed but we have enough proof from the Nations League, Euro and first game of the World Cup that Krama doesn’t fit the number 9 role. If you keep him as a backup striker that can make sense because it is always the position that he has played in Hoffenheim, not a traditional striker position which is where Dalic is trying to use him
..that is years of proof from his club team.
The stats for his club season, past two seasons have been exceptionally poor, and his contribution in the past couple of years for Cro have equally been poor. So an overall statistic does not cut it here, you need who is on fire at the moment because the game against Marrocco, the Nations League games against both France and Denmark have shown us that a shift in priorities is needed for success. Not just possession based football, but possession based football with a purpose. Which those tournents bu the way showed Krama to be out of place.
This isn’t sensationalism here, looking at the games and seeing Krama out of position where he should have been available to take Modric’s cross in the box, which would have very well won us the game against Marocoo, is a very bad error on his part. Both him and Vlasic were at fault. The minute Livaja and Pasalic were subbed in, you could see more presence in the box, even tho distribution was our problem there.
We couldn’t seem to penetrate the defense, and all the while Krama was invisible. Now that is not all his fault but he did have opportunities.
As for Kova and the Nations League matches, he was the most shaky at times.
In the middle you could see him misplacing passes, short passes which are his specialty, and fumbling the ball. He was not strong in the Nations League and he was not strong in the game against Marrocco either. I wouldn’t send him packing, but yes I would change up the midfield if someone is playing like garbage.