I’m just going to leave this right here.
In the biggest game of the year for Real Madrid, Luka Modrić delivers yet again. If Madrid would have lost against Borussia Monchengladbach Wednesday night, their Champions League season would have been over. Instead, Modrić put the Real Madrid midfield on his back in a 2-0 win to top the group.
Luka Modrić via ManagingMadrid.com 8.75: We say this every week, but how is Modrić 35-years-old? The Croatian was dynamic on the pitch and helped dictate the flow of the game for Madrid. Though not on the scoresheet, Modrić was influential for both goals and played a full 90 minutes without slowing down. Finished with 94% pass completion, four dribbles, and three shots.
In other Champions League news, Inter Milan could not find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw with Shakhtar. The draw means European play has ended for Ivan Perišić and Marcelo Brozović. Mario Pašalić has been out with an injury but his Atalanta squad got the job done in a 1-0 victory over Ajax which puts them in the Round of 16. Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea) and Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla) booked their tickets last week.
No Rakitic has his nose up his
Wife’s but.
Who here thinks that Rakitic is regretting retiring from international duties? He almost never plays past the 70th minute with Sevilla. He would definitely be an asset as a super sub or injury replacement.
Palaversa saw some action today. SofaScore gave him credit for 2 key passes in very limited time. Hopefully he earns a few extra minutes moving forward.
Rebic is a maddeningly good/bad player all at the same time. Brekalo has shown enormous potential. For anyone to suggest that they are stars is classic fanboyism. I hope and pray that they both become stars, but at this point it is premature.
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On another note, Sosa with a nice assist today.
https://streamja.com/3nOZB
Wolfsburg are 4th in the league, 2nd best defence, undefeated. They’re going ok at the moment and Brekalo has played some good football.
Me thinks BZ is the biggest Rebic fan in the world and he got angry when some of the commentators on this site wanted Brekalo to start for the NT, he took that as an attack on Rebic by said commentators.
They say the best form of defense is attack, and that’s why BZ attacks Brekalo to defend Rebic.
@ Suba
I like your inquiry about the VW – Brekalo.
I see a lot of good/mediocre players around him there.
Brekalo has healthy ZDS confidence in him.
As a young winger it’s the easiest position to sub off and not disrupt your tactical alignment through the middle.
Rakitic wasn’t thriving at Schalke before his Sevilla move either.
I have seen enough of Brekalo for club and Croatia that I know he is the goods.
Klopp and Perišić didn’t jive either at Dortmund.
Once new a legend that had to deal with a toxic locker room, he was labeled a bust at first.
Although there is something in this
Substance
Is Wolfsburg a good fit for Brekalo
It seems a bit disjointed for mind
I am not sure what’s going on behind the dressing room it seems to me Brekalo has to deal with a lot of egos like Arnold and weghorst including himself and also deal with a lot of substandard players in the overall squad
He seems to be substituted a lot too
Is glasner being a dickhead or is he genuinely trying to manage Brekalo delicately dye to his young age
^
Not wearing the armband pissed BZ off.
BZ
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Did Brekalo bang your woman or something?
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Give the kid a break, damn.
Brekalo’s Wolfsburg with a big win today. They were losing 1-0 until Brekalo got subbed off. Wolfsburg scored 2 goals for the win, after Brekalo was subbed off.
@Becar-if Vlasic sat at CSKA it would be fine, cause even ppl who know nothing about soccer can see that “World Class Vlasic” is an incredible asset for our NT. Barring injury he is our only proven young stud.
Ended up being 3 2 to valladolid not a great second half by Budimir
Would be good if he could be more consistent however I doubt if osasuna is a great squad or not
Osasuna 1 1 with villadolid not sure if I spelt that it properly but more importantly nice headed goal by Ante Budimir
He makes my squad at least as a target man which we sorely miss since Mandzo left
@Anonymous
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Go to Lokomotiva, Rijeka or Osijek.
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However, I was mainly talking about guys who ARE accepted by Dinamo and other Croatian academies, but chose to go to a bigger club’s academy.
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Guys like Sluga and Čolina were wanted by Rijeka and Hajduk, but they went to the “bigger” Juventus and Monaco youth teams… Only to see that it’s not all that better for them after all.
LOL
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I would love to meet the person who puts all their chips onto something they describe as “reject foreigners from shittier leagues”.
its sarcasm Armada!
@Maminjo
Please tell me there was a ton of sarcasm in this comment…
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“Personally, I’m still “all-in” on Hajduk’s strategy of buying reject foreigners from shittier leagues, and starting them over talented Croatian youth.
It’s gonna pay off one day. You’ll see!”
@maminjo
Ok, but if players dont get accepted into Dinamo’s academy, then what do they do? Whats next best thing for their development?
@Anonymous
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Are you suggesting that these guys would have become better had they developed in another country?
If so, then why aren’t these countries producing star players at the same ratio%, using their own (much greater) population than Croatia’s?
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Also…who is doing the predicting for those stars that you listed? The agents of these players selling them?
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Balic, Vukusic, Coric, and Halilovic had talent, but were all very obviously overhyped. Benkovic wasn’t overhyped (he was excellent at Celtic), and his problems are largely due to injuries and transferring to the EPL too soon.
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Also, you have to remember that not all of your young players are gonna be stars.
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If even 10% of your hyped up youngsters become excellent players, then you’re doing pretty well.
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Our youth teams have a lot of good young players like Moro, Majer, Bradaric, Ivanusec, Marin, Gvardiol, Sucic, Ziger, Vizinger, Palaversa, Sutalo, etc.
These are players that foreign clubs actually paid (or are about to pay) good money for.
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Will all these guys pan out? No.
Will most of them pan out? Maybe, maybe not.
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If you can hit on a small handful of them, then Croatia is doing great as a development league.
@fellowfromtheselo
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I don’t think these youth players who leave the HNL youth teams for some other western youth teams are paid that much more (if at all).
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I think the subordinate mentality of having a big ‘name’ come knocking on your door is what’s at fault here.
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Man City offering your kid a trial and youth contract means nothing. Doesn’t mean that you are anywhere close to being a Man City caliber player, especially since Man City has never developed a single player ever.
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The most successful players that I can think of that left a Croatian youth team and went to a foreign youth team is Simon Sluga (who went to Juventus’ primavera squad a long time ago)…but he was still dumped, and he salvaged his career by coming back to HNL. Halilovic is another, but he was already playing on Dinamo’s senior squad (and chose to go to Barca B instead, which was probably not the best choice either).
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Karlo Ziger is the only one right now that ‘seems’ to be doing well on Chelsea’s youth team, but who knows. We’ll see if this kid actually becomes a goalkeeper in a real league.
@Maminjo
Well what about all the predicted stars that did go through HNL development and could not cut it in other leagues? Coric, Halilovic, Benkovic, Balic, Vukusic etc?
Dinamo, Rijeka and Osijek have been punching well above their weight in European tournaments these past few years. Lots of surprising wins and draws against top teams in better leagues.
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I assume it’s probably due to the fact that Rijeka and Osijek pick up a lot of the Dinamo youth “rejects” who still end up becoming decent players.
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Personally, I’m still “all-in” on Hajduk’s strategy of buying reject foreigners from shittier leagues, and starting them over talented Croatian youth.
It’s gonna pay off one day. You’ll see!
@Maminjo,
hopefully the trend of Dinamo transferring their youth players will soon come to an end. Olmo blazed the path for Burton, and I can forsee other young players playing for big European clubs coming to Dinamo because of their reputation for developing youth, getting first team experience, and getting exposure in the Champs or Europa league. It may be difficult to see the long game, playing for Dinamo for less money when tata wants you to leave for bigger money in the big 4 leagues, but eventually it can be more lucrative.
Based on the performances I saw our teams playing in Europa league, I’d say we are not that far behind with our top teams. Rijeka gave a valiant effort and even did ok vs Napoli. We have to understand, Napoli’s payroll is most likely several times higher than Rijeka’s…the quality of players Napoli has and the options they have as subs is far different than what any of our teams in Croatia do and yet, we competed well!
Dinamo is once again demonstrating that their youth program is very strong. I really would like to see more clubs adapting to their system!
Bistrovic is not really getting many minutes at CSKA at the moment
@Dannyj
Yes, probably in the next few years.
If anyone going to ruin shut out streak let it least be a Croat
Can bistrovic ever crack the repka?
Mionić?
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I’m not a fan of Croatian kids who choose to join the youth teams of clubs outside the HNL. Murić, Gomelt, Dabro, Čolina… None of them ever work out.
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This guy left Istra Pula at 17 to join Milan’s Primavera squad and pretty much played zero football in 2.5 years (when he could have played in the HNL during this entire time).
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I don’t get it.
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Hopefully he’s the exception.
Antonio Mionic on the bench for AC Milan
Lovro Majer is Dinamo’s best player.
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Orsic, Gvardiol and Kastrati are good. Dinamo will make solid money on the transfers of these four guys.
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The goal was the fault of their Iranian RB.
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Livakovic wasn’t really tested this game, and his reactionary save was okay (it was pretty much right at him).
He has good reflexes, and we’ve seen that. He’s been bad at everything else.
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Mario Cuze missed that open header in the end of the game a la Domagoj Vida…but Cuze is a striker. Should have buried that. He’s not gonna be anything.
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Here are the extended highlights…
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https://player.streamkora.com/player/html/RzDrNznRsUEYE?popup=fromblocked&autoplay=1
The bullet was from a sharp angle.
The saves were top notch. Not even fanboying over here. And the goal conceded was a bullet. Livakovic and josko were stand out performers the whole group stage.
Ok, I just saw the Livakovic highlight. The first shot I’d save, it was pretty much right at him. He actually didn’t do a great job of dealing with it. That’s why he needed to make the second reactionary save, which was also pretty much shot at him.
It also shows that players on Dinamo are ready to compete at international level. I was thinking about this—we’ve had some impressive contributions come from players while they were still in the Prva Liga. Rog and Pjaca against Spain in 2016, Kramarić in qualifying tournament for 2016, Petković in the last qualifying tournament… All of this hype of players who play abroad may be skewing the picture, when the level at home is arguably competitive with that of Greece, Turkey, Scotland, Denmark, etc. Any thoughts?
@Mr. Black
I didn’t see those highlights but he was poor on the goal he conceded.
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@Crotown
If the Russian league sucks, does that diminish what Vlasic is doing there?
That’s a great point about Luka learning how to become a galactico.
When your best mate on the team is the captain they helps.
So many of boys are in club situations where they have had to deal BS.
See Inter for example.
Funny how Modrić at 35 is in his prime.
Valverde is back training.
This will save Modrić an overuse injury.
I don’t know anything about Russian team since 2018 WC team but maybe Ante is correct – they don’t have much there and we need not worry about them in World Cup – their second place team had very little skill-
Good evidence for Ante’s case
Nobody would have guessed that Dinamo and Wolfsberger (a mid-table team from Austria), would top this group ahead of the 2nd best teams in Russia and the Netherlands.
I watched the 2nd of Rijeka game and was really happy to see them win. They worked hard til the last whistle.
Dinamo is far better than CSKA Moscow…Vlasic should have played at Dinamo and helped them get through this Europa League!
Check out the 2 safes from Livakovic in the 81th minute against Moscow.
Especially the safe with his leg from that close! Never have seen a Croatian goalie that brilliant!
Ha!
How about Gol Gol Gol Gvardiooooooool!
GvardiGOL!!!
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Geez Poglavnik. You missed such an opportunity.
Gvardiol with a goal!
Has a nice ring to it.
Lol. Modric looked about 8 years old with his 2014 haircut.
Rijeka wins it at the death!!!
Gvardiol today starting at CB. No Vlašić for CSKA
I agree
Remember when Modric had that ridiculous haircut for the 2014 wc
He thought a haircut would make him play better
Luckily he persisted worked hard and never gave up on his dream to become the best midfielder of his generation
Remarkable really
He really is our Pirlo
@Slavonac
Yea. A lot of people (especially more introverted types) gain confidence well into their 30s.
Modric seems like he was probably more introverted when he was younger. Took him a bit longer to get that cocky/confident vibe.
Kovacic hopefully is the same.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/12/10/5fd22bafe2704ec66c8b457a.html
Apparently luka asked to play that much
Maminjo, you might think I’m nuts for saying this but I truly believe Modric gained confidence and a little bit of that needed “soccer arrogance” by playing with a guy like Ramos!
Luka after the age of 30 is definitely better than the 20s version.
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Remember when he was constantly criticized in English and Croatian media for not being offensive enough or ever scoring goals?
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Then he finally took a shot on goal against Israel and scored for the first time in years.
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Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wppZN1RZsCw
Even the commentators were like ‘finally’ this guy scores. Lol.
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Modric after the 2014 World Cup was a changed player. He became a lot more aggressive offensively.
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Hopefully Kovacic is taking notes.
One could argue that at 35 Luka is in his prime
The longevity of Luka is inspiring multiple generations of young footballers:
Luka Modric – 9/10
Luka Modric is a magnificent player. At 35 years of age, the Croatian international still performs like he is in his prime. Modric completely controlled the game did not put a foot wrong. He was the architect for Real Madrid, and every play flowed through him. He completed four dribbles in the match.
@ BZ
That is great news, without a healthy Vrsaljko, RB has been the weak link.
Need more width for this guy to operate:
Luka Modrić was absolutely spectacular. Even at 35 years of age, he was the best player on the pitch as he passed and dribbled and shot Real Madrid towards the last 16. The Croatian combined so well with Lucas Vázquez and with Rodrygo and was the first one there to celebrate with the young Brazilian after his assist for the second goal. Modrić was the leader in every sense in this game.
This after playing non stop for a month straight.
Surely he needs a rest this Saturday against a physical Athletico Madrid.
Didn’t Petkovic score a header against the Slovaks to send us to the euros
@Soul Champ- We have a Vrsaljko sighting!!!! Sime on bench for first time in a long time! Fingers crossed.
@Maminjo-Kramaric header comment wasn’t as a target man in front of the goal. It was as a target man to retain (or attain) possession (both defensively and offensively.)
“Madrid played a different game than the first leg, Modric was a very important factor against us. We ran back a lot and we couldn’t get much of the ball,”
It was like Modrić was kicking the ball around with his mates.
Must win CL group match to go on to knock out round and he is out there simple expressing his genius.
I saw a flat out sprint into space in the second half that blew me away.
@ Svima
Do we even call Modrić in March?
Conte did win the Table with the Pride
Of London.
Luka Modric — 8.75: We say this every week, but how is Modric 35-years-old? The Croatian was dynamic on the pitch and helped dictate the flow of the game for Madrid. Though not on the scoresheet, Modric was influential for both goals and played a full 90 minutes without slowing down. Finished with 94% pass completion, four dribbles, and three shots.
Cunte = govno
You have a champions league medal winner from a few months ago in Perišić and you put him on the bench in a must win?
Good luck with your predictable 3-5-2.
Jamon Iberico
More importantly that Darijo Srna were good once again
Yes Conte is a piece of shit. He can be replaced with a chimpanzee and Inter will do better. Meanwhile Capello and Allegri, worthy coaches, are jobless. Cocksucker mafia.
It worked so perfectly because Luka Modrić was absolutely spectacular. Even at 35 years of age, he was the best player on the pitch as he passed and dribbled and shot Real Madrid towards the last 16. The Croatian combined so well with Lucas Vázquez and with Rodrygo and was the first one there to celebrate with the young Brazilian after his assist for the second goal. Modrić was the leader in every sense in this game.
@Eric
It would have happened for sure if Boban was still there.
Milan was Luka’s team growing up, and Serie A would be perfect for his final years.
Cunte is clearly a failed football manager
His spell with the azurri was evidence of that
Conte needs to get his head checked, what a garbage coach he is. I hope the loud mouth fucker gets sacked!
Modric did very well today and it looked like he was having fun!
I’d like to see Luka at Milan, with Rebic and Ibra
Let’s put this way
If real wins the champions league this season
Luka the man won’t be going anywhere
Luka is pulling the strings for real!
Scored a beauty but it was called off for offside. He is better than ever!
@anonymous. Your grandfather HAD a choice. I think Stipe’s grandfather did NOT have a choice. It was circumstance and they were basic kids.
There is no orginal sin with communism.
I am taking applications for my newly formed
Gang the “CroMagnums”. I’m ordering really
Cool gang sweaters. The Grb is boss!
Stipe
I am glad you defend your family so vehemently
Very commendable
However you keep using the same excuse for your grandfathers for joining the Partizani
My grandfather joined the Ustasha out of his free will
Every man has a choice no matter the ultimate end
So at least stop coming up with that lame excuse
In matches like these that bring out the best of our class players.
Luka is a legend of big occasions.
Perišić loves the moment.
Brozovic is the key to Inter.
@stipe
Don’t let that piece of shit get to you.
@Anonymous
Your telling me to shut the fuck up? You seem to remember me saying both my Grandfathers were Partizani. But you also forgot that one was 15 the other 17 years old. My grandfather from Gorski Kotar was working in the fields when the Partizani came and took him and all of my great grandfathers horses. My grandfather had no choice. Partizani took all males from the cela.
Similar situation from my grandfather from Zadar (cela outide of Zadar. Partizani came in and took him as well. They had no choice. If ustasa came before the communist they would of had to fight along side Ustase.
My grandfather came to New Jersey 1969 because of communism. My other grandfather stayed in Croatia.
Both of them are dead so show some respect. Your reckless with your mouth. You love Slovenians? Go the fuck ahead.
A REAL MAN KNOWS TO NEVER talk about another man’s family. But your not a man, your a coward.
Your a fuckin coward hiding behind your computer. You don’t have the balls to talk reckless to someone’s face.
We’re fine we’re fine. We have so many future UCL midfielders, hoping Sučić, Šaranić, or another youngster can fill his shoes, maybe even stretch them a size bigger
Letting go of Luka is going to be rough, but he’s a trailblazer. He’s left a fiery path for future Croatian midfielders to follow. Not only midfielders actually, but all athletes. Luka Modrić is the most important and influential to ever come from Croatia, I think it’s safe to say he’s passed Petrović
For all interested in youth players, Luka Sučić will hopefully appear for Salzburg in their matchup against Atheltico Madrid, who are RUMORED to be starting young keeper IVO Grbić in net
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/48789-croatia-national-team-stadium
@Anonymous…No i think NY snow is far better lol.Modric is simply class…I remember when Modric showed class by outclassing Gerard,Lampard n Beckham at wembley in euro 2008 qualifier.
Luka should finish his career with Chicago Fire 😉
What can you say about Luka beyond – magnificent
If these young guys can’t learn about winning from him- get rid of them- the story is amazing and I see a Netflix deal from sheep herder to soccer superstar and all with great class and love for Croatia – svaka cast Luka