Super disappointing that Croatia couldn’t beat Slovakia at home. Now, we absolutely must beat Russia in our last game at Poljud next month. I’ll write more later. I’m annoyed now.
The Vatreni play a pivotal World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in Osijek Monday night with only three matches remaining in the campaign. Croatia are currently tied atop the group with Russia but have a superior goal differential going into October’s last international game.
Croatia has dominated Slovakia over the past two years. In two Euro qualifiers and one World Cup qualifier last month, the Vatreni have won all three matches: 4-0, 3-1, 1-0. That’s 8-1 on aggregate over 270 minutes of play which is quite the considerable gap in talent.
Russia plays a hungry Slovenia side on Monday that must gun for all three points against the Russians to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Croatia are heavy -235 favorites in Vegas to beat Slovakia while Slovenia are slight +150 favorites to defeat Russia. Regardless, if the Vatreni handle business in Osijek, they will remain in the driver’s seat to qualify directly to the 2022 World Cup.
In a CroatiaWeek article this weekend, manager Zlatko Dalić announced that he will be making two changes for the Slovakia match. Domagoj Vida will replace Duje Ćaleta-Car in defense and Mario Pašalić will start in place of Mateo Kovačić (yellow card suspension).
It’s also been noted that 19 year-old wunderkind Luka Sučić will be joining the senior team for this match after playing for the U21s on Friday. Expect Sučić to get on the pitch at some time in the 2nd half, especially if Croatia has the lead.
Does anyone realize the last two world cups we’ve needed playoffs to get through. Better not be a third. I’ve said it before. You don’t win championships or beat top dogs if you need playoffs to make it. Especially if you drop points and goals to Slovenia, Slovakia, and Russia.
Dropping points to B and C level NT’s happens to everyone. Even in this cycle, Italy tied Bulgaria, France tied BiH, England tied Hungary, Germany lost to Macedonia. Even the big boys drop silly points here and there. Happens every cycle.
Difference between the big boys and us is, they might have one minor hiccup and still cruise the rest of the way and win their group convincingly. We always manage to have multiple hiccups during a qualfying cycle and voila! here we are, like we always are, nail biter games at the end of a cycle because we don’t take care of business when we need to.
Tying Russia in Russia is understandable. The loss to Slovenia was inexcuseable but understandable in hindsight given it was the first game, our form was awful, etc. But to drop more points to Slovakia, especially when Russia is keeping pace with us, is just stupid.
Right now we should be at 7 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses and have this group sewn up by now. Imagine if we were able to test out guys like Sucic and Simic these last 2 games. Give someone like Bradaric more game time, maybe even give guys like Moro or Basic a little bit of a run. See what we have with Pongracic, etc. and give Modric and Perisic and other vets a well deserved rest. Instead we have to field our best squad these next two games, no one rests and hope to god we get 6 points from 2 games.
Joj meni!!!
Are you guys nuts?
Blame, blame, blame, blame.
This is nogomet. That’s how it goes. Yes, we should have won, we were clearly the better team…but that’s why soccer is the best sport on earth, it’s just like life and never quite works out the way it’s expected to.
Thank God no one from the NT reads these posts as it would be so demoralizing.
One game at a time.
We should spank Malta (but it’s not guaranteed. They can be stubborn defenders).
3-0 for Hrvatska (though I hope it’s more like 5-0).
Russia will give us a tough game (it may as well be a World Cup final).
High drama, that’s why we play and that’s why we watch. Enjoy the show!
Hrvatska 3 Russia 1.
Kramaric with 2!!! And all of a sudden he’s a hero and Dalic is a genius!
Ajmo dečki!!!
It’s do or die time!
Bog i Hrvati
PS -and if we don’t win, we may have to play the Serbs in a playoff.
Hold on to your hats boys, it’s going to be a wild ride!
Definitely not for the faint of heart!!!
You think UEFA would allow that?! Hell no. Do you not recall what happened in 2014 when Albania faced Serbia in Belgrade? Not a chance they get put in different pots. They will screw around with the draw to ensure shit doesn’t hit the fan. Still can’t even believe Serbia was almost in our group at euros. Almost happened if Scotland never won.
Dalic approaches his coaching like a drunk poker player.
He stumbles on a good formation and they dont concede in 6 games. So what does dalic do, tries something different in defence. Brings in Livakovic and flops once again. Doesnt start with Sosa ( who has been really good so far ), keeps palying Kramaric who just cant score goals for the NT. Kramaric should never start again. He should blood Roko Simic next game out of sheer desperation for a striker. Anyone at this stage shouild get a start over Krama.
They laboured to beat Cyrus . Shouldve been min 5 – 0
Concedeing 2 shit goals against a poor Slovakia ( with no chance of qualifying ) at home , to draw the game after chasing the whole game is – PATHETIC.
Serious alarm bells are going off with Dalic. He’s just terrible!
First place finish , forget about it. Complicated and messy play offs await.
Croatia will not qualify.
Savez too cheap to get rid off Dalic, but Dalic will cost the Savez with no funds from the WC!
,
I dont understand offside!
Just watched the highlights and I see Perisic finally touch the ball as he came back to an onside position- he did not touch the ball in an offside position, nor did he gain any advantage while being in an offside position, so why was the goal disallowed?
I think it was a good goal.
Like someone said, Dalic is gonna play his best line up against Malta, then stick with trusted olde guarde for Russia…and we end up drawing.
The question is if we end up in second place, can the HNS fire Dalic without giving him any termination compensation? So we can have a new coach for the play offs in March?
My understanding is the large termination compensation has prevented the HNS from firing him till now.
Someone was saying the u21s aren’t playing so well
I liked what I saw from them against Norway
But they are 12-3 on goals in 4 games
At least they are pumping the Azerbaijani
I know it’s not the same level
But didn’t those fuckers tie us last qualifying?
Simic, sucic and I really like what I’ve seen of kacavenda kid as well
Sutalo also has repka potential
But Markus and cro 14 know them much better
I like the future
It ain’t over friends
We can beat Russia at home
It won’t be easy but it’s not like we have to go into Brazil and beat Brazil
Besides we always do better after scraping into a World Cup!;)
I agree not all blame on livakovic but I guarantee even kalinic saves one or two of those Spain goals in summer
He is not the goalie we are hoping for
And I sure as shit hope I’m wrong
You need a keeper who can save one of those guaranteed goals here and there
I can’t remember him except last qualifying I think against Slovaks with a big save
My memory is shoddy at best tho
If we’re dropping points to Slovenia and Slovakia, then we don’t deserve to go through. These are teams we should dominate. Dalic should’ve learnt from the errors made from the euros and NL. Which is finding a consistent goaltender who is confident and more agile. Neither of those skills Livakovic possess. The next one is finding better wing backs and leaving all the pressure on young guns. Final game in Split, starting defence should be Jurnaovic, Sosa, Vida and Gvardiol. I don’t know who else you could put. Just balance the youth and vets and don’t put all the pressure on the guys that just started they’re careers. We have a easy qualifying group compared to others. We’re playing two teams that didn’t make it out of last euro group stage and one that hasn’t made a major tournament since god knows when. I’m hopeful Grbic might get the call. Since Subasic was our guy in the last WC, we’ve rotated 3 different keepers. You don’t win or get comfortable in net in you switch goalies in and out. We went from Subasic to Kalinic then to Livakovic then to Ivusic and now back to Livakovic. Now Livakovic is out. Pandur or Kotarski could be good.
I think the bigger realization is this; keeping current form (last 2 years in mind) in mind, we’re a lot closer to the Slovakia’s, Russia’s, Czechia’s, Ukraine’s and Poland’s of UEFA (i.e. mid tier NT’s) than we are the Portugal’s, Spain’s, Germany’s and France’s of UEFA (i.e. top tier NT’s).
I think there are some of us who like to remind ourselves we’re ‘vice champions of the world’ circa 2018 and we have a silver and bronze in our trophy case, but the last few years, we just haven’t played like a top tier side. Yesssssss, we’re a tournament team and usually save our best for a major tournament (and that is all that matters) but here we are, hanging onto automatic qualification by a hair. We have a great track record of getting to whatever Euro or WC, but its usually a hairy endeavor, like it is with this group.
It’s not that we don’t deserve to go through, I think we’re right where we belong; top/close to top of a group but not slamming through group opponents. I think for us that were able to take off the homer glasses at the beginning of this cycle, looking at this group as a “fool’s gold” where yes, we’re able to beat everyone in this group and potentially go undefeated but knowing that we would drop silly points and be in a mess come last matchday (which we are).
Going to create an offshoot from UV in terms of a NT supporters group; Uvijek Nervozan 😀
Imo thats the coachs fault for not believing in young player the last 3 years since 2018 when the most vets retired. And for not having a set starting 11 we have under dalic necer put the same 11 back to back he always changes stuff and messes and doesnt create chemistry v slovenia livaja krama linked up well why vs slovakia he dint put out that line up instead out of vlue puts ivanusec in and messing with the back line a monkey knows our back 4 should be sosa gvardiol Cc juranovic i know cc is dog house in marsaille but thats our best 4 at moment imo.
Reality is Rebic was right since the final we are shit he didnt lie. How do you fix it you rebuild and start players who are in form and build if it were up to dalic his 11 would always be livakovic vrsaljko lovren vida barsic modric kova broz vlasic krama perisic. This team that back line is weak imo and doesnt offer anything so sterile imo.
I dont know anymore i end of day if we dont qualify we need new coach that will build for euro 24 and wc 26
Ugh, I want no part of a playoff, for multiple reasons:
1. It’s a SF + Final for each “path” (A, B, C) and (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_Second_Round) we just don’t have a good track record the last few years of putting together multiple solid games together.
2. This playoff will have A LOT of solid to very good teams in the mix. With 2 steps, even greater chance of potentially losing out on Qatar.
3. I’d rather we lock up 1st, locking us into a spot where we could use 2022 to begin to experiment with younger/unproven guys (Sucic, maybe Simic now too, perhaps implementing Pongracic into the backline, seeing where want to deploy Stanisic at CB or RB, getting Ivusic some more games under his belt, etc.) during friendlies and UNL vs. knockout games where we need all our top players healthy and in good form.
4. Don’t know about some of you, but I’ve been a fan since roughly Euro 96 and I’ve been through more playoff games for the WC and Euro than I can count, as a fan. They do a number on my nerves and it would just be nice if we can get these next 2 wins and just have next summer to worry about, not another 2 “do or die” games. I know some love the cliffhanger nature of the repka; not me! I have enough going on in life, save the cliffhanger crap for final tournaments haha
No worse cliffhanger feeling was the “must win” match in Ukraine, just to qualify for second place.
We couldn’t even draw. Must win, lol.
Best feeling after… but it took a year off my life.
Then we drew the always irritating Greeks for the playoff, then rocked them.
I don’t wanna go through any of that shit again.
Been watching since 1994 every game and the playoffs and must win games were so neeve racking.
Euro 2000 was the worst last game v yugoslavia and we play 2 2 heartbreaking.
So looking at our history even at Tournaments we were always in it to advance at world cups but our euros are so heart breaking and bitter compared to world cups imo
Euro 1996 got screwed by ref v germany
2004 we were shit
2008 we all know
2012 fell out ref again
2016 Tv repair man screwed us and last min goal by portugal.
2020 Dalics poor tactics and Krama with sitter.
So as it stands playoff 1 would be vs an unseeded team, either norway, romania, albania, ukraine, wales or austria. But then i guess you potentially have to win (if u beat that team) again vs a portugal or a sweden or czech rep to get in. Pretty tough.
Exactly. Portugal always has our number and wouldn’t feel confident in a winner take all vs. them. Sweden can easily dispatch us, 2-0, 3-0 if they’re on their game and we’re in lala land (pretty possible, given our recent ups and downs). Czechs always play us tight. This isn’t like playing Greece or Slovenia back in the day where we are the clear favorite. These teams (yes, just an example) are at our level or just flat out better than us.
Portugal ain’t going to be in the playoffs because they are winning their group. Only way they don’t is if Portugal loses at Ireland and ties or loses to the Serbs at home. Anyone see that happening?
Wow, just saw the French obvious offside against Spain not called back. So a team that is supposedly one of the best in the world constantly needs VAR to win trophies? Why is it that EVERY SINGLE VAR decision goes for France (and of course Switzerland) but EVERY SINGLE VAR decision goes against Croatia. It’s just a coincidence I guess. VAR has been a travesty since day 1.
I need to see more of this Roko Šimić kid.
Real Madrid are apparently interested in him now.
Curious to see how he is with his feet in tight spaces and in front of goal.
I like his size though.
Roko Simic looks like a great prospect out of nowhere lets see how he progresses.
I fear vs malta dalic will put a better team than v russia imo. I see him putting his old boys in vida lovren as cb partners i really dont understand him we are building for 2022 to be competitive yet one step forward 2 step back by dalic if healthy inexpect Ivusic in goal Juranovic CC Gvardiol Sosa Modric Kovacic Brozovic Perisic and
2 open spots to fill rw and cf.
Will Rebic Petkovic be brought back in team for key games as we need a win vs Russia simple as that for some reason i see us drawing that game i hope im wrong…
Dalic really screwed up some things imo. You dont change a winning team and imo its easy to be a general after a battle but vlasic should have started aswell as brekalo. I know vlasic isnt best of form but he should have been the am yesterday and vida should not have played and barisic didnt not deserve to play over sosa. I dont get it play the best you have and talented even sucic should have started over pasalic. Pasalic is a super sub imo not starter.
Roko Šimić’s mom is an even better prospect. 😉
Hahaha she could score better than krama.
Roko Simic is single handedly destroying Azerbaijan.
Didn’t Livakovic make great save in Kane when Dinamo played the Yids that’s all I can remember for a great save
@Slavonac
With all due respect, I don’t understand how you can defend Livakovic. While some defenders obviously shit the bed, it is still his job to stop shots. You keep saying that if Livakovic had to control everything himself then he wouldn’t need a defense in front of him. Having the defense stop every goal scoring opportunity is impossible, otherwise you wouldn’t need a goalie. Because they can’t stop every scoring attempt is exactly why you need a goalie. Hopefully he can stop some of them. Livakovic faced 2 shots and let in 2 goals. You cannot defend that.
I guess I feel the need to ask others to look at the situation in more ways than 1, Becar!
Should Livakovic have come off his line and challenged…probably yes!
Should Pasalic have been goal side of his man and at the very least challenged for the ball…YES!
Livakovic has always looked like a scared kitten and he’s terrible with his feet. In a team sport, there’s usually a breakdown somewhere and i this case the breakdown started at the “defending” portion for me. Anyone thats assignment it to “defend” their goal understand one thing very easily….”get goal side”!
Lets say I do agree Livakovic should have come off his line, does that absolve Pasalic?
No, Pasalic is part of the problem. He shares blame. However, that doesn’t change the fact that Livakovic absolutely has to get to that ball. That’s his only job. No excuses. There are no circumstances that I can come up with that changes that fact. Shitty defending by Pasalic is more excused though as judging a ball coming through the air on a set piece is way down the list of skills he requires to be a midfielder.
Blame can be placed anywhere anytime there is a failure. How far do we go back? Perisic is also on the hook then for cheaply giving away the free kick. You can go back as far as you want. At the end of the day, it’s the keepers JOB to stop that. Period.
We’ve had 3 goals against during this campaign, two of those goals came yesterday. Goal vs Slovenia was a deflection.
I see things from the initial breakdown perspective. In the first goal yesterday, it was a lack of challenge from our defense and THEN, Livakovic didn’t attack the ball. The 2nd goal another breakdown, players out of position…and then the sloppy and “fish outta water” challenge by Livakovic.
I’m not going too far back in my opinion. I’m seeing the play as it progressed and then the goal.
Regardless, we can all say Livakovic was at fault and I wont argue it anymore but if he’s what we see as the problem then we have bigger problems.
our goalie is as described by BECAR- shaky beyond anything we have seen from HNS- at his best , he’s a 3rd rate goalie- faced to shot and on the second one he was down and out before the Slovak guy even shot- come on , get him and keep him out. They booed Sosa but they should be booing this whole team- they just don’t play with any fire- it’s the anti-Vatreni- it took us only 30 years to be complete softies.
Re: our play…
I think we played pretty well, but we keep playing with fire with some of these lineup decisions.
You need to put out your best available lineup at all time, in these critical games.
Russia was very lucky this round (squeezing two undeserved wins) and benefitting from VAR…meanwhile we got screwed by VAR twice (costing us the second game).
Shit happens. But you need to factor this in, and always play your best team. We can debate whether or not starting Pasalic/Ivanusec over Vlasic cost us anything…but resting a 23-year old Sosa was inexcusable (especially with the way he’s been playing), and having Modric do extra running for Vida was also a bad call.
Re: the Livakovic thing…
I think people are just tired of seeing other keepers bailing out their team, but it never happening for us.
On Friday, the Cypriot keeper bailed out his team several times, before the wheels finally came off and we won 3-0. That game would have easily been 6-0 otherwise if their keepers wasn’t saving penalties and pointblank shots.
The Ivusic hype train started because he bailed us out in the Slovakia away game with a great save in the second half that could have resulted in us being a deep hole right now.
Nobody here has really watched Ivusic enough to definitively say he is better than Livakovic…but it’s nice to see our goalkeeper bailing out our team for once (and not the opposite). I can’t remember if Livakovic has ever made a critical save for us, where he had no business saving (and it resulted in the outcome of the game).
Re: the goals yesterday…
I agree that Pasalic and Stanisic need to carry a large part of the blame.
But Vida seemed to get off the hook, when he was also involved in both goals.
Where was Vida on that play for the second goal?
Vida was playing RCB alongside Stanisic all game long. I was confused why he (of all people) would be so deep out of his position on that play to the point where he was nowhere near Stanisic or Livakovic when that Slovak was coming at them with the ball.
Vida was also next to Pasalic on that first goal, but not sure if he was covering someone or if he could have done something with that play.
Either way, my beef with Vida is more on the offensive end, and the amount of running he adds to our central midfield players. I would love to see a stat on how many miles Modric runs with Vida/Lovren on and off the field. Can’t run poor Luka into the ground like this anymore, while we ‘rest’ youngsters like Sosa.
Slav from Canada wasn’t it you who kept screaming from the rafters about sherif and how they would give Dinamo fits.
You kept reminding us afterwards and good on you.
But it takes a big man to admit he’s WRONG and not search endlessly for an article edited which matches your narrative?
You remind me of the anti Vaxers,or election conspiracy experts who cling to a BS article to prove that they are right Because god knows they could never be wrong when facts hit them in the face.
Boris, I’m really tired of all the scape goats we create here. Livakovic is not a top quality keeper and I know that but its really stupid to solely blame him for those goals. If you read your own post, I don’t see you putting any responsibility on anyone but Livakovic…and thats my issue.
Every single time we play we find an alibi…and its usually Lovren, Vida and now Livakovic. What happened to Gvardiol being out of position, Stanisic being out of position, Pasalic sleeping and letting his player go completely unchecked?
BTW – If you think I’m an anti Vaxer then its obvious your letting your emotions get in the way of reality.
Another example I will use is Vlasic, Pasalic …how many bad games do they have to have before we deem them another alibi? Why do they get a free pass now even though their good games are far and few between?
Livakovic is what we have for now…maybe Ivusic is better, I’m totally open to that and I really thought he did well for us prior to his injury! I’m no Livakovic fan, I’m just trying to point out that soo many people are very selective and won’t blame someone they like while at the same time constantly blame those they don’t like.
Boris, don’t let this vaxx division consume your mind.
You’re a Croat. Remember that. That is all that matters, and that is your loyal clan (regardless of health status).
Don’t let outsiders who don’t give a shit about you, recruit you into their wars.
From the distance the free kick was taken Livakovic had MORE than enough time to attack the ball like a good keeper would have.
Look at his feet when the ball is going in the net they are actually RETREATING!
He’s a pussy and is afraid of contact for fear of messing up his pretty hair.
That second goal was stoppable as well.This guy NEVER makes a great save or even a difficult one to turn the tide in our favor.
I’m so tired of you guys making excuses for this guy it’s ridiculous!
So I was reading some sites in Croatian and came across this:
“Neke stare boljke ipak su izašle na vidjelo. Centaršut sa strane opet je probio hrvatsku obranu. Mario Pašalić je zaspao, Schranz mu je pobjegao i zabio glavom.”
One thing I really don’t like is when we put blame on the wrong person, just because we don’t like him. Yesterday I read comments on here and I saw Kvartuc’s comment in his video. Something people have to understand is that the goalie does have a responsibility in the box but in yesterdays situation, that was 100% Pasalic’s mistake and not Livakovic’s.
When a player comes down the wing or takes a corner…YES, the goalie should be in control of his six yard box but in yesterdays case, the ball came from the top corner, outside of the box. Its the defenders assignment to CHALLENGE for the ball, even if you don’t get the ball…you still have to get the player off balance or not allow him such an easy re-direction.
Using the statement that “anything inside the 6 yard box has to be the goalies responsibility” is only partially accurate. I don’t know any goalie in the world that has total command of the box…defenders MUST defend, otherwise we can just move them up the field because the goalie should clear everything in the box, right?
I’m not a Livakovic fan but I think this is a good opportunity for people to learn about positioning and responsibilities. Put the blame where it belongs…thankfully the pundits in Croatia see that!
agreed but like you said people will just hop on the livakovic hate train. Im not a liva fan either but that wasnt his goal.
yeah…if anything, he wasn’t responsible for the second goal either but since he did leave his net to challenge…he probably should have gone all the way and challenged. He came out a few feet and gave away a decent scoring angle. with that said, Gvardiol and Stanisic really shit the bed on the goal
Im gonna go v russia and lose my nerves live at stadium should ve packed poljud i hope atleadt 20000 with covid restrictions maybe we say fuck to capi and stozer and have 35000 kill the russians and partt its and early game 9 eastern time 3 pm in split just hope the bura doesnt make cameo appearance then we are screwd haha idemp dalje
I disagree with our fans booing Sosa (I guess we need to accept some responsibility for him not playing and for the tie).
Sosa apologized for his part in the ordeal, and as Croatians and Catholics we should forgive him.
Its not like no player has ever been overlooked (whether it be because of a bad judgment, politics, organized crime, etc).
Furthermore, when I try to put myself in Sosa’s shoes, I figure that
Croatia could have called him up sooner.
Sosa could also be booed on his club team for not accepting an offer from Germany after appearing to be passed on by Croatia.
Despite not being fully to blame in my opinion, Sosa accepted full responsibility.- that’s good enough for me, and I too was hurt by his announcement.
Early 1990’s he wouldn’t have been booed – he would have been hung in the middle of the field at Poljud and then wrapped in a white sheet- umren umotan u bilo- Hajduk Vinko Coce song- Croatia has gotten soft – the fire is gone – and we have comfortable players and coaches who don’t respect the war and all those who gave their lives for freedom- sorry, what he did just shows the issue clearly- should we forgive- yes- should we forget -never- Make Croatia great again.
Dalic and Livakovic are to blame for this hiccup. Livakovic should NEVER start an game for the NT again and Dalic needs to do a bettter job with the line ups and formation. We have good players that should have strolled through this qualification. No excuses.
We are better and we should be showing it.
100% with NeverAgain- Livakovic just can’t do it- he looks absolutely petrified and shows no confidence- put in anybody but that kid- sorry, I’m sorry he is dobar decko but can’t play-
Normalna Hrvatska kvalifikacija.
Don’t panic!
I’m calling it now. Croatia will not make it to the Worldcup.
To many mental midgets.
As always kramaric puts it straight at the keeper and this time luckily it deflects into the net. Two shots two goals it’s like I’m playing pro evolution
How would the play-off(s) work?
2 game mini tournament maybe both home or first game home second away or home and the draw is in December i think just like euro 2020 top 2 second teams and 2 from nations league its complicated and hard no ties if its a draw you go to extra time and penalties. Just gotta beat malta and a hard stubborn russia team.
Dalic and hns fault imo never invest in stadiums and help hnl klubs make stadiums its sad you capital zagreb doesnt have a stadium. Osijek all respect but in fall and winter dont play in osijek the stadium is only good spring and summer time.
Once pampas opens with i believe no help from hns they will try get games in that new stadium.
Look at hungary stadiums hungary are no football power houses and yet have better stadiums and infrastructure than croatia so sad.
Dalic is a lucky bastard this game is on him you dont sit sosa and dont play out of form vida im sorry and livakovic is not the number one so many mistakes even at euros bad in air and feet play and kicking balls wow so shocking
Next month has to call petkovic rebic and budimir even colak you need strikers
Now just hope no injuries happen and gotta first beat malta nad big game vs russia win and in simple but hard at same time.
Watch Dalic put the following lineup
Livakovic Vrsaljko Lovren Vida Gvardiol Modric Broz Kovacic Vlasic kramaric perisic vs russia
I suspect Dalic is trying to have as many suitable players ready, willing to play (even sharing a position if necessary), and able as possible- somewhat able to absorb injuries, illnesses and suspensions. That also means he is trying to develop the young talent.
This gamble may pay off in the long run?
However, if Croatia fail to qualify for the world cup, Dalic will have gone from Hero to Goat.
I agree with needing Sosa potentially to take a bunch of those corners
Luka is good at them but we need to get others on them
I feel Sosa with that time will surely create
Poor Luka is running to the corner every time
Guy is a bloody workhorse
We’ll get there. No worries. Still ours to take
If there are any positives that come out of this game, it reaffirms a few things that work/don’t work.
Our back line will include Sosa and Juranovic as backs with Gvardiol as one of the CBs…his partner will probably be DCC or Vida.
We will continue to play Luka, Broz and Kova at the same time.
RW is up for grabs. Although Brekalo was lively today…he’s also not a RWer and had had games where he disappeared.
We must make a change at keeper. Livakovic just won’t cut it. I’ll take Ivusic all day. Much better at commanding the box…maybe even Grbic gets a shot.
Just to ask the question…why did Dalic sub in Sucic in the last 5 minutes? I’m glad he got capped but it was a very odd sub to me for Krama when we needed a goal.
Even though Krama still can’t find the back of the net, he still is our best pure goal scorer and has actually moved well and created the last two games.
Please God
No more Vida
Let’s all move on from this guy
Ever notice when he is in the line up we get pumped with goals
Reasons we didn’t get the win…
– Bad weather
– No wing back support
– Weak link in defense
– Weak goalkeeping
The first reason is the fault of the HNS. We are a technically gifted team, and playing in rainy conditions negates our technical ability.
We need to stop playing games in rainy Osijek during the Spring and Fall. Need to play there only in the summer months.
The next three reasons are on Dalić.
The wing back support that Sosa provides is invaluable. Juranović is good too. We can get away with one of them on the bench, but not both.
I like Stanišić and Ivanušec but we can’t have both playing on that right side (providing zero runs up the flank) and not even have Sosa out there on the left side. We also needed Sosa on several of those corners and free kicks too.
Vida was the weak link on defense (and I’m not talking about his actual defense). He’s still solid defensively, but cannot dribble, pass in tight spaces under pressure, and allow us to retain possession in our own third (or start a play). It adds more work for our already overworked midfielders. Modrić was like 5 feet away from him half the time.
The weak goalkeeping has been going on for a while. Although it would have been a tough call to suddenly do a switch to Grbić today (after Ivušić got injured), this issue has been going on for far too long and we should have been trying our other keepers in friendlies and truly evaluating them (with the intent to swap out Livaković). We know what we have with Livaković. We need to see if we have something more with Ivušić or Grbić.
Also, as a bonus note… Pašalić is a solid backup but not a starter. I like him in the last 20 minutes of games, but not full games. It was his man that got behind him on that first goal, and Pašalić is not known to be a good defender. He proved that in the Nations League, and he’s not a starter at Atalanta either. Good bench guy, but that’s it.
He subbed krama off for sucic because he didnt know the goal was over turned.
Oh good, cause I thought it was because Kramaric missed 5 sitters and provides zero hustle and defensive support.
All we need to do is beat Malta away and then Russia at home. Simple really. This is the Hrvat way do it on the last day in dramatically cardiac fashion, we should all be well and truly familiar with this process by now 😉
It is clear Croatia needs a completed overhaul of playing and coaching talent
This is unsustainable long term
Unfortunately this overhaul would not occur until Qatar 2022 or God forbid should we fail to even qualify
Dalics approach is simply not working and will hurt long term as well
I’d rather thrown in Biscan to take over with his under 21 squad at the moment than the rubbish we are offering up front and at the back including Golman
The under 21 team has not played that well either. They were fortunate to win the last game at home to Norway. Couple of lucky bounces for goals and then got outchanced after that. They have some good players, but not many will play for the senior team.
Perišić was dragged down for a potential penalty BEFORE off side !!
Jebi ga ..
I’ll take need to beat Russia to go to World Cup in Split any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Stanisic and Sučić capped!!
Sosa > Barišić.
Luka Modrić STILL carrying us.
Ante Rebić PLEASE.
Yup two chances still at qualifying
A good one directly then potentially through playoff
We are fine brothers
They showed battle after going down twice
Maybe our goals were a touch lucky but we were also unlucky to not have scored more
So all is ok
Win and we are in
Please tho someone step up and start burying chances
I don’t know why some of the gvardiol hate
I thought he looked pretty good
One challenge in particular he really bossed it
Sosa needs to play
He gives much needed diff look on that side
Juranovic was missed, I think he can be a solid piece moving forward
Fair result when you consider that we scored two lucky goals and twice had to come back from being a goal down. Heavy pitch did not help.
Livakovic should have stayed on his line for the second goal and possibly come out to meet the cross for the first goal. Kramaric once again poor in front of goal. Perisic, Pasalic, Ivanusec, Stanisic and Gvardiol below par. We need two wins, otherwise it is the play offs.
As much as everyone likes a magical save, even a world class goalie is not expected to always do so when a player is left wide open.
Even on a sloppy field in the rain (Advantage to Slovakia- slows the game down, and Slovakia is more familiar to rain), Croatia generated lots of chances.
We would all like a better goaltender as well as the next Suker, but if Nana had balls, she would be Dida.
The thing is, that Ivušić made that magical save in our last game against Slovakia… And he also handled the high balls well to. He looked pretty confident and imposing.
Livaković, against the same opponent, looked like the opposite today (so this is probably why people are extra pissed). He may not be entirely at fault for the goals, but you can never really expect him to stop anything.
I’m not sure if Dalić will go with a goalkeeper change next game.
He’s pretty reactive.
If the Croatian media starts calling out Livaković, then Dalić might make a change… But otherwise, I think we may just be sticking with Liva for the last two qualifiers.
I don’t share the enthusiasm for Ivusic. I think the reason why people really want Ivusic is because they want Livakovic out.
I agree, Ivusic did great in Slovakia but that was one game. Who of us did already see him play more than 5 games?
I think it’s wishful thinking to call for a goalie whom you’ve only seen playing one or twice.
As much as Barisic didn’t cost us
Sosa woulda packed an extra punch that Barisic didn’t add
Yea he was OK.
But in must-win games, you don’t try and roll out a weaker lineup for an reason.
Even capping Sučić in this game, was not the appropriate time to do it.
I’m a huge advocate for integrating the youth… But we needed a goal and throwing in a teenager for his first cap today was the same shit Dalić pulled with Gvardiol at the Euros.
I think he put Sucic up to the substitutes area thinking we had just scored a goal and were on track to win the game, in which case Skorić would have been put in next as well. I guess even the coaching staff saw no way that goal could be overturned, but 21st century football is a game where the final say is made in an office
I stopped watching after Vlasic scored the winner, anybody see why they VAR’d it? Sounds like a BS call like Perisic handball in WC final 2018. Anybody?
Perišić was in a slightly offside position when he deflected the ball back toward Vlašić.
It was so close and it was one of those goals that just let it stand.
They need to curb the (over) use of VAR.
actually i dont even think perisic touched it. He just interfered with the defender while being offside. stupid.
Yea I think you’re right.
It makes the need for a VAR call even more stupid.
I can’t celebrate any goal now. Gotta wait a couple of minutes to gauge the refs reaction.
The whole offside call is ridiculous, especially now with VAR. If a guy’s finger is behind the defender, it’s offside. How about making it simple. The feet. If you’re feet are on side, it’s fine. What about one foot good, one not. OK, make the rule, both feet must be onside. Or one, whatever. Anything but this stupidity where the guy is a hair offside, and it’s not a goal. In a sport with limited goals, it would open it up a bit.
looked at the offsides replay 10 times. Think I finally agree with it :/
Perisic was onside on the initial cross. But then he was down on the ground in an offsides position. The ball bounced around the box, and a Cro player in the middle of the box (I think Livaja) stuck his foot out and clearly advanced the ball forward (the offside side) and it hit Perisic while he was laying on the ground offside. Totally blows.
Even if we would have won today, things wouldn’t be different. Cyprus is almost a Russian colony (same religion, a lot of Russian who live there). Russia would have won 6-0 or 7-0 against Cyprus if it would come down to goal difference.
Only this means we simply can’t afford a draw in Malta. And in the end we have to beat Russia in Split. To be honest, if we can’t beat the second best team at home in the last and decisive game, we don’t deserve it.
I did not like how we played today. Almost every time Slovakia reached our half, somehow they created something dangerous. I felt like even against Cyprus our organization was not well either (although Cyprus was too bad to take advantage of it).
Our attack is not lethal. We’re discussing about who to play: Rebic, Brekalo, Kramaric, Budimir, Vlasic. But let’s be honest: if we would have Boksic & Suker, all those guys would barely play for us.
Everybody criticizes Livakovic but who is better? Which Croatian goalkeeper plays for an international topteam? Ivusic had one great game in Slovakia, but why does he still play for Osijek if he was that good? Don’t get me wrong. I pray he will be the new Jan Oblak, but I have my doubts.
Maybe Grbic could be the one in the future but I speak some French and I sometimes visit the FC Lille (where he plays) twitter account. But for now, now many Fc Lille fans think that he will be a great goalie one day.
The team as a whole didn’t impress. I’ve watched Spain, Italy and France play in the semi finals and the final of the Nations League. I’m a huge Hrvatska-fan but I have to admit that those team are far, far, far better than us.
One big hvala to Luka Modric. He’s the best, most courageous player we ever had. His goal was very lucky but did you see how Luka was the man to stop the most dangerous attacks from the Slovaks in the last 10 minutes? He ran, he tackled, he even threw himself in front of the Slovakian player to stop him. And that for a guy who could makes tons of money in Madrid. A star player for Real Madrid, but modest enough to do the very dirty work for a mediocre team as Croatia.
Livakovic ain’t cutting it,
Ivusic has stepped up when called upon ( limited action but still) and Grbic is playing for Lille.
I’m all for plan B, as plan A is clearly not working out with Livakovic
We have too many people here that are fixated on scape goats and don’t see the game clearly.
I wanted Ivanusec to start and I was glad he was out at the break. Pasalic is a bystander, Vlasic is also a bystander, Stanisic got a free pass even though he was horrible.
Today the same people that blame Lovren were all over Livakovic. Yes, Livakovic doesn’t come off his line and we knew this before the game but some said he doesn’t stop shots and that’s simply bullshit, that’s probably his best part of his game. I suggest you folks re-watch the set piece goal against us and watch how easily that guy was in front of our player defending him…the entire play our guy was behind him. It’s insane to suggest that goal was Livakovic…the cross was fast and perfect except we did zero to challenge. If that was Ivusic in goal, we’d be blaming the defenders.
The field was shit and this is on our savez…we should be benefiting our teams, not evening out the playing field by playing on shit like that!
Games like this give me a mild heart attack, I can’t stand playing down to our opponents.
Honest question tho:
Who you putting in nets against Russia? Who do you have most confidence in to shut the door
If Ivusic is available then I want him. He’s extremely good with his feet and almost like a 12th player passing the ball around. He gives confidence to his players
Indeed Mr. Black and well said. Nailed it bro
Such a disappointing result.
We actually could have really used Kova today as he’s been making more runs and creating. Lots of invisible players today…Pasalic…Ivanusec…
Bad defending in general, especially by Stanisic. Lackadaisical with passing with our defenders almost cost us a few times.
We need to score goals…we need to mark our man on crosses. We need a goalie who will get the eff of his
line!
86% passing accuracy for Hrvatska in those horrible conditions. That’s world class. The finishing was poor (and not only from Kramaric), but at least we’re seeing exciting, creative football again. The team played like it was a final, and that’s good news because they may have to play a final in POLJUD next month (my mistake earlier about the stadium). This Russia side may have 12 men, but they aren’t actually that good. With the way our team keeps improving, I see Croatia getting a very hard-earned victory in the last match.
Livakovic, Stanisic, Gvardiol should all be dropped in the final game against Russia. None of them are prepared for a do or die game for first.
Vlasic should’ve started, Perisic was invisible. Both our goals were flukes and we should possibly call up Rebic. Or put in Colak, Orsic or Budimir. Best situation possible, Cyprus draws Russia. But that’s a long shot. If that would even happen. Croatia would have to still score a few more because they have a 2 GD on us. Russia will come prepared and out to break our hearts at home with a draw or possible loss. Russia wants to beat us at home for us beating them at home in quarters in 2018. A win is the only way. Grbic and Ivusic are our only choices.
If Russia tie Cyprus, Croatia will have a goal difference of at least 3 goals over Russia, assuming Croatia beat Malta. So Russia would have to beat Croatia to get first.
Didn’t know that. I see Croatia at plus 10 and Russia at plus 8. So it’s a 2 GD. That’s true but it will come down to the last game.
Are you good? Gvardiol is our best defender, why on earth should he be dropped??
Gvardiol dropped? The guy is one of our best players.
Gvardiol has shown in his last 2 or 3 games for HRV that he will be there for the next 10 years. A real rock in defence. And his passing is exceptional.
In fact, I have a boner for our backline of Sosa, Gvardiol, Carleta-Car and Stanisic. Imagine them after 50 games together. No one is going to get through that defence.
We need a 1-0 victory against Malta with no injuries. I don’t care if we don’t hammer them 4 or 5 nil. And then come out all guns blazing against the Ruskies.
So Russia and Croatia both play Slovakia at home. Russia win 1-0 on an own goal, get outshot 26-10 and outpossessed 70-30. We outshoot the Slovaks 20-6 and outpossess them 67-33 and tie. Soccer is cruel. And exasperating. And VAR is pure evil.
I dont even think Livakovic is solely to blame. That goal was both his and Pasalic’s goal. Just like the second goal was Stanisic and Ivanusec’s goal. Only amazing thing is Livakovic doesnt make any saves. Every goalie against us plays fantastic, making great saves but not livakovic. I do think its time for a keeper change but today isnt solely on him .
I get what you’re saying and agree with most but today, literally was on livakovic and he is solely to blame.
With out his two fuck ups we would have strolled to a 2-0 but probably 4-0 win.
Now he calls rebic and petkovic i think out of desperation id even call roko simic at this point i dont se russia dropping points vs cyprus so good luck to is breaking the bunker in poljud im going to that game should be napeta tekma but imo livakovic isnt the number one vida lovren should not play that game v russia i have a feeling dalic goes back on word and starts them as the cb pair
I have high hopes for Roko Simic. He could be our number 9 in the future.
But you are aware that Roko Simic plays his club football for a team in the second league of Austria?
Croatias World Cup qualifying odds now sit at 70 percent…. Not bad…. But that’s also a lot of the time they don’t make it
Source/ link? For this 70%
As Borat would say, his ah-nus.
Well the positives:
– Sucic is Capped!
-Barisic suspended for next game , SOSA comes back in
– Livakovic lost his status. Grbic or Ivusic to take over.
-We control our own destiny still.
Barisic played well though. He was solid enough defensively to allow Dalic to go to 3 defenders, and he made good crosses and took a good shot. Sosa is probably the more skilled played, sure, but for this game, Barisic was a good choice, with the sloppy conditions, physical abuse from Slovakia, etc. Agreed about Livakovic: he was terrible! Such a wimp, not coming out of his 6 yard box. Not that I can do that, but he’s a professional keeper! Surely Grbic has to be better by now
A lot of times in the past when we haven’t gotten results, we’ve felt anger and disappointment in the team
I thought that they deserved a clear victory.. dominant in possession and tons of opportunities created
As has been covered, livakovic is a liability and responsible for the loss
Weve long said he doesn’t come off his line
And then on the second goal his lack of confidence shows up again as he gets stuck in no man’s land
Dalic is to blame for returning to a sub par keeper
Agreed
Yep, agreed.
Definitely at fault for first goal. Come out and grab or punch it out!
2nd goal he was half at fault I reckon.
HNS really needs to stop scheduling games In Osijek during the Spring and Fall.
Every time we play there, it feels like it’s always pouring rain.
Real question
Why don’t they play all games in Split??
Why play in these trash stadiums
The rain does not play to the strengths of this team. That’s for sure. If it had been dry, Croatia would have been dominant in every respect and not allowed Slovakia to press in the first half.
What a disaster….tie these these lowly slovaks…and I knew the alpski serbs wouldn’t help us out either. Now must win the next two…and the ruskies will just bunker up and hit us on the counter. Why the .phuck are we playing games not in Zagreb or Split? As for Livakovic….no more. He is so shakey, can’t catch crosses, scared s.hitless on corners…makes the entire team nervous. What a wasted opportunity and now we probably will slink into the playoffs and bomb out. Shame on the players….drawing these hapless slovaks.
Not sure why you’re talking shit on the Slovaks. They should have beat Russia. But it’s the internet, say what you want.
They should have but didn’t. And they played like cowards trying for the draw that mathematically eliminated them…they were too scared to open up and risk losing but tie killed them anyways. Shameful.
We have never lost in the playoffs. This is normal for us. We can’t make it easy.
Cardiac Croats strike again
Tie is like a loss. No difference. We have to now beat Russia. Same if we would have lost today.
With a loss today we would have to depend on Cyprus the next game. If they would have lost big time against Russia (which they probably would since they suck and since they’re close friends to Russia).
We could have ended up in a situation where we would have to beat Russia with a 3 or 4 goal difference. With the point today, we know for sure that a 1-0 will be okay (that is if we don’t drop points against Malta).
Russia will play hard for that tie
It’s at home field
I know people like
Zagreb but stick it in split
Place will be a wild house
It IS in split
Well it’s I tie, could be worse I could still be living in Commiefornia. 🙂
Well it’s not a total disaster, we basically have to beat Russia at home.
Does second place qualify?
Nope. They go through playoffs
We deserved the win
Shit pitch
Just need a keeper and someone who can convert
We created plenty
So what now?
All out win against Russia can we make it direct?
Fuck playoffs
its simple. we win out and we are in the world cup
Nothing is simple for us
Barisic misses next game
I think with Sosa playing we look much more lethal going forward
Barisic didn’t play bad, Sosa is just a step up
Positive is sucic got in for his first cap
simple equation and we do play better with our back against the wall. we’ll be okay. Vida needs to sit, sosa as lb. I would start brekalo on the right side just because he seems like our only RW at this point. Maybe bring Rebic up again for a super sub or even start him depending if kramaric catches fire by then. Vlasic plays much better as a cam
I agree that Brekalo has to be the go-to on the RW. I didn’t used to like him, but he played very well today and offered a lot more than Ivanusec, who wasn’t bad but wasn’t so dangerous as Brekalo was
4 minutes of injury time? With all of the injuries and VAR bs? It never ends with the officials.
From Russia with love…
LMMFAO, Mandzukic would have scored ALL THOSE opportunities. Hey just saying.
How was that not a goal? Am I missing something
They showed the VAR video with Perisic lying on the ground because he was dragged down by the defender. They don’t show whether the ball hit off a defender before reaching him, and they don’t consider that he couldn’t play the cross because he was dragged down. When football calls are made in offices, it won’t ever feel right. From Russia with love…
VAR disallows a Slovenian goal and now a goal for us. Hmmmmm!!!
From Russia with love…
Remember July 7th 2018. Euros for Russia didn’t look to good for you guys either,
I’m not Russian. I’m just pointing out that these refereeing decisions that make no sense (goal disallowed, Barisic given a yellow for passing via a slide while he had full possession of the ball, Brekalo called for a foul for shaking off a defender, obvious hard fouls on Brozovic not called several times, etc.) all come from Russia’s outsize influence on FIFA. Any win while competing against Russia needs to be totally decisive, with multiple unquestionable goals marking the difference.
Goalllllllll!!!!
Fifa against us again omg
How many times is var gonna fuck us
Any team that has to play against Russia will face this issue. Same with any team that plays Switzerland, France, Spain, or England. Referees for FIFA and UEFA have to make sure that the associations who pay their fees are happy with their refereeing. Russia is a big spender in FIFA, so they need their spot in the final tournament guaranteed. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is. There were a lot of positives in this match, and it was exciting to watch. Hopefully a step on the way to beating Russia in Maksimir and taking first place in the group at the death.
THANK F FOR THAT
oh WTF VAR done us in again
From Russia with love…
Lol but they let the french goal stand. what a joke
Hvala Bogu
We should play our games in Zagreb. That is our true home ground. Not this cow paddock in Osijek. Its like we are playing an away game.
Abso-fucking-lutely!
That type of pitch only benefits shit teams.
Oh well. All to play for which is when we play best. Beat Russia at home and we good
Fucking hell, no way.
cmon slovenia plz god get a goal
I loved that but honestly, was that goal skill or luck?
MODRIC 🙏
Back in the the day people would call Mandzukic’s goals garbage goals but those 2 that Kramaric completely missed would have been in the net if Mandzukic was playing.
Agreed
Kramaric had a very good game overall, but his finishing was poor. He wasn’t reading the skips and bounces well.
100%
He always had such a presence in the box/around goal – opposition’s defenders were fearful of his presence and aggressiveness (think Lloris handing him the ball in the WC final)
Krama floats around like a silent fruit fly
Sorry Slavonac..first goal was completely on Livakovic. Yes we have better options but his aerial weakness shows up yet again. He’s clueless when the ball is in the air.
The second goal was on Stanisic….left his man completely unmarked. He looks like a young inexperienced defender today.
It doesn’t interest you how someone gets a free and unchallenged head ball in our 6 yard box? The ball came from behind the play, not in front of the play, like a corner kick. If Livakovic went for the challenge and got caught up in his own defenders and they scored, what would you have said? You would have blamed him for going out that far when unnecessary.
Livakovic isn’t losing this game for us…we aren’t playing well enough.
Yes he was unmarked, but defenders make mistakes. If a defender was supposed to win 100% of their duels all the time, what’s the point of goalkeepers? Livakovic is there to make sure they don’t capitalize on chances that our defenders may mess up on. So yes, the goal is partially on him. He needs to be a better presence inside his own box and he just isn’t.
Livakovic He’s so indecisive … ffs
We desperately need Ivusic back
# 1 goalie
KRAMARIC OFF
Two more embarrassing misses
Both off his shin
Starting Livakovic over Grbic is malpractice and a fireable offense
BTW gas prices are some of the highest in Croatia, other countries like Germany have reduced VAT to help companies out so fuck this game. 🙂
Trying living in Canada. It’s a $1.45/L here.
Sorry to hear that. Canada has also turned into a police state
and here is Vlasic for Ivanusec – I should be the coach
Too little too late!! Ivanusec finally off.
Weird how people are blaming Livakovic! The first goal was not his at all, he’s not super man and most goalies wouldn’t have come that far out. Defenders have the responsibility to challenge and we did nothing to help him. You guys really need to stop pointing a finger at Livakovic just because we have a better option.
The second goal was another defensive error but Livakovic could have done better and he gets partial blame.
The elephant in the room to me is why nobody is trashing Stanisic? Is it because we read he’s a Bayern superstar and we believe it…so he gets a pass? What about Sosa on the bench?
I wanted Ivanusec to start, I’ve seen enough. Both him and Pasalic need to get lost…Dalic should not wait til the 60th minute.
I’ve been telling people this all along. Stanisic is ok. He’s not some star player. He was good defensively last game, that’s it. He did nothing in attack. How no one can put blame on him for that second goal is baffling. Vida was in front of the guy and he felt the need to stand behind and leave a man wide open on the far post. I love giving young guys a shot more than just about everyone else here, but they don’t just automatically get a pass in order to fit an agenda.
Dalic is really fucking pissing me off. He needs a fucking win and with his one complacent change he looks like we have everything under control. Pasalic, Stanisic need out, Brekalo in and Vlasic in Pasalic’s position.
We have too many people that follow the leader and don’t see for themselves. One guy blames Vida or Livakovic and the rest follow.
We completely lost our competitive edge and dominance, we look like we are at the same level as Slovaks and this sucks.
Slavonac your allegiance to SIEVE…AKOVIC is mind boggling and rather bizarre the guys a bum!
That first goal is 95% on him and the second was handled by most decent keepers.
IV IV starts and we win this game 2-0!
We’re playing well.
But our usual issues (goalkeeper and defense) is holding us back.
Barišić isn’t playing bad, but Sosa is greatly missed. Our crosses have suffered with him gone.
We need one of Sosa or Juranović out there.
I like Stanišić, but we need someone who can run up that right flank.
Vida isn’t playing well. Livaković also very bad (as usual).
Neither of these two guys are starters for us.
We can’t afford to play non starters, and then have a couple of players have off games. Those non starters end up making the pain worse.
Croatia is back!
The weather is not our friend
Bad weather seems to more often then not play in the advantage of the weaker side
But hey a quick one to start and it’s a new game
Livakovic hasn’t made a save in forever tho it seems
There is a reason Dinamo couldn’t move him and we are really finding out
Ivusic or grbic need to take the reigns going forward
Once again stressed out. I think with a few changes we’ll win this 3-2 Let’s Go Croatia 🇭🇷
I’m sorry boys. I got a bad feeling about this team. Our defence just look lost and Stanisic looks looks out lunch. We still haven’t learnt from our past mistakes off crosses and set pieces. If this game is a loss then we are fucked. Russia would play for the draw when they play us at home. Best we can do is get two but that will be difficult. I’m honestly shocked and embarrassed. After this game, Livakovic should be banned from playing NT. The amount of talent we having oozing from this squad, it be a national embarrassment losing to Slovakia at home. This Slovakia goalie looks good because Dubravka is out and Rodak is confident. I didn’t think he would play this well. I’ll just be gut wrenched if we have to go through playoffs…AGAIN and play potential play teams like Czech, Serbia, Sweden, Swiss, Ukraine, etc. All teams I’m convinced we’d lose to.
We are playing great again!
Croatia I’d back!
Can’t believe they scored two on us.
Borna Sosa should be playing – cannot believe Stanisic starts for Bayern.
Livakovic is a head case.
All our attacks are from the left because Ivanusec is not a winger – put in Vlasic or Brekalo.
Our midfielders do not help on defense.
Alphonso Davies looked like balls in Jamaica yesterday. Also a shitty pitch. Schedules have become crazy lately. These players are overworked and exhausted. Hard to expect excellence from them all the time.
Croatia is generally playing very well. Felt like they were going to take the lead with a lot of threatening chances. They have many more expected goals than Slovakia
The only problem is any time the ball goes by livakovic it goes in
Simon Sluga grabs anything from the air. Put him in!
https://youtu.be/RprMPis226k
It’s getting really old that Croatia is always infinitely better than all the teams in their group, but always have to scrape by to qualify. Slovakia is garbage, and we give up 2 goals in one half? At home? Every one of the elite teams that qualify easily wouldn’t give up two goals to Slovakia in
5 home games.
What did I say ! livakovic couldn’t stop a beach ball ! 1st goal ok, great cross there best player hamsik, shitty D… he leaves and we get blessed with that and they still score !? Where was D on 2nd goal ? Fuck livakovic he sucks …need I mention …what the great bob said about him !
Three bad halves from Josip Stanisic – where is Sosa? Ridiculous experiments costing us again.
I went to the bathroom and now we are losing, sigh. At least Slovenia got a goal, maybe with any luck both games end up 2-2 and no real damage done? PLEASE.
Also to all those ppl saying “we dont deserve” to go through, we do, we are definitely talented enough to go through and deserve to, despite the odd f up here and there from a goalie etc.
I dont think the shots their keeper made this game were super easy, not least in these soaking wet conditions, i reckon we would have conceded if it was them shooting at our goal, but maybe im just not used to having a competent goalie?
ANY CHANCE DALIC SUBS LIVAKOVIC ???
AND NO CHANCE HE STARTS FOR US IN NOVEMBER QUALIFIERS right ?
Livakovic isnt a number one keeper come on man make a save
Kramaric is best player say all you want everyone else terrible vida terrible imo
Problem with Livakovic is that he ls scared to come out and challenge for the ball when it comes to corners and free kicks. More often then not that causes us the most goals.
We don’t look like we are dangerous from a secondary option. Krama is looking hungry to score but we don’t have a different threat. Also, Stanisic offers little going forward and we really miss Sosa on the left, his service is irreplaceable.
Slovaks got two goals on two chances!
That second goal was initially Stanisic’s fault, but my God, Livakovic stinks. Stand your fucking ground. The first goal, don’t even get me started. How the fuck does a cross come in at around 3-4 metres and you’re standing on the line? For fuck sakes……
These late in half goals are the worse
What changes do we make for the second half?
Brekalo in for ivanusec
Sosa for barisic
Livaja I guess for someone
I agree man, we need every effective player on the field.
Ivanusec needs to get fuck off!! Terrible first half and where was the coverage on the second goal. Labouring behind like a stara baby!!
What does it look like with a tie or loss?
Tie I guess we can still make work
But what does a loss do?
A loss then means need to beat russia
It’s basically going to come down to GD. If both scores end like this. A win against Russia won’t mean anything unless we a better goal difference.
I suppose if we lose and Russia wins we still just need to defeat them in the next game and we are back on top?
Nope.. because Russia will have less losses. Look at the standings. Russia will be up 3 points on us and better GD.
Our Bayern boy is a lost puppy 🐶
Vida livakovic uzas
For real
I get it we can’t have our goalie save everything
But Slovakia’s keeper makes saves
Cyprus keeper made plenty
We just need one or two for fucks sake
We don’t deserve to go through..this is embarrassing as fuck.
F U Livakovic
F U
OMFG
Look folks, I’m the first to criticize an error but that goal the Slovaks scored wasn’t Livakovic’s error as much as it was a defenders error.
The cross was perfect and where the hell were our defenders challenging and making it difficult for them to get on the end of that cross. It’s different to ask a goalie to clear a cross from a corner and another thing from 30 years out. Seems very weird that everyone who complained about Livakovic and yet nobody criticized a free head ball inside our box!
Slovenia just scored. 2-1 Russia.
We are actually playing awesome and all over em, their keeper making heaps of saves
The saves are easy. Right at him. Even Livakovic would have saved those. Maybe.
And Slovenia is down 2 to Russia which is surprising.
Damn Russia up 2-0, we need a goal
Kramaric almost scored another one.
Russia winning 1-0…both these games have me stressing
Finally Krama…needed that. Hopefully it’s the beginning of more.
Also gotta say that I really haven’t seen anything of value from Ivanusec. He is mostly invisible unless he misses an opportunity…then I notice him.
Fucking called it! Krama pulled through. Let’s fucking go.
KRAM!!!!!!
Enough is enough
Take f-ing Kramaric off
He isn’t pressing defenders when they have the ball
He isn’t getting back helping midfield a la Mandzukic
And is just floating around the box waiting for a perfect cross to come to him
lol – he headed it right at the keeper – zero skill
Kramaric to the rescue 1 1
Fuck you livakovic. Fucking garbage. If we lose this game. No chance of getting first and we shouldn’t even be in the discussion of making Qatar.
Livakovic is garbage
Garbage goal. Livakovic doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing. Why we go back to the well with this magarac is beyond me.
So. Why didn’t Livakovic grab the cross? It was inside the 6. Very catchable. He really stinks.
Wow livakovic stuck in quick sand as the ball is 4 yards from the goal line !!!
Livakovic doesn’t want to come out for that? It was in his 6-yard box. 😐
Why do I feel we have to learn the hard way to actually make a change
I realize we don’t have a plethora of talent in goal but it’s not it’s pletikosa or subasic situation where they earned a chance to shit the bed
We just need someone who is a beast in the box
A bully
Whyyyy is Livakovic automatically getting caps
WHILE We have Grbic playing Top 5 league?
And
Ivusic
Lead boots on Livakovic. Terrible goalkeeping.
Losing to Slovakia at home…
Good morning / evening all. anyone have any free links to game for us folk downunder in australia.
Slovakia has no depth like us. They are good at defending but are missing key players and a 1-0 loss to Russia at home is not bad. 2-0 win for us. Krama and Perisic with the goals.
Didn’t someone say once barisic dad is some mafia and I think he may even be based out of Osijek area?? This could play a factor
I’m all in for Sosa starting
As I said before I’m pretty sure barisic not even clear first choice now on rangers
For you guys always asking for links, if you have an Amazon Firestick or FireTV download Kodi and then put a Build on it, just search youtube on how to do it. I live in Croatia and watch Formula 1 etc with Kodi since MaxTv stopped showing F1. You’ll not just get games etc but you’ll get free movies etc and it’s legal because you’re not download anything.
By the way it’s been raining all day here so the field might get a little messy.
I won’t be an easy match since it’s a must win for Slovakia, but anything less than 3 points would be disappointing.
I guess. Though being 7 points back, I think Slovakia is basically out of it. They need to win out, and also hope either either us or Russia drop points against Malta and Cyprus in our next game. Not impossible, but it’s pretty unlikely. Slovakia has to know that.
Slovenia is only 6 points behind tho, they may have more to play for against Russia today. Should be interesting.
Issue…so annoying to see Barisic starting. Sosa has been instrumental in providing more much needed offence from our backs. Awful move.
I can understand the Vida change and even trying Ivanusec on RW given Vlasic’s recent play.
Don’t like it either,
Hopefully Sosa gets some minutes as a sub. The kid is dynamic
Side note – do we have the players to play a 3-5-2
Who’d play opposite to Sosa (right side RWB
Best save he ever made was robbing Tottenham Kane i believe during the orsic show past Europa campaign end of game.. Other then that, I cringe when he comes near any contact with the ball. Already tons of mistakes he cost us. Arguably worst one is that dropped corner out of his hands Injury time end of game against pork chops
Grbic…livakovic couldn’t handle a beach ball
Okay
How about
Grbic or Ivusic
Who’s better Grbic or Livakovic
any links to the game today that will work in canada hvala
Uefa.tv app free…download on phone…can link to smart tv
Molim
HRVATSKA: Livaković – Stanišić, Vida, Gvardiol, Barišić – Brozović, Modrić – Ivanušec, Pašalić, Perišić – Kramarić this is confirmed lineup
Try gol.hr its free in croatia basically nova tv stream i dont know if it works in usa canada australija
can anyone provide a no signup link for todays game pls hvala
The UEFA.tv app is showing it for free in HD glory. No account needed.
Hoping for a win first and foremost. And then maybe the alpski serbs take points off the ruskies.
Dream scenario, we win by a few goals, no cards/injuries and the alpski serbs win by a few goals. We then move up the ruskies by 3 points with 2 games to go and plus 7 on the goal differential. We then next go to Malta and hopefully we take care of business and add a bit more to the goal differntial as the same time the ruskies play cyprus who they should beat easily, especially as they’ll be gunning for goals. We then head into the last game vs the ruskies up plus 7 at least meaning the ruskies have to beat us by 4 to get ahead of us. And we know that ain’t happening.
I just don’t want a nail biter must win or tie last game as anything can happen then including say a red card.
Lets do this!
Im guessing sosa will play but dalic wants to play home osijek players if we were qualified ivusic was healthy he would start along with skoric and barisic. I see no reason to play barisic instead sosa well se once kickoff comes
Where has it been confirmed that Barisic will play in place of Sosa? I can’t find it and don’t believe it.
On an unrelated note but still pretty cool, check this out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU4v_iMDLO9/?utm_medium=copy_link
That’s awesome. Thanks for posting that.
Us Canucks do it proper we schedule Thanksgiving 🦃 on a day when the boys are playing while we have our Turkey,and you yanks do it while having to watch the Detroit lions!!
Barisic mafia connection continues to pressure dalic into his inclusion
@Maminjo
Fair point. Pongracic has played as of late with Dortmund and is also better than Vida at this point in time. My thoughts are that sometimes you need experience in the lineup.. This is a pivotal game and we aren’t playing Cyprus.
A back line of Pongracic, Gvardiol, Stanisic and Sosa would scare me in this game given their lack of NT experience. They might have 10 caps collectively.
Believe me, I’m all for this back line overhaul – we need this injection of youth and technical ability. Just not all of them at once.
I would love to see Sucic get a few minutes to see what he can do (and get capped). Kid has looked great in the clips I’ve seen. Having these kids nipping at the heels of more
established regular players brings up everyone’s play with the competition. Unless you’re Lovren – you just bitch about it.
Better Vida than Lovren.
But I expect to see some weak passing from him, which will require us to overuse Modrić and Brozović back in our own third.
We should still be able to win this game, but I don’t like taking random and unnecessary risks just so Dalić can pander to the home crowd by playing two local boys in Vida and Barišić. I would not be surprised to see Škorić subbed in the second half too.
Playing a few Slavonci in the first team (to satisfy the home crowd) is more important to Dalić than playing your best available lineup in a critical qualifier. It also wastes another game where we can build chemistry between Sosa, Gvardiol, Duje, Pongračić and Stanišić.
…………………….Kramaric……………….
Perisic…………..Pasalic…………Livaja
………………..Brozo…..Modric………….
Barisic…..Gvardiol….Vida….Stanisic
…………………..Livakovic…………………
This is hopefully where we make our move over Russia, cmon boys!
Russia needs to drop points to Slovenia on top of us winning.
Sučić, Sučić, Sučić!
Barisic and Vida coming in for Sosa and DCC. No issues with these changes as Barisic had a good match against Slovenia and Vida is experienced and playing in front of his own crowd in Osijek. Pasalic coming in for Kovacic is also a good thing, as Pasalic is good in the air and we need his presence in the box.
I would also drop Kramaric and play Livaja. Kramaric just can’t score, instead of smashing the ball into the top of the net against Cyprus, he tries to side foot it in – did the same thing against Spain in extra time at the Euros and it cost us big time. Kramaric is a better player than Livaja, however you have to go on form and currently Kramaric is not having much luck in front of goal.