I know this was just a friendly, but aren’t friendlies scheduled to try new tactics? Not just new players. It looks like Dalić is married to the midfield core of Modrić, Brozović, and Kovačić and won’t get away from it in 2024. I was hoping he would bench Kova to free up a spot for Majer as the #10 CAM; or for Kramarić to drop back behind the #9 striker (Budimir or Petković). Nope! It’s not going to happen and I think it’s because this Croatia squad — since 2018 — knows it doesn’t have the offense to compete with the Big Boys in the final 3rd, so Dalić is playing for possession. That is my fear for Euro 2024 that Croatia is becoming a 90s Italian squad or the 2004 Greek team that won Euro. As long as Kova is playing alongside Modrić, especially with no Perišić in the picture, this Croatia team will not be playing energetic football in 2024. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Croatia win 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout and will now face Egypt in Cairo on Tuesday in the 1st place match.
90′: Marco Pašalić with an absolute rifle of a shot to nearly beat the keeper. The ball scurries away but doesn’t cross the line.
77′: Tunisia with a free header in front of the net but it goes over the bar. Easily could have been a goal.
71′: Gvardiol gets a fantastic head on the ball off the corner but it sails just high.
63′: Kovačić off for Majer. Petković comes on for Ivanušec.
60′: Ivanušec with a low shot from the left side of the box. The ball misses the outside of the post by 12 inches.
59′: Modrić and Brozović off. Vlašić and Marco Pašalić come in. I like the change. Kova takes over as captain. Let’s see what life without Modrić looks like.
58′: Erlić pulls up with a minor muscle issue. Ćaleta-Car will take his place.
56′: Kramarić flicks a redirection in the box on frame and the Tunisia keeper gets a finger on it. It goes out for a corner. If he gets another 12 inches of air under it, it would have been a goal.
55′: A bit more tempo out of our boys, but not much.
46′: Livaković takes a seat on the bench. Ivušić (Pafos FC) comes in as goalkeeper. We need to see Majer, Pjaca, Marco Pašalić in the next 15 minutes. Otherwise, why even schedule these friendlies???
HT: A snooze fest of a 1st half! Croatia control 70% ball possession and do absolutely nothing with. Not one real chance on goal. No creativity from the midfield and nothing from Pašalić on the right side. I have said this a million times and I will say it another MILLION times. Playing Kovačić next to Modrić is a waste of a slot. Kova needs to be benched so we can play Kramarić behind the striker OR throw Majer into the mix, who is a natural CAM.
31′: VAR CALLS BACK THE TUNISIA GOAL! A wonderful, low free kick from the right side beats the entire Croatian defense. Jelassi redirects the ball with his head while Livaković is left in no-man’s land. After VAR review, Jelassi is just inches offside. Still 0-0.
29′: Kramarić with a shot from the top of the box but it sails well over the crossbar.
26′: OH MY! Tunisia catch Croatia on a counter and get a point-blank shot on goal. And the Tunisian misses high and right. It should be 1-0 Tunisia.
20′: Croatia has 80% ball possession but can’t do anything with it. Tunisia playing 11 guys behind the ball.
6′: Modrić with a short corner. Why? Put the ball in the box and see what happens. We’ve been playing short corners for years. Needs to stop!
5′: Croatia controlling 99% of possession early.
3′: Modrić getting cheers from the Egyptian crowd every time he touches the ball.
Official Croatia Starting XI vs. Tunisia: Livaković – Juranović, Erlić, Gvardiol, Sosa – Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić – Pašalić, Kramarić, Ivanušec.
Croatia’s first match of 2024 is upon us and the Vatreni will be taking on Tunisia in a friendly in Cairo. The winner will play Egypt on Tuesday in a second friendly while the loser will face New Zealand. Egypt defeated New Zealand 1-0 Friday night.
However, CroatianSports would rather see some experimentation; taking out Kovačić completely and adding Majer in his natural position of Center Attacking Midfielder. Kramarić would then be able to slide to the right side and play as a supporting striker with Petković playing his natural #9 with Budimir out (fever). But we know Dalić won’t separate Modrić and Kova so why am I wasting my breath?
I’m a casual fan that didn’t watch the Croatia vs Tunisia game and my opinion is that if Tunisia had “11 men behind the ball” and “not many players can do what Kovacic does in tight limited spaces,” then I’m thinking he would’ve had a great game against Tunisia?
It’s a friendly with Tunisia and he was subbed off after 45 minutes. You’re gonna kill yourself in a friendly when Real Madrid is coming up? I’m guessing you’re not a coach.
@T-Bone
You’re guessing even after I admit to being a casual fan 🤣
I know you’re not a coach 🤣
Kovacic is a hybrid of 1/2 Modric and 1/2 Brozovic
But not better than Modric and Brozovic in the 1/2 part
That’s what’s frustrating the fans
Kovacic just doesn’t seem to mesh in our current set-up / configurations
And his relaxed / nonchalant manner is interpreted as lacking passion
If u think about it – happens often – the other way around
Harry Maguire couldn’t get a start for Man U for months (and most fans were saying to get rid of him) – but Southgate kept him as England #1 CB (when his only play time was for England)
Richardson was Brazil starting #9 – but for months struggled for Spurs (when many Spurs fans were saying to sell him to Saudi and get someone else)
Emmerson was Brazil starting RB – but couldn’t get a start for Spurs for months (as his style that was appreciated for Brazil – didn’t fit Spurs way of playing)
etc
Sometimes the player just doesn’t fit (at club level or National team level) – bc of tactics / style / other players available, etc
Is it almost time for Toni Fruk to get a look-see?
Antonino Frucoccino
I have no problem with MKB midfield problem is our weak wing play and Lack of true number 9 and Juranovic Sosa crosses havent been great especially with lack of target man. And with no oerisic and rebjc type player it hard to make open prostor. Remeber France Croatia 0 1 in Paris MKB put on a masterpiece
For me euro 2024 will be like Spain in euro 2012 when they played without a number 9 false 9 we just need to put some frnjoka in back of net and control the game.
I have been hard on times on the team. We lost alot if players since 2020 injury or retirement or being idiots like Kalinic Livaja Rebic idiots imo. Raketa early retirement Mandzo retirement Orsic Koka injuries. Vrsaljko early retirement. Brekalo flop. Vlasic average player. The under 21 strikers are nit ready for the jump late bloomers i hope Ljubicic Beljo Simic.
Kvartuc, here’s one for you. Kovacic goals @ 3:27 and 4:20.
https://youtu.be/ncHjXvqU79E?si=1_hwIAg9to1Byfoj
Ante, as much as I like and respect you…you need to be corrected. Your stance on Kovacic is your opinion, based on what experience, knowledge, understanding??? Please stop openly making those comments about Kovacic, you are really exposing your lack of understanding…its very frustrating to see! If I was you I would take down your video explanation…its a real silly rant!
Its not always easy to play a team that has 11 men behind the ball defending from 25 yards out. it requires some risk to push men forward while ensuring you don’t get caught on a counter attack. Tunisia were patient and very disciplined, which surprised me but then I took a closer look and noticed they’ve beaten France, Chile, Japan…they tied Denmark…so they aren’t a complete shitty team and the way you talk its expected we walk right through them as if its a cake walk! You gotta stop this attitude and give a little more respect. This games isn’t what it used to be where the minnows and the GIANTS are a 10 goal difference…the sport has evolved and now discipline can make any minnow look decent.
Kovacic’s role is transition from defense to attack and for the life of me I can’t understand why you just don’t get that? your comment about Modric already does what Kovacic does is very ignorant as all midfielder do similair tasks at times, its the nature of the position and game and in this case, Brozovic, Modric and Kovacic all transition the ball…your comments are irresponsible and childish. please stop suggesting Majer instead of Kovacic…there’s a reason Kovacic plays at Man City and has been at Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter…all teams where he was an important part of their team even if you hate him…it just demonstrates that YOU don’t know how to recognize his value, not the other way around like when you keep repeating that “there’s nothing that KOVACIC can do that Modric doesn’t already do”…bro, seriously…this aint baseball and your audience is on several continents…thats the silliest line I’ve ever seen in my life. I know you will double down but you gotta stop this nonsense!
I agree Slavonac. Kovacic is a highly skilled operator. Saying not to play him with Modric makes no sense.
Kovacic is the most underrated player for both club and country that I can remember. Casuals don’t understand what he brings to a team. But world class coaches like Pep and Tuchel appreciate him.
With Kova on the field, we have 3 midfielders that basically hide the ball from the opposition. It is with him that we did something against Brazil that almost nobody would dare to do: defend not by playing a low block but defend by denying Brazil the ball. Same scenario against Argentina until the ref awarded them a questionable penalty (something that I think was a 50/50 penalty meaning if we commit the foul it’ s a penalty but if the exact same play happened to us, we wouldn’t get the penalty).
Does Kova have his flaws – yes, who doesn’t. But I think he is one of those players that you only realize how good he is when he is not on the pitch. (Maybe not at ManCity because they have world class players on the bench). It reminds me of the early years of Modric at RM where he wasn’t appreciated until he was out for a few weeks/months and RM scored/won less during that time and Sergio Ramos described him as the spine of the team.
Kovačić is very different than Modrić. Kova runs really, really fast and can dribble through spaces that other players don’t even see as spaces. He even did it against Tunisia. That’s basically his signature skill. He is like a knife cutting through practically any defense. Plus, Kova is a big guy and doesn’t really get bumped off the ball. The fact that Croatia dominates possession even against other top teams is a testament to how well Modrić and Kovačić play together. They also played together in that Morocco 3rd place game if I’m remembering correctly, and that was an exciting match.
Intelligent replies. Kovacic is also a counter press specialist. Not many players can do what he does in tight limited spaces. Sure he’s not a goal scorer but that’s not his job.
The problem is not Modrić and Kovačic playing together. He’s not getting in anyone’s way.
The problem is we never replaced Rakitić. We have no second legitimate offensive threat in the midfield who can penetrate, create chances for our “Striker Of the Day” and score an occasional goal.
Kovacic is a ‘safe’ guy.
Prefers to make the safe pass over the risky one.
He’s a guy that can calm the waters in a messy game, and ensure you continue to dominate possession. He plays a tika taka game.
However, he is also our worst finisher among our star midfielders. All of Modric, Brozovic, Rakitic, Krama, etc are far more willing and capable of scoring goals.
Kova is far too hesitant in the opponent’s third, and rarely makes himself open for his teammates when he ventures in there and dishes it off to teammates.
I can’t count how many times he’s made a good run, dishes it off to an opponent…but then refuses to join in on the attack. Just shuffles back, or just doesn’t move enough to get himself open for a pass back. He feels like he’s done his job and is essentially out of the play entirely once he passes it off.
This is the most frustrating thing about him.
Good player, but this one aspect of his game is what I believe frustrates everyone because you know that if he just changed his mindset, he would become a great offensive player too.
Dalic
England calling up two from U21s for Belgium due to injury
Why don’t we call players up from U21s when we have injury
***.thesun.co.uk/sport/26894937/gareth-southgate-james-trafford-call-up-england-squad-belgium/
Any idea when Lukas Kacavenda is going to be back at dinamo? Know he had knee surgery but feels like he’s been out forvever now
He has been out for almost seven months, just like Luka Stojkovic. Recent reports have Stojkovic training and ready to play. However, considering
that Kacavenda has had two surgeries on the same knee in a very short period of time he would be well advised to take his time and perhaps look to a comeback at the start of next season in July 2024?
He has been out for almost seven months, just like Luka Stojkovic. Recent reports have Stojkovic training and ready to play. However, considering
that Kacavenda has had two surgeries on the same knee in a very short period of time he would be well advised to take his time and perhaps look to a comeback at the start of next season in July 2024?
He was a pretty explosive player.
I can’t see how he will ever reach his original ceiling with a couple of knee surgeries like that. May become a good player, but probably no more than a depth player for the National Team like Pasalic and Vlasic are.
I had big hopes for kacavenda
Fricking sucks
DALIC IS SHIT AND ALWAYS RELIES ON A LUCK
WHEN THIS GUY GET OUT FOR OUR BETTER FUTURE?:!!
nemas pojma neznalico
I find it funny that as usual I’m derided for my insights and slowly everyone comes around to see them as truth
Ive long compared Croatias success to a more possession slanted Greece 2004. To see such comparisons make antes commentary finally warms the heart
Although i still feel ante and many on this board fighting it
My advice is don’t ditch the girl that got you to the dance. Croatia has been remarkably successful for five + years with this style. Embrace it!
Looking back, do you think of the medals or that Croatia played some ugly sneak by games?
Eventually ante will come to realize also that constantly bashing the modric kovacic pair is silly when it’s at the heart of what we do and has resulted in 3 medals in five years
Agree, this team needs to suffocate the game with possession, doesn’t have goal scoring ability to open it up.
Wouldn’t this make them more like tika-taka Spain?
Spain also rarely scored. Would win most their games 1-0 through dominant possession, but it also frustrated a lot of football fans.
Greece never had a possession game. Couldn’t string two passes together and would even play dirty in order to throw the opponents off their game.
They capitalized on set plays (like corner kicks) which is something Croatia actually struggles in.
Honestly, the Greece comparison is among the worst comparisons I’ve ever heard on this site, and really shows a lack of understanding in football. Croatia plays quite literally in the opposite way.
I assume you guys are just saying this for the sake of saying something outlandish, to get a reaction from people. I really hope that is the case. Otherwise you should find another sport to watch.
Zaboravite nikakav lijepi nogomet. Igra se nogomet za pobedu a ne za style.
Pogledajte Brazil, možda su malo lijepše igrali od nas al na kraju oni su plakali a mi smu smijali.
Ajmo dečki
Bog i Hrvati
…and Brazil has sniffed fewer medals than we have in the past 20 years too.
That stat will probably remain the same for the next 10-15 years as well, considering they’re going through a transition now too.
You know some of these “snoozefests” are just not our boys fault. These games are hard to watch because the other team does not come out and play. They essentially park the bus and look for the counterattack with one or two fast guys hanging on the periphery.
I agree with Mart’s comment below regarding how to break down defenses that park the bus. Most teams know they can’t play a wide open game with us. We are too strong in the midfield and very technically gifted. It appears more and more opponents put nine guys in and around the box and leave one or two guys back for the long pass. This translates into real boring games. We control the ball but cannot get clear shots on goal.
Like Mart wrote the best way to break down this type of defense is win corners and utilize our big men. This won’t work with Krama and smaller players upfront. Against these types of opponents we need to play big guys like Duje on defense. When we win corners bring the big guys in the box and drop the smaller guys back to prevent the counterattack.
Food for thought, unfortunately we did not have Budimir, ….. and Beljo never panned out, but when Petkovic came it, it seemed like activity picked up. Did not hear much feedback on how giant Gvardiol fared in an offensive way if at all.
Still seems like our defense is still a big sieve at times, when we start getting desperate to score. I guess the Brazilians probably have the same conversation when they play Croatia.
Obviously you don’t do this in every game. You adjust your style of play to the opponent. This may work against those teams who more and more just park the bus against us.
For anyone new to FIFA plus, you must check out the documentary film “Croatia: Defining a Nation”, all about the original 1998 Vatreni and our struggle to gain independence. Also, the series “Captains” is not bad too. It surprises me that some Cro fans haven’t watched these yet. For all you youngsters out there, its hard to describe how special, and how important the 1998 Vatreni were to all Croatians.
IMO – Marco Pasalic’s best PL comp / like-for-like is Jarrod Bowen v-a-v his potential
That’s – IF – he keeps developing (and we give him the opportunity)
Just remember where u heard it 1st
Marco transfer to PL following a break-out tournament in Germany
Bowen style of play pasted in below
Regarded as a quick, direct, mobile, energetic player with good technique and an eye for goal, Bowen is predominantly known for his speed, movement, clinical finishing, agility and ball control, as well as his ability to use both his pace and flair on the ball to create scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates. A versatile forward, he primarily plays as a winger on the right flank, a position which allows him to cut into the centre onto his stronger left foot, and either shoot on goal or play quick exchanges with other players and make runs in behind the defence towards goal. He can also play in the centre, behind the main striker as either an attacking midfielder or second striker. In 2023 he began playing as a central striker while Michail Antonio was injured, and impressed manager David Moyes with his performances and versatility.
How can we know if you are just anonymous
At least be like anon e moose or something so we know
I hope you are right
@ Dannyj
“ He’s got a good aura and attitude to him and obviously has some skill set”
Exactly !!
Marco Pasalic for 90 mins please.
Let’s see what he can do.
He is like 4 cm from two goals ?!
As others have said. I guess we have to play our control game and hope for the best
I thought kramaric looked lively in the first half at least with some moves and step overs(makes me really miss Perisic)
I didn’t get to watch the second half
Glad to hear Marco Pasalic was lively
He’s got a good aura and attitude to him and obviously has some skill set
I agree with others, why can’t we at least roll a bit of the youth out
We waited for musa forever, sure maybe wasn’t the answer but why wait forever to see, especially these are more or less free games to try stuff
Either dalic gonna pull something out of his ass for tactics or just basically do what we have been doing and grind games out
That’s fine too, obviously we have the ability to do so
I think with a bit more speed and tenacity of budimir and Marco pasalic up front this can change things up
They can press more knowing much of the time our midfield can win the ball back
Did we get to see luka with Marco pasalic?
He may be able to unlock him
Least we can put a bit of fear that we can possibly make a counter with him and budimir
I don’t know
Glad to see we have probably capable back ups to livakovic with ivusic still and kotarski
And even Ivo grbic potentially still
JJ doesn’t look as fast as he did and unfortunately I feel he is a guy that I feel will go down with his speed
Stanisic should be our guy
I’d still put out JJ as a right wing vs vlasic
Mario pasalic as we know is a better sub and a big guy who will battle and can finish junk in front
Kramaric is not a striker anymore, we all know this
Between him and Marco pasalic on the right side, we can make it work
Good to hear on DCC, he is actual family. His old man actually does our AC units back home
He has that capability of the long pass
Speaking of, if kroos can come back to Germany, why not take a chance back with rakitic?
I know he doesn’t play for Madrid but he’s still a competitor
Rakitic takes orders from his wife and she won’t let him. Too bad because he can still play top level minutes
Thanks for deleting that post on IG where I commented. Never change, guys. 😂
Throwing a Lamb in a Lion’s Den again Ante, regarding Kovacic uselessness until
Modric retires, and then magically carries the team as his predecessor?
Your thoughts do have merit, and probably hold wisdom, but we’ve run that topic into the ground. I think the majority seem to feel, as well as media, what brought us to the dance was our strong midfield that controls the middle of the field, which provide possession control, but does not necessarily guarantee goals.
Our recent WC runs to the finals and semi-finals were on razor thin margins, based on controlling the middle, staying in the game, and somehow becoming a mentally tough penalty shooting team, after the fiasco with turkey.
The Brazil victory is an improbable fairytale outcome. I’ll take that memory and raise you.
That post Modric future is only 6 months away most likely.
At our best, we only get beaten by the best, and we patiently wait for that grand day, for that improbable final gold outcome in any tournament, where the stars align. Hope reigns strong.
According to Dalic kotarski labrovic will get one half each. He has stated other changes aswell.. id would have played vs tunis Kotarski Stanisic Erlic Gvardiol Sosa Kovacic Broz Majer Pasalic Marco Petkovic Kramaric
Zlatko Dalic deserves the benefit of the doubt as he has taken Croatia where no else has. We don’t have the world class players of 2018 and without him they wouldn’t even have made the World Cup! Viva Zlatko!
Yo Dalic
Italy testing out 3-4-2-1 formation (while we playing same formation for yrs)
And will have 9 changes today Ecuador vs. team they fielded for Venezuela
SPURS Vicario set to make his Italy debut (as previewed in September – he has played outstanding for Spurs – some say best goalkeeper in PL – as such, he’s moved himself up pecking order from not on National Team (Sep) – to 4th, 3rd – now 2nd (today) – all in 6 months)
How many changes we going to make for our starting for Egypt ? Can Marco Pasalic and Pjaca start please (why didn’t Pjaca come on last game with Marco – and instead we put not-even-penalty-ability 52 caps Vlasic on ?)
Over the two matches – Italy set to give 5 players their 1st caps (how many 1st caps are we giving during these two matches – zero – why is Sucic, Sigur, etc not with the squad getting caps ?)
“I have the starting XI in mind, especially in games like these, as it is important to get the know more players better,” Spalletti
football-italia.net/italy-look-to-inter-vicario-raspadori-ecuador/
“We should always try to play out from the back, but that approach has limits, we mustn’t do it beyond reason, otherwise you can lose the ball to give away a penalty or concede goals.
“If the other team does well to press you and create problems, it is possible to go long for the centre-forward, especially if it’s someone like Retegui who is good at controlling it.” Spalletti
Dalic – what’s ur play ? Italy will play out of the back – they are telling us that – since we won’t have the pressing ability of 2018 – what’s our plan going to be ?
Is Budimir going to work his tail off for the team like Mandzukic – remember his pressing deep – pressing high – always working hard for the team for 90 minutes
football-italia.net/spalletti-on-perfect-retegui-and-italy-tactics/
I said this before croatia have no business playeing 4 3 3 when they dont have wingers period.
Ante I think you explained it, Cro doesn’t have Rebic and Perisic speed like 2018. Ivanusec is probably our fastest guy but that’s it. No Orsic, Perisic etc we’re limited when playing any fast breaks.
Budimir is the closest we have to a striker that puts pressure on the opposing team’s back line the way Mandza did but he doesn’t have the same supporting cast he had so I find it hard to incorporate him. With Budimir we will likely hold possession and cross the way he scored against Armenia. With Petkovic we’ll play more down the middle, mali nogomet type slow soccer.
The problem is these smaller countries know, clog the middle, force Croatia wide to cross, bunker and play counter especially if they have speed. Tunisia did what Morrocco did. Tunisia had 2 sitters that a better team finishes, the one they skied over the net and the header.
Some speed would really help us this tournament and give us alternatives.
There are not many teams smaller them the 3,9 million we have
Yo Dalic
Did you see England vs. Brazil today ?
England had 3 first time caps
Mainoo 17 y.o. (where they have Gallaher and Henderson already)
Gordon 23 y.o. (where they have world-class Foden already)
Konsa 26 y.o. (where they have Walker, Trent, Trippier, Rico Lewis, etc already)
While Spain brought on wingers Nico Williams (21 y.o.) and Lamine Yamal (16 y.o.) last game [god help us – when we have to face Porro plus Yamal/Williams down our LHS – we’ll have to park Brozovic over there]
Why wasn’t Sigur called up again (and others from U21) – remind us ?
Could have been worst – at least Moro didn’t get another cap
P.S. for those who are sensitive to others asking questions / questioning decisions (I mean we couldn’t even break down Tunisia for 1 goal) – u should check out how the UK pundits / fans reacted to today’s loss to Brazil – it’s perfectly normal to comment when things are clearly not correct
***.youtube.com/@talkSPORT/videos
When Budimir went home sick Dalic should have called up Igor Matanovic from our U21 squad. The guy is in good form and scoring goals albeit in Bundesliga 2. He is tall and robust type of player. On paper it is said that Dalic employs 4 – 3 – 3 formation, however it is more often than not 4 – 5 – 1 which is very defensive and now with no Perisic even more so. When playing teams like Tunisia that park the bus you need bodies in the penalty box and that is why I would start with two big forwards and pepper the box with crosses from all angles and eventually something will give.
Against Albania at the EURO I would start with Budimir and Petkovic in the starting lineup and play them up front with Kramaric just behind them, and this means I would change formation to 4 – 3 – 1 – 2.
That’s a good idea. Honestly, we were most dangerous when Sosa crossed three or four times in a row. Even if the other team clears it, we either win the ball back and force them to reorganize fast before the next cross, or we win a corner, which suits our roster well since we have a number of players who can score from headers.
No doom today. Controlling possession happened. Completing an extremely high percentage of passes happened. Sosa crossing into the box happened. Erlić played solid defense. Ćaleta-Car filled in pretty well (no, that was not “almost a penalty,” it was bullshit by the Tunisian players). Marco Pašalić showed why he can turn into an elite player. Mario Pašalić was close to scoring by cleaning up the garbage, again. Kramarić played 90 mins capably. A few different players took corners. Kovačić nearly dribbled the ball into the goal. Ivušić demonstrated that he is still solid, even if he plays in Cyprus. Croatia earned a match against Egypt instead of New Zealand. All that is positive.
Now, some changes need to be made. Vlašić just doesn’t seem to have a place on the current squad and players need to take more risks with shooting on goal, maybe even from distance.
My starting lineup against Egypt:
Kotarski; Stanišić, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol, Sosa; Mario Pašalić, Kovačić; Pjaca, Modrić, Marco Pašalić; Petković.
Who I think will actually start:
Kotarski; Stanišić, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol, Sosa; Brozović, Kovačić; Pjaca, Modrić, Marco Pašalić; Petković.
One worrying aspect about today’s match is that Albania will employ similar tactics as Tunisia. They will park the bus, and we will struggle to break them down if tonight’s display is any guide.
For the match against Egypt, I would start with Petkovic upfront and give Pjaca a go on the left wing. Erlic looks like being out with a groin injury so DCC or Vida will get a start. Stanisic will most likely replace Juranovic. I would also like Kotarski to get a chance in goal. We need to up the tempo on Tuesday and show more intent when going forward.
That will be strategy against at Euros
They will allow us to control midfield and draw us into a wall before we enter their penalty area – we have zero threats of any winger, etc making a diagonal run into the box (or a winger actually taking the ball past a few players) – we’ll turn it over (or try a low probability long range shot) – than they’ll one pass counter attack – and our defensive will be exposed / end up 1 vs 1 vs speed wingers (Gvardiol will struggle against very speed forwards / anyways they can just go after DCC or whoever else we’ll have out there who will be slow) – we’ll of course then start trying to go down the wings with our full-backs and pray they can land one decent cross into the box to Budimir (again this will be predictable to play against – they’ll just overload the box with an extra defender / midfielder to have 2 vs. 1 vs Budmir or Petkovic)
Basically the Wales / Turkey goals – all over again
It’s way too predictable – no change in tactics for years now
I say this – as Dalic / coaching staff need to come up with a solution ASAP – how we’re going to change formation / tactics – so we’re not so predictable
Marco Pasalic could be an answer for RW – but for some strange reason we don’t start him but put Mario there instead
We 100% need Marco to start vs Spain – he gives us something completely different (which we’ve never had)
I will say again – he is in the mold of a typical PL winger – if nothing else – we should give him exposure – so he can get himself a big $$$ move after the Euros – this is based on limited minutes on the pitch – but the ingredients are all there
But since we’ve never had a Marco before – Dalic doesn’t know how to change tactics to play to him (e.g. he was standing there on RW – open – waiting for early ball – so he could take on the full-back – and our midfielder players were moving the ball slowly painfully from the back – instead of getting him the ball quickly and letting him run)
Yes, this will be the strategy used against us, just as Argentina gave us possession to hit on the counter, knowing we didn’t have the cutting edge up front to penetrate and cause chaos in their 18 yard box.
The shit thing is we obv would have gotten to see the new checkers v NZ since they are all black… egypt i guess we blue again? dont know what it looks like on the TV screen yet
As long as our scoring effort is as big as our squares we should do fine.
With the away blue jerseys I noticed, the two shades of blue chosen, make the checkers undistinguishable, at least from a small laptop, no big deal. They have always taken a little bit of more liberty on the away jerseys it seems. The try to give it an ocean marine feel.
It appeared that Ivušić seem to bias his position just so slightly to the right, to dare the shooter to go left on the last shot. Could be wrong. Anyway, it worked out.
It seems like the top of the bar is the best bet, but height is hard to control as well.
I don’t hold much stock in a game/tourney like this. This possession based style although boring will keep us in games.
As for the comments here about how old our team is, where have you all been the last 25 years? We getter better with age and have had very few elite players at a young age. Who cares if we are fielding older players in their early 30s? If they are fit and can run it’s a benefit to have some experience.
Love the new blue kits but nothing compares to the 2018 kits both home and away.
Blue kits are too blue for me.
They’re ok. They kind of remind me of our Euro2016 away kits.
That Slavic blue color with red accents could make the kit look like a Slovakia or Czech kit, if it weren’t for the checkers.
I like it when the away checkers are more prominently displayed, with either black or a darker blue. The checkers are our identity. Needs to stand out on both kits.
I actually liked the idea of a blue kit with some red checkers on it.
The ‘fake’ leaked away kits for the 2022 World Cup were blue, but had some faded red checkers across the entire kit (posted link below).
These were amazing:
https://croatiansports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_7299.jpg
I don’t mind changing up the blue from a darker to a lighter shade year to year. Everyone has their own taste I guess.
I would prefer that the checkers be more prominent, hence my love of the 2018 away jerseys with the black checks.
The big miss this year is the home jerseys. I didn’t like the last ones either. Nike needs to go. The home and away kits in that leak are both really nice. 👍
Ya those aways are great
A black with red checkers would be awesome too
Does anyone know what the starting time for Tuesday’s game (EST) is?
Not much out there on the internet.
yeah cant find anything but im assuming it’ll be the same ?
The KO is at the same time i.e. 21:00 hours Croatian time.
Both Italy and Spain are going thru transitions
Look at average age of Italy and Spain last game
e.g. Italy – one 34 y.o,, one 30 y.o,, the rest 20-25
Ditto Spain
So unless Dalic has consciously said “I’m going to give it a shot fielding our senior citizens hoping they can win based on experience vs transitioning Italy and Spain” – he had the perfect chance over last year to start a bunch of youngsters and integrate them into starting line-up
I mean Marco Pasalic is 23.5 y.o. – and showed more in 35 minutes today – than Vlasic has in 54 caps – yet he can’t even get a start
Kovacic has 98 caps – 98 ! and how many games can you think of off top of your head that he has run the midfield and been a difference maker (his first game vs. Serbia at Maksimir was probably his best/one of his best)
While most of this board has been saying for months we need to wait for a 35 y.o. Perisic and 31 y.o. Orsic get healthy in time – it’s sad – we should have forgot about them when they got injured – and moved on to whoever we have near Gvardiol’s age
It’s also sad Budimir got a little snuffles and can’t play – is he that soft – really ?
So, what is your prediction for the Euro?
Is Croatia gonna finish third in their group?
I’m not sure we would be in the tournament if we just went young..
Sniffles the guys has the flu. I just had that and was out for five days it’s not that simple. You cannot play if your not a hundred percent. If he plays sick and shits the bed you would be the same guy to jump all over it and say send the guy home.
The big man was playing competitive matches (and scoring goals) with a fractured sinus. He may have gotten a sinus infection leading to the fever. He has a chance to be the top scorer in Spain by the end of the season and then bring Mandzukić 2.0 to Germany in the summer. I should hope that he is allowed to sit out two inconsequential friendlies in unhygienic Egypt rather than compromise his longer term fitness!
that was one of the strangest experiences ive had watching our guys.. like pretty poor game and then whats happening.. are there penalties? does anyone know or care? is anyone even keeping score lmao..
but look, i think its fair to say this is our GREATEST ever victory in our history ! LOL
Dude just shut up
Well done to Ivusic for saving three spot kicks. Very poor display especially in the first half. Lucky to progress to the final with Tunisia having two best chances in the match one in each half. We need a big improvement if we are to beat Egypt on their own turf.
Hopefully the players use this game as a wakeup call.
Winning the PKs is always good to further stamp our PK legacy as one of the best PK taking teams of all time.
Definitely a psychological advantage in tournaments, especially when games head into extra time.
Marco Pasalic a bright spot.
Terrible penalty by Vlasic (for all the “we have to take Vlasic bc he can take penalties !” crowd)
54 caps – and still no role / impact in the team
Marco Pasalic did more today in 35 minutes – that Vlasic has done in 54 caps
And the best penalty by either side was Marco’s
Ya, Majer and Petković need to stop taking them.
They both missed their PKs against Spain in the Nations League (costing us that trophy). Majer’s PK against Japan at the World Cup luckily went in, but was very poor take nonetheless.
Both of their PKs today were sloppy. Majer at least managed to hit his hard (though still far too close to the keeper). A better keeper would have saved that. Petković’s PK was just very bad and it went in only because of the goalkeeper fumbling it.
My guess is that the only reason they were sent up there to take the PKs is because of the Nations League final and this match being a friendly. They had much better shots saved by Unai Simon at that time, and Dalić wanted to give them a shot at redemption. They both took poor shots, but seeing the shots go in has to do something to clear their own personal doubts. Anyway, those guys shouldn’t be taking PKs in tournament matches, and Juranović and Vlašić need to start practicing their PKs again, although I think Vlašić should leave the repka at this point.
If anything our keepers need to prepare if we sneak out of our euro group it will be penalties that all Dalic knows how to play conservative
Ivušić saves the tournament! 😁
The diaspora community wants to know with certainty; how many game worn shirts will Zoric get from this friendly? 2? 3? A diaspora hero. God bless him.
The shitty part is if they lose now it’s gonna be a reason for Dalic to argue he cannot rely on the youth yet, again. It’s the one thing that would suck if such a result were to happen they almost have to win now.
No, I think they were looking more dangerous with the younger guys.
All that possession and the inability to finish because we don’t have a killer. It’s painful 😬
Majer takes nice corners, better than Modric.
Ante is getting an early start in preparing his 17th version of “Guys, The Sky isn’t Falling”…We Have 3 Months To Go!!!” 😁
All you naysayers out there should be ashamed of your nonsensical bleating. Saying Hrvatska had luck on their side in WC 18 and 22, or had some miraculous fairy dust helping them. Fuck that. Do you recall the not so clear and obvious could called against us. Exhibit A: Perisic handball against France. Not a clear and obvious handball by any measure and did a fine job in deflating our momentum. Exhibit B: not so clear and obvious foul by Livakovic on the Man City Argie, called a penalty by the ref 2 mins after the goal didn’t happen. Two game changing calls contributing to 2 losses. Gtfooh saying we were lucky.
The tackle by Livakovic on Julian Alvarez was a clear foul. If it was the other way around we woiod be up in arms if a penalty wasn’t given to one of our players
Clear foul my left testicles. What was Livakovic supposed to do? Lie down and let the Argie run around him? He was in a natural blocking position and made a move on the ball. If that happens pre VAR PK would not have been called. In theat semi the ref didn’t make the call until VAR told him to.
Hand ball directive was different then. Might not have been whistled against Perišić if it was today.
Euro 2016 was ours.
…but the ref decided to let Portugal cleat stomp our players all game.
Euro 2020 was political too.
People forget that Perišić is anti vaxx and was being punished for it.
UEFA deliberately made him take a Rapid Antigen Test three times before the Spain match (which isn’t an accurate test) and despite getting two negative tests, they managed to get a positive one out of it, banning him from the Spain game.
They would have never treated Ronaldo this way (who was also unvaxxed).
Very true. Respect to Perisic for saying no to the clot shot.
I would really like Majer to bag a goal.
Can someone explain why an unskilled player like DCC is in there?
Is he that much better than our younger guys? Almost committed a hand ball for a PK.
Lets go Dalic Pjaca Petko Majer in next
Steta erlic good solid defender hope it isnt anything bad
Erlic coming off injured
In fairness to your point, Ante, Dalic should experiment with the youth more here. If not in a friendly then when?? I would.like to see Sucic personally, I have no idea why he is being benched here it’s he perfect to play him.
Mario Pasalic isn’t a starter, but he is a fantastic substitute.
Perfect game to play him I mean
Isn’t Luka Sučić injured?
nothing new going on here. It the same old story We still don’t have anyone that can score . We cannot get anything going . This is a train wreck headed to Euros .
I know its only a friendly but what bothers me is this is our play keep ball away hope some crap goes in for a goal. When we get to the big boys its defend and counter so it looks pretty but its bot in all honesty.
Thats why we lost 2 finals and semi finals the opposition gives us the ball and they know we cant attack and they destroy us on the counter final 2018 semi final 2022 and nations league yes was 0 0 but spain should have beat us 3 0 imo
I get your point about the striker issue and I agree. However, we have had a run of some bad injuries this past year, 10 different players to be fair had problems. Any team would struggle with this. The fact that Croatia can still keep possession and pose a threat should show something to the rest of the world.
3-0 is really steep. Croatia didn’t do that poorly versus Spain in this past Nations League. In fact they played well against Spain much better then the Nation’s League after the World Cup in 2018, and they came back in that game. The problem is Spain plays the same game we do so it looks deceiving when another team has a their chances.
What about the game against Netherlands? Would you say they played well their? More goals were scored that game, but that is a team who doesn’t play the same way Spain does so they result was different and favourable because that’s the type of team they want to play.
Why would they try hard here just to injure themselves before a major tournament? It makes no sense.
We played well v Netherlands because they attacked didnt defend.
Friendlies are friendlies. Other then the younger squad I don’t think that the veterans are looking at this as a competitive match, more of an exhibition.
This is a chance to find chemistry on the field, and is above all a time when injuries are the last thing you want for anyone on the squad.
So I don’t think their aim is to give it their all here. It is to win and have the lowest amount of output from the squad, and no injuries I believe.
As a friendly I don’t think this game matters a whole lot. Other than their position in the FIFA rankings what do they stand to game from winning this match??
So I don’t see why people are stressing so much on these games.
For the above reason, I think Dalic should sub in younger players earlier, atleast giving them a chance to prove themselves. But we know that he won’t so hopefully they pull off a favourable result. More than likely they will.
Imo Modric should not play friendlies This should have been tontry new players but like i wrote before he has his 23 in his head. Second half Vlasic Majer Petkovic will come on
We need a target man(Budimir would have been useful) or a strong hold up man up top (Petković) to create some quick passes and shots on goal. Also theres no one in the box to get on a cross.
Klasična Dalićeva taktika, bez napadača i dodavanja, možda uđe u gol. Zato igramo protiv takve velesile.
Crappy half from us. Can this game be a draw or would it go to penalties etc? How does it work as a friendly but a “semi final” lmao?
It goes to penalties i think no extra time
yeah i wondered if it might go straight to pens cos surely no one wants ET
I dont understand Dalic since 2018 its same old same old. With no Perisic its even worse no wingers wnd no cf. How we finised 3rd 2022 is a real miracle if you look at it.
It is what it is we rely on luck imo and individual brilliance
Yup…as usual, no creativity in the final 3rd.
Same same
We hold it all
No real chance and lose the few counters
How can we always have so much control and struggle to create any real chances
Hopefully something opens up
So far, only the bright side has been our new road jersey.
Why do I watch friendlies…they never fail to disappoint and frustrate. JJ and Sosa are both questionable defensively.
You guys are not missing much sam old boring play and Var just saved us
So far, man-marking has been optional.
Despite the dominance in ball possession by our guys, it should be Tunisia up 3-0.
In the first 30 minutes, the following hasn’t changed:
1) Our backline is VERY slow.
2) Only 1 shot on goal.
3) The striker position gets ZERO service.
OK ….. Works on computer but not on TV. Argh.
Game on FIFA+ not working for me, after all that. Anyone else?
I had trouble at first also. Is it working on your phone?
Link anyone?
http://www.plus.fifa.com
I’m getting video on the phone, but an error message on BOTH the PC and the smart TV.
Came up now.
Working fine on laptop for me
It’s unlike Dalić to do this, but it will give us a chance to see what the “other” Pašalić can do as a starter instead of as a backup, where he looked good in both games.
Sorry, it’s Mario Pašalić
Love when krama plays as cf top
The booked tickets to euros imo are the following
Livakovic Gvardiol Sutalo Erilic Vida Sosa Stanisic Juranovic Modric Kovacic Brozovic Majer Sucic Pasalic Vlasic Ivanusec Budimir Kramaric Petkovic Perisic if healthy that 20 Two more keepers that 22 so one more player is fighting for spot
Baturina Pjaca Ma. Pasalic maybe Beljo CC Pongracic Bradaric
Speaking of Sučić, we all thought he’d be a starter 3 years ago. He’s barely making the roster nowdays for various reasons.
If by “various reasons” you mean “blown knee which kept him out for most of this season and looks like it’s not yet fully healed and is jeopardizing his career” then yes, it’s a pretty valid reason to not win a starting spot on a top-8 ranked National Team in the World.
I’d just like to see a decent performance overall. Get an early lead, hold possession, create chances, and then try out some guys who we need to see more of like Marco Pasalic, Pjaca, and Kotarski.
Just registered for FIFA+ for the game. FYI: They have many previous games in full. Currently watching Netherlands-Croatia bronze-medal match (no commentary) from 1998. Am 16 minutes in and Prosinecki just scored. Pretty sloppy overall so far lol.
That game was the most one sided game and we won 2 1 Ladic man of the match. Holland imo was the best team in 1998
Do they have Croatia vs England in 2018 – I’d love to watch that match again.
The team needs three central defenders on the bench in case of injuries, yellow card suspensions, red card suspensions, and in case they need to crowd the box to protect a lead late in the game. At the actual Euro, it’s possible that the two starting CBs both have to be out of the game. Then what? You need three guys there to cover the possibility. Vida, DCC, and Pongračić all play at a high level. Who else would you call instead? The only guy I can think of is Jakić, and I can see him taking Ivušić’s spot for the June squad.
Croatia’s big advantage over Spain and Italy is going to be physical presence in the box on corner kicks. They will also frustrate those teams by holding the ball a lot. We’ve seen if before and will see it again. The players called up all have great possession skills. Even the end of the bench central defenders have a reliable touch and accurate passing. The possession thing is more important in determining the winner in professional football than pure speed and athleticism are. The exception is the Premier League. EPL games are won by speed and force. But the Euro and the World Cup are usually won by the more tactically skilled team.
Yeah but that presence in the box won’t matter if we refuse to put in wingers who can send in crosses or constantly take short corners off our corner kicks.
Dalic will not olay younger players fkr everyone bitching calling for youth movement that will happen after euros when Dalic leaves and next coach will need to rebuild alittle for 2026 We all know Dalic is Conservative until shit gets deep. He has his 23 already in mind he will force 4 3 3 even if we dont have players for it imo. we dont have wingers and still dont have a number 9 have to hope some youngers dont crash and burn due to pressure.
Euro 2024 i think is The last Dance for this croatian group which has lasted very long 2026 qualyfiers need fresh blood and stay healthy.
Modric has spoiled us lasting this long.
Can someone tel Dalic Tunisia called up a 20 y.o. – who plays for Brighton U21s – doesn’t have one cap in PL yet – for the experience – and ask why we calling up 3 CBs, lol
https://www.transfermarkt.us/samy-chouchane/leistungsdaten/spieler/756591
We know what Kramaric, Majer, Ivanusec will bring up front
We don’t have big enough sample size for Marco Pasalic and Pjaca
So we should be having the Rijeka wingers combo start – and see what they bring – if better than what we have – great – if not – we fall back to default of Kramaric, Majer, Ivanusec
Complete joke we have 3 CBs on the bench
Pongracic and DCC last played for us 2 yrs ago – together – when we lost 3-0 vs Austria
There is 0 sense calling them up – unless they are called up – because they are playing BETTER than what we have – and the intention is to have them start (see Ugodie – Italy; Porro – Spain)
Especially – given we have Orsic and Perisic injuries – so we should be “testing” as many forward players as possibles – and hope we can add one/two more between now and Germany
You have to be a Spurs fan. Udogie and Porro are solid, sure. However, they are not some world class players like you keep trying to make them seem. “Look who Porro replaced.” Who? Carvajal (who truly hasn’t been that great for Madrid or Spain in years and is always injured) and a 38 year old Jesus Navas who only ever became a full back because he wasn’t providing enough in the attack.
Would Udogie and Porro (and the other guy you live to talk about, van de Ven) probably start for us? Yes, probably, but please stop with so much propaganda for them it is painful to keep reading the same thing you keep posting about them like every single week.
You’re picking one position that we are weaker for each team and making it seem like a disaster for us. I can do the same thing by bragging about our midfield and how the only players Spain and Italy have that likely would get into our midfield are Rodri and Barella.
Spain vs. Columbia
Pedro Porro RB – 90 min (w/ Carvajal and Navas available and on bench)
Italy vs. Venezuela
Destiny Udogie LB – 90 min (w/ Dimarco and Darmian available and on bench)
Recall early Sep I said they would both get call ups to their National Team and we’re good enough to surpass existing players and take the position
Both predictions 100% – as was Mickey VDV (he’s resting now – otherwise would start for Netherlands)
How is Ivanusec defensive ability (to go 1 vs. 1 vs. Porro in first game) ?
From what I’ve seen at his club – he doesn’t really take defensive responsibility too serious – i.e. not a lot of hustle – more going through the motions – and not quick to close down his man – and for that matter Sosa defensive ability (I know we think he’s some sort of crossing guru – but how is he defensively) ?
We better find a solution to contain Spain’s Porro – or he could end up having a “Juranovic vs. Brazil” type game against us (he is that good offensively – just look who he’s leapfrogged in the Spain squad)
Arsenal are the best. Sending you a wave down there in 5th position 👋🏻
I though I heard that Livakovic was injured in the Turkish league??
It’s good to hear that he is fine. Apparently he was assaulted by another player 5 days ago.
He was attacked, and punched in the face by an opposing fan. He needs to get the F out of turkey.
Dominic intercepted a Trabzonspor cross late in the game. He landed on the opposing player’s foot and severely rolled his ankle.
While lying on the ground inside his goal and being comforted by players from both teams he was hit by an object which split his chin open.
Brutal…I had a feeling the move to Turkey would be bad for him he should have stayed in Dinamo for another year to see if other options opened up for him. Somewhere in in Bundesliga or Series A would have been way better. Same thing for Orsic too.
That’s great for Dominik!
He always looks a little sheepish to me. No confidence.
A spell in a crazy place like the Turkish league will make him tougher💪
That’s what he needs.
Bog i Hrvati