Croatia could not have lined up a better opponent on Sunday; not only for Argentina, but the entire World Cup.
The Vatreni will take on 5-time World Cup champions Brazil an Anfield, the home of Dejan Lovren and Liverpool FC at 10AM (ET).
Brazil have not lost a game in nearly an entire calendar year, when Argentina defeated them 1-0 during a friendly in Australia on June 9th. And we all remember the last time Croatia and Brazil met. It was the opening match of the 2014 World Cup in Sao Paulo where Croatia lost 3-1 to some very questionable refereeing.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić is expected to start his strongest XI with only one other friendly lined up between Brazil and the start of the World Cup- a friendly against Senegal in Osijek.
Is Ante Rebić a lock to start at the World Cup on the right wing or does he need to perform well in these two friendlies first?
The Czechs played some holiday defence even one own goal i remember Australia beat England and Germany in a friendlies once it doesnt mean anything. We defeated Argentina 3:2 on Modric’s repka debut in 2006 but still went out in the group stage with Australia Japan and Brazil.
Brazil’s defense is pension ready….Alves 35…Silva 33…Marcelo is 30….We need our wingers to be solid.
I’d love a win, but would a win put us in euphoria? :p
Brazil is in Crazy form…I hope we do well on Sunday it will boost the boys for Russia.
Nigeria beat Argentina 4-2, maybe they arnt easy beats
Australia beat Czechs 4-0 !! Maybe they arent easybeats?
Madrid aren’t winning it again.
Zizou was the perfect manager for them and they’re an old team. Pretty lucky to get by a Munich team missing arguably their 3 most influential players. Also barely got by an aging Juventus team.
I’m not sure whats gonna happen with Real but if Zidane had any influence on those players and a couple end up leaving, that team won’t be the same.
@adame youre right
No shot in hell Modric or a Kovačić leaves Madrid. The players don’t want it and management isn’t stupid enough to let them go. Regardless his age, Modric is playing the best football of his life.
Guys, cut with the stupid comments about Real Madrid. You have no clue. Real will NEVER sell Luka, he pulls the strings for them, and Kova is the heir apparent.
And the comments about Juve developing players..lol…come on Juve blow.
Modrić at Juve would extend his career.
However, I think Kovačić at Juve would be better for us. Juve are the best at taking young players to the next level.
If both can go (with both playing in starting eleven), that would be fantastic.
The tired pro athlete argument doesn’t pass the sniff test.
Even Rakatic rested a few games down the stretch, especially with the hand injury. No excuses.
Messi just played 90 mins a friendly vs Haiti, after playing more season minutes than Rakitic. No excuses
Players have to mid-june to rest with a few friendlies in between to keep them sharp and in shape. No excuses
Injuries are a different story.
Juventus make that move for both Modrić and Kovačić then they win the CL next season.
Modrić is like Pirlo and has two more years in him. He will also retire from international football.
Kovačić is ready for a breakthrough this June and will take all that Zidane training over the last few years and form himself into a Word-Class midfielder.
Modrić starts Sunday and plays 45 minutes.
He was rested down the stretch by Zidane. He is healthy and fresh physically and emotionally he is a champion.
Kovačić should play the entire 90 to get him into rhythm.
Rakitic is the one you have to monitor as Barca ran his ass into the ground.
Rebić needs to start!
Yeah im sure you will cover for everyone Lovro i have heard that one before sounds fishy.Real Madrid will sell Modric because they can still cash in on him now not when hes 34 or 35.
Also, have a guy in the Juventus board room telling me Juventus wants Modric, Kovacic, and the next superstar Milinkovic-Savic to play in the midfield next year.
Just put down $1000 to make $6260 on Croatia to beat Brazil and $1000 to make $3160 for the teams to tie.
Urge the rest of you to do the same – easy money. I’ll cover for everyone if Croatia loses.
What does Kovacic need rest for? He’s been resting nearly all season. I would give him a good 45-60 minutes Sunday to try to find his form and get his wheels rolling. Modric earned himself rest until the Nigeria game.
I would like to see Rebic start Sunday so we can see his value on the pitch from the opening whistle. He still seems to be best utilized as an energizer, and I don’t see that changing before Nigeria.
U think he starts his strongest 11? I hope not. Modric and kovacic need some rest and I don’t need to worry about injuries
http://m.calciomercato.com/en/news/real-madrid-offer-modric-in-trade-for-juventus-superstar-48126
28 or not Pjanic couldn’t hold Luka’s jock strap.
But …
I love the move for Modrić.
Real Madrid won’t win shit without Real Modrić.
Bust?
Meni KURAC !!!
Real Modrić ?????
Zidane is a legend …. 3 CL in a row … Zizou … out!
Could be a good time for Modrić to leave as well?
Kovačić needs a club that will give him the #8 or #10 shirt and let him rock in the center of the ptich on the regular.
Is Real Crodrid over?
Cilic and Coric both through to the third round of the French with 4 set wins overnight
I wonder if DaSilva will be there.
We are going to FUCK THEM UP !!!
😉
Nah i actually reckon it’ll be a tie like another friendly we had with em about 10 years ago
Rebic is not a lock. Had he not scored 2 goals in last weeks final against Bayern, I don’t think too many people on this site would’ve wanted him to be a starter. Most people only began wanting Rebic to be a starter after the Mexico game and then even more after last week. I can’t recall seeing too many posts of people on this site wanting him to be a starter prior to that. The next 2 games are more important for the budding players fighting to make a case as to why they should start than the players who already start unless they absolutely shit the bed in the next 2 games.
Who else would normally start in his position? He won’t start over Perisic. It also depends on what formation we play and if everyone, God willing, stays healthy from now until the world cup begins.