SRNA STILL SENDING BALLS LIKE A RIGHT WINGER
CROATIA-SLOVAKIA PLAY OUT A 1-1 DRAW IN BRATISLAVA
The match was absolutely boring and you didn’t miss much if you couldn’t catch it. Nothing happened in the first half and Croatia started off the second giving up a soft goal to the Slovaks. Jelavić equalized quickly off a corner which barely went off his head for enough of a deflection to catch the far side of the goal. Petrić and Eduardo both had golden chances to score but nothing came of it. I feel disappointed after this friendly. Our players didn’t play nearly hard enough with qualifiers around the corner and once again, nothing was learned.
Runje, Srna, Ćorluka, Schildenfeld, Šimunić, Vukojević, Rakitić, Kranjčar, Mandžukić, Modrić, Olić are your starters.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
LIVE FEEDS:
http://www.justin.tv/ginger_bloke2#/w/309176448/4
BalkanSport.info
CROATIA U-21’S BEAT NORWAY 4-1 WITH GOALS FROM LOVREN(2), JAJALO & KREILACH
U21 Starters: Kelava, Vida, Vrsaljko, Jajalo, Maloča, Lovren, Oremuš, Palić, Vukušić, Badelj, Perišić
A DRAW IN SERBIA SHOULD GET CROATIA THROUGH TO THE PLAYOFF ROUND
@Alex,
Lets not close the door already on this 18 year old kid. Delac will get some of the top training in the world. Hopefully, by next season he suits up for a decent club.
Id be shocked if Delac ever became Chelsea's #1. The more likely scenario is him being loaned out to a Championship side and eventually becoming Chelsea's #2. After a season or 2 on the bench/playing cup matches, he'll be bought as a #1 by a smaller EPL side. He'd have to become absolutely, 100% world-class to ever be their #1.
@anonymous,
Excellent questions… please sign in.. or sign out with a name after your comment…
Delac is a prospect that has been signed by a top 5 team in the world. No chance in hell that he starts for Chelsea this season. Delac has to wait at least 2 more years before he gets the #1 for Croatia.
Delac will turn 18 next week
What about Delac? If Chelsea have snapped him up he must be half decent and even if he's lacking in experience better then Pletikosa and Runje or Subasic. What do people think?
@Ivo,
thanks for the link. Thats great!
Don't get me wrong about the goalie situation. We have 3 keepers that should be considered for the #1 (Runje, Pletikosa, and Subasic). For me, its in that order.
Now if Pletikosa gets a few starts at Tottenham and does well and Runje is on and off the bench at Lens, then try out Pletikosa.
Only way Subasic starts is if Pletikosa stays on the bench and Runje is on the pine for a while in Lens.
Runje started for Lens today, wasnt tested, a few cheap saves in a 1-0 shutout.
@ Denis:
I am not saying Stipe is undoubtedly the #1. You are right about being concerned his shape but is just a matter of time (don't know if he'll be ready for the first match). The question here is, who should take the #1 spot? I don't know about Runje or Subasic.
By the way, a useful link for the ones that missed Croatia's game:
http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=36557&league=International%20Friendly&size=condensed
The whole game in ESPN3
Cheers!
@Ivo Miljanovic
Would you really start Pletikosa without playing a game in over 6 months?
I dont trust Corluka in central defense. I think Im more comfortable with Schildenfeld over Charlie.
@JP
"Are you that scared of Greece or Israel, come on man."
I'm not scared but respect both teams, as both can bust a Ukraine on us.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Croatia draw Greece 1-1 at home and win 1-0 in Athens… Media will jump all over the Greece draw.
@Capljina
I like where your head is at… However, Schildenfeld isnt bad and rakitic cant play together with Kranjcar.. kinda like gerrard and Lampard… same player..
@nepoznat
Would you start a keeper that has been out for just about a year?
@Slaven
You cant blame Runje for that goal… clearly took a deflection off of Srna… Dario was at fault for that goal.
@JP
"Anyway, overall we still need to develop a world-class keeper as we can definitely improve on Runje too."
Croatia has never had a keeper like Runje.. that doesnt say much, but it is what it is.
@Ante
Vukojevic doesnt belong in the squad unless he teams up with Dujmovic as a DM… Dynamo Kiev use a 2 DM formation which makes life a lot easier for him. Vuki cant play the N. Kovac position by himself.
interesting formation. Olic and Kranjcar working together in the mid? hmm…
@Vlad
Been a long time my friend. Check in every now and then and put these guys on point.
Olic, Kranjcar and Eduardo on the bench.. very interesting.. I just dont have enough trust in Jelavic, yet.
@Alex,
I like the 4-2-2-2 formation. I dont know about Modric or Rakitic playing with Dujmovic, they are both limited by height.
I don't like Srna as a right back. He was clearly at fault for that Slovakia goal. Corluka is a rock at right back, however, we are thin in defense so we might have to opt for Srna at RB..
Strinic is a must at LB.
I like Dujmovic to start as DM..
against a "superior team" I would opt a Ziva istina 4-2-3-1 formation with Dujmovic and Vukojevic as DM… Kranjcar and Petric off the bench..
against a team like Greece, I like a 4-1-3-2…
Runje
Srna Corluka Simunic Strinic
Dujmovic
Kranjcar Modric Pranjic
Olic Eduardo
Olic played well with Eduardo by his side. I dont see Eduardo in the midfield. He has a nose for the goal like Davor Suker.
@JP
"I also love Srna at the back right. He's waaaaaaay better there than in mid! "
I like him making the runs down the line… however, he's a liability in defense. He cant cover that right side by himself.
"Schildenfeld for Joe"
this could work..
However, Dudu and Olic feeding Petric? hmm.. Im not so sure..
@Slaven,
"I prefer when you had the little live box showing the score with some commentary. The twitter link is blocked for alot of us at work. "
thanks for the feedback. We will work on this for next time at Alpine Village. For the September qualifiers, we will be reporting from New York City.
The Hajduk and Dinamo matches might be scheduled at the same time. If so, we wont be able to cover both games and update live.
How do you like the updates with pictures? I will be updating the games on thursday..
@ziva istina
"Modric, Kranjcar and Rakitic can not work. Either Kranjcar or Rakitic, one has to go on the bench. "
I agree that Rakitic and Kranjcar are the same type of player out there. One has to be on the bench at all times.
@stewey
Mate bilic hasnt played all summer, he probably lacks match fitness for this friendly. Hopefully, he is still in Slaven's plans, however, no point of having an unfit Bilic "out of it" on the pitch.
I dont think the players were lost, maybe a little. First game of the season, they didnt give more than 30% effort out there.
@Adrien
"One thing that is for certain is that we have a goalkeeper crisis. Runje's starting spot is seriously under threat at Lens and with Pleti about to warm the bench at Tottenham we need better options. Do we have anybody coming through the ranks? "
I agree. However, we dont have an answer. As of right now its Runje or bust. I dont see Runje losing his starting job for Croatia in the next few weeks even if he rides the bench at Lens… In October things can change..
@Alex
Yes, but if the other 3 defenders are good and solid, then we can easily afford a more offensive minded left back. Anyway, IMO Joe's gotta go to the bench.
With Olic the pitbull on the left and decent "holding" mids, Pranjic will not get exploited anymore. Fine, put Strinic there if you want, but the bottom-line is that Joe's gotta go.
JP,
But you were mentioning Serbia's past form as a reason to not use tall, slow, FB's!! I brought up our success in the 06-08 campaign to show that it's better to have a strong defende/poor attacker at FB(Simunic) than the opposite(Pranjic). Look what happened to him- once coaches knew what to expect and set out to exploit it, he hasn't had a decent game since(at LB)!
As for Runje, just compare his record to Pleti. Now, it's certainly not all his fault, but Runje presided over the NT's worst defensive period in a long, long time. Our once reliable defense became a joke and he was a part of it.
@SlavenBilic
Schedule some friendlies against top class competition for winter/spring 2011.
Our group is not gonna be enough to prepare us to win. We need the likes of Spain/Portugal/Germany/Holland.
Set the bar high Mr. Bilic.
@Alex
Past performance means very little in a new ciklus. Isn't that what form is all about?
@Everyone
Sorry but Joe's gotta go from our starting backline, as he's a liability passing the ball. Unless you include those passes that he and various other defenders exchange unpressured from the opposition… doing these those types of passes does not make us Spain, it makes us lazy and foolish.
I love Joe like all the rest of you, and for the very same reasons, but he's our depth.
Also, I'm not saying this based upon his performance yesterday, even though it was rather vintage Joe. Him and Kranjcar are very classy depth.
To have a really great team you need high class off the bench. We need to aim not just for winning our group, but for winning the tournament. To do both means that the team must develop between here and then. Developing means finding untapped potential. Joe's tapped, as we know what he brings, and it's not changing our options much is it?
If whoever replaces Joe is 10% worse defensively, but 25% better offensively, we win big time by replacing him.
A lot can be accomplished with an average but tenacious "D". Look at what Uruguay did with an average "D".
Plus, do you ever remember Joe scoring with his head off of a corner? I'm sure it's happened but I don't.
Ante B
That's a problem- we just don't have any true wide players right now. That's why I'd put Olic out right- he's the only option. In a few years, we may have Ozobic and Tomecak to play there, but until then…
And Pletikosa is preferable to Runje due to his overall record with the NT. Just look at Runjes "contribution" to the 08 euro campaign- 3 goals let in v Israel. That's a fair comparison to do. Same backline, same campaign- the difference was Runjes inability to organize the backline. And that hasn't improved in his 2 years as #1.
(btw, I was a Runje booster)…
JP,
Having "tall, slow defenders"(back 4) got us our best campaign in 10 years…(and where did having fantastic wingbacks get us in 06?). Attacking fullbacks are great, but if they are clueless defensively it doesn't matter. Pranjic hasn't just been lousy v England, he's been lousy every match since the Euro's and for Bayern. It's simple- he can't play LB.
4-4-2 just doesn't work internationally anymore. Bilic has this hardon for all things English but I hope he sees the writing on the wall. 4-2-3-1 is the obvious choice but another option is 4-2-2-2, which is what the US played at the WC and has been used at times by Brasil and (in a manner) by Spurs, among others. Basically, it's a little like 4-4-2 but with the wide players operating more centrally while the 2 CM's become CDM's. I'd prefer 4-2-3-1 but since we don't seem to have real wide players anyway, it make make sense. With Strinic and Srna both naturally attack minded, this could fit our strengths, since the system requires FB width to be effective.
As far as lineups in 4-2-3-1, there's no need to have 2 purely defensive CDM's. I'd pair Dujmovic with either Rakitic or preferably Modric, who's great picking up the ball from deep and as a general deep-lying playmaker. He's shown he can play centrally when needed in the EPL so I've no concerns. I'd put Rakitic/Pranjic on the left with Olic on the right(watch his performance there last week v Schalke). Someone MUST have pace within the side.
Srna-Corluka-Simunic-Strinic
Dujmovic-Modric
Olic-?-Rakitic/Pranjic
Eduardo
Still unsure of the front arrangement. Maybe Eduardo playing deep with Bilic/Jelavic/Petric at the point(also they could switch it around).
JP,
Having "tall, slow defenders"(back 4) got us our best campaign in 10 years…(and where did having fantastic wingbacks get us in 06?). Attacking fullbacks are great, but if they are clueless defensively it doesn't matter. Pranjic hasn't just been lousy v England, he's been lousy every match since the Euro's and for Bayern. It's simple- he can't play LB.
4-4-2 just doesn't work internationally anymore. Bilic has this hardon for all things English but I hope he sees the writing on the wall. 4-2-3-1 is the obvious choice but another option is 4-2-2-2, which is what the US played at the WC and has been used at times by Brasil and (in a manner) by Spurs, among others. Basically, it's a little like 4-4-2 but with the wide players operating more centrally while the 2 CM's become CDM's. I'd prefer 4-2-3-1 but since we don't seem to have real wide players anyway, it make make sense. With Strinic and Srna both naturally attack minded, this could fit our strengths, since the system requires FB width to be effective.
As far as lineups in 4-2-3-1, there's no need to have 2 purely defensive CDM's. I'd pair Dujmovic with either Rakitic or preferably Modric, who's great picking up the ball from deep and as a general deep-lying playmaker. He's shown he can play centrally when needed in the EPL so I've no concerns. I'd put Rakitic/Pranjic on the left with Olic on the right(watch his performance there last week v Schalke). Someone MUST have pace within the side.
Srna-Corluka-Simunic-Strinic
Dujmovic-Modric
Olic-?-Rakitic/Pranjic
Eduardo
Still unsure of the front arrangement. Maybe Eduardo playing deep with Bilic/Jelavic/Petric at the point(also they could switch it around).
First of all, stipe has never been a great goalie, an average goalie, and know he hasent played for a year and he's in everyones starting eleven seriously guys give your head a shake. Im not saying runje is great but stipe is no better. And the goal yesterday in my opinion was srna's fault.
Croatia best eleven st the moment
Runje
srna corluka simunic strinic
Dujmovic Rakitic
petric Modric pranjic
Jelavic
I have jelavic ahead of other strikers because i think he's the only one that can play alone, olic and da silva need to play off someone. Pranjic in the midfield ahead of niko, this will give us more flow and better counters, strinic must start. I know petric hasent been the best for us lately but i liked how he looked yesterday behind the strikers and he's in good form. Dujmovic ahead of vukojevic, for some reason bilic keeps sticking to vucko, but i think dujmovic is slightly better.well see in two weeks time.
Mario Galinovic and Tomislav Sokota expected to sign for Greek Superliga club AO Kavala end of week.
Dario Zahora joining Bnei Sakhnin.
Vranjes prepared to enjoy whole season playing in Bremen Baby's team so he can coin off the remainder of his contract. Me thinks Hajduk should leave him to it.
In my opinion, this is our best line-up:
Pletikosa
Srna-Charlie,Simunic-Strinic
Vukojevic,Rakitic
Modric
Kranjcar,Olic
Dudu
I don't think Petric is washed-up but I still strongly believe he should be on the left, even if he's not in my top lineup. Don't most of his goals come from the left? I could be wrong. I get the strategy of wanting to attack from the right/center but it didn't work against European powerhouse Slovacka, sarcasm.
@everyone,
That's fine if Pranjic is not left back, my only reason to put him there is that he can attack from there. If Strinic is better fine lets do it.
One of the things that defines modern football is attacking from the wing backs, and so we need to do this, even if it means our "D" is slightly less solid. If we don't we end up looking like Serbia, with a bunch tall and slow defenders, with zero speed. And of course zero results at the highest level.
If you need evidence just take a look at Maicon, Lahm, Ramos etc…
Ps. @Slaven
No goalies catch the ball anymore, Runje is more than fine, and a significant upgrade on Pleti. At least Runje is athletic and can stop the odd shot that would've been a sure goal. Pleti is tall and slow just like Simunic, unless the ball hits him he won't save it. btw. The fact that Runje is not the starter anymore for his club is a good thing for him and the NT.
Anyway, overall we still need to develop a world-class keeper as we can definitely improve on Runje too.
Rakitic will have to grow into the role. The more he plays it the more he should acclimitize. Remember he won't play Slovakia each week. He will play it against Minnows and ultimately he will get more and more confident.
Having thought about it, yep i'd take Klasnic on bench over Gabric for big games. Klasnic has history scoring against Israel and i think also he could knock down Greece so its worth keeping Klasnic on the bench for when you need him. Gabric is perhaps one attacking mid too many. For small games i think you can remove Klasnic. There is enough strikers to knock off small teams.
For friendlies as well i think Olic and Klasnic should never get the call. Every friendly Perisic should play and Kalinic should play to help them grow into international football. You have to protect certain elder players. Having a player injured in a friendly match would be frustrating i.e Kranjcar V Slovenia.
ziva, I like that lineup too because Modric can have some space to work the ball up and Srna/Rakitic can come up and support him (overlap). Both Modric and Rakitic are great playmakers and dribblers who can also attack. I wonder how good Strinic's left foot is though. Is Schildenfeld better? Pranjic has laser precision with his passes from his left foot. We all know how Srna can lob the ball with his right, now there has to be an equal on the other side. If Modric fumbles the ball, at least there are 6 people behind him to stop the counter.
Mate Bilic needs to be called up for the qualifiers. Klasnic needs some recognition too. I think the days of Olic and Petric are done for the NT. Maybe even Dudu. Jelavic and Bilic are more "focused" on getting the job done.
Stewey…..I am beginning to think that is our best lineup…
Pletikosa
Srna – Corluka, Simunic – Strinic
Dujmovic, Rakitic
Modric
Kranjcar, Olic
Eduardo
But, I cant see Pletikosa starting the two games in Sept. He has not played in a very. very long time and if the reports are true he is about to sign and be back up at Spurs. I think Runje will get the start. I prefer Dujmovic, but I think Bilic will go with Vukojevic. I still have my doubts if Rakitic can play that role, but since they tried it yesyerday I am assuming that is what Bilic will do.
Everything should be OK with this squad unless Modric gets hurt. If he goes down, we are in trouble and have to play a new formation.
Pletikosa
Srna – Corluka, Simunic – Strinic
Dujmovic, Rakitic
Modric
Kranjcar*, Olic
Eduardo
Subs
Petric*, Lovren, Schildenfeld, Pranjic, Jelavic, Vukojevic, M Bilic, Klasnic, Subasic
Standby
A+- Mandzo V Kalinic V others
M – Perisic V Gabric V Jajalo
D – Vida V Knezevic
I think cos of the flexibility of Pranjic, Lovren and Rakitic you can prob afford to take Klasnic on bench instead of Gabric. Depends on the match of course. Sometimes Klasnic will find the way to the net easier than others. I think Croatia can afford to make a space for him occasionally.
Ivo, I like your lineups. JP, Pranjic should not be left back. He should be left mid.
Watching the highlights, it should have easily been 3-1. Runje needs to start holding the ball instead of deflecting it.
Again, no friendly is meaningless. Bilic is tweaking the team during friendlies.
@Steweydinamofan
I agree with you about Olic on both fronts.
Also, I forgot about Gabric on my 2nd team too, and he's shown some spark in his limited minutes.
All in all things are looking up.
Sure Dudu up top works too, this is one of the different subtle varijants that I'm talking about.
Competition works better than entitlement!!!
Don't worry Kranjcar will get it together, it's still preseason, he'll be fine, but I don't give him a place in the starting 11 until he does. Plus he doesn't necessarily fit with all the varijants. Lets see how he teams with Modric at Crottenham.
Strinic is injured isn't he as far as I'm aware. He'll come in at left back when fit. Corluka and Simunic will play centre. Schildenfeld and Lovren on bench. At this moment Schildenfeld is ahead of Knezevic. That should be a message to Knezevic to sort himself out. I actually think Knezevic is Dinamo Zagreb standard. Maybe he can get a better move, but he's not really proven a great deal since he left Rijeka, for Croatia or in Serie A.
If we are gonna play this 4-3-2-1 formation then the two behind the strikers have to be very attacking. None of this walking around from Niko Kranjcar. Obviously Bilic has not got through to certain players that there is competition in the squad. Obviously Niko was away during the last matches and it shows. Petric is fighting for his place, so is Jelavic.
I said it before about Rakitic. He needs maturity on a Bastian Sweinstieger level to play that formation. Its something he needs to grow into which i'm sure he will play it well over time. Pranjic also hasn't been tried there yet. Apart from against Estonia where there was no strikers playing.
As for the front three. I think Eduardo should start at the top. Olic should play left where he played for and the right of the front three is Kranjcar Vs Petric. On yesterdays evidence Petric showed more than Kranjcar.
I think its best to use Olic as a runner and a supplier rather than a striker. Yesterday from Olic was similar to have he played last campaign. I don't think he copes well up at front of the attack cos he is not good in the air. Eduardo has a bit more goalscoring intelligence.
Mate Bilic has to come in for Mandzo. If Slaven Bilic does that he may get a response from Mandzo and he may really put it in at Wolfsburg and then if he's firing then he should be in. I think Jelavic deserves his place at moment. But the others have to do what he's doing. Mate Bilic is a type of striker Croatia don't have. He has great movement and can link. Jelavic is more of a poacher.
Now i come to Under 21 team. I think there may be a place for Mato Jajalo in this squad. Unfortunately it may have to come at the expense of Drago Gabric. The team has been centralised and Jajalo can play central and wide which Drago can't do.
I must say if i was coach i would NEVER invite Ivica Olic to another friendly again. There is no need for it. There is nothing more to learn about Olic. Same with Klasnic. Just pick them when they are needed for key games. Its pointless tiring them out during the course of the season.
If Bilic stops calling Olic to friendlies he might be able to take a look at a inform striker during the season. Whether its a Gavranovic, Kalinic or someone else. I think start having a look at Perisic in friendlies from now on.
Runje will be more than fine now that our defense has a spine.
Vedran Runje is so pathetic… we have no chance if Stipe is not wearing the gloves for the upcoming qualifiers
lovren and strinic will be playing first team ball for us in 2012
srna and and corluka for sure shall start but im not sure why all of your are praising Schildenfeld
our midfield will be amazing with Rakitic developing and playing along side Kranjcar and Modric with the 4th mid field spot open to the most hungry worker
and uptop Olic is a shoe in and second spot will be a battle between Eduardo Petric Jelavic and Bilic , and most of all get rid of Mandzo
@Ziva
Definitely, there was a little hyperbole in my two teams comment, but not that much.
Are you that scared of Greece or Israel, come on man. You're making world beaters out of them. The Greeks are the best of the lot, and Slovakia (let alone the Czechs:)! beats them 2 out of every 3 times.
Plus, if you hadn't noticed England and Capello are not in our group anymore… you're also forgetting the other side of your "Pranjic gets exploited" reasoning… and that is that it was a Lennon/Walcott type-speed that exploited him. That kind of speed exploits everyone, and none of our group stage opponents even sniff that kind of threat.
Two years is a long time. But for now, my lineup will work just fine to get us to the show.
My only worry is Bilic going back on the blow and making music videos again. Otherwise we're fine. It seems that he's learned that he needs to learn, and therefore try new things from time to time. See how quickly he developed some depth on the team when he decided to.
This group of ours is a relative cakewalk, and if he continues to be smart, in the new year, and as the ciklus progresses he'll incorporate even more young depth, and more subtle varijants to prepare for the tournament.
Anyway, you can hold onto the past, but I'd rather create what will be.
@JP……..no disrespect intended, but it's hard to make me think you are credible when you refer to the team we just played as "Czechs" and make a comment that we could probably field two teams that win our group. Ummm, no we could not. We saw in the last cycle what took place when we relied on our bench.
Schildenfeld played OK today so I will give him the benefit of the doubt, but don't think he is a high quality player that will deliver against better teams. But, until he does fuck up, Schildenfeld played OK to warrant a spot on the roster.
I still have my doubts about Rakitic playing a deep role or a holding midfielder role with this team. Its something he does not usually play. But, it can be done if a player is willing to sacrafice for the team. The kid is skilled enough to do it. We saw it over a decade ago with Asanovic. We played out of position with the national team and accepted the holding role allowing Boban and Zuti to do their work. So, we shall see if Rakitic can do the same. I have my doubts.
And Pranjic at left back wont work long-term either. Any team can see what Capello did against Pranjic. If a team has a fast player to attack Pranjic, then we are in big trouble. Pranjic can play that position for a stretch, but its not the long term solution. Looks like that will be Strinic's role is he can produce.
What about this:
A) Playing in a more defensive role:
Pletikosa
Srna-Schildenfeld-Corluka-Strinic
Dujmovic-Vukojevic
Rakitic -Modric- Pranjic
Olic
B) Playing in an attacking style:
Pletikosa
Srna-Schildenfeld-Corluka-Strinic
Dujmovic
Rakitic Kranjcar
Modric
Olic – Petric (Jelavic, Dudu)
I didn't watch the game but I'm puzzled by the defensive formation. Simunic doesn't seem suited for wing and I've seen Corluka (at least at club play) make some really nice runs and services playing wing.
Ziva i like the system, i was quite dissapointed that strinic did not start. He's is our true natural left back, i still think rakitic can play deep in the midfield, good teams today need quality in those holding positions. Kranjcar out way too slow once again. Ziva i like your starting eleven but just a few changes.
Runje
srna corluka simunic strinic
Dujmovic Rakitic
Da silva Modric Pranjic
Jelavic
I know olic has been a warrior for us, but if were gonna play this system i dont like him as a lone striker. I like Jelavic, so he plays for rapid, big deal the guy scores, and he seems like a pure striker which is what this system needs. I like pranjic on the wing more than krunchie more speed, one things forsure strinic needs to start and simunic needs to play in the middle instead of schildenfald.
Ps. I also forgot Mandzukic on the bench. Normally, I think he's terrible, but today he was actually "not useless". He's too slow for what the NT needs in mid and attack, but good depth, and seems to be improving. Likely Germany will be good for him.
@ at everyone
I think that most of you guys are way too pessimistic about today's game.
We dominated both halves, and interestingly, in very different ways. Also, it was a game on the road against a WC top 16.
If you didn't notice the Czechs are pretty solid 1-11, and well-coached. Now granted neither team went out "balls to the wall", but they both gave equal effort.
Main takeaway from this game… Our team in loaded with high quality players!
Outside of our "d", we could probably field two teams that win our group. Now granted, it is possible that a team or two in our group has also improved dramatically, but I doubt it.
The most impressive player today for me was Schildenfeld. Perhaps it's because I haven't seem him play much at all, but to me he was a revelation in our D today. Go figure, he can actually pass the ball vertically into the center of the field, to the mids, and in traffic. We haven't had that since Kovac's. I also love Srna at the back right. He's waaaaaaay better there than in mid!
In mid, his lack of a left foot is a huge liability, at right back it's no issue, and we still get the benefit of his right foot. And if he continues to show such energy in overlap, we're golden there.
On the left, I think it's time for Joe to be our first "D" off the bench. He's too slow, and plodding offensively. Great depth though. Either Pranjic or Strinic will add a dimension that Joe lacks, and one that will help us score many goals.
Plus it doesn't matter that the wing backs (Srna and Pranjic/Strinic) are not as good as Joe defensively. The core of our "D" is in the centre, and with Corluka and Schildenfeld in the back row, and Dujmovic and Vukojevic/Rakitic in front of them, that's rock solid. I learned that Rakitic is tough today, and he's not afraid to stick his nose into a tackle. He's growing some fangs!
btw., Ziva we were playing a 4-2-3-1, at least in the first half.
If Bilic continues to listen to me, based on today Slaven, here's your optimal line-up.
Runje
Srna-Charlie-Schildenfeld-Pranjic
Rakitic-Vukojevic
Dudu-Modric-Olic
Petric
This my friends is a very dangerous team that scores goals by the bushel.
This also gives us tremendous depth, not even including any of the young/young studs…
Pleti-
Simunic-Lovren-Strinic
Kranjcar-Dujmovic-
Jelavic-Bilic-Klasnic-Kalinic
it does seem like we are at our best with a 4-4-2…problem is 4-4-2 is outdated.
I would love to see us play a 4-2-3-1….
Runje
Srna – Corluka – Simunic – Strinic
Dujmovic – XXXXXX
Rakitic – Modric – Da Silva
Olic
go ahead boys, tell me why this can or can not work. I don't know who to place in the other holding midfielder role. I rather not insert Vukojevic (he can back up Dujmovic or the other way around.) I think Strinic is our future left back, so I want him there now. My other dilemna is the midfield of Rakitic – Modric – Da Silva or do you play Pranjic, Kranjcar or Olic in Da Silva's spot and you move Da Silva up top as the lone striker. I think a bench of Pranjic, Kranjcar, Petric brings realistic depth to the team with more potential from Jelavic and even Bilic.
This is just me thinking/typing out loud.
Were the players not exerting themselves or were they lost in the system. Interestingly they look just as lost as Dinamo Zagreb. Same style of players. Both looking baffled with there new roles. Kranjcar not sure how to play off a striker just like Morales. Rakitic not sure how to play deep centrally just like Badelj. Can apply to lots of players except Mandzo who should not be there.
Seems to me they are happiest in 4-4-2.
I agree with ziva istina, the friendly was ultimately meaningless. The guys weren't exerting themselves which is understandable considering the seasons starts this weekend.
One thing that is for certain is that we have a goalkeeper crisis. Runje's starting spot is seriously under threat at Lens and with Pleti about to warm the bench at Tottenham we need better options. Do we have anybody coming through the ranks?
Ya not much to learn from today's game. Slovakia's a good side but the game was much too slow for Croatia in the 1st half. The subs at half seemed to work quite well. Jelavic worked hard and was rewarded with that lil flick of the head. He deserves to be ahead of Mandzo in my book. Bilic should probably be ahead of him as well.
Petric and Eduardo had some half decent chances but couldn't quite seal the deal. This game is in a tough spot with everyone getting geared up for their club seasons. Hopefully, everyone will be ready for Euro qualifying.
it was a freindly…meaningless. Most of these guys are eager for their season to start and avoid injury.
the true test starts in a few weeks.
Yawn! Time to let some young kids free on the first team. Jajalo, Lovren need moving up.
Get rid of Mandzo…
whats this 1 in 11 or something now and counting.
Bring Mate Bilic back for Mandzo. Stick Olic on bench. Kranjcar was disappointing. Needs prem matches to get him up to speed. Game was too slow in the first half.
Well done Jelavic. slight improvement in Petric. that's all you can say.
well, what this game showed – and until witnessed otherwise – a midfield of Modric, Kranjcar and Rakitic can not work. Either Kranjcar or Rakitic, one has to go on the bench.
@ Ante B
With Petric on the right, he dribbles into the center of the field like Robben and pops a shot on goal with his left. It could work.
What do you think about Petric on the right? I liked him better at left.
@Slaven,
The box wasn't updating correctly so I took it off.
1-1 Jelavic just scored off a Rakitic corner. He barely deflected the ball enough to catch the far corner of the net. Sorry.
I prefer when you had the little live box showing the score with some commentary. The twitter link is blocked for alot of us at work.
like the changes, should be more attacking
like the changes, should be more attacking
totally broing, but totally expected.
Why the hell is Sloavakia playing so defensive for a friendly?
Hopefully Bilic takes out Kranjcar, Modric and Corluka. No need to have them play any more since their season starts this weekend.
i am having a tough time figureing out what the foramtion is. It seems as if its mainly 4 D with Srna playing really high on the right side almost as a 5th midfield.
Runje
Srna Corluka Schild.. Simiunic
Vokojevic
Kranjar?? Rakitic Mandzukic
Modric
Olic
E from Van
http://www.justin.tv/ginger_bloke2#/w/309176448/4
does anyone have a working link to watch the game?
thanks
I stand by my comment lol
CORRECTION:
Skolnik did not score the 4th goal, it was Rijeka's Damir Kreilach. Livescore put the wrong name down.
This Skolnik is interesting. He's in Portugal now. one to keep an eye on.
Too bad Lovren can't score like that for Dinamo
The game is not televised. How sad is that? Nothing on myp2p, Atdhe, and SaanTv. Also, nothing on HRT, HRT2, Nova, and RTL… Not televised in Croatia. Croatian media cant even get a picture of the game.
Ante is twittering….
Denis is snoozing…
Where can I watch the U21 game? I could not find a like on myp2p.
Hvala!