In a watered down Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, Croatia have been one of few European regulars to hold serve. Their only slip up so far, which shouldn’t be considered a slip up at all, was their 1-1 draw to Italy on the road to ruin their perfect record in November.
In a campaign where it appears the European giants are not taking games that seriously: the Dutch have lost twice; to Czech Republic and Iceland, Spain lost to Slovakia, Germany lost to Poland and drew Ireland, and most recently, Italy dropping points in Bulgaria. Although the above mentioned teams are all slotted to qualify directly to Euro 2016, there’s a certain psyche you would like your team to enter a major tournament with.
In five matches, the Vatreni have scored 15 goals while only conceding twice. They currently sit atop Group H, two points in front of Italy and four points in front of 3rd place Norway. It would be ideal for Croatia to finish strong and be seeded team when the draw comes out at the end of 2015.
With Bulgaria forcing a draw with the Italians this past weekend, Croatia has a chance to bury the competition in the group when they meet Italy in Zagreb on June 12th. But what’s more important is how they play rather than the result. Croatia can afford another draw with Italy. That’s not the issue.
However, if you ask manager Niko Kovač, who wasn’t as ecstatic as fans were after the 5-1 Norway win, he wants his team to play better. After the Norway match, Kovač told reporters that he doesn’t want to see the team play that way. He didn’t like the first 30 minutes and doesn’t want what happened to Croatia against Scotland happen ever again.
Shortly after Italy’s 2-2 draw with Bulgaria on Saturday, Italian manager Antonio Conte said of Croatia: “The Croatians are better than us (Italy).”
Whether Croatia is or not, we will all find out in June in a match that Italy cannot afford to lose. With a loss, Norway could potentially jump Italy for second place in the group. But what’s at stake for Croatia is bragging rights, as their unbeaten run against Italy in competitive matches is once again on the line.
Too early to call Kramar in a flop in EPL as he’s played a half season for one of the shittiest clubs in the league. It was obvious from his debut that he was gonna have a rough half season only because the starting strikers for Leicester Ulloa and Nugent were also playing poorly. LC are simply not a premier League team and will soon be demoted. To expect Kramaric to come into that lineup in the EPL and start scoring anywhere near as often as he was at Rijeka was unreasonable. The kid might be better off in the English championship to start next season I might say…
If your gonna bring up bust croat strikers in the epl forget Balaban as he’s a bit dated now… how about Nikola Kalinic, painful to watch him play for Blackburn a few seasons ago lol.
Da Silva, Corluka and Modric were playing significant minutes at that point.
Nothing wrong in having a player earn their spot instead of it being handed to them.
Alen Halilovic has made 20 appearances for Barcelona B and scored 3 goals. He also had playing time for Croatia against Cyprus. He has proven what he is capable of doing and showed his talent.I don’t aggree that he needs to be starting every game at Barca B in order to play for Croatia. Look at the Norwegian Real Madrid 16 year old he plays for the Real Madrid reserves who are in the third division and he plays for the national team as a starter gets plenty of game time. Look what happened at Euro 2008 qualifying cycle as Imbečile said Slaven Bilic introduced Eduardo Da Silva, Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka into the starting 11 it worked wonders the same need to be done now start phasing out Olic, Pranjic, Srna and bring in Halilovic,Jedvaj who are wasting away on the bench riding the pine. Imagine if Modric, Da Silva and Corluka were riding the pine during Euro 2008 qualifiers.
thats the kid that died in “bjezigrad”? shit now ziva got me saying it lol
rebic ya showed huge potential but i agree at this point doesn’t warrant playing time… halilovic still no
im mostly concerned with the two backs… they can be switched right now
but seriously srna ain’t going no where and he is the captain… would cause big problems not playing him… he will have to retire or step back himself. if he steps back as a back up on his own, he will go down as a legend
hopefully someone can step up to take olics place and workrate
would be nice if there were more exhibition games where just the B squad could play like against argentina
And yet they still keep playing games in that stadium.
R.I.P Hrvoje Čustić its been 7 year!
Srna is an idiot for playing mind games. He knew full well the Italy match is taking place in ZG and puts on a show that he will do what he can to play it in Split.
Good for him and his humanitarian ways, but that has nothing to do with it in this case.
The Torcida is dead wrong about Srna. He is the leading humanitarian on Shaktar – has immensely helped the children in war-torn Ukraine, donating thousands of dollars and arranging places for them to stay. He has recieved nothing but praise from the people there.
I am a Hajduk fan, but, the Torcida does not speak for me on this one.
Srna owes Hajdik nothing. Fuck those hooligans and their lazy-ass self-inflicted problems. How embarrassing.
I made my point keeping kramric on bench for Olic is criminal haag type. Just go back each croatia coach but Bilic and Blazevic fucked up tournaments. Jozic Otto Cico and NK. Ill go back to cico i know some of you will say that team had locker room issues blah blah cico didnt cal ed carli and luka was a bench playee then 1 1/2 Bilic puta them in 11 so imo our coaches dont asses talent correct if a 22 year old is better than a 30 y old start the 22 year old but id a 30 sonetging year old is better than overatted 20 year old start the old guy. Simple dont look at age but quality if your good you should play Marko Pjaca of dinamo is a LW why not try him Tomecak is a winger Rebic Halilovic need to get the club right first. Maybe Rebic goes to rijeka and gets fixed. Croatia have so many choices for small nation.
Lb position go to osijek Borna Barisic is best LB in croatian liga with leovac! NK complains that igra was no good how can it be good with some anti talent on pitch.,,,
Good discussion. I’m all for the young guys, but only if they demonstrate they belong. You can make an argument for a Jedvaj or Vrsaljko, but you can’t make an argument for Rebic or Halilovic. Based on what??? Potential????
Potential gets you a starting nod at the club level, but not at the national team level while trying to secure a qualifying spot. Maybe if wrap up a spot with a game or two left, then play them. But, based on what they have done at the club, no chance. Both of them are in second division. That is not national team material right now for the starting 11.
Plus, don’t overlook what that can do to a locker room when you play guys who have not earned a spot. That could build resentment and create a bad atmosphere.
We’ve already missed the Strinić boat.
He will be 29 next year at Euro 2016, where he could be providing service to a 30 year old Mandžukić. This will be the only tournament with both in their prime.
Also, we keep calling Vrsaljko a “young” player, but the guy is 23. This the age where they begin to enter their prime. He’s not some teen who lacks experience. Srna hasn’t hit a free kick on target, assisted on a header, nor sent in a cross higher than 3 feet in 7 years. I love the guy’s effort, but he just doesn’t have it anymore.
dannyj…and a few others.
you guys are making great points, I totally agree with you on the changing of the guard…especially Strinic. I am only reluctant about Jedvaj for 1 reason…because that position requires a ton of experience and even though I know he’s awesome, I think I’d like to see him get some minutes first…slowly.
Srna is still ok in my books but the sad thing is Vrsaljko is being sacrificed…and he shouldn’t be.
…and the part about “scared’…yes man, competition is healthy for everyone!
who said a sexual thing with kovac and pranjic lolol
pranjic is the meat in the middle between kovac and lovren lolololol
Yup!
We need to make the final 8 of this tournament at least. And by “at least” I’m saying if we play a team in the quarters that we’re favored against then we better beat them too.
Whatever happened to the days of us overachieving at tourneys?…
ok strinic was hurt but he is playing regular minutes in italy and does pranjic even play that spot in greece???
vrsaljko has only shown promise when given the chance and deserves more minutes now also playing solid in italy
jedvaj was playing regularly and playing well before injured and despite being young i don’t think he makes super inexperienced plays.
i forget who said it its not liek you are downgrading by putting vrsaljko and strinic in those two spots… one can argue about jedvaj playing CB at this point but the other two i think are safe enough
and both of those guys will put better crosses in and without srna in there won’t be any controversy who takes the set pieces
pretty sure srna took most of the set pieces at world cup and remember a whole lot of nothing happening with them
i ain’t ragging on him… but we need some youth… almost any business, sport, job whatever you need youth sometimes.. many times it turns into old boys club which works ok but doesn’t make new ideas new perspectives new vigour
at least give them some time to make the old guys scared a bit… a little bit of healthy competition aint a bad thing
you start to neglect your women till someone shows some interest a lot of the time no??
the fact that pranjic spot is cemented on this team and i may be mistaken but i don’t think he even plays this spot in a pretty shitty greece league is disturbing
and Ziva what do you say about his retarted neck tattoos???? while i don’t agree with everything you say i do agree a lot with the visual tattoos most people who get that are lacking in somethign or need attention
jm- the difference is the coach makes the decision, not us fans. Brozovic was a standard player at Dinamo when he was afforded the opportunity and please tell me, who else did we have standing in line for that role…Badelj was pretty badly injured….so that left?
dude…you said this…”not sure what he should do. i’d just be content with a switch of pranjic for strinic and maybe a reduction of olic minutes. going to be tough to shake srna off that spot”….and I am in 100% support of this!
I thought I was pretty clear earlier today, Olic has to be replaced by someone better than he is…but not only with talent…also with work rate and someone that can take care of the responsibilities that come along with that position…Pranjic makes me ill and I’m on the fence with Srna…but I’d love to see Strinic, Vrsaljko, Jedvaj.
they younger kids have to play with their clubs in order to get minutes with the NT….I think its a fair comment!
@ Poglavnik
that’s the thing… we have it all there; a very, very solid squad with a nice mix of vets, players in their prime and some really good looking prospects – with almost playing in the bigger euro leagues. if we can beat Italy and take care of business with our other quals, we should be a Pot 1 team when the seeds come out for the draw and a team that will be on a nice win streak, barring a tough friendly prior to the Euro’s. a coach who seems to have a good grasp on the team and what’s need.
aside from a few problem spots that can be resolved by France (LB, a true DM we can rely on for big boy teams) we should be in great shape to make it to the knockouts. most of this team has tournament experience. literally nothing holding us back….
@ slavonac
i buy a lot of what your saying
against your argument though, i would say that many us would have said the same thing about brozovic: unproven, not ready, not playing for a significant club
but that move is now looking like a good one and brozovic is arguably on the upswing
not sure what he should do. i’d just be content with a switch of pranjic for strinic and maybe a reduction of olic minutes. going to be tough to shake srna off that spot
A ton of potential with this team!
Just don’t want to see us fuck it up.
no, not at all….Vrsaljko…now….Strinic…now…Jedvaj….I think he’s the best from the entire lot but I’m not 100% sure he’s ready although I think its mandatory he gets some minutes!
This qualifying cycle would’ve been ideal for player development especially coming off of our disappointing WC. A watered down tourney that we would most likely qualify for regardless of if we had a few slip ups trying to transition some youth into the lineup.
i just worry that we are hanging onto these old war horses too long and that its going to bite us in the ass come 2016.
Also i worry about Kovac’s favoritism toward some of these veterans.
@Ustani and Slavonac
You really think replacing Srna and Pranjic with Jedvaj and Vrsalko would fuck us up?
When do you suppose we introduce these players?
After Euro 2016?
God I’d hate to be a talented youngster on one of your teams!
Give me a young player with a big upside that’s chomping at the bit over those geezers that did fuck all for us against Mexico.
Youth in soccer works;
The Whitecaps were my initial example.
I like all 3 of them and yes, I agree, we should play them….so maybe we weren’t so far off. I was simply talking about the same ‘ol Radosevic, Halilovic…Olic is old, Srna is bad…..types of conversations!
I know. Well hopefully now with the cushion we have in our group, especially if we get another result against Italy, we can tinker with the line-up more and give minutes to guys like Jedvaj, Vrsalko, Kramaric, etc..
Ustani- yup….imagine a coach at some big NFL football team or basketball team…baseball, hockey……whatever…..putting in some unproven players into their lineup?
@slavonac
All I can say, hvala Boze the people who post here are not the NT coach. We would never win.
Poglavnik, I guess from my perspective, I can tell you that many comments about adding some of these younger players are said without the knowledge of what it takes to be a player. we all want them to succeed and we all want to see them play in our colors…but not just because we want to!
@jm
Yes, Olić, Pranjić, Srna are on a downward slide and will be worse in 2016… But even if Kovač does recognize this, he would be introducing three new starters right before a major tournament who have not played regularly at all with our other starters. At least if he did it now, they could develop that chemistry.
So we’re in a lose lose situation with this “delayed transition” from old to young.
i’m mixed
it’s tough for kovac to break a formula that has been working
at the same time, olic, pranjic, and srna should be worse players in a year and half for the euros than they are now
they may not be ready now but there is a good chance that the 1.5 yr in the future jedvaj, halilovic, kramaric, vrsalkjko etc will be better than these guys
^ ^
I know, just don’t know how to respond to such extremes sometimes.
“It is hard to have a normal conversation with someone that says things like “worst player in the league” or “worst national team in the entire world”
I am exaggerating, but not by much!
We need to play the youngsters now yo get them up and ready for Euro 2016 France ie Halilovic ,Jedvaj etc. I still think that Kramaric will be a bust flop as he is struggling in the EPL. Most likely he reminds me of one Bosko Balaban.
It’s all good.
It is hard to have a normal conversation with someone that says things like “worst player in the league” or “worst national team in the entire world”
He’s a medium sized fish in a small pond.
Anywho, my bottom line is Kovac needs to inject more youth into the line-up.
Remember WC 2002?
That team was older than the Dinaric mountains!
i don’t want that to be the case again in 2016.
PS…you’re right about one thing Poglavnik, I do not follow that league but I have watched some parts and even entire WhiteCap games on TV…
I agree about Pranjic and even Srna…or at the very least start limiting his (Srna’s) minutes but this wasn’t what I was talking about earlier….I see people using Halilovic as an example and even not so long ago, Radosevic…I like these kids, don’t get me wrong but they haven’t experienced enough at the club level to be afforded the opportunity to play regularly at the National level.
Teibert is a komarac…he lacks vision, distribution, decision making abilities are horrendous….and dude, for the record…you’re comment makes me chuckle…”He’s a tidy little holding midfielder that I’m proud to say has worked his way through the ranks.
Don’t be surprised if he’s captaining Canada in a couple of years”…..Isusa ti….he’s a nobody on one of the worst national teams in the entire world…this has zero relevance to anything soccer…I might be biased because I think he does NOTHING…ZERO….he’s not offensive or defensive, he’s a total waste of space on the field! anyone that exerts as much energy as he does but accomplishes as little as he does, is irrelevant!
@Slavonac
It’s more about who shouldn’t be starting.
I think most of us agree Olic, Pranjic, and Srna’s positions need to be upgraded.
I think he should have stripped Srna of the captaincy as soon as he took over or at least after we’d qualified for the WC.
It’s all good if you and U Boj think the status quo on our national team is fine. To each their own.
All i know is I would play just about any of our fullback prospects over Pranjic and Srna at this point.
And anyone that thinks Teibert is the shittiest player in MLS obviously doesnt follow the league closely.
He’s also a dozen caps into his international career so he hasn’t just been called up.
He’s not spectacular but his work rate and professionalism is second to none. He’s a tidy little holding midfielder that I’m proud to say has worked his way through the ranks.
Don’t be surprised if he’s captaining Canada in a couple of years.
@Slavonac
svaka ti cast, you know the game of soccer, unfortunately too many on this site are emotional and make no sense when it comes to Kovac and the team
man up? Poglavnik, what player is a starter at their club…someone you think deserves to start?
Agree with most of what you said except about Teibert..
It still takes major cajones to risk your job and play these kids, and it’s been working beautifully.
Kovac needs to man up and play his kids.
He did have success as the U-21 coach so you’d think he’d favor some youthful players.
Poglavnik- there’s a major difference in playing in a league where the top stars are retired European pro’s and Europe. the competition and sophistication of the game in USA/Canada is at least 2 levels below, wouldn’t you agree? The WhiteCaps best player cannot crack the lineup in a decent European team…Morales is good, but was average at best in Europe.
there is little infrastructure in Canada and when you compare these players you’ve mentioned, its very difficult to compare…there are far less options to find players here in Canada vs in Europe, the quality of play in North America is much lower than in Europe, the overall emphasis and pressure to win is a WORLD of difference.
Soccer in USA and Canada is not even a secondary sport…its behind baseball, football, hockey and basketball…how can anyone say the risk is even remotely the same to introduce a young and unproven player into their National program?
BTW – Russell Teibert is the absolute shittiest player in the league…and…he’s recently been invited to Canada’s National team!?!? this says a lot….but then again, Canada’s assistant coach is a fucking plumber that couldn’t crack his highschool soccer team…he was a serious groupie that played for Vancouver Columbus…well, was signed for them and basically filled up the water bottles and handed out the bibs at practice!
I’m all for going with young legs these days!
Here’s a good example that maybe everyone’s not familiar with..
Two years ago the Whitecaps appoint Carl Robinson as Head Coach and he promises to develop our youth and play our residency players more. Since then players like Hurtado (24), Koffie (23), Laba (23), Mezquida (23), Rivero (23), Teibert (22), Manneh (20), Adekugbe (20), Froese (18), and Flores (18) have all played major minutes and are getting quality playing time even on the road in hostile environments like Seattle or Portland.
The ‘Caps made the playoffs with these kids last year and 4 games into this season they have 3 wins and a draw. Soccer’s definitely a young mans game!
Hrvatska’s got SO much young talent that’s it borderline ridiculous they aren’t being fast tracked into the senior team already. I love some of our dinosaurs too but as Andrea Bocelli would say, “it’s time to say goodbye.”
“I’d rather lose with new future players than…”
including Halilovic on the wing?
come on guys…really? this isn’t some Sunday pickup league where we just go out and throw in the most skilled players who’ll excite the fans and then shit the bed defensively! this is a very calculated sport that requires some thought and strategy! Olic should not be starting, I agree…but who has challenged his position? If people have been listening, Kovac has openly made comments about the “modern game” and having a team that increases the amount they run…he his given at least 5 or 6 examples of Germany and comparing them to us as well as other teams….todays game requires players to cover more of the field and 8-9 km’s per match just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore.
Olic presses against opposing defenders, he doubles up for his defender’s and he makes his runs down the wings…we see his contributions in almost every single game, the difference here is many people want to see a guy dribble 6 players but those same people do not see watch as the “dribbler” isn’t pressing, isn’t back to defend or he can’t defend…and the player is limited to being one dimensional!
Halilovic hasn’t done shit in Spain other than a few highlight runs…maybe we should make him captain though…cause he can dribble the ball like a bandit!
its embarrassing to see people write fairy tales about what a team should look like and actually believe in what they write!
how in the world does this make sense…”I’d rather lose with new future players than…”????
many think we have kids that are ready for the big show and yet none of these kids are proving it on their club teams…outside of Croatia!
Soul Champ
the old guys have proven themselves over the years and are still playing well for there club teams.
Some of our young kids are just too young at this stage.
Vrsaljko – Srna is still doing well and is the captain
Strinic – inconsistent
Halilovic – way too young and impact bench player at this stage of his career
Kovačić – real deal – injured last game
Kramaric – out of form and hasn’t apadted in England, yet
Jedvaj – too young to play at the back – give him a couple of years
Rebic – done nothing in 2nd division in Germany – needs time to mature
Seriously.
The liability of Pranjić is so painfully obvious, it’s starting to make me question whether or not there is something sexual between Kovač and Pranjić.
I can’t figure out any other explanation.
@dannyj……ignore that article, not true. Not true as long as Ancelotti is coach at Real.
***that Rakitic IS NOT our clear cut #1….
Regarding the NT set pieces…
It blows my mind that Rakitic is our clear cut #1 set piece taker and one of our options from corners. To still see Srna and Pranjic (?!) taking these opportunities is laughable…
i agree soul champ… things are truly looking bright for us
on another note i know its internet rumours and i know jose loves modric but why would Real Modric sell the Modric at this point?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413741-chelsea-transfer-news-latest-on-gareth-bale-luka-modric-and-oscar-rumours
@ Dannyj
NK will shift that line up but the question is when?
Even in games he waits too long to sub in fresh legs or sub out ineffective players.
I thought he would have made a shift this past winter.
Now I see he may be waiting till after this next Italy match?
The old guard will have really tired legs after a full Spring at club level.
Vrsaljko , Strinic, Halilovic, Kovačić, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Rebic all need to be in effect this June.
What a blessing to have enough squad depth to actually have team choice debates.
We make a run in France 2016 and we could establish a new era in nogomet for ljepa naša Hrvatska !
lets face it more then likely the line up we saw saturday we pretty well see it opening game of euro cup
I ripped Srna for the same thing a day earlier. Still have no clue why he even went that route on Saturday.
He reminds me of the kid who knows he sided with the evil element but will say something to appeal to the side he used to be with. None of these guys n the repka have the balls to challenge the system. Probably not their fight anyway, they are happy collecting their money outside the country.
Who saw torcida rip Srna a new one?! That was awesome!
Our wings should be Perisic/Halilovic or Rebic/Perisic.
Both Rebic and Halilovic play extremely well for us. Problem is, it’s hard to justify playing inexperienced players who don’t play first team football at their clubs.
The LB/RB situation is a no brainer in that Strinic should be LB and Vrsaljko at RB (with Jedvaj following not too far behind).
The sooner we rid our team of Pranjic, Srna, and Olic the better. Don’t get me wrong, I actually like Srna and Olic. I even like Pranjic (when he’s LM not LB). But the three of them are going to be 35, 34, and 37 years old at Euro 2016.
Does anyone honestly believe we could achieve success with such old players defending the other team’s flank?
What was the name of the song that played after each croatia goal?
Play Halilovic on the wing instead of Ola and call it a day.
———–Mandza————-
-Perisic–Rakitic–Halilovic-
——Modric-Brozovic——-
^^^ Strongest Mid/Att
3 modern day pressing players : Perisic, Mandza, and Brozovic
3 playmakers : Rakitic, Halilovic, and Modric
Thats the problem Kovac is to conservative id rather lose with new future playera than the crap that has failed us since 2006 every tournamnet olic srna pranjic rakitic need to step it because nk will continue to play them remeber how can NK say someone is old when he played til 40, so we should just except it. But imo he needs a lb and he needs to play strinic leovac or osijeks barisic.
@ Svima
I’ve played basketball my whole life and do not have the nuance into a soccer squad.
But isn’t the captain a big deal?
Srna gets a pass for flat performances all the time.
Seems like the quality players know that they are playing with a weak link at RB and it effects them on some level.
We need wing backs on both flanks.
Our midfield dominates the center but needs an outlet on the wings.
NK played conservative with Pleti and now he is doing it with Srna, Pranjic and Olic.
Vrsaljko subbed out against Mexico and they blow the doors off on us.
By the way American Hrvati have to live with that for 4 years.
How you play tired old legs against El Tri is still beyond me.
Itay plays quick under Conte and they are backed into a corner come June.
Better play the best 14 and stop the farewell tour already.
Looking forward to enjoying Real Modric the rest of the season.
http://www.vecernji.hr/nogomet/danijel-pranjic-ivica-olic-i-ivan-rakitic-nisu-zadovoljili-marcelo-brozovic-danijel-subasic-i-ivan-perisic-jesu-997803
Pretty much what all of us are saying on site
http://hns-cff.hr/news/9671/rog-i-pasalic-za-pobjedu-hrvatske-u-grckoj/
cro beat the dirty greeks… good to see radosevic is playing… im still hopeful for him
quote of the year srna and pranjic taking set pieces away from rakitic and modric… its so true
vrsaljko stepped up pretty damn well at world cup… id love to see him get into the squad full time soon
i know its hard to let go of the old boys but its not like these kids don’t have skill
Need to test Strinic Leovac and Barišić at LB
Rakitic should really be the one providing Mandzukic aside from crosses from the wings. I don’t think he looked Mandzo’s way when the ball got near the 18m box. Strinic I think would fix all defensive and offensive problems that Pranjic gives and maybe provides Mandzo with a few breaks and header opportunities.
I really like Vrsajko too. 20 years old and played very well in the samples I’ve seen.
For Italy, I’d like a Lovren/Vida or Lovren/Schifo and healthy Strinic at LB. I’d be Interested with in seeing Kovacic LW and Perisic RW and keep the triangle the same from Norway. Could also switch Brozo and Kova around
Vrsaljko is already better than Srna and should be our starting RB.
That cross he sent to Perišić at the World Cup to set him up for that wrongly called back goal was a thing of beauty. It was on his wrong foot too.
Benching Srna and Pranjić would instantly improve our crosses from the wing, and also ensure that Modrić and Rakitić are taking ALL of our deadball set pieces.
Not sure why I’m still seeing Srna taking free kicks and Pranjić taking corners. The two best teams in the World have Modrić and Rakitić taking their corners, but here we are allowing Pranjić and Srna take some from them, lol.
Srna is a rb at rw i dont know maybe 2004 but hes a rb. Id like to see a freindly game look like Subasic Vrsaljko jedvaj lovren barisic brozovic badelj pjaca kovacic rebic kramaric.and maybe halilovic see what happens
I cannot stand olic pranjic in 11 maybe even rakitics spot is imo 50-50 nk needs to build during some games and find the winning team gotta buikd for 2016 2018 with srna olic pranjic rakitic slowinv the igra i dont see a run in 2016 this 11 wont do it for me.
could vrsaljko play in srnas spot and push srna up more or is he just too old
cause you know srna ain’t going no where till after euro
Brozović is a long distance runner, kind of like a rich man’s version of Jerko Leko
Brozovic slow? I beg to differ. Brozovic has plenty of pace and stamina, and can play an attacking midfield role. He’s a bit more careful as a holding midfielder so he doesn’t take on defenders as much.
Brozovic is relatively slow and doesn’t like to take defenders on. Even though Olic’s step overs is probably the saddest thing to watch (besides Jozy Alitdore), I give him respect in at least taking on defenders. So many better options than the pile driver or whatever you refer to him as.
Lol, Armada, but I was thinking along the lines of the footballing “piledriver,” which is a term for a very powerful shot. And there’s no doubt Brozovic has that!
Is Kramaric really that slow? He seems to move pretty well. I don’t see the dramatic speed drop off with Kramaric and Olic. I know he’s not the ideal player behind Mandzukic, but Olic doesn’t provide anything besides making a clever run in sneaking behind the defense.
Things can change in one full season. Nobody was really talking about Lovren, then he has a great season at Southampton and becomes the default starter against Brazil. All it takes is one breakout season, so fingers crossed.
“a ferocious pile-driver”
joj… what the hell is this? a Wrestlemania recap? boze….
I’d venture to say we could try Modric, Badelj–Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic–Mandzukic.
We could try Broz in Olic’s spot. Brozovic has Ola’s power and dynamicism, plus a ferocious pile-driver. And then bring in Badelj into the DM spot, where he’s been playing well for Fiorentina. With Modric and Badelj in the holding roles, we’d be so good at winning the ball and recycling possession.
I dount we see anything from Rebic until August. His current coach basically said “I don’t need you”. So, hopefully he finds a good situation for the next club season.
I don’t know if we can use Kramaric in the line up with Mandzuka at the same time. Kum Kovac prefers the 4-2-3-1 formation and I don’t see how Kramaric can play in one of those spots behind Mandzuka. Some may say you can play him on Olic’s spot, but you give up a ton of speed doing so. In the perfect world, the MF slots appear to be Modric and Brozovic as the two holding MFs, with Rakitic playing in the middle and Perisic one one side and then Halilovic on the right (when he is ready) or play Perisic on the right when Rebic is ready on the left. Until that time comes, we are left with Olic out there.
Ziva
Italy scored first in November. Croatia responded reasonably well, but I do understand what you mean. The more I’ve watched these qualifiers, the more I’m not liking the new format.
Plus now we won’t get to see any group of deaths. I loved that Spain, Italy, Croatia, Ireland group. People referred to it as the second group of death (besides Group B with Germany, Holland, Portugal, Denmark). A better first half against Italy and/or Rakitic not trying to be a hero with the diving header, Croatia goes through and makes an even bigger impression. Competition shouldn’t be feared when you have so much talent.
Totally agree with Ziva about wanting to be challenged, but we gotta live with it. Let’s just hope for some fun group stage games with rivalries like England-Scotland.
Doubt it happens against Italy, but I’m hoping Kramaric or Rebic develops within the next week. Olic starting in the Euros would be the absolute worst. It’s fitting that the team played so well in Euro 2012, when he was injured.
Ya know in movies when the Barbarians would use a Battering Ram to storm the gates? For us, Mandzukic is that Battering Ram.
I’m not worried about him not scoring, he basically created Olic’s “goal.” And he will be scoring braces in no time. In the meantime, he’s been a handful for opposing defenders with his pressing and work-rate.
Wait a minute here, when I brought up this topic about Mahir Mandzuka needing service while he was at Bayern, some of you guys had a hissy fit. Now, when he doesn’t get quality service, his offensive game gets exposed, and you wonder.
He’ll be fine. He has never been technically gifted. If Kum Kovac continues to use a pressing style, Mandzuka fits that plan. Plus, Perisic seems to be getting better and better. Combine that with what you have in Modric and what we hope Rakitic can do to emulate his club form, that will not allow teams to pack the middle on us and in theory that should open up space on the wings for Mandzuka to receive some quality service.
@Jm…….bunch of factors; consistency, playing teams that don’t belong in the Euros are the two main ingrediants. I rather be challanged in this qulaifying cycle, because I don’t want to be at the Euros next summer and we go down a goal in the first 15 minutes of our first game and that marks the first time we face any true pressure.
We’re relying on Pranjić, Olić and Srna to deliver crosses to Mandžukić.
Is there even a wonder why Mandžo hasn’t scored in these qualifiers?
I don’t remember the last time we’ve crossed a decent ball into the box.
perhaps the competition isn’t great, but this is croatia’s best run of soccer since 2008. we’ve played against weak competition before, but when has the team scored this many goals before
a legit question is whether the croatia line up and system having consistency is finally causing the national team to perform?
@mate
as stated before I think for mandza to truly shine he needs A. good service, which strinic could provide from early crosses. B. players like Muller and Griezzman working off of him.
well perisic started at LW and later swapped sides with olic, or am i wrong? perisic is a definite starter, either side, really.
In terms of last game, does anyone think Brozovic might be a decent option for a 2nd DM? Him and Modric played DM in the 4-2-3-1 so should it stick going forward? Kovacic at this point I think could only play a LW role if Rakitic and Brozo are permanent in the CAM and 2nd DM respectively with Perisic on the Right.
And the most important thing I think we need is more involvement of Mandzukic. I know he flubbed up a clear break away but he needs to be serviced better. Not a whole lot of (Good) crosses and through balls were played to him.
I think at this point, unless Pranjic is hurt, he is going to start for Kum Kovac.
but thats only if kovacic gets regular playing time at inter.
@ vatrena cast that could work to Brozovic Modric Rakitic Kovacic Perisic Midfield not bad but NK likes Olic and Pranjic so most likely olic on lw again
@imbecile
I don’t think kramaric would do it on the wing, he would do well behind Mandza or in mandzas place. I wonder if kovacic could adopt to play on the wing. Brozovic is great where he played last game, maybe with kovacic on the wing we can get even more fluidity going.
@vatrena id go with a romb like vs azerbazijan kramaric mandzo up front maybe krama going on wing through game or play pjaca or halilovic or rebic on wing why not cannot be worse than ola righ?
@mate
I agree with lovren and strinic! Last few performances lovren had for Liverpool werent bad. I doubt strinic will play because of the man crush kovac has for pranjic. As bad as it sounds I think pranjic will keep starting unless he gets hurt.
I know we are all jerking each other off here after the win and going atop the group with Italy’s tie with Bulgaria. Good stuff all in all…. but not to be a glass half empty type of guy, but this qualifying group is low on talent. I think we are a point where we are taking care of business; beating teams we’re suppose to, gelling well and atop the group.
In terms of next steps though, I want to beat Italy in ZG and put a bow on this group. The rest of the qualifiers will just be friendlies then where Niko i brate can try out different lineups, strategies, players, etc. and really get the gears turning on a good run (at least make it to the knockouts) in France.
I just hope we don’t get overly complacent since we more or less booked our ticket this weekend. We have to continue to ride this wave into France next year. Hopefully we can shore up the back enough, keep everyone healthy and then make a run out of the groups for the first time since 2008.
@imbecile
Who plays right wing? Kramaric or brozovic?
Unpopular opinion here. I’d happily play Lovren in place of Corluka against Italy. Strinic should be healthy to play LB and hopefully NK gives him the chance.
Vs italy if no injuries subasic srna lovren vida strinic brozovic modric rakitic perisic kramaric mandzukic
Jedvaj is still a kid. He hasn’t played in the last few months. A call up against Italy up to this point would not be warranted. Yes he’s one for the future no doubt, but at the moment I’ll still take vida, lovren, and shildo over him. You’d be surprised how much experience and keeping your nerves counts.
Happy with first place imo weakness in team is when pranjic olic play and rakitic needs to step up for croatia more.
Lb position id try Rijekas Leovac and osijeks Borna Baricic i know most dont know him but hes a lb who is osijeks main players why not croatia need to start building for 2016 and with pranjic olic in 11 thats not a contender to me!
Bravo Niko. First place and the team is playing well.
so long ill june… its a shame we can’t have more meanigful games to watch but such is life
lets hope the boys continue strong in their club careers and the young guns start to step up even more
love to see jedvaj against the italians… honestly you don’t think liverpool would consider trading straight up lovren for jedvaj at this point??