10 shots and dominant ball possession were not enough for the Mladi Vatreni on Wednesday evening, as they fell 2-0 to Ukraine’s U21 side in their U21 Euro opening match.
Despite the scoreline, Croatia actually had many more quality scoring chances, including a 3-yard sitter that was blasted off the crossbar midway through the second half. Both of Ukraine’s goals were scored against the run of play and on the counter-attack, something that the Croatian backline had a very tough time defending.
Remember, the boys played this match without Luka Sučić, Hrvoje Smolčić, and Stipe Biuk. Gvardiol and Šutalo are also eligible, but far too skilled for this competition.
Croatia’s biggest standout of the match was their #10, Martin Baturina – arguably the nation’s hottest midfield prospect at the moment. Next up, Spain on Saturday.
Losing to Ukraine in all probability means that we are out at group stage. Next match is against Spain who looked impressive in beating Romania 3 – 0. We will need a miracle to get anything out of this match.
Our defence was poor in this match and will be for the next two matches as well. We are missing a lot of defenders in this team i.e. Vuskovic suspended due to alleged doping, Smolcic injured and Bosko Sutalo injured. Franjic played as a CB and had a poor match, yet Soldo who plays regularly as a central defender in Bundesliga was on the bench for some reason.
I was hugely disappointed by Beljo in this match as he did absolutely nothing.
Frigan did a bit better but was playing out of position on the right wing. Frigan for Rijeka plays as the central forward and I would give him a go in that position instead of Beljo. I’m afraid that we are going to be stuck with Petkovic and Livaja for some time more because the younger forwards are not developing as we all were hoping for.
Don’t worry about what these other guys say, listen to me.
I’ve seen Beljo in only 1 game and I can already see from the beautiful assist that he made that he has a great touch and awareness of what’s going on around him, he has a great feel for the game.
He’ll be world class in a couple o’ seasons!
I don’t take much stock from U-21 games, there always weird. As for beljo I’ve watched him a few times in bundesliga and I like what I see. He’s fast, run back tracks defenders had a few goals and a few assists he’s only 20 if he starts on a consistent basis and score some goals he is def in my mind potential to be our striker.
I’ve watched plenty of games where petkovic and livaja in HNL where they were invisible. And they play on team where usually they are far more superior than their opponent.
Dalic has to move on from livaja and petkovic they both can barely run.
No matter who plays no one will score on a consistent basis but whoever plays has to consistently put pressure help link play and be apart on build up. And the HNL guys lack that very much.
Yup.
We’re also judging Beljo who has to rely on Pršir, Bulat and a recovering Kačavenda providing him with service…whereas Livaja gets Modrić, Brozović and Perišić.
I think we need to give him minutes in September and October, in preparation for Euro2024…or this stupid striker issue we have will just draaaag on for yet another tournament.
I agree he may not have had the best service but he did very little to chase down, challenge or press today. There were a few occasions when the ball was in the box and only a few feet away from him and he showed little desire to track it down. Sometimes you make your own chances from working and anticipation!
To your point…
If we can call up and play Ante Budimir for the sole purpose of applying pressure to the defenders, run as much as possible and having a tall target man up to get his head on any high balls…
Then we can call up and play Beljo (or Musa) to do the same thing. Even if they don’t score, they’ll still be providing value. Budimir didn’t score either, but people saw the value he brought to the team.
It was frustrating to see Petkovic having so many opportunities to spring forward, but is too fat and slow to beat the offside trap. Majer had that one break, but he’s not fast either. Livaja has a beer gut, and wouldn’t be able to outrun anyone either.
If we just had one of Musa or Beljo waiting up there alongside that Spanish line, it would have resulted in either a clean breakaway run (off a long ball from Sutalo or a nice threaded pass from Modric)…or it would have forced Spain to play their defenders back a bit (due to the looming threat).
for those of you soo desperate to see our U21 guys in our lineup, you need to watch games like today before you complain about why Beljo doesn’t play…all your questions will be answered!
Look, it would be a very different outlook on Beljo to get him playing for the seniors if we had the likes of Haaland, Lewandolski or Harry Kane upfront.
However, we have fckn Livaja and Petkovic upfront which says a lot because yeah Beljo might have a rough start at first, but he can’t be as bad as both those Donkeys from the HNL.
Like I said, it could possibly be a rough start for Beljo in the senior team but at least it’s some sort of progression that the team is taking trying to find a number 9.
I watched the the last 25 minutes of the first half. We dominated (like the big boys do) but failed to find the finishing touch (like the big boys do). Where will the goals come from? For those of you clamouring for Beljo or Simic to play with the big boys, this wasn’t a good showing.
Baturina is the real deal.
We’re only clamoring for Beljo to play, not Simic.
Come on. Get your facts straight!
I watched the second half of the U21 game today….I think we may want Simic to play instead of Beljo 🙂
Simic reminds me of a young Mandza in stature and play. I think he will step up in the future and be a striker for us – the bloodlines should help!
I agree with Slavonac. Beljo didn’t press and wasn’t all that impressive in my opinion.
He had a half chance in the last 10 minutes on a through ball that he poked wide.
Baturina on the other hand looked very good. I also am intrigued by Vidovic. Played on the wing although don’t think that’s his true position. Looked ok in his limited minutes.