What seems like a horrific opening to the 2020 EURO for the Vatreni might just turn out to be exactly what Croatia needed. It is evident that the squad is going through a major rebuilding stage at the moment, but Croatia are one win away from an almost guaranteed spot in the Round of 16. After drawing Czech Republic 1-1 on Friday, the Vatreni face Scotland on Tuesday in a MUST WIN matchup.
With a win, Croatia can either finish second or third in their group – both spots more favorable than first place. If Croatia beats Scotland and the Czechs lose to England, Croatia will finish second if they end with a better goal differential. This is the most favorable finish for the squad, as they will most likely face Spain, Sweden, or Slovakia. If the Vatreni beat Scotland and Czech Republic ties or beats England, Croatia will finish third in their group.
Either way, Croatia will end up with four points following a victory against Scotland. At this moment, 83% of third-place finishers with three points at this year’s Euro will advance. As stated before, the Vatreni’s 4-point finish will be almost certainly be enough to push them into the Round of 16. Stay hopeful my friends!
Now, to touch up on Croatia’s 1-1 tie against Czech Republic. We played awful football in the first half. Very few chances, a sloppy midfield performance, and poor finishing. Not to mention the awful penalty given to the Czechs that gave them a 1-0 lead. The second half was much better, as Ivan Perišić opened the scoreline for Croatia in the 47th minute, tying the game at one a piece. Both Petković and Vlašić had huge chances to put Croatia ahead 2-1, but both efforts did not find the back of the net. 19 year-old Joško Gvardiol was my Man of the Match, after a stellar defensive performance in the back, and many chances created. For only his third game in senior checkers, I was extremely impressed by the young lad’s performance. Ivan Perišić also played a terrific match, creating most of Croatia’s scoring opportunities. 22 year-old Luka Ivanušec came off the bench at halftime and played with lots of urgency and skill. In Luka’s first tournament match for Croatia, he shined brightly.
Croatia now plays a fairly strong side in Scotland on Tuesday. Although Croatia are heavy favorites to win the match, the squad needs to keep their morale and attitudes intact. There were rumors of Zlatko Dalić joining Turkish side Fenerbahçe in a matter of weeks, but that was quickly dismissed by Sportske Novosti earlier today. The article says many are not happy with Dalić at the moment and he could exit as Croatia coach after the Scotland match as the locker room has been lost. Although Croatia has not impressed lately, we are not at our lowest point, and have an extremely bright future ahead of us. Gvardiol, Brekalo, Vlašić, and Ivanušec have already shown great potential and have contributed positively to the team, while magnificent talents such as Stipe Biuk, Mario Vušković, Ivan Šaranić, and Luka Sučić haven’t even stepped foot into the senior side locker room.
Scotland play very quick football. Although they don’t have much firepower, they are a gritty side and have proven to play with heart. Croatia needs to step it up mentally, and be on the lookout for the passing gaps that Scotland’s backline has proven to allow entrance through. Andy Robertson, John McGinn, and Che Adams are three players the Vatreni must contain to have a smooth victory. I hope to see Mislav Oršić enter the match as a substitute, due to his pace and long-shot abilities. I feel that his talent is underestimated, and that he belongs in a top-five league.
My predicted lineup against Scotland:
GK: Livaković
RB: Vrsaljko
CB: Vida
CB: Lovren
LB: Gvardiol
CM: Modrić
CM: Kovačić
CAM: Vlašić
RW: Rebić
LW: Perišić
ST: Petković
Although this is not what I would want, this is most likely how Dalić will lineup against Scotland.
Billy Gilmour out with COVID.
This will chip away at their depth in the middle.
Tuesday will be a battle of attrition.
We are actually the deepest we have been in decades. Dalic will have to make all 5 subs and this will allow all the dynamic young talent to play their part.
U boj
Never seen him play? is he a good player? Players they should keep an eye out for is Roberston when he makes those runs. Dykes and Adams are decent too.Scotland play with 3 d at the back in regards to formation. I’m hoping that opens up some scoring chances for our wingers. Gilmour started the England game so I’m guessing he’s good? U Boj! We can win this match. I believe in this team!!!
I get your a glass half full type of guy, but looking at our play so far (and utilizing some of that dynamic, young talent already) I just don’t see us winning this one. We look completely stagnant. We’ve tried different packages, personnel, etc. and have looked flat this tournament. If it wasn’t for a brief moment of Perisic brilliance, we’d be close to if not completely eliminated with 2 loses.
I think we show a little something more tomorrow, but I think Scotland will control the game, we get into the game slowly, Scotland scores on a set piece or some deflection in the box around 50-70 minute mark, we furiously try to tie it up, we fall short. FT, Scotland win 1-0.
This then just speeds up the inevitable. Dalic hands in his resignation a day after the loss. Modric, Vida and Lovren all retire from intl duty. Maybe Perisic too? We fully move onto the younger generation and see what we have there. New coach, new formations, new approach too? Curious to see who takes the armband then? Perisic, if he stays? Maybe Kovacic?
All we need to do is win one game vs. Scotland. Sure Scotland will be pumped up but c’mon, we gotta smoke these guys.
One game at a time now.
Ajmo!!!
Bog i Hrvati!!!
Can someone tell me why Petkovic is starting? Do we want to lose? Put Orsic or Budimir in.
nah :I
it will make us lose this game – with his slopy passing
and can’t control the ball ..
serious stupid Dalic
Does anyone know if the team actually received the COWIT injection? Dalic looks very lethargic during press conferences. British Airlines pilots dying and passing out after experimental injection. Team flies in and out for each match. https://www.bitchute.com/video/vx69qumzp31c/
I know, you love the Scotts, you do not want defeat the Scotts. We have a conundrum.
Trust me, Iranians and Afghans are rooting for us pro-whites in the west.
The weak white countries resort to training non-whites, we resort to another white race to help us.
Leroy came on for Germany. This will last forever.
It’s all Over Croatia- Players want Dalic out- he sees himself as the coach whisperer because of the 2018 final- he sees it has his success and what he is as a master soccer genius- i see a nice loss against Scotland to make sure he is gone- would players do this to get what they want beyond their respect for the country , people etc- damn right they would- this isn’t Croatian teams of the 1990’s- this is big clubs, big money and bigger egos-
Modric should be player/manager.
For sure Alex Ferguson is advising the Scottish team. He’s a very intelligent white man who has hundreds of pixels in his head to predict the future, to defeat Modric.
It’s very disappointing that Kramaric doesn’t want to play as the lone striker. I still think he would do better than anyone else we have right now. We’ll see if he likes the bench better.
……………….……….Rebic………………………….
Perisic…….….…Modric…………..Ivanusec
…….….….Brozovic…..Kovacic………………..
Gvardiol.….Vida……Lovren…….Vrsaljko
…………..………..Livakovic……………………..
I don’t think he is in form. I also think , I could be wrong! that he don’t care to be there at Euro or be playing on the team. He is not the only one. There appears to be some type of behind the scenes friction that has divided the team. They simply are not focused on this tournament. I thought after Russia they finally turned the page and would want to build on that for one last run. Show the world it was not a fluke. Our problems started at nations, got more complicated because of the pandemic and now has gotten worse to the point we are on the edge . We are not good enough physically or mentally to advance past group stage. The Germans are perfect example of team united that has pride and self respect and leave it all on the field. The spark from Russia is gone. Regardless of the line up the result will not be favorable. The desire is simply not there neither is talent.
I think this team is even stronger “on paper” than it was in Russia. I agree, the desire is simply no longer there for whatever reasons. I was expecting guys like Rebic and Kramaric to be on-fire.
Could bringing in another coach for the knockout rounds help? Who knows?
We need a foreign Coach. We need someone to reorganize and change our youth and recruitment programs. We also need to be free of backstage politics from the savez . Alan Hallivoic is a prime example of someone who is very talented who has lost form. We need someone from the repka , say a mentorship to get hold of players when there slipping over the edge and bring them back. Both Luka and Ivan were in a rut. Both Luka and Ivan went to Spain and found form and took off. To win a major tournament we need a squad that has skill and leader to hold the team together and drive them forward . The pundits were correct. We have excellent individual players , however they did not find that magic from Russia to hold themselves together . Italy is a perfect example. They were in a decline and found a coach who knows how to coach, recruit talent motivate and produce results . Italy is unbeaten in 28 games and on the rise. although we are small country we do have good players who play all over Europe at a high level. Perhaps they play that way because they are surrounded by better talent. We have good players in our system coming up. In order to have any chance in Qatar or in the future we need a complete overhaul and most importantly a squad that will fight for their dress until final whistle .
I agree. Call it lock of energy, call it lack of drive, call it lack of the newer generation not in touch with “stari dani”, this team….at least right now…is not united. You can throw out all the different lineups you want, it won’t make a difference. Getting our positive synergy back will take a coaching change and better leadership within the players.
Our Hungarian brothers call themselves Croats b/c their gut feeling this would be good for their nationality to survive.
How do we bolster our attack again?
Very simple. Start Brozovic and Kovacic, to free Modric up to create chances in the final third.
Kramaric and Vlasic have been given a chance, and have disappointed.
Brozovic has not been playing well for us lately. Hopefully, the fact that he did not start last game will wake him up.
I like Dalic. However, it looks like he has lost the locker room. If we win next game, I say HNS let’s Dalic go and brings in Prosinecki for the knockout rounds. Can’t get any worse than the way things are now.
One win against Scotland and we’re in. Can’t complain too much about that.
You play 3 games and can’t win one you don’t deserve to go thru!
Why isn’t anyone talking about Rebic blasting it wide 1V1 on the Czech keeper??
Also the teams playing in their Home Country for the qualifiers that’s gifting them at least half a goal a game?
England Germany Italy etc what a huge disadvantage for the opposing teams we can barely beat Malta in their home stadium.
U14 thanks for the write up and i will forgive your youth
I assume you are around 14 years old so you are in a generation that no longer learns Croatian so you could not read the Croatian articles where dalic says brozovic is back
Also your falling into the standard trap of thinking the future is bright but it sure doesn’t look like it
us elders have been through these cycles of the teenage hopes.
Josip bust a lo
Mateo crotch-does-itch
Tin jedvaj igra
Alan ha ‘lil guy’ o-vic
Marko pee-ass-ca
Ante chode-itch
Marcelo bozo-vic
Bru “no he’s playing again!” Petkovic
Now we can add to the list
Luka suck-itch
Stipe bi-yuck
I’m not worried about France at all, this is our tournament. No need for us to peak to early (the Croatian way in ’18 is not our way), we’re playing ourselves into this tournament beautifully and should be peaking in the Final against whoever our unfortunate opponent will be.
I predict a 4-1 win for France in the Final, no fucking around by Lloris this time. Let the little teams make their predictions in the lol group stages, the group stages are meaningless for France.
However I am worried about Croatia in a game being dubbed the Bravehearts vs the Peahearts. Don’t kid yourselves guys, of these two little teams Scotland have looked the better team and should beat the Croats in my opinion. Question is, will 1pt be enough to get Croatia to the rnd of 16?
This is France’s tournament? You’ve scored just as man goals as us. That own goal doesn’t count by Hummels. Although I do agree France always are an average team in the group phase. They only scored 4 in the World Cup in Russia in the 3 GS. However no excuses not to finish first. If they are true quality then beat Portugal. With the likes of Mbappe, Greizmann, Ben Yedder and Benzema back. They should be scoring way more goals. If France lose to Portugal and Hungary lose to Germany. France get third. This ain’t France’s tournament.
check out hrt.hr. First Dalic interview video, where he talked about changes.
Among other things, he specifically said Brozovic will play next game.
Something I never saw anyone mention yesterday. Kramaric made a very smart play on the quick free kick he took, sending Perisic on a one vs one for his goal!
Yes it was noticed however it was the only thing he did the whole game other than blasting a shot miles over the bar
I liked the second half line up minus Lovren
In his place duje comes in
Petkovic is not our long term solution upfront
It would appear brekalo is not the goods
Only a sub
Agreed. I had to even look up who it was because the commentators (Canada, also) didn’t even acknowledge it. Weird. Was a beauty in thought and in execution.
I know that we’re really hard on the team, myself included, but a lot of traditional soccer powers are also not thrilled with their tournament so far. France, England, Germany, Portugal and Spain have also stumbled out of the blocks. It gives me belief that we can still turn this around.
No one has been hard on team
The performances speak for themselves
These negative first half tactics are killing us
Perhaps we are aiming for third place
Then so be it although we are leaving to chance as always Croatian style
https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-european-championship/story/4413413/croatias-decline-and-disorganization-has-been-evident-for-some-time
https://www.index.hr/mobile/clanak.aspx?category=sport&id=2284769
Good read imo even if its from liberal index
Agreed. This is a good read. Maminjo will like it😉
LOL why?
Because I was pumping Gvardiol since January? 🙂
No, because this article states that the U21 program is misguided.
I think we need to go with Caleta-Car and Brozovic in there.
Kovacic has played ‘well’, but he gasses out on the offensive end. We need teeth, and if Brozovic shows up, we will have it. If he doesn’t, then we can sub him out.
Lovren is another mistake waiting to happen. Can’t believe some people thought he played well last game. He was shit, and that’s ignoring the penalty against him.
But the biggest issue has been our offense, which we partially fixed in the second half last game.
Perisic at LW should be a no-brainer now. If Dalic tries to experiment with Perisic again, then fire him at halftime.
Rebic up top should be a finished experiment and no longer occur.
RW can’t be Vlasic or Krama anymore. Vlasic starts at CAM, and unfortunately, I think Krama just has to hit the bench.
Rebic can play at RW, or we can take a bit of a risk, and start Ivanusec there. Not sure if Orsic can play there, but he’s another option.
Unfortunately these are the experiments Dalic wasn’t doing in these past few wasted years.
We have to go in blind now, and hope some of these decisions were the right ones.
TAKO POGLAVNICE PRAVI USTASA!
Looks like Spain might end up finishing second in their group.
This means that whoever finishes first or second in our group, will probably have a worse matchup than whoever finishes third.
Finishing first in our group will get you one of France or Portugal.
Finishing second in our group is looking like Spain.
Finishing third ‘might’ get you an easier team like Holland.
Lol, this format.
DALICU EVO TI RIJESENJE…
Imamo kombenacije ovdje.. slozi ih da slavimo!
JOS NISMO ISKUSAVILI BUDIMIRA MOZDA JE VRIJEME NJEGA UMJESTO PETKOVICA
REBIC KRAMIRIC NESMIJU SKUPA NA TEREN
NISAM NISTA PROTIV DA LI ORSIC ILI IVANUSEC IGRAJU OD POCETKA… MOZDA REBIC OTPADA ISTO IZ SASTAV JER DOSAD NISTA NIJE POKAZAO
U SLUCAJ DA MORAMO DA JURIMO ZA GOL UBACIMO BRADARICU ZA JEDNOG SREDNJEG BRANICA(PRIMJER LOVRO VIDU ILI CARU) TAKO DA SE GVARDIOL POVUCE NA TU POZICIJU I DAJE PROSTORU BRADARICU NA TU STRANU DA JURI SA VRSAJKOM NA BOKU
Imamo sanse da prodemo.. ako se borimo ne sumnjam u pobjedi
BOG I HRVATI!
LIJEK ZA SKOTE I DALJE…..
POCETNA
———————BUDIMIR——————-
—PERISIC————————–REBIC—
————-MODRIC–KOVACIC———–
——————-BROZOVIC——————
-GVARDIOL——————-VRSAJKO–
—————LOVREN—-VIDA————–
——————-LIVAKOVIC——————
ZAMJENE
——-(PETKOVIC/KRAMARIC)———
—-(ORSIC)—BUDIMIR-(IVANUSEC)
—-PERISIC—(VLASIC)——-REBIC—
————-MODRIC-KOVACIC————
——————–(BADELJ)——————-
(BRADARIC)BROZOVIC—(JURAN.)
-GVARDIOL-(CAL-CAR)–VRSAJKO-
—————LOVREN–VIDA—————-
——————LIVAKOVIC——————-
——————-(KALINIC)——————–
Livakovic vrsaljko lovren vida gvardiol brozovic modric vlasic ivanusec perisic petkovic i think will be the team
Finish third play holland in hungary like a home game for us and that draw is paired with russia finland denmark v wales
Sounds like we’re on our way to the finals again!
But seriously, win Tuesday and we’ll see how it goes. This tournaments got some upsets in it
Your dreaming. Scotland on there home ground will be very difficult. Dont like our chances,
I am dreaming. Big dreamer
That lineup is good if Lovren is subbed out for Caleta-Car.
Even with Lovren in there, our offense should be much improved. We’ll be a lot more dangerous on the wing and (as much as everyone hates Petkovic) he won’t be pushed around up top.
I think the Scots will be too physical for finesse players like Kramaric and Brekalo. Even Orsic will probably be too slight to deal with these guys.
Brozovic is tougher than Kovacic, but I think Dalic goes with Kova.
Vlasic will be the ex-factor.
Watch.