83′ GOOOOOAL!!!!!!!! 2-1 Croatia! Vlašić heads home a Modrić corner! Croatia move back to 2nd place and are headed back to Toronto at the moment.
76′ 1-1 Ghana. The goal stands and Ghana has tied the game up at 1-1. Croatia have gone from 1st to 2nd to 3rd in group in a matter of 15 minutes. World Cup football. There’s nothing like the craziness of the last day of group stage!
75′ Ghana scores off a set piece but the play is called for offside. Going to VAR!
67′ SUB. Matanović comes on for Budimir in a straight #9 swap.
65′ England scores again to make it 2-0 vs. Panama. 1st place and Atlanta are no longer options for Croatia.
62′ England has scored in New York. Currently, Croatia is 2nd in group and would head back to Toronto.
36′ Ghana with their first real chance of the game. The shot goes just wide of Livaković on the far post after whipping across the box.
32′ GOOOOALLLL!!!!!! 1-0 Croatia! Petar Sučić rips a low shot from 30 yards out and beats the Ghana far post. The Vatreni have now moved up to 1st place in group and are on a collision with a 3rd place team in Atlanta with England still 0-0.
15′ Finally some action after a snooze fest of small passes in the midfield. Vlašić takes a low shot from outside the box and it grazes the far left post. Neither team looks to be hungry for a goal.
Here we go, guys! Our beloved Vatreni only need a draw to get out of the group and make the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup. A draw means they will play Portugal or Colombia in Kansas City next game. A win means they go to Toronto or Atlanta. And remember, Croatia need a result. A loss means Croatia is likely out of the tournament. Let’s gooooo!
1. Gvardiol not 100% and takes a seat on the bench
2. Vlašić to play on the right wing/#10 to interchange with Sučić
3. Budimir gets his first start of the WC
Why does this lineup look funky? This may very well be a “handshake match”. Ghana actually creates a better path for themselves with a loss vs. Croatia.
You know what CroatianSports wants. A draw to have the easiest path in the KO rounds.
So what are we hoping for Saturday in the two Group L finales when Croatia take on Ghana and England face Panama?
Well, first off, there is a 25% chance Croatia automatically qualifies for the Round of 32 as a best 3rd-place team should some results go their way Friday. However, that’s too complicated to talk about right now so let’s revisit the conversation Friday night after those games conclude.
Along with playing Marco Pašalić exclusively on the right wing, I have one more cross to die on this World Cup. Dalić and company MUST figure out a way to safely finish 3rd in group AND qualify for the knockout round. 3rd position would allow Croatia the best path the rest of the World Cup and that’s all I care about. I will always take an easier path to give our beloved Vatreni the chance to play the most amount of games. I know that sounds strange but hear me out.
Croatia finish 3rd: The Vatreni would be guaranteed to play the R32 match in Kansas City against the Group K winner. That will either be Colombia or Portugal. I’ll take Colombia here as they only need a draw in the group finale vs. Portugal to take top spot. If we can bag a win in KC, Croatia would then play the winner of Switzerland/a 3rd-place team in the R16. That’s a pretty favorable draw the way this World Cup is set up. Look at Netherlands vs. Morocco in the R32. Two top-10 nations facing off well before the quarterfinals. Absolute shame.
Croatia finish 2nd: The Vatreni would head back to Toronto to face the Group K runner-up which would be Portugal or Colombia. This is basically a coin flip from the previous scenario. Should they get past this match, Spain more than likely would await the Vatreni in Dallas for the R16 match. Don’t like this path. I hate it. I don’t want to have to play a team like Spain before the quarterfinals. And in this scenario, Croatia may have to go through Portugal and Spain to get to the final eight. That’s tough, guys. It’s a lot to ask for. I want to avoid this path at all costs.
Croatia finish 1st: I equally hate this path. This can happen if Croatia beats Ghana and England somehow drops points to Panama. I just don’t see this happening. Although finishing first seems like the best move, it’s not. Yes, Croatia would get a 3rd-place side in Atlanta. However, the next R16 match would likely be Mexico in Mexico City AT ALTITUDE! Is Mexico a top side in the world in a neutral place? Absolutely not. But they are cooking on home soil to start the World Cup with three victories and a +6 GD; yet to concede a goal. The entire nation is behind them celebrating like there is no tomorrow in the streets of Mexico. On top of that, the Mexican national team has been in their capital city for the past month. Mexico City sits 7,350 feet above sea level! Their players have already acclimated to the thinner air. I would hate to have to play them on three days notice after playing at sea level to start the tournament. The jump to high altitude of CDX is tougher than it sounds. Mark my words, if England gets to CDX on this path, Mexico are going to be trouble for them.
3rd place is the best path for Croatia. And for all of you who say, “You have to beat the best to be the best.” Sure. But you don’t have to meet them so early in the tournament. You want some big boys like the Dutch and Morocco to knock each other out before they get to you.
Remember, Croatia had the easier half of the draw in 2018 and were fortunate to meet Japan in the 2022 R16 after Spain and Germany made a mess of their group. I will take the easier path all day and let the chips fall as they may.
I don’t want to run into Spain and I don’t want to play Mexico at altitude; not if we have control over the path we take. Give me 3rd place all day long. The real tournament starts when the knockout rounds starts. Make life easier on us. Easy decision for me.
FOTMOB and Sofascore rankings v Ghana
FOTMOB number first.
Then Sofascore rankings in (brackets)
Luka Modric
8.1 (7.8)
Nikola Vlasic
8.0 (7.2)
Petar Sucic
7.9 (8.6)
Josip Sutalo
7.6 (7.2)
Mateo Kovacic
7.5 (6.9)
Ivan Perisic
7.5 (6.7)
Marin Pongracic
7.3 (6.7)
Martin Baturina
7.1 (6.9)
Dominik Livakovic
6.8 (6.4)
Igor Matanovic
6.7 (6.6)
Josip Stanisic
6.4 (6.1)
Mario Pasalic
6.3 (6.7)
Ante Budimir
6.1(6.0)
I think the ratings systems on both those sites suck just like PFF for the NFL. Take into account the scores and the eye test Vlasic is MOTM, Modric was really good but not the best player for Cro on the field that day. 1. Vlasic, 2. P Sucic and 3. Modric who had a really good game especially with his defensive efforts. On the eye test Kova barely gets a 4 for me, he was atrocious. I listed most of his efforts in 2 other comments. I’ll just add that he is slow to process the game and lacks vision. Also a Sasa Matic loving Jug to boot. 🤣
Thanks for this.
Start Vuskovic FFS.
Start Modric and Kovacic
Start Budimir . (Wish it was ivanovic)
Start Gvardiol. (Even though he sucks)
AND BUST SOME HEADS.
Those guys are the fear factor . Let them respect us , not the other way around.
F the Pork Chops . F them.
@Mart
Remember when I asked what the players say in the huddle before every match at every level ?
And we thought it might be “Igrati Hrvatska” but didn’t sit well with me ?
I figured it out
Modric just posted on the Gram with the caption “Iznad Svih Hrvatska”
That’s what they are saying
Anonymous is 100% certain
Mystery solved !
Are you serious anon. I thought you knew everything
Even my barely order a pivo in Croatian ass knew it was iznad svih
But thank you for confirming
What are ya’lls thoughts on dalics substitutions or lack there of….are we saving some players on purpose…our inability to close out games in KO round in normal time has definitely cost us in later rounds….too many miles….Dalic needs to bring on subs sooner get some fresh legs out there when we have quality on the bench….
My guess, only a guess because it is not possible to read Dalic’s mind. . . .
He would probably have liked to make more substitutions than he has, to work more players into the rotation, and keep everyone fresh. But the tightness of the games so far has probably limited his flexibility to some degree.
He certainly has rotated at the striker’s position. All three have had opportunity, but he probably didn’t see much risk in that.
Petar Sucic got some rest, playing only 20 minutes against Panama in game two. Gvardiol and Vuskovic have been rested and should both have fresh legs for Portugal, assuming Gvardiol is rounding into shape. Kova didn’t start against England . . . At this point we are probably okay, but if we get into a string of 120 minute games, then your fears could materialize. So far, so good . . . I think.
It’s a question as to whether or not Vuskovic is going to get playing time. With the statement that he doesn’t see him in a back four that doesn’t sound promising.
It was pretty telling that he subbed useless Matanović over Musa, who started the first two games and scored.
Oh I had an Ivan Santini sighting after the game outside the stadium
He had his own jersey on his name. Is that acceptable for the ziva istina another mans name on jersey times?!
I’m just hoping we can win a game within 90 minutes in the knockout stage. When was the last time? 98 probably lol
Nah.
Let’s go 0-0 and into PKs.
Its Ujac zlatko famous recipe
Vhy not!
Aside from Spain/Nations League how many 0-0 into PKs have there been in recent years?
Can’t be many.
In history we’ve had four penalties in the World Cup, one in euro, two extra time in euros, one penalty in nations league and one extra time in nations league.
We’ve had nine total in competitive matches. 5/9 isn’t a bad record.
@Mart
U19s start tomorrow in Wales
Will you PLEEZE keep us all posted
Thank you!
@MART, can you include some player rankings in your report, top 5 or at least top 3?
MART, also we seem to be producing a number of very good midfielders and defenders, but not many dangerous wingers and strikers. Any commentary you can offer about future prospects who are forwards would be appreciated. Thanks for any commentary you can provide!
UEFA U19 Finals Croatia v Ukraine
The match can be seen LIVE on RTL 2 and I’ll be watching.
KO 21:00 hrs Cro Time
We have Ukraine, Italy and Serbia in our group.
Important to note that top 2 from each group also automatically qualify for the U20 World Cup. The two third placed teams from the two groups play off for the 5th spot at the WC.
🚨 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Brighton are refusing to give up on Luka Vušković as their top centre-back target after having three bids rejected.
The Seagulls remain committed and further talks are expected in the coming days.
[@FabrizioRomano]
What do we think is best for Vuskovic at this juncture?
Would Brighton be a good move?
I think the best for Vuskovic career would to actually start games for us in the World Cup, it’s the only way teams will actually bid for him enough and he gets a good team that actually cares about winning trophies with him at the highest level, not to mention if we go far with him. Still don’t know why they made a big fuss about the 3 back when Vuskovic can obviously play in a 4 back like he did many times this season and in his career; Dalic ran our 3 back wrong anyways, if Dalic dropped sutalo and put stanisic RCB and Marco pasalic RM we’d be fine since Perisic was functioning as the LB not Gvardiol. Which is what we’re literally playing right now with Perisic left back and stanisic rb, except now he’s removed Gvardiol and Vuskovic because he didn’t realize his shit system was screwing them before. We literally go 3 at the back in possession vs Ghana when the 2 cb’s stay back and modric or kovacic drop in depending on the phases of play and both fullbacks tilting in and out, one goes high up (Perisic who is better offensively than Gvardiol and stanisic), and the other staying back a bit (stanisic who is better defensively).
A back line of Gvardiol, Vuskovic, sutalo, stanisic is the same as a back 3 of Gvardiol, Vuskovic, sutalo and stanisic RwB, literally tactically the same except he’s forcing stanisic too far forward and losing a winger destroying our width.
The only reason Dalic isn’t using Vuskovic is because he hasn’t had to yet, Panama and Ghana weren’t good enough to score besides the foul Pongracic did leading to the free kick goal that our defence let in easily.
If Kramaric was fit before the World Cup he’d drop Baturina for him despite krama not even being half as good, if Kovacic was fit the last year he’d never start Petar Sucic. Since sutalo is still fit (but awful form), he stays. Same reason Petar was benched vs Panama.
Dalic just really doesn’t like new players he’s not accustomed to since he’s scared of the unknown. He doesn’t know if Vuskovic will be good in his back 4 (he would), he knows what to expect from sutalo tho (below average mediocrity), because he’s stuck to his rigid systems. The only reason it failed vs England was because he forced stanisic and Gvardiol way too far forward and the only ones back were sutalo, Vuskovic and Mario pasalic all too slow. Having Gvardiol and Vuskovic back with fullback support and midfield like vs Ghana would be perfect. We’re acting like modric didn’t save sutalo from conceding multiple times with the same passes and cut backs behind sutalo like the past 2 years and modric did all the build up for him vs Ghana. Not sure if Portugal will let that happen as easily.
He even admitted now in his post match conference vs Ghana that he realized the fullbacks needed to be more disciplined positionally and defensively and it fixed everything from the Panama game. Like you figured that now???? How did he not see that after 20 minutes vs England.
The only thing left for Dalic to improve our squad from the Ghana game is drop Šutalo for Vušković and Pongračić for Gvardiol as the CB’s.
Arguable with Vlasic and Marco tactically and same with Musa and Matanovic/budimir, although I believe it’s more matching the pair, Matanovic and Vlasic, Musa and Marco/Perišić, budimir and Luka sucic/marco, etc. Still personally believe Marco pasalic and Musa then sub them for budimir/Matanovic and vlasic sub for Marco but this should have been obvious day 1 of the tournament not now.
Gvardiol only struggled because he’s in LB and Vuskovic only struggled because he had no support in large gaps (in which sutalo also struggled worse vs England and played longer despite less defensive actions and contributions).
I’m sorry but any half competent team destroys Pongracic and sutalo in this system, not to mention all the quality in build up and attacking/defending set pieces we’re missing without Vuskovic and Gvardiol. The problem is it’s too late for Dalic to learn, if sutalo and Pongracic mess up the tournament’s over and no time to change the lineup for next time.
Hopefully Gvardiol and Vuskovic prove themselves in training and he makes the call, it’s the only hope for Croatia in these knockout rounds. But I doubt it, he’d rather start sutalo for “seniority” and experience even if he was injured. Even though the only thing sutalo experienced was losing us the euros and all big friendlies like Brazil and seeing Vuskovic be motm vs Colombia.
So only way Vuskovic goes to a club that actually uses him and doesn’t end his career on the bench for seniority and experience despite proving himself vs the worlds best in Bayern Munich with a poor team in Hamburg that lost every game without him but at least used a half usable tactic, (Lamine yamal is younger than him btw), is if he plays in the World Cup now while we still have modric and Perisic with the other amazing young players. Otherwise he’ll go for 30-40 mill to a mid-low table prem team because he’s not English where he’ll never get minutes. Still don’t think the premier league is a good fit for him or any Croatian players anyways, they always try to screw our players. Look how much Tottenham tried to hold back modric. Not to mention Eduardo….
The World Cup is where transfers happen. He needs to start vs Portugal beside Gvardiol in CB with this system.
Now would Brighton be a good move? No. Only a top UCL prem team possibly, Real Madrid/barcelona or move into Italy or Germany, likely Germany with his familiarity, the only club that could afford him in Germany is Bayern Munich. Of course a team with good defensive partners and no high line alone with no fast defenders around him. He’s stuck in this problem where spurs wanna sell him and never use him in games or give him any minutes but they wanna sell him for a lot but won’t get the price they want unless he performs in the World Cup, meaning they’ll just hold onto him until he proves himself at a major international tournament which will be harder and harder the longer we wait. Any lower club will stunt his career and momentum, which Dalic is doing right now in favor of sutalo who will be lucky to play in top 10 league after Ajax. In fact Im honestly starting to think sutalo is only playing so he helps him get a new club after this because he’s so screwed at club level that he needs all the help he can get, hopefully these group stage matches got sutalo his quota so he doesn’t have to start knockout rounds anymore.
Only way our players get good signings now is beating Portugal and Spain and actually playing for Croatia. Not like Kramaric is getting a new club ever, maybe Vlasic could tho or Musa, Matanovic, etc. Judging by the Panama and Ghana games, it’s the modric and Perisic show in defence and the Baturina and Petar Sucic show in attack.
TLDR I don’t think the premier league nor Brighton is good for Vuskovic, probably only a top ucl team that will compete at the highest level but no mid table team in England. Ideally Germany or Italy, maybe Real Madrid or Barcelona in Spain and that’s it.
I agree with your lineups, but I don’t think that Dalić is basing any lineup decisions on future transfers for guys like Sutalo.
To me it’s his self-preservation mode and he will always go with old trusted veterans before young guys despite their potential being much greater or even if the young guys are currently better.
Guest (Anonymous’ burner makes many good points)
The logic from Vusko camp must be that he needs 1-2 years of starting every game at Brighton (nb they have 2 games per week Conference League) and after 1-2 years he’ll be ready to start every game at Barca
Maybe they fear if he goes to Barca now it’s too big of a step (especially as he’s not from their academy or Spanish) and more competition to start every week
At Brighton he could make mistakes and not get dropped – at Barca they need to win every game and if he makes too many mistakes he could get dropped quickly and sit
From Brighton’s perspective there is ZERO chance they are smashing their transfer record unless they KNOW that they can sell him for 100+ in 1-2 years
They must also have their experts be CERTAIN they can improve his acceleration, lateral movement and speed – they must have ZERO doubts – based on looking at footage of every match and training that exists
So while Anonymous didn’t think Premier League is a good move – too fast too soon – if it’s bc of the logic per above and this game plan then it makes sense
Brighton already have all the data – last three years on Vuskovic- they already have their POV – not sure playing in the WC moves that at all – if he plays lights out – it helps – but if he struggles they know what they plan to work to improve him so won’t matter much
We’ll win convincingly
See u there
I like Z’s confidence!
What do you guys figure baturina and Petar sucic value go to after the cup?
DannyJ
Much higher, but that would be all I could say. Others might be able to provide a solid estimate . . . I think they would move up towards Gvardiol’s current level.
Baturina has arguably been our best player, and Petar was MOTM against Ghana. The distance he covered was huge . . .
Did you get a Philly Cheesesteak?
I did. I also had chick-fil-a and Dunkin’ donuts for the first time as a Canuck
Dunkin’s better then Timmy’s trash now in Canada
Chick fil a is fine. I don’t see all the hype
I’ll take any mamas sarmas in the basement any day of the week!!
Hard to believe I saw those two at Maksimir playing for Dinamo 2 short years ago. This is what we need to go far. Production from the youth. We need to lean on these guys too.
Baturina 80 million and Sučić probably 60 million.
Yeah baturina was less than sucic before. But I agree Batina is the higher value
I hate seeing these Italian teams cashing in our boys but it is what it is
They’ve helped to develop
What is really nice now is that our boys aren’t going to Italy to ride the line now
With a Luka Croat stamp of approval all guys add another 10 percent now
So long as our HNL clubs are smart enough to attach a 25% future sale fee, then it’s all good.
(sorry Hajduk)
West Ham asking 100M for Matheus Fernandes and he can’t even make Portugal WC squad
We go back to Dallas when we get through Portugal, yeah?
Much more tickets will be available and should be cheaper
Brothers
If we take the pork and cheese, we take Spain
That’s what I’m going with
We know no call will go for us
We need to play better then them, period
We can do it
We know we can
The boys know they can
Look for Luka and Perisic to lead the way like the captains they are
The young boys are ready
Nema predaje!!!
Well said!👊
Nema predaje!!!💪
Bog i Hrvati!!!🇭🇷🇭🇷
Means nothing but almost all previous matches with Portugal, we have given them way too much respect. Played super tentative and not sure. Even if we lose, we have to go into this match ready to swing and maybe a few elbows up wouldn’t be a bad thing. These Pork chops aren’t that special. Stop treating them , like they are.
Love it ! 100 percent true !!!
We can beat Portugal. Is 50/50 match up. Need big performance. Spain will be super difficult but still possible if the tactics are right. It’s down to Dalić and the boys to focus and catch the fire. With us it’s always down to belief and determination
100% agree with @crnkovic.
Need a HUGE performance, but we can beat them.
Our self-belief is higher after these two wins. We are also rounding into better form. I think we are a better team than we were when this tournament started.
Dalic will have them guessing on who he will start. I think we are better in the air, which is one advantage. Budimir looked pretty gassed by the time he was substituted against Ghana. Maybe we start Igor or Musa and bring Budimir off the bench especially if it goes to kicks? Musa probably knows the Portuguese as well as anyone so that might be a factor . . . On the other hand, Igor is a real physical presence in the box, and he is good at pressing opposing defenders as well.
It seems our air attack could be important, and perhaps Matanovic and Vuskovic can impose themselves on the Portuguese defenders off of set pieces and corners, and these two should start?
@Crnkovic, do you have a thought as to who you would start at striker against this Portuguese defence given what you have seen? That is one decision Dalic is going to face, and there might not be an easy or simple choice.
I’m curious what the % will be of Croatia fans against Portugal I’m hoping for at least a 50/50 split but those fishermen will probably sell their trawlers just to get a pair of tickets.
They are even more annoying and pompous than Italy fans I dread a Portuguese victory dance if they win ?
Same here. Still scarred by the smug “Portugesh” from high school.
Guessing many people overpaid for the Panama game in Toronto and to have to do it again on a quick turnaround …. perhaps there will be more fans of Ronaldo FC. Hope I’m wrong.
It will be a home game for us the Portuguese in Toronto
England vs. Congo tickets
About 50 tickets left and all in blocks
All front rows and center
Only 800 US$
lol
Based on past 10 meetings, we have beaten portugal only once and that is a friendly. Portugal has won 7 times and they are all in major competitive games. 4 times in nations league home and away since 2020
The only game that mattered was Euro 2016.
Friendlies, UNL, and Euro96 (when we cleared our bench against them) spent count.
We’re 0-1 against them.
don’t count*
The stupidest thing about Euro 1996 – was once we were down 2-0 – Ciro brought on Suker, Boban and Asanovic at HT – what was the point? If you resting them let they rest – the game either doesn’t mean anything or it does – decide!
One of his blunders – the other was leaving Zuti out of the SF in 1998 France (and I guess keeping Boban on when he clearly wasn’t right)
Zuti has a bio out – he was in Zagreb doing a book signing – he never has tattoos during his career – and now in his out of shape body he put on two sleeve ink tattoos he wore a t shirt to show them off – at his age he should something better to think about then getting inked – kind of sad
Zuti had a lion on his leg from the 90’s
But yeah full sleeves at that or any age I dunno.
In 115 minutes of play across 3 matches – Marco has 2 shots on goal – one against England – and the break-away vs. Panama – that’s all
Beyond disappointing – he’s supposed to be a cut inside and fire a shot off winger – if he’s not doing that – what is he doing
He’s easy to defend – just don’t let him cut inside – or when he does throw men at him – and he stop him before he shoots
This ain’t the MLS – this is the World Cup
Your assessment of his play is no doubt accurate.
But . . . It was always a big ask to put him in the line up and expect him to have an impact at this level.
He has good, quick movement, and accelerates well. But unless he has played consistently against better players in a better league prior to WC, it is tough to step in class and quality and compete at a completely different level in a tournament like this.
More a question, I think, of reasonable expectations.
Players can break through at certain moments of their career, sure, and maybe Dalic thought Marco might be at that point, could make an impact at WC and then get a good transfer deal back into a top European League. Possible but not probable. I think Dalic has learned that now.
In the other hand, although Dalic takes a good deal of criticism on this site, Dalic can see things, intangibles that we can’t. He is probably looking at character, attitude, enthusiasm for the national team, and how someone fits into his picture of an overall team concept. Marco obviously has a lot of quality, or he wouldn’t have picked him.
To round out a rough picture, here are overall player ratings (not World Cup, their assessed overall quality they had established roughly in the last few months prior to WC. Gvardiol’s would have been assessed just before his injury, someone like Baturina has not been assessed recently and probably would be 81-86 if his had been updated at the end of the season, Vuscovic too would have been upgraded if he was reassesed at at the end of Bundesliga season) and also further below some market values from a neutral site:
Player ratings:
Gvardiol 85 current 88 potential
Baturina 79 current 85 potential
Kovacic 82 current 82 potential
Vlasic 80 current 80 potential
Vuskovic 78 current 88 potential
Marco P. 72 current 75 potential
Now these sites are not 100 percent accurate, but they give you a rough idea. By the way, your man Jagusic is ranked as a better player RIGHT NOW:
Jagusic 73 current 85 potential
Marco can certainly move that up, and also increase his perceived potential/ceiling, but he has to do it against better players.
Or go to market value (different sites will give different values, and age matters a great deal, but taking some of our players who as a group are very roughly in their mid-20s).
Age
24 Gvardiol 64 million (Euro)
22 P Sucic 44 million
26 Stanisic 39 million
23 Baturina 28 million (too low)
23 Matanovic 21 million
26 Sutalo 13 million
28 Vlasic 10 million
25. Marco P. 7.1 million
Marco is a natural winger. And some people have been attracted to the fact that he competes hard and accelerates well. He provides us with something different. However, expectations have to be reasonable. Some (not you) may have been caught up in the Marco enthusiasm (and why not? it is World Cup! . . . ) but the hard facts are that he is now competing against players of a very different class and quality than MLS. It is a big step up. If he can score a key goal, and have a breakout tournament, that would be great. But on the whole, reasonable — that is, very modest — expectations should always have been in order.
The only reason we beat Panama was because of Marco. Stanisic admitted it with that pass in behind from Marco, not to mention him supporting modric as his long ball outlet and helping our fullback defensively. We need him for the system, not because he’s gonna score a load of goals, more that he helps modric and performs a role so the rest of them are good. Obviously gives us speed, good dribbles and take ons (3/3 successful dribbles vs Panama), explosive pace, low center of gravity, good playmaking and crossing, wand of left foot, and quality in long range scoring (not quite in the box finishing however, all while still tracking back relentlessly and defending. I’m sure he could have scored vs Ghana had Dalic tried him, particularly that Vlasic long shot situation.
Unfortunate marco messed up the counter vs Panama which got him benched and pulled immediately after the miss because ungrateful Dalic did not realize Panama had 8 players in their box giving him no room alone no matter if he started Mbappe or Marco pasalic and that it was his tactics holding them back not the players. (Portugal won’t do the 8 man defence). Doesn’t help we haven’t had a counter attack like that in years since before Kramaric being a starter so not enough prep or reps in our counter attacks. I have to say though our team system is perfect for counter attacks with that system vs Ghana, Kovacic particularly loves to start a dribble mazey run to start a dangerous counters, he looked really fast on the ball in one particular play vs Ghana that impressed me, faster than usual too, if he were 100% we’d be crazy at counters with all those names together (Kovacic, Marco, Baturina, Petar Sucic, Musa, Perisic even modric playing the final pass or pass that starts it).
If only Marco was starting sooner, he was destroying Colombia, Marco having less minutes on our team with a poor system has held us back for a while. The new one he used vs Ghana helps him much more and I’m sure he’ll do better with it. Just depends if Dalic decides if we wants to width that Marco adds or the tenacity and aggression of Vlasic, I’d still pick Marco but Dalic decision.
Your cherry picking the minutes a bit, all the minutes vs England were moot because he pulled modric too early and messed up our setup, the start vs Panama saved us and got that 1 goal with his play to stanisic, his little minutes vs Ghana were a brief cameo, he only really effectively played 1 game for us and we won with big thanks to him even if he should have finished that counter better, if he squared it to Baturina he’d have an assist and be MOTM.
Marco starts simply because that’s a profile we do not have, look at Spain without Lamine yamal, they legitimately have no wingers other than him with all their injuries and their system doesn’t work without him. Not saying he’s ghe same quality as Lamine Yamal but clearly the same profile. Can’t rely on Petar Sucic or Baturina to score an absolute screamer out of nowhere every time, our front line needs profiles of all types to support the many different attacking plays we may have to support the other players and be a functioning team, doesn’t have to have 1 player getting glory either insane quality. Although we could only hope we’d be lucky to have Croatia score many incredible goals like Sucic and Baturina every game. If we don’t get that Sucic goal the game vs Ghana, our front line would be seen as an offensive failure.
Did you know ?
Croatia and Spain currently have the same # of available wingers in the squad
Marco and Yamal – that’s it
Oh the irony
Spain started with 4 – but 3 pussies already injured
Nico Williams – muscle injury right adductor vs. Uruguay
Yeremy Pino – acromioclavicular sprain left shoulder vs. Uruguay
Victor Munoz – hasn’t played yet bc of ongoing muscle problems
Spain don’t look so scary when there are down to Yamal on the wings ?
Maybe Austria can figure it out
Biggest thing for Croatia remains – ZERO injuries (knock on wood) – so far
The other added benefit is that our backups are worth more than our starters on Transfermarkt 😅
And yet Coach Dalic won with the cheaper guys. Viva Zlatko! Keep praying your Krunica!
Cheapest pair of tickets on Stubhub are $3,500 CAD each, and for crappy upper level seats. That is just patently absurd. And it’s the most expensive lowest price tickets of any 2nd round game that I looked at, probably because of all of the Croats and Portuguese people in the GTA.
before it was Croatia Portugal cheapest ticket was 2200
The Toronto Round of 32 match was always one of the hardest tickets to get. People knew. Either Hrvatska England Portugal or Colombia.
I don’t remember seeing Dalic so animated as when we scored the second goal.It’s like he wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
He knew he was fired unless we pulled off the draw or win.
It’s emotional to go from being on such a low to a high.
@Maminjo
Possibly. You are tough on Dalic, man! LOL!
Could it be that he plans to step down himself in any event? As you rightly say, coaches get stale and they can only go so long in the same role. Dalic must know that as well. He is young enough to take on other challenges, and to even rotate back to the national team at some point in the future if they hit a bad patch like they had when he stepped up in the first place, took the job, and righted the ship. I think there is a better than even chance that you and Dalic are on the same page about his exit . . . and that it will be voluntary no matter the result of this World Cup.
I like to think Dalic was happy for the team, and possibly he was very pleased for Vlasic in particular. Dalic had shown a lot of confidence and trust in Vlasic, who had responded by playing a good game, coming close to scoring earlier when he hit the post . . .
He was fired in Maminjo’s mind. In a loyal and grateful Croatian’s mind, we rejoiced with him. 2 WC semifinals bring back happy memories. Viva Zlatko!
Nice to get 6 points in the groups/ playing for a tie was just too risky , all it takes is a 90th minute goal to kick us out-
Portugal and Spain haven’t looked like world beaters – to je to, either we can beat decent sides or we can’t, if you can’t , you can’t win the World Cup
Ajmo
Bunker + Livaković 😅
Pretty sure Pero timed his wife’s pregnancy so she gives birth in January.
High IQ move
Will have a leg up the rest of their lives in school, sports, etc
Not like the MORONS born in December LMAO
Young Nikola with dad Josko – his Croatian dad had him training with cones from a young age – Josko must be so proud of his kids – I remember reading once that Nikola hated losing games to his dad growing up (like tennis) – and if he lost he would start crying – so Josko let him win – this instilled a feedback loop early in his psyche that the only option is winning
This winning mentality – you see on the field – he’s playing to win – early in the first half he went into 50/50 with one of their left-hand side guys – and complely knocked the guy on his ass – they met again a few minutes later – and Nikola knocked him on his ass again – this time the guy was rolling around – but still no foul
And what technique on that shot that hit the bar early
Really like him as a player – it’s his over-the-top win at all costs mentality
***.24sata.hr/sport/foto-prepoznajete-ga-prije-21-godinu-plijenio-pozornost-a-sad-je-postao-hrvatski-junak-na-sp-u-871889/1
Spot on with Vlasič on his shot from distance. He excels at the worm burner to the keeper’s right that often sneaks in just inside the post. Just happened to clip the outside of the post, having easily beat the Ghana keeper. Probably took Sučić under his wing after training to teach him how to hit the shot!!
Dont judge by this game btw colombia portugal..just like england, why must portugal show their true self when they do not even need a draw. Save your energy and prepare your own tactics and strategy against us is important given that they know they will facing us even before the match againt colombia.
Look at match against ubez when they desperately need a victory and u can see how good they are. They have the depth too.
Looking back euro 2016, we have the better midfield against portugal but we still cant control the match and lost to them.
And now portugal have the better midfield and wingers and wingbacks. We seriously need to think a gameplan to deal with them. Even parking a bus can be considered
Dalic is going with a back 3 vs. Portugal isn’t he ? 😉
Of course he won’t tell anyone of us in advance
But u know deep down he wants to show everyone he isn’t dumb and can make a back 3 work – and vs. England was just bad luck – you know he’s DYING to show the World a back 3
He’s probably super confident now as all his moves have been good – and feels his read is better than it is – can seriously see him going back 3 vs. Portugal
He won’t tell us in advance though this time
Is Vlasic going to be our 2022 Orsic for this tournament?
I hope so.
Everyone notice Liva made ZERO saves today
The only shot on target was the one they scored from
That shows – despite our criticism of our defence – they were actually perfectly effective
It’s not easy shutting down Semenyo, Fatuwu, Ayew and Sulumena – they are all serious players
It was modric and Perisic today, they made the last man tackles that we didn’t have before that made the plays and attacks we usually conceded from, the tactic helped them do it too. Doesn’t help that Ghana didn’t quite play their full A team lineup and after making half time subs started pressuring us more. Sutalo and Pongracic were never tested for goal effectively until the 2nd half and started to get broken down defensively more and more each play leading to that goal. Vuskovic most likely would have scored from those modric free kicks in the first half, literally Vuskovic biggest strength were the same positions from those plays like Vuskovic goal of the season bundesliga. Ghana were not strong on set pieces defensively despite doing well vs England, but neither are Pongracic or sutalo. Even in the build up it was just modric and Kovacic doing the build up for them, Pongracic tried to drive forward or play forward passes here and there but sutalo just passes sideways or backwards or flubs a long ball, the good news is Perisic and stanisic is a good fullback duo option. only other effective fullback duo we have is Jakic stanisic but our fullbacks definitely fixed problems from the first 2 matches.
Gvardiol is just not fit enough to do 90 minutes at fullback, however he can easily do what Pongracic is doing at LCB, way less 1v1s vs tricky wingers and doesn’t test him for stamina and coveting large amounts of space up and down or any sort of 1v1 offensive duel techniques like Perisic and stanisic like, just reading play in our box and running build up play which he’s probably the best CB in the world at.
Vuskovic is stronger in the air than sutalo, stronger in the tackle and more aggressive while being better on the ball and making plays and long passes, sutalos not quick either actually a bit slower than Vuskovic in that England match. Not to mention how well Vuskovic reads play and scores, sutalo only advantage might be turning speed but even then it’s not like he’s amazing, and I guess age although Vuskovic has more higher league experience vs stronger opponents.
As long as modric and Perisic are on their game defensively any cb duo would work, but that’s not something we should lean into vs Portugal, spain, Belgium, etc. Vuskovic and Gvardiol cb duo would be that last extra bit of safety and quality to push us past strong opponents and complete our team in this system. Hes never used them in the back 4 like this despite them being the perfect archetypal players. It’s not just what sutalo and Pongracic do, it’s what they don’t do that Gvardiol and Vuskovic can like pressure offensively, goals, build up, technique, big plays, big last ditch defensive efforts, and just step up for big moments more which sutalo and Pongracic did not and cannot do. I don’t think there’s anything Pongracic or sutalo can do that Gvardiol and Vuskovic cannot, but there are many things Vuskovic and Gvardiol can do that sutalo and Pongracic cannot.
Stanisic did struggle defensively today vs very strong wingers but was at least more positionally disciplined than before which helped us more defensively vs Ghana than in the England and Panama game. Having Petar Sucic and Baturina back together like the England match helped us massively offensively and allowed modric and Kovacic to just run the game and cycle the ball. Stanisic was probably just a bit tired from all these matches playing the full 90, I’m sure he’ll be fit for next week though and Jakic is always a sub option in case for RB.
It’s seems sutalo and Pongracic seriously struggle 1v1 or from any quality pass into the box whether it be a cut back or corner or free kick, possibly even just a good whipped cross or incisive line breaking pass, which I’ll admit is hard to deal with. When it’s a loose ball from a misplace pass or poor forward pass they usually sweep it up well and always stay back to defend. Even just direct passes into a player they’re marking they usually get a head on it or pressure well. But that ain’t gonna fly vs strong attacking players or quality playmakers. Vuskovic has an incredible reading of the game defensively like modric and we know how good Gvardiol is at CB for Croatia, he was already looking more on his game coming off the bench and just needs more game time and training not time on the bench.
The system and tactics are fine now unlike vs England or Panama, just the personnel changes like Gvardiol in Pongračić out, Vušković in Šutalo out, probably Musa in Budimir out but that’s debatable on a match to match basis, I still think Marco Pašalić in Vlašić out but Vlašić is still a good late game sub for the aggression and squeezing a late goal like Mario pasalic subbing in for Kovacic, but I can see the argument for him, not sure about Vlasic vs Portugal. Knowing Dalic I’m sure he makes 0 changes but the striker vs Portugal and hopes for some luck and scrambles his desperate subs.
More accurately, if Matanović is striker he needs goal scoring midfielders behind him like Vlašić on. But if Musa is striker running in behind then he needs playmaking wingers who give width like Marco, I also think Marco may have scored that vlasic chance from long range the first half, Marco’s better at long range scoring, Vlasic better in the box finisher, just stuff like that. Players like Mario pasalic and Vlasic always turn up late game anyways when chasing goals, same reason Vlasic got that late goal, same with Mario vs Slovenia, they also did in euros and their clubs. I imagine Vlasic still scoring coming off the bench around 60 mins and scoring that corner just the same without forcing that first half of minutes. Before the goal Vlasic was having a slow game overall besides the long range attempt hitting the post, but Dalic stuck with him and he got the goal. Marco was connecting well on that corner with modric too at the end though.
It definitely seems modric plays better with Kovacic and Petar Sucic at the same time with Baturina attacking and Perisic giving width and defending. But some games Marco will be better than Vlasic so we get more direct dribbling and width in congested play, don’t know how Vlasic would do vs Nuno Mendes, hopefully Dalic figures that out.
I can’t lie every game has had Vuskovic written all over it, he’s the only reason we beat Colombia besides Marco pasalic and kept us a draw vs Brazil until coming off, he definitely would have scored in one of these matches and already had better defensive stats vs England than sutalo anyways despite playing 30 minutes less.
Don’t think Panama’s poor attack scoring 0 goals this World Cup or ghanas slow first half today proved anything about our current cb duo and everyone kinda knows it. It’s not like they were amazing or anything like the midfielders or Perisic or something.
Dalic is just afraid of using younger players, if Kramaric wasn’t injured before the start of the tournament I’m sure he’d never give Baturina the chance over him, now that he’s performing this good like everyone knew he would (besides Dalic), he can’t drop him. Same if Kovacic was fit the last year and a half he’d never give Petar Sučić the chance, but now with Sucic goal and performance vs Ghana he can’t drop him. Musa got the start and scored and when the other striker scores he instantly swaps them, I don’t think he starts Budmir vs Portugal based on today but I hope he decides that on tactics and not from one bad game, he’s very reactionary like that, concede to England and drops Vuskovic without even thinking about it despite Vuskovic carrying our friendlies prior and sutalo stinking it up, just cause Vuskovic is younger and new to the team. Same with Gvardiol, instead of switching his position back to his main one to help him he just drops him and blames his performance and form as a LB rather than considering maybe you’re screwing him by forcing him fullback when he’s not fit for that position and tactic specifically; but Pongracic is also older. Even when Gvardiol is fullback and 100% fit it’s not as good as him LCB in a back 4 like 2022 WC, man city even had problems with him in fullback last season with him fully fit but was amazing with him
CB. Or forcing Vuskovic in a back 3 with slow defensive partners (Šutalo and Mario Pašalić), despite the fact he’d be fine in a normal back 4 with coverage like how we had today vs Ghana.
I hope he’s using his best judgement from training but I feel like he’d use sutalo and Pongracic no matter what despite how they’d perform in training or real games because of exterior decisions like age and experience (despite Gvardiol and Vuskovic proving themselves in bigger leagues and moments, especially for national team), despite sutalo and Pongracic proving themselves shakey and unreliable in club and country and literally this tournament on multiple occasions.
But I gotta say again, with modric and Perisic defending that good, it doesn’t matter who’s the CB’s from our squad, but can you realistically rely on modric and Perisic to step up every time defensively, especially vs Portugal or Spain? It also puts a lot of pressure on Baturina and Petar Sucic to attack well and score/assist instead of having some stronger backup. It would just be better to have more quality backing up our best players and it’s a waste to bench Gvardiol and Vuskovic from cb with Vuskovic still in top form and Gvardiol seemingly just about back and still highly capable in CB.
I’m just worried since he didn’t give them enough time together and that it’s too far into the tournament to get them in full chemistry and form even if he does try them. But we could always get lucky and they play great right off the mark. Croatia does always make at least the semi final in world cups if they escape the group, and the experience and will power in difficult elimination matches seems to get them past the line, it will be a tournament of resilience and fiery spirit if Croatia go far that’s for sure.
Knowing Dalic however this is basically his final lineup until a sub performs or steps up big.
There is no point in analyzing and over analyzing the lineup after a win of that nature.
Dalic and the team both did what they had to do.
@Guest
I agree with your comments on Vuskovic. He has less experience, but he gives us a higher ceiling given what he can offer. We will need him to start, and to have a big game against Portugal.
It could also mean Ghana was content with getting third for an easier route to quarters …
I don’t think so.
Agree.
There can be a fair amount of criticism of dalic that Croatia did not come into this tournament with an identity and system
It has left them figuring things out on the fly
That being said, one has to give dalic credit for some line up moves
Starts musa and he scores
Established baturina as locked starter and has been our best player
Willing to sub modric early v England
Gutsy move replacing gvardiol vs panama and then vs ghana
Bringing on game winner budimir vs panama
Starting vlasic vs ghana
Benching vuskovic?
Dalic will start Vuskovic when nobody is expecting it
Keeping all of us on our toes
Mark it
England and Argentina getting the easy teams in the round of 32. I really hope Argentina get beaten. Most arrogant team with discount Italians and Spaniards. They get all the calls and playing the easiest teams.
Japan will shock everyone and beat Brazil. I wouldn’t surprised if Morocco beat the Dutch too.
Japan ain’t beating Brazil
What makes you say they won’t? They beat Germany and Spain in Qatar. They drew Netherlands. Pushed us to the end. They were up against Belgium in Russia. They can definitely upset.
Dalic deployed his “krunica” tactics and won. A few “Zdravo Marijo”s and we’ll go to the round of 16.
How it’s shaping up…
Croatia vs Portugal (Battle of 2 legendary veterans)
And if we can get past Portgual…
Croatia vs Spain (Battle of 2 teenage prodigies if Vuskovic gets to start)
Just got back from the match .
Vuskovic needs to start….
RELEASE THE KRAKEN!
Colombia scored an onside goal…They robbed them. They wanted Portugal on the easier side.
What. The only way that we would have played Columbia is if Portugal won not Columbia. Columbia was ahead in the standings. There was no conspiracy there.
The only thing you might say is that Portugal didn’t try their best.to intentionally be in second place.
Can we take a moment to say all 5 of our goals have been quite top quality
We tighten up back there some more
Liva does he thing
And we keep able to score something on these build ups
We never know what could happen
A boy can dream of another semis
We would finally shut up the world
Yep loving all our goals so far.
5 goals by 5 different scorers, 4 of whom are under 30 years old. The younger players are definitely pulling their weight 🙂
This is not a Portugal team to fear. They are good but not great. Ronaldo is old and probably makes their game worse. Columbia looked like the better side today. Portugal tying Congo is saying something….
Hey Jarac you’re right about Portugal . But we have allot of flaws that they can exploit. In the past we have not done well against them. The Congo was fast and extremely physical which helped them keep Portugal at bay. We don’t have the Congo speed and physicality. I think we are perhaps a little better than people think but we will need to have a very strong back 4 to hold them off . We also need to avoid the mistakes we made against England . It was costly errors. It was avoidable errors that cost us that game . We will need some luck and the best players must play .
Remember the England game Dalic decided to go boy genius mode with 3 in the back…..if we have 4 that game maybe would’ve been much closer. Anyhow, Portugal definitely beatable….samo naprid
People need to be careful saying Portugal didn’t play well. Who is to say they played there best game. Why exert all your energy in a game you don’t need to win.
Portugal will be difficult. Hopefully Dalic can make it work again.
Half of Portugal plays for PSG – the CL Champions
This is a flex – but also these players have played crazy amount of games/minutes this season (although PSG is excellent at rotation – and their stars get rested vs. crap French league teams)
The other half play for Man U / Man City / Chelsea / Madrid / Barca / Milan / Juventus
They have probably the best midfield in the whole tournament
Won’t be easy – but maybe Dalic can figure something out
I’m watching Colombia and Portugal. I can assure you Colombia is miles ahead of Portugal. Portugal look slow, disorganized and no rhythm. Colombia has more speed and counter attacks. Portugal isn’t a walk over either. We’ve played tougher teams than them. We did get the easier side of the draw. We avoided Netherlands, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Japan and Colombia. All teams we have beaten recently as well. With that being said, here is our path to the final
Portugal RD32
Spain RD16
QF USA/Bosnia/Belgium
SF Most likely France
Final Netherlands
Essentially our quarterfinal match would be easier than the round of 16 which is ironic. Bosnia Vs Croatia would be a thriller and interesting.
Today was by far our best game in awhile. We tend to slack in our final matches at the World Cup. Ghana weren’t an easy team and we did better than England. Sucic, Modric, Pongracic, Vlasic and Kovacic were key for us. For those Dalić haters, what’s up now? He made switch ups after the England loss. Took Vuksovic out when the pressure got to him, subbed off Gvardiol when he look defeated after not being recovered fully, put in goal scorers such as Vlasic and Budimir in. That’s what a true is, adaptable and not arrogant to make changes and take risks. Whether he listens to Luka or not. This was our game and not many errors were made.
For those Croat Canadians, tickets are starting at $2,200 Canadian for the nose bleeds. For a Canadian in our dying economy, that isn’t achievable.
We haven’t beaten Portugal at a competitive tournament. That Euro loss in 2016 still bothers me. We dominated the group and beat Spain. Then we lose to the first shot on target in the 117 minute after hitting the post just a minute before.
Let’s get revenge after a decade!!!
I believe in our team. We had lots of ups and downs these last three games but finished strong. Doesn’t matter how you start. We scored two past England, beat a scrappy fast Panama side in a home crowd, beat one of the best African teams at the World Cup. Lots to look forward to for our youth moving forward.
Luka Modric..one word…machine. He is hustling every minute at 40 years old and he is the best MIDFIELDER EVER. The end.
Laku Noć
They are much better than Portugal . And to think we beat Columbia a few months back . Could we do it again if we had to
It was a friendly against Columbia, and friendlies don’t matter. Lastly that game between Portugal and Columbia didn’t matter in the end. I honestly don’t think Portugal actually tried their best. People have to look back Portugal and Spain are those two teams we struggle against. Don’t underestimate them.
If Croatia can play the way they did against Ghana then it’s definitely possible to get a win but this will not be easy and shouldn’t be viewed as being easy.
It will be a difficult game. We need a game plan and need to follow it. I hope we can win in 90 minutes. Just for my heart condition. I cannot bear to watch the penalties. Nerve racking
The US stock market is a couple % off ATH
That’s should be your “economy”
If you can’t afford tickets now, then when ?
Saw it close up this match on Croatia supporter side
To see luka at his top today was amazing. He is pure class out there. Tv doesn’t do it justice
Like Perisic. It’s like he is just on another level. His header ability is second to none. The way he controls it and directs passes with it
They are the kings of the team and leaders that are hard to replace
Speaking of headers. I think it was pong with a really nice header clearance
Him and sutalo looked more solid today
Vlašić. Could be one who leads by committee
It’s been a while since we scored a nice set piece header like that
Could have sworn I saw batina try his flick move again today
More to add later
Son of a bitch. You know they want Ronaldo to win
But I guess the boys know what they want and what they are doing
We do Portugal a defeat on this stage
The last three halves of football are progressively better
Keep ongoing boys and girls
Ajmo!!!!
Maybe FIFA wants to protect their golden boy Messi and actually not have Ronaldo win it – this way they can keep pushing Messi the best ever – if Ronaldo wins it – it opens the debate again
Can see FIFA doing Portugal dirty to safeguard Ronaldo
On the other hand – they’ve already given Modric a Ballon D’Or and best player in 2018 WC – maybe FIFA surprises every Croatian in the World and gets behind Modric and pushes him to the end
Modric isn’t a threat to Messi – while Ronaldo is
*Can see FIFA doing Portugal dirty to safeguard Messi
Messi is a way better player than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a selfish and petulant [V#Tthat burns a lot of opportunities and needs others around him to do the dirty work so he can hit 1 out 5 or more shots. Messi scores goals and assists way more than Ronaldo and actually makes a team better. The Ronaldo is better than Messi argument is just STUPID! 🤣
Portugal will definitely provide a greater challenge. Hopefully, Gvardiol is at game shape. He looked good in the last ten minutes. We will need good passing and clinical finishing to beat a team of this caliber. If we give it our best, play smart, avoid big mistakes, and with just a little luck, we can beat them.
Colombia was much better than Portugal today, however they have a problem scoring and that is why I would have preferred to play Colombia.
Portugal is much more clinical in front of goal so we will need to defend well.
Portugal and potentially Spain will be a gauntlet… was really hoping for a 95th minute own goal for us lol
Which pedorapist do we see in Toronto? Ronaldo?
Or the dirty Americans
Fucking BS offsides!!!! That’s why I don’t want Portugal because VAR will destroy us against them.
Agreed. We will be at a disadvantage with both the refs and VAR against Portugal. With Colombia the refereeing would have probably been more even. Hopefully lucky Dalic continues to pull results out of his ass.
I was on the 50 but up higher between levels. Seeing that Modric corner was insane!
The game was really good, but they could have tightened it up better.
Hopefully this is the confidence to push them forward.
What a day!
Awesome
See u soon Josip
Extra 31 hours of rest and prep by finishing 2nd vs 1st
Great team effort by the boys, did not think that anyone played badly.
Glad to see Dalic finally drop Gvardiol from the starting line-up. The guy suffered a broken leg and is not physically fit to play.
I was not happy that Dalic went with Vlasic on the RW but in the end it proved the correct decision.
Modric after two poor games for his standards was at his best today.
Watching Col v Por and Colombia look the better team and should be in front.
MART, did you sense in the minutes he had, that Gvardiol is gradually rounding into form?
Physically he is not fit, and I would not be starting him against Portugal.
Also, I don’t like writing this, but he is not an intelligent player when it comes to defending. He is easily drawn out of position (same applies to Vuskovic) like against England for their third goal when instead of staying back in his position he foolishly followed one of the England players almost to the halfway leaving a gap for Bellingham to run into and score.
He has improved his positional play of late but is still not ideal, even today Gvardiol went forward a couple of times leaving a hole in our defence on the left side for a quick counter.
I give credit to Dalic for having the guts to leave him on the bench.
Ahh was hoping for the draw for the easier path forward and a potential game in Vancouver, but we’ll take the win. Good to get the momentum and hopefully it can carry forward!
What a match! Every Croatia player played well. Vlašić with a great match, setting the tone early with that almost goal and then that amazing header. The midfield was dominant again, all of them. The CBs impeccable (good to see Pongračić finally play his best at the international level). Ivan Perišić impeccable. Budimir with a great effort, and Matanović looking like a Balkan Erling Haaland out there. Mario Pašalić with that power strike. Modrić playing like the true Modrić.
Only issues : Stanišić sometimes misreading the distances, Petar Sučić trying too many tricks toward the end of the game, and Marco Pašalić still making some poor decisions or poor touches or whatever it is. Oh, and the ref’s inconsistency.
Very well managed by Dalić. Every choice he made paid off. And very well executed by the team, dealing with a fast and physical team and getting at their weaknesses from the very beginning. Ghana’s keeper and the post kept the final result close. Croatia were the better team. Ajmo!
Okay that was a bit nervy. Anyway who do we want to lose in this portugal colombia game, loser gets us dont they>?
Yup
Lol
Vlasic outstanding – don’t mean the goal – he’s so aggressive – hacking people down from the get-go – and as mentioned before as Torino captain – he has that winning mentality inside him – funny shortest player on the pitch scores a header from a corner
Modric – just below outsanding – just below his max
Kova – decent – still not at his max – one counted one time they took the ball off him
Stani – got done a few times – wasn’t as good as last game – maybe he needs a bit of a rest to refresh
Perisic – warrior
Pero – beautiful goal
Baturina – a bit quieter
Budimir and Igor – hopeless to get goals from one of the #9s
Sutalo and Pong – make me nervous – but ok – Pong takes a lot of risks hugging the opposition player and luckily he got a way with all of them – Sutalo shut off for the goal against – just stopped running
Super Mario – almost scored with his left foot
Josko – he’s back ! Look much sharper with the minutes he had
Marco – meh
Hopefully Portugal beat Columbia – so we get Columbia – who knows maybe Austria beat Spain – anything is possible – QF wouldn’t be against any powerhouse – then hopefully someone knocks France out on the other side – and we have a SF against Germany or Netherlands (if they don’t get knocked out)
Pong was kinda careless that led to the free kick they scored from tbh
There was nothing he could do on that play. It wasn’t even a foul by the overall standards of the game. There were harder fouls that were not whistled, especially against Kovačić and Sučić.
I disagree with Anonymous that the strikers are hopeless. Budimir drew what should have been a penalty early in the match, and Matanović was threatening, especially when he brought the ball down with his foot at the end. Matanović actually looks more dangerous than Budimir.
That was embarrassing flop by Budimir – it was never a penalty – I would have booked him for flopping – the refs know that’s his MO
He had 9 touches in 66 min
And lost all 5 ground and aerial duels he entered
He wasn’t doing much work off the ball and defensively
And it’s not like he makes runs to open space or channels for others
We should just try Vuskovic or Pandur up there are this point
Would you start Matanovic in the next game?
Yeah ref was a bit inconsistent. Didn’t call a foul for that blatant push on Kova from behind and the very next moment, he would quickly show a yellow card to Perisic for stopping Fatawu. And after the hydration break, he penalized Pong for what doesn’t seem like a foul to me, resulting in the free kick from which Ghana scored.
Re Matanovic, I really like what I saw from him in this game – great display of strength and skill👍
A solid win.
Looks like we are getting better as the tournament goes along. Gvardiol is getting more time to recover and seems to be rounding into form. I was glad he got some minutes today. It was just right.
Kovacic is getting some of his rhythm back. Modric had not been playing due to that facial injury, and maybe was not quite as sharp as he might have been in game one and two, but he was huge today, especially defensively.
Petar and Baturina are getting World Cup experience and will get better. . . . Vlasic stepped up.
I would like to have seen Vuskovic get some minutes. Overall, he is a better defender than Pongracic. Vuskovic is an offensive threat, he is great defending against set plays . . . I am looking for Dalic to start Vuskovic next game, especially if we get Colombia. He played well against Colombia last time. I would rather face Colombia anyway . . . But what will be will be.
Today, let’s enjoy the win. 🇭🇷
Largely agree with these ratings from @Anonymous.
I thought Baturina started strong but was fouled and knocked around pretty good early on, and became quieter as the game unfolded. Maybe he, like Stani, could use a bit of a refresh? A lot of intensity and energy expended these first three games . . .
Sutalo was alright, a little better than Pongracic. They both got the job done.
It would be good to see Vuskovic and Gvardiol start in the next game. I would leave Stani and Sutalo together on the right, and bring Vuskovic and Gvardiol on the left. If Vuskovic and Gvardiol can have huge games, it would lift our ceiling. They are our two most valuable defenders (market value means something) and we beat Ghana without them, aside from those few minutes from Gvardiol.
@mini, sepp, Danny, et al.
Excellent work. Heard you all game long. Love it
See you guys back inTO
Nice win. Thank you for not going for a tie. Always go for the win, you risk losing when you do that.
Modric in the second half was finally MODRIC! Without his tireless defense and anticipation we lose or tie that game. A 40 year old that got better as the game progressed.
100%
Beautiful
Volim piti, volim piti ….
Much better. We at 75% now. Good win
Argh. We’re going to the semi finals again aren’t we? 😓
[Liva PK protocol]
Yup
I rather avoid PK Dalic should have the guys practicing PK and studying Portuguese players
Vlasic MOTM. Kova still sucks.
That game he didn’t.
What game did you watch? Got pushed off the ball twice like a weak pansy and lost the ball. Dribbles then passes to the opposing goalkeeper. Gives two passes that I recall to the opposing player. Put on some glasses and pry yourself loose from Kova’s jock. I’m guessing you too are a Sasa Matic fan like Kova. 🤣
He was excellent
He was super. Also forgot to mention that he tried to take a shot like Sucic and Vlasic from outside of box and kicks it straight into the defender. He has very little spatial awareness and a weak ass shot. But go ahead and keep fluffing JugoKova up. 🤣
Luka so good great performance that’s Croatia
And now you can all see why Luka is still the best!!! A true captains performance and complimented by the rest of the team. Bravo momci 👏👏
How is that not offside??
Because it’s not.
I guess they consider that the player who was offside was not involved in the play. That’s subjective because he was definitely trying to be involved in the play just as the offside Ghana player who threw himself to the ground with zero contact was, but that’s what VAR is for: making these subjective game-changing decisions.
In the end, that goal was more poor marking by our players on a set piece, so I’m not complaining. That goal needs to be prevented by marking properly. At least the boys closed out the game with solid defense.
England scored
Hold the game at this score for now (in case Panama score)
And if England still winning near the end decide if u want to let one in
England 2-0
Get lost
Dalic has spent 15 minutes yelling at them
And still no changes
Let’s wait till Fatawu scores or creates a goal
Kova has been sensational
Yes indeed. Both Modric and Kova are giving a big F u salute to me and everyone else on this site.
When you begin to understand each players role to the team, you will appreciate Kovacic more.
Fatawu
Oh no
He’s good
Dalic better bring on Gvardiol to deal with him
They are 1 v 1 against Perisic – not sure Ivano can hold off for 45 against him – are move Kova over there and keep it 1 v 2
Whoever Sučić sucks, can suck a dick. He just scored.
Wasn’t that clearly a penalty? If you drag a player down in the box with your arm, isn’t that a penalty?
Agreements in place
Pero really needs to hit the gym
Needs to get stronger
Embarrassment
Sucic has sucked
Pongracic has sucked
Pasalic has been the spark
Kova was needed v England, not so much as Ghana
Gvardiol always plays CB in this game
Sučić sucks how, he made an interception and forced couple of errors on the other team. What the hell are you talking about. That’s just in the game here with Ghana.
Winner win. Go win.
Bog i Hrvati
ZDS
Bog i Hrvati!!!!!!!!
🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷💪💪💪💪💪💪
🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷💪💪💪💪💪💪
Looks like a line up centered on a tie. Introducing Max responsible line up by inserting vlasic and bringing p sucic back in
Now PSG looking for a CB
Every PSG fan is saying they should buy Vuskovic
He has every single top team in the World chasing him
And Dalic can’t figure out how to use him
Play him w Josko as CB and put Moro in front of them (or Jakic if isn’t RB) – it’s not hard
A CB isn’t supposed to face twenty rushes / 1 v 1 per game – that should only happen if the team in front of them f up
https://www.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/sp2026/hrvatska-gana-sastav-gvardiol-na-klupi-sucic-budimir-vlasic-4-2-3-1-15722509
SN reporting:
Stanisic-Sutalo-Pog-Perisic
Modric-Kova
P Sucic-Vlasic_Baturina
Budimir
SN tends be more accurte on their day of reports.
Man, both wingers playing out of position?
… damn that lineup does not fill me with confidence, hoping we can squeeze out a draw 🙏
I dont really get it other than playing our best youg athletes wide to deal with Ghana’s threats from the wing.
Crazy to me that Gvardiol is benched. Surely he can redeem himself unless hes really struggling for fitness.
Vecernji apparently published a different one w Gvardiol, CC, and Krama (instead of Vlasic, Pong and Kova) who knows.
I am in Philly! Ready to watch the game in person and hoping for some
Goals! IZNAD SVIH 🙏🏼
Let’s go mini, sepp et al
Make us proud!
Ticket is gone.
Ajmo Hrvatska
In Philly right now and we have an extra ticket for offer. Cat2 for $400. Can meet in person at Marconi Plaza. Croats only.
Mojo6475@gmail.com
Croats only?
Y’all raciiiist!!!
In Philly right now and we have an extra ticket for offer. Cat2 for $400. Can meet in person at Marconi Plaza. Croats only.
Mojo6475@gmail.com
Let’s go and take care of business
I’m thinking the World Cup will need to rethink this layout and the tanking for third place thing
How exactly? Who knows
But also the amount of scalpers from country organizations seems to be legit
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ58EMsBaCi/?igsh=MTJjbHJveHNpZWN4NA%3D%3D
– Best 8 group winners go directly to the round of 16
– Other 4 group winners and 12 second place teams play a knockout game to join the top 8
– Instead of incentivizing teams to lose to get a favorable playoff spot, it will make the third game relevant for teams that have already clinched a knockout spot
– Norway would have played their starting 11 yesterday to try for the top 8 spot
– And no more third place teams making the playoffs
– Because this makes sense, and it would reduce the total games of the tournament from 104 to 96, FIFA wouldn’t even consider it
As usual. My advice is to focus on ourselves not the opposition or possible draw. We still haven’t played close to our best. This is another opportunity to fix mistakes and find some rhythm and form as a team. Hoping for a good win
Does anyone know if the meeting is still at the con Murphys pub in Philly??
Big hvala
DannyJ,
We know you are on location.
Look forward to your updates today from ground zero.
Bog i Hrvati. 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷
@Slavonac
Hopefully you’ve sobered up and are of sound mind
Here’s an update on the guy who was pretending to be Marko Livaja – he actually met Luka Sucic, Bati, Marco and Musa on the street and they also wanted their picture taken with him LMAO
Do you understand the joke now ??? 😉
https://x.com/CroatiaFooty/status/2070819446625554733?s=20
So is a tie for sure at least get us through in third?
Anonymous can’t get Baturina’s Neymar-esq flick outside of right boot overhead to get past two Panama pussies out of their head – it might be the GREATEST bit of skill EVER by a Croatian footballer – it’s so f-ing good – Anonymous keeps watching it – it’s absolutely beautiful
If a Brazilian did it – it would have been showing a billion times and everyone talking about it – but bc it’s a Croatian – nobody cares or even mentions it
Oh yeah – Paz turned down Madrid and back at Como – as he knows Bati is going to carry his sorry over-rated ass deep in the Champions League next season
Paz didn’t turn down madrid, he is too scared to compete and would ride left bench. And yes, he knows Baturina is the man at Como until he leaves.
And with that declaration, SURELY the “Buttertart” era is over, and the nickname must NOW be officially retired. . . .yes?
I know it’s not my call, but just sayin . . .
It’s batina. He lays the beat down now
LOL you guys are a riot🤣
Batina’s a great nick.
And props to those of you in Philly— have fun!
@TinU
I think it’s best we keep it on the shelf and not retire it just yet
It seems to have done the job of getting his previously fat and lazy ass into gear and apply himself, leverage his talent and reach his potential
The stick (ie the nickname) remains to ensure his FLOOR doesn’t drop
Anonymous is pretty confident it won’t but let’s wait to be 100% sure
If he has one full season at Como next season in the Champions League and he kicks ass then we can revisit retiring it
Deal?
@Anonymous
I shudder to think of what might have happened to Baturina’s career if the nickname had not been imposed in such a timely and judicious way.
There was a sense that asking for an absolute discharge today was going to be a bridge too far. At the least, I was hoping a conditional discharge today, which would automatically turn into an absolute discharge for Baturina should he complete the probationary period (kicking ass at Como through the full 2026-27 season) successfully.
I take it that is not to be. There will be no verdict of any kind or nature this day. Understood.
The matter is adjourned, and is to be set back down for an official verdict in June 2027.
Deal!
Hoping for a win! Croatia needs a win, especially against a team like Ghana, who seem to be good at what Croatia struggles to beat
Don’t worry boys.
We have this 0-0 draw in the bag. 🙂
Ghana might even score an own goal to slide down to third place (since it’s more attractive than 2nd).
Anonymous did come up with this scenario MONTHS ago (forget the context) – where you have a game – and each team keeps scoring on their own net – to try to lose the game
We could be watching/making history today
This would sure be amazing to witness
An OG count as Goals For
It’s pretty dumb if u think about it as the tie breaker is GD and then GF
Let’s say the last team to play needs a draw to have same # of points as last 3rd place team – they GD is the same – but the last team is behind on GF by 4 goals – so the last team agree with opponent to each score 5 OG for a 5-5 tie
GD stays the same but GF goes up by 5! LMAO
Rules are dumb sometimes and can be exploited
FIFA should revisit if OG should count as GF as could be exploited in extreme situation
We play to win. Anyone saying differently has never played sports before
Checking the possible lineups on sofascore …
Dalic …. 🤦♂️
I have grčevi already
Ghana’s defence looks solid. I thought their defence was supposed to be weak. I have not seen that. Not so far. They have not lost a game and they have not given up a goal.
For those who have watched this Ghana team, what is the best plan to break them down? England seemed a little stumped.
Is Kovacic one of our better players, at least when he is healthy, when it comes to carrying the ball forward, breaking the lines, and getting through the opponent’s defensive structure? Can we expect he will have a role here?
Luka Sucic has a powerful foot. Would we want him on the field and unloading shots from 25 yards out if they bunker? Will they bunker? They don’t need a win.
Is two strikers completely crazy? What if we have both Budimir and Matanovic, two big, physically imposing strikers pressing their defence and crashing the net? Have Vuskovic come up on corner kicks to join them and with those three going for the ball, we should get quality chances for headers off of corner kicks.
I trust that Dalic will come up with a solid plan. I would like to see Petar Sucic, Baturina, and Vuskovic all start.
Scoring an early goal would be great. Ghana has not been behind this World Cup so far. They could get rattled. A couple more goals, and then a large number of substitutions with fresh legs to protect the lead, give everyone some playing time, and then onto the next game.
But one at a time.
Always play to win. Those countries don’t want to play us either. It’s not always us, but the cream always rises.
Looking forward to seeing the confirmed XI, which I hope includes Petar Sučić and Vušković. I’m normally a Musa guy, but we might need Budimir’s tight space ability to tee up shots. England got fewer than 5 shots on target iirc, despite having the lion’s share of the possession. It’s going to take precision to pull Ghana out of place. We’ve only scored 3 goals, but all were excellent technically. I expect at least one of those tomorrow, and then a less pretty one later in the match.
We or tie and we through
We can still lose (by one goal) and go through if these things happen…
Austria beats Algeria,
Congo doesn’t beat Uzbekistan,
Uzbekistan doesn’t beat Congo by 6 goals
Austria and Algeria have three points each. The match in all likelihood will be a friendly draw with both qualifying for the round of 32.
Austria is already claiming that there is no conspiracy where they’ve agreed to a draw in advance, ha ha
This is how you know this World Cup format is broken
Betting-wise, the draw for the Algeria-Austria game is worth lower odds (+115) than for either team to win (Algeria +320 and Austria +190).
Sad to see.
Happened the other night, too, when Australia played Paraguay …. final 0-0.
Only 3rd placed scotland and uruguay confirmed will not qualify for knock out. Now left with us, algeria and congo fighting for only one spot as the rest are above in the table and have completed the grp stage.
Only draw against ghana will be enough as korea senegal paraguay scotland uruguay are guaranteed behind us. We will probably qualify as one of worst top 8 third placed teams even with 4 points
We’re gonna repeat exactly what Belgium are doing now aren’t we?
Pretty close im going to say
We want Portugal
Cape Verde all the way man
Watching Spain and Uruguay now. Spain doesn’t look too convincing. The goal was a bad one because of the goalkeeper Muslara.
We’ve been so blessed with Subasic and Livaković. Two back to back legends that have kept us from being eliminated.
Marcelo Bielsa will be available in about 10 minutes time
We really need to take a look
The Uruguay FA pays Bielsa about $4 million per year.
Dalić makes half that.
Not sure if the HNS would ever break the bank like that for a coach.
What an insult to Coach Dalic. What has Bielsa done on the international level? He choked in ‘02. He choked this year. Coach Dalic has 2 semifinal appearances. Whether he wins or not tomorrow, he deserves the respect. Viva Zlatko, man, Viva Zlatko!
A coach can get stale after a while.
Sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes on a team.
This is the third tournament in a row where we’ve struggled badly, and it’s been three years of difficult football to watch.
Dalić himself chose not to extend his contract.
You can’t coach a team forever, and it might be time to move on to a new coach (especially if we are eliminated tomorrow).
Consider what we have now in comparison to the ‘18 and ‘22 teams; it’s not just about staleness. And don’t bring up those guys Coach Dalic didn’t bring up. They just aren’t ready. This team is just not as talented as the other ones. It didn’t help that Gvardiol and Kovacic were coming back from injuries. But I hope we can make it through the group stage and then let Zlatko pray his Krunica.
“Not ready” according to who Dalic???
Let’s be real young dynamic players like Stojković or Segecic would definitely have been impactful and useful to have coming off the bench.
The issue with Dalic is that he’s pretty stuck in his ways and unwilling to adapt. Think about him playing a washed Broz and crippled Perisic last Euros and how long it took for him to finally call up and play Marco P.
Dalić should have chosen Majer or someone else over Kovačić regardless. Period. You cannot pick someone who hasn’t seen a ball in 18 months it’s like we are playing with one less player out there. Anyone who doesn’t see this has no idea how to assess the field.
I am a Kovačić fan but man he is doing absolutely nothing for us out there right now. He has had at least one turnover in every match he has played including with Man City since coming back. Look back at the games. Mistakes are mistakes, but you cannot do that consistently it’s costly especially in tournaments like this. Teams like France will punish you for that. He shouldn’t have been called up. He is lucky Gvardiol had such a terrible game otherwise more people would be willing to call him out for it.
I understand taking the gamble on Gvardiol, he is rated one the best defenders currently. He was also only out for 4 months, so it was very possible for him to come back and still be crucial for us. But the gamble on Kovačić made no sense whatsoever. Dalic should have chosen anyone else, regardless of form. If Modric forced Dalic’s hand to make that choice than he is an idiot. Period.
Dalic has a major problem right now he is even admitting it. The problem is simple, even though he hasn’t said it in these exact words. He has taken way too long to integrate the youth and now he has put himself in this situation. We need to stop creating excuses for him. Modric was on camera saying they were playing like they couldn’t move and were grčevi. Come on man every knows it.
Look, Dalic has done phenomenal things for Croatia, hats off to him. However, right around the point that Perišić was injured should have been a wake up call, that he needed to integrate another winger and more youth. But Dalic refused to do it, he didn’t want to disrupt the locker room. Fortunately for us, Perisic is an animal, what he has continued to be able to do in his career with the injury he sustained is nothing short of incredible. He is the only senator who should be on the field in my view starting.
Anyways back to discussion, Dalic continued for a long while to play players out their natural positions and it did nothing for us. A few tournaments ago or so, he should have integrated the youth more often he also didn’t do that. Instead, he called other players that had injuries and were also out of form, we just had some luck and these players weren’t really used as often. Marko Rog I think at one point is an example, in that tournament. At this time I believe Oršić should have been picked it was before he got injured I think. I mean, it’s not like it mattered that Orsic’s goal won us the bronze. He was always dynamic for us and did so much for us. I feel so bad for that guy and his injury. But Dalic would just not pick him.
Dalic just was not willing to take a gamble on younger players despite form. Some people did have decent form even tho those clubs were not first tier, Marin Ljubičić for example had a great season didn’t get a call up. Ivanovic, even though his season wasn’t perfect could still have helped with his speed direct play as winger potentially. Marco Pašalić, still doesn’t get picked in games which is insane!
We have also struggled to find a striker since Mandžo left. While that’s not Dalic’s fault, how he chose to deal with it is his fault. That was a perfect opportunity to play young guns up front, didn’t do that either for the longest time. Instead we relied on older players, and players from HNL, who weren’t terrible, but they didn’t offer what we needed. Instead he kept playing with False nines and not a true #9 upfront. It showed. With exception to the game with Canada, we didn’t really score on in many games on previous tournaments. During the qualifiers of some of these tournaments we were winning games with one goal or less. We couldn’t put the ball in the net at all, you can’t continue winning like this. During the last Euro Cup, we could have actually won it we made a conscious effort to adapt youth we were in better shape then than we are now. Modric and Kramarić are getting older now and cannot palay like they use to.
Then to top things off he would stick with players regardless, because of seniority. Now I am admittedly a big Brozović fan saying this. However, he should not have been playing for us in 2022, his form was way off when he went to Saudi. Instead of not calling him up Dalic waited for him to make the call even though as coach you need to make that decision, it’s your job. Same with Domagoj Vida he was called up way too long and wasn’t even playing. A waste of a spot. These decisions now are costly, they were also costly at the time they were made but fortunately we got some results.
I mean, look, to an extent it was working here or there with some luck. There was some luck with both Petkovic and Livaja on the squad as strikers. We had some results but just barely against the tougher opponents. To be fair, Livakovic was huge reason for this with his penalty shootout heroics. At the time it also helped that Modric was still younger and and that Kovačić was in form, but now that they are not it shows.
Look, I will always route for Croatia win or lose. I am proud of how our small Nation has come so far and won so much. Dalic was also a big reason for this in many ways. I will always be proud. But at this moment there is a big elephant sitting in the middle of the room that some people are not willing to see.
Bielsa sucks nuff said
Hundo dog
————Musa————————Marco.P.———
—————————Baturina—————————
————P.Sucic————————Modric———
—————————M.Pasalic—————————
—Perisic——————————————Stanisic
——————Gvardiol——Vuskovic—————
————(Fruk)—————(Matanovic)————
————Budimir—————Kramaric—————
——————————Vlasic——————————
—————L.Sucic—————Kovacic—————
——————————Moro——————————
Pograncic——————————————Jakic
———————DCC———Sutalo———————
Recept za Ghana
Can we not force sutalo and Pongracic anymore? They got lucky Panama has no ability in the final 3rd to finish or punish their defensive gaps and errors and Livakovic keeps saving them. But vs real clinical teams, they’re always gonna struggle. Pongračić is fine to be Gvardiol’s sub as a cb on the left if needed.
Can we stop holding our team back and just play Gvardiol beside Vušković as CB’s in a back 4 already? Dalic admitted they had defensive problems still vs Panama. It’s obvious Gvardiol isn’t fit enough to be fullback running that much and forcing him 1v1 outwide. He has to be our last line of defence saving us and blocking shots/intercepting passes defending the ball head on rather than back tracking. He’s the perfect LCB and man city used him there September-January as they had the same defensive problems we have right now before, after putting him back at LCB they dominated. CB wouldn’t challenge his fitness as much, plus we’re already shakey with sutalo and Pongracic.
Vušković is objectively better than Šutalo, many of our defensive issues track back to Šutalo. 3 goals vs England had Šutalo involved heavily, we conceded such a poor goal vs England even after Vuskovic was subbed off, which had sutalo at fault for being out of position on his side and allowing stanisic to be isolated vs Rashford and sutalo never tracking back to defend in time, Perisic almost saved it not sutalo despite being way further away. 2nd goal sutalo could have blocked the shot but flinched away from the ball while also forcing Gvardiol away who wanted to block it but Šutalo took his spot, then 3rd goal also had sutalo too slow to help Vuskovic or Mario pasalic, who all 3 are far too slow to be our last 3 players back. We can only afford 1 slow CB and it should be Vuskovic not sutalo, anyone who thinks sutalo is fast is heavily mistaken, the guy is slower than Vuskovic and is below him in every attribute a defender requires otherwise. If Gvardiol was back vs Bellingham’s goal instead of being forced to be an attacking wingback like Dalic wanted then he would have stopped him and covered Vuskovic for pace instead of forcing 3 cb’s and sutalo being obsolete. Absolutely despicable for Dalic to scapegoat Vuskovic despite all our defensive problems starting 2 years ago at the euros when sutalo and Pongracic became starters.
Like Vuskovic literally carried us vs Colombia with Marco Pašalić and got motm, and that was part of our B team vs Colombia A team, all where Šutalo doesn’t even play 1 second and sat on the bench, the only goal we did concede was Pongračić not closing down the guy in the box well enough and just ball watching. All the while next game Vuskovic had triple the defensive contributions of both his cb partners vs Brazil and Colombia while having elite offensive contributions and a goal. Meanwhile sutalo plays the next game vs Brazil putting on possibly one of the worst CB performance in Croatian history. Seriously all 3 goals are him at fault, doesn’t track his runner on the breakaway (you can literally see him slip through sutalo), Vuskovic gets subbed off vs Brazil and we concede 2 goals in 8 minutes. Šutalo gives away a cheap penalty although Endrick dived sutalo is so incredibly passive and lacks aggression that he could have won it far before that challenge in the box and just didn’t. 3rd goal again being way too slow and out of position letting an easy goal again.
Gvardiol was shoved into LB instead of saving us at CB, how can anyone complain Gvardiol isn’t the same 2022 cb saving us when he never plays there for us anymore despite playing CB for his club at man city. Dalic even said a while back he just wants to play players to play in the same position for Croatia where they play in their club, it’s the only reason Dalic did the back 3, but did he realize Šutalo will never work in a back 3? Hes far too slow and defensively vulnerable especially outwide to be a wide CB. If Dalic did play our guys where they played in their club, he’d put Gvardiol at LCB, Vuskovic played RCB for multiple games this season when his team swapped to a back 4 (not lcb) and obviously his whole career before Hamburg (even in the back 3 his team has him as a RCB when they track back and form a back 4), he’d give modric 2 other midfielders instead of just Mario pasalic or Kovacic alone (which is insane he hasn’t let Petar Sucic beside modric once yet), and he’d bench Šutalo where’s been for half the season. Šutalo played left bench at Ajax for a while despite being fit and Vušković played almost every game for Hamburg in a such a quality season Šutalo has never reached once, in a much more difficult league drawing the UCl semi finalist (Bayern Munich) and being the motm.
Šutalo simply doesn’t offer the same offensive, defensive, build up play or aerial ability that Vušković does, if you value experience, Gvardiol has been our cb for Croatia before sutalo and stanisic is a better defensive leader and player experienced to lead our back line more than Šutalo anyways who gets coached mid game by everyone on the pitch anyways. Seriously Šutalo is 26 yet he isn’t more experienced than 24 year old Gvardiol and doesn’t have top league experience like Vuskovic had this season dominating bundesliga, while sutalo struggles in Dutch league outside the top 5 leagues.
Just drop Šutalo already, you dropped Kramarić and Baturina has been flourishing finally and our attack was quality vs england and Baturina has been our best player. Like we complained our attack has been lack luster and slow for years and then let Kramaric get minutes who was the main culprit and then some Croatian commentators complain where is Kramaric; are they insane??? Meanwhile Baturina is our best player right now in general. Now we complain our defence is poor and never start our best world class CB’s together in their best positions at CB in our back 4 system. Vušković is the archetypal right footed RCB stopper for Gvardiol’s left footed LCB ball playing build up defender. It’s a perfect swap for Dalic system where Sutalo has been the stopper and Pongracic the ball playing cb and he’s refusing to do it out of stubbornness. Hes only forcing Gvardiol lb so Gvardiol and stanisic can go forward and score which isn’t paying off, especially since our defence keeps getting caught out without them.
He got the veteran support system because modric and perisic are still top elite players, unlike most of the other veteran players. Like did Dalic genuinely believe Kramaric was gonna score vs Panama, only way was with a tap in which budimir already had that covered but can at least win a header and press. It’s not an all or nothing philosophy, having some balance between veterans and new talents where our best players Luka modric and Perisic for years set up and offload the mental part of the game for the younger guys and just directs them assists and plays while they do their game. We don’t have another controlling midfielder who controls, passes and playmakes like modric, we don’t have another LW on the squad who provides width and elite versatility and attacking/aerial ability+crossing like Perisic, (with both being quite intelligent and disciplined defensively and offensively). We have Baturina over Kramaric easily however.
And yes Modrić should start unlike how some people think here. Can we be honest for a second and think how we looked vs England and Panama when modric was subbed out, the answer is absolutely lost. No quality passes going forward, no rhythm, no control over the game, never looked like scoring a quality goal ever, just trying to hang on and wait till the game ends. Why else do you think we got the 2 goals vs England, he slowed down England’s momentum despite it looking impossible after their goals and allowed us to take control in a moments notice. We had such quality in that first goal with Vuskovic winning it and giving it to Baturina and Petar Sucic leading to Baturina goal but they weren’t able to do too much when modric came off, this is because modric sets up our team’s rhythm making the most opportune play possible by manipulating the flow of the game and the opponents positioning while keeping our teams mentality good under pressure and frees up our players to play to their strengths more, without him the guys like Baturina and Petar Sucic have to cycle the ball and set up the play from deep too much limiting their final 3rd or progressive play. Kovacic has the press resistance and technical ability when linking up deeper progression but not the same ability to run a game like modric, he can however close out a game just not run it like modric offensively. We just needed to build around modric to support him when he gets pressed, this means 2 midfielder partners in possession and out of possession around him working hard in pressing or defensive work so modric can read and react defensively, even fullbacks count as they give him safe pass options and cover. Then having wide options from actual wingers, not stanisic and Petar Sucic pretending to be our wingers, Marco pasalic finally unlocked modric with his long passes vs Panama, although Panama was so compact and didn’t let much through, Marco was at least saving modric from getting pressed turning it into dribbles and attacks forward rather than turnovers for us to defend; and on another day that 2nd goal would have came from our breakaway. Unfortunately Dalić didn’t give these guys enough game time together and we haven’t had a real counter attack in years, it was finally possible with Marco but clearly we need to have more time with it, modric is the best passer of the ball for us and can set those up when Dalic finally runs our best lineup.
Luka Sucic is a good passer in deeper areas with long passing, I feel Kovacic/Moro as the #6, Luka Sucic for long passing and shooting while being a hard working cm (although slow), and Fruk at #10 or possibly outwide controlling the game and playmaking and attacking the final 3rd with Baturina LW is our best setup after substitutes are made. It’s the only way to keep some balance when modric is subbed out to spread his qualities and roles evenly across multiple players. Mario pasalic not bad if we’re chasing a game too.
Moral of the story, Marco pasalic and Perisic provide width, Gvardiol and Vuskovic as cb’s defending us and saving us finally being quality together instead of our poor defence of the past 2 years, Livakovic gets proper cb’s infront of him, fullbacks aren’t as offensive and actually focus on covering the gaps in our rest defence and doesn’t leave us so exposed in transitions like when he forced stanisic and Gvardiol in the final third vs Panama and England where England punished us and Panama almost, (stanisic and jakic more defensive almost holding midfielders in possession), Petar sucic in midfield with modric again and 1 of our back 4 supporting in midfield in possession (either Jakic holding mid, stanisic or Gvardiol and the other 3 usually staying back possibly 2), and obviously Baturina having the keys to our attack.
Musa is best vs high lines since he’s fast and a clinical finisher and has space to run into, while still being a strong target player although he doesn’t usually score from headers, as long as Musa has the ball at his feet in the box he’ll score, budimir best vs low blocks to launch crosses into and create space in congested defences to win headers, Matanovic best if the striker is too isolated and needs to get involved more on the ball, he’s the best under pressure and link up play while still being decently fast, he had some problems finishing chances in the past but recent club form scored some great quality goals.
Overall i think Musa is the most versatile start giving us the most options to attack offensively but budimir is the usual sub vs low blocks like vs Panama, Matanovic a more specific situational sub and could possibly play beside Musa in a 442 if needed.
Even if we had Perisic LB, Stanisic RB, Gvardiol LCB, Vuskovic RCB, Jakic or Moro or Kovačić could be the #6 CDM with modric and Petar Sucic CM, then Baturina LW with Perisic overlapping, Marco pasalic RW and Musa ST it would’ve been ok.
It’s functionally the same if Jakic is right back when in possession except it decides if stanisic is on the left or right and if Perisic is deeper fullback most of the time or not.
But I’d sooner just finally run:
GK Livaković
LB Stanišić
LCB Gvardiol
RCB Vušković
RB Jakić
LDM Petar Sučić
RDM Modrić
CAM Baturina
LW Perišić
RW Marco Pašalić
ST Musa
Even Perisic LB and Stanisic RB is fine as long as Gvardiol and Vuskovic are cb’s, fullbacks or midfield cover the wide gaps around modric has 2 midfield partners preferably Petar Sucic one of them, also Marco pasalic and Perisic outwide, and of course Baturina and our striker starting always, and Livakovic in net.
Don’t know why Fruk isn’t getting any minutes off the bench either if he’s the playmaker off the bench that took Majer’s spot, Luka Sucic at least got some minutes vs Panama but should be subbed on every game.
Would love if sutalo proves me wrong and gets motm and has his best tournament ever but judging by form and the past 10 Croatia games games (and past 2 seasons in general), I seriously doubt it and would rather Vušković 100% of the time who was better even in the England game (had more defensive contributions vs England despite playing 30 minutes less than sutalo), not to mention won the ball for our first goal, what did sutalo do vs England beside allow us to concede 4 goals? Even vs Panama what did sutalo do besides pass sideways and backwards, like 1 aerial duel and that’s it and made Livakovic do the rest. At least Pongracic was clearing danger and trying stuff on the ball more although he isn’t Vuskovic or Gvardiol level. Not to mention Šutalo poor performance vs Belgium, Brazil, last minutes of Slovenia conceding literally less than a minute after subbing on, all 3 games in the euros being awful, I could go on but you get the idea.
It’s just simply unimaginable that Vuskovic is being benched to Šutalo. I hope Dalic knows what he’s doing but I think everyone knows Gvardiol and Vuskovic together at cb would be better than sutalo starting, Šutalo even played two 90 minute World Cup matches now with no sub despite having 5 other cb options and continuing defensive problems, he really has no angle to argue from, sutalo hasn’t performed at all for club or national team level for a long time. Yet we’re still complaining about the defence acting like he hasn’t been apart of it the whole time, somehow still seeing from many different Croatian media sources and pundits on TV or even just random espn or fox or whatever projected XI’s with Šutalo front line and centre. I’ve watched his Ajax matches, he just kinda does nothing and doesn’t get involved at all with back or side passes 99% of the time and then makes a major error or possibly 3 massive blunders, gets caught of position, not reading play fast enough or instead of clearing it just deflecting it to the other team and never tries to redeem himself and that’s that. At least modric, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, even Kovacic if they make a mistake they try to make it right with a big play or moment that proves their value to the team, we simply have never gotten that from sutalo, I just see him making Livakovic make more saves.
I know once he swaps out sutalo for Vuskovic he’s not gonna go back just like with Kramaric and Baturina, it’s just about when, and it should be vs Ghana. We were missing Vuskovic ability vs Panama on corners and his long passing vs their low block, would have been much more useful.
The lineup looks good.
Better than what we’ve been running these past two games.
Gavin McKenna 1st overall
He was at the Croatia vs Panama game Tuesday he posted it on the Gram
Liverpool contacted Vuskovic team today about buying him lol
So Pool, Madrid and Brighton interest last few days
Barca there too
Dalic cannot not start him tomorrow – it’s legitimately crazy to sit him
⚪️🔵🚨| 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍! | Liverpool are in the race to sign Luka Vuskovic this summer, as the Tottenham star continues to be linked with a potential exit 🛫
[👨🏻💻] – @GiveMeSport
#TOTTENHAM | #COYS | #SPURSI’m
Do what we always do against African countries- 85 % and up possession, they get pissed off and take crazy fouls. One or maybe two penalty kicks for fouls in the box and I say 1-0 or 2-0 . With Dalic who knows, but don’t want to hear the players we’re to blame and didn’t do what i told them. Wake Dalic, you are really showing your 3rd rate coaching in the last 2 games.
I’ll take what Coach Dalic has given to Croatia, win or lose tomorrow. 3rd rate coaching? Tell that to Uruguay and Italy right now. Viva Zlatko!
Also everyone thinks that avoiding the easier teams in the knockout stages helps. What easy teams have we placed in the KO stages?
Japan? They beat Germany and Spain the last World Cup.
Brazil? Always talented and so much skill on the offence
Morocco? Beat Spain, Portugal and Belgium.
Denmark? Made the Euro semi finals two years later
Russia? Beat Spain
England? Beat the favourites and a giant
France, Argentina, Spain in other tournaments like Euros.
We’ve always faced the strongest teams in the knockout stages in any tournament. Yet when we face weaker teams in the group stage we struggle. That isn’t the case tomorrow. I honestly can’t remember that last major tournament we played a full 90 minutes of consistent football where we were in the drivers seat? Maybe Argentina 2018?
The win tomorrow is going to happen. I don’t care what anyone says. You don’t go into the final game thinking “let’s sit back and watch and hope to a draw. That way we can get the easier route” that’s midget mentally. If you want to become a champion, you have to beat the champions. Portugal would be a tough opponent despite a slow start and not living up to their standards. Then we play Spain. So fucking what? They drew Cape Verde and couldn’t score past a 40 year goalkeeper. Then they beat the Saudis 4-0…Big fucking deal. It’s known that Central American and North American teams are way better than Arab teams. We beat a Panama team that beat the States and did somewhat well in the Copas. We can’t just sit back and be complacent. Fucking win tomorrow and beat a Ghana team that parked the bus against England and hardly beat Panama and did it at the last minute. We beat Panama but were far better. We haven’t played a 100% match yet. Win tomorrow and then play Portugal or Colombia. After that, anything is possible. Finish strong tomorrow and score first again and push. A slow start like the England second half or Panama first half and we will end up fucked. If we can’t beat Ghana, then we go home. It be embarrassing if we didn’t.
Ajmo Vatreni!!!!!
The third round matches have gone as bad as they could for us
6 groups are guaranteed to now finish better than Croatia if Croatia loses.
Scotland is likely to finish worse
Would need 3 of the remaining 4 groups to break right for Croatia
It’s not happening.
If we don’t win or draw, then the same thing that happened at the last Euros will happen again.
Senegal 5-0
3rd place team in our group now only 86% chance to qualify to KO
Poor Scotland they down to 6% chance to qualify – they have to sit around for 6 days – until the other results happen – before they officially get eliminated/go home – brutal
I would really like to get our Mojo Vatreni mode working and just kick butt and get our confidence back. Look solid on both ends of the field and play to our potential. I feel like a parent for a kid in AYSO, always thinking the best about their child and thinking they are the best.
I am not quite impartial to be fair and am probably deluded. To je to.
There are some Rays of Light.
I read some of these comments and so far I’ve only noticed 2 normal responses from Rajko and Stari.
what happens to the team psychology when we tie or lose? this is really the simple way of looking at this situation. when you tie or lose you continue to have doubts, panic and a loss of confidence. when you WIN, you gain confidence and belief begins to takeover insecurities and doubt…its that simple. good things come when you win!
PLAY TO WIN…and when we look at a lineup we all can agree is pretty good, we can beat anyone on any given day but when we struggle, like we have been doing…we all have doubt and start to spiral with frustration.
I say we go out and play to win…and hopefully we start improving our play and the confidence to go with it. we have some incredible players that are fully capable to turn a game and in order for this to happen we need to go game by game, challenge by challenge and increase the confidence…get the winning feeling that we can beat anyone.
I’m no fan of whimping out and playing for a tie…that can really mess with chemistry.
If Sutalo plays we can not win
Can someone how this guy is playing hopeless for Agax and brings nothing but mistakes for the National team,
No pressure no presence, honestly must be related to Dalic.
So with Senegal winning big, Croatia will go into the game knowing 3 points may not be enough, even if the results of the two groups tonight pan out. The results of the two groups tomorrow that play after Croatia could help, but can’t hope on that. Probably a good thing so they can play all out.
We should play for the win and hope England tie Panama. We finish 1st in the group.
3 points is certainly not enough to get through. We need to win. It’s not even up for argument. Lots of third place teams will have four points and we can’t depend on other results. Let’s get that win tomorrow and finish strong!!!
Things have sure changed since 1930, 1st world cup, when the plan was 16 teams, but they only got 13 teams to participate, so no qualifying necessary, due to lack of interest. Only 4 teams from Europe. Yugoslavia placed 4th in tournament. Radio advertisement money was probably an afterthought.
Just win! Win every game! Play without fear. That is who deserves to win the WC…teams who don’t care who they play. Win every game!
Mi smo Hrvati!!! Igramo za pobjedu i ništa drugo!
Ajmo!
Bog i Hrvati
Tell that to Norway who changed all 11 players is playing a complete B team vs France now
Loser mentality
Imagine if Uruguay pulls off the upset on Spain and leapfrogs then in the standings?
The Croatia vs Ghana game would instantly become a classic with both teams killing themselves to try and win.
Great point
Completely missed it
Everyone should just let the 6 games happen today and revisit tomorrow
Too much mental masturb@tion!
This format for the playoffs is stupid. It was stupid to expand to 48 teams to begin with, but FIFA is corrupt, so it is to be expected. The whole third place fiasco is insane. I know we have it in a smaller form for the Euros, but still. Austria plays Algeria tomorrow, and it benefits neither to win. The winner would get Spain, the loser gets Switzerland. The easier solution for the playoffs is simple and removes the third place bs: the top 8 group winners go to the round of 16, with the remaining 4 group winners and the 12 second place teams play off for the remaining 8 spots. This eliminates the round of 32 and gives another benefit: for those teams like Mexico, US and Germany that clinched the group after two games, they would still have to play to win the third game to ensure they are in the top 8 group winners and to avoid playing the extra game. And those 8 group winners would only have to win 7 games to win the World Cup (like the old format).
But that would mean 8 games instead of 16 games. It’s all about the money that’s why they made this format. They get an extra 40 games compared to previous World Cups and that’s what makes them happy.
Yes, I know, so why not make it 64 teams, or 128? Sadly, 64 is actually better than 48 because you get rid of the 3rd place nonsense if you have 16 groups of 4, but it’s way too many games and way too many crappy teams. And you won’t be able to cram in all of those games into a five week calendar. And a March madness type bracket wouldn’t work because it’s a lot fewer games and they won’t want teams playing a one and done.
They’re planning to make it 64 teams 🤣
And this Norway wouldn’t be resting their starting lineup if they used the logical system I outlined to make the final 16. A World Cup with 64 teams would be a logistical nightmare. You would have to put 6 games on some days so you don’t have more than 5-6 days between the first teams playing and the last. Mexico played on June 11 and Croatia’s first game was June 17. If you add 16 teams, it would be worse. And as we have seen and predicted, the additional teams have made the tournament a lot worse than previous versions.
Want Portugal
We don’t play hot potato with anyone, must exorcize demons
Would be funny if we beat them the same way they beat us.
Just defend and foul then show in the end.
What foul?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/afjJfJwaJj0
What we really want is to get our rhythm going. We just haven’t looked the same as we did as recently as recently as in spring 2025 against France in Split- 2-0. That day it looked like we could beat anybody. We need to get a formation/lineup set and then hope for the best. Zlatko’s Krunice have helped in the past!
We haven’t been good for a long time.
These past three tournaments (Euro2024, the most recent Nations League, and this World Cup) have all been a disaster.
We played one good game in the past three years against a good team (home game against France in Nations League) and that’s it. Every other game against a good team (Portugal, France, England, Spain) we were destroyed very easily by multiple goals.
In the past three years, we won against decent teams only three times…
against Poland when we beat them 1-0 in the UNL, beat the Czechs 5-1 in qualifying, and we beat Scotland (but required a false VAR call to do it).
The Czechs are a bad team (as proven by this World Cup) so we really only should count Poland and Scotland as decent teams.
If we show up flat against Ghana, and then get beat easily (again) by Portugal, we are going to have to listen to Dalic tell us that we are a small country (again) and (again) accept this level of mediocrity for another few years.
If we don’t make a run in this tournament, then it’s time to rip the band-aid off.
Best game from 22-26 was Netherlands 4-2 in nations semis man in 23
That period (June 2023) was the last time we actually played well.
Then we got slapped around by Turkey and Wales in Euro2024 qualifying, got slapped by Spain in Euro2024 itself, then again by Portugal and Scotland in the most recent UNL.
Now, it’s England and (almost) Panama.
We need to stop this punishment.
We lost to Hispania 0-0 PK’S which was a good performance man
No, I’m talking about the 0-3 beatdown we received from them at Euro2024.
Yes, we held them to a draw (in June 2023), which was the same month as the 4-2 win over the Netherlands.
My point still stands, that June 2023 was the last time we actually played good football and beat teams that mattered.
Right now, it’s been three full years of very poor unwatchable football.
I guess the 5-1 beat down of Czechia meant nothing. We beat France 2-0 in ‘25. We qualified for the ‘24 Euros and ‘26 WC. Give Coach Dalic some credit. It’s not like we have a galaxy of stars like France or England. Let’s just get past the group stage and see what happens. Viva Zlatko!
That was our best performance against them. Keep in mind that the Spain team we faced in nations league final was much different than the team we faced at euros
We need to stop thinking about second place, third place, brackets, calculators, and who plays who.
Just play to win.
Play with pride. Play with courage. Play with passion. Play like the shirt means something. If we win, we go forward with our heads high. If we lose, then lose fighting, attacking, and giving everything — not afraid, not scoreboard-watching, not hoping other teams save us.
We have always been at our best when we play with heart, belief, and no fear.
Forget the scenarios.
Play for Croatia.
Play to win.
And whatever happens, make us proud.
No you don’t want to meet Portugal they will beat Colombia and be the winner of their group, we want to meet Colombia, but we have to play really good match against Ghana and show we still got it.
If we really want to finish third, we get ahead one goal and roll one back to Livakovic which he allows to roll through his legs, during the very last second of stoppage time.
Turkey impresses me with how they always play to the very last second. Their victory over US reminded me of the Euro victory against Croatia in the quarterfinals 2008 I believe?
oh god dont remind me of that game plz
Talking about strategy on how to make the perfect 3rd place landing with a tie, is a little bit much, putting our Angels on overtime double pay for sure, whistling by the graveyard mode. A tie is not a guaranteed outcome.
With that said, I like the idea of the defense first with soft bunkering, like we did in 98′, where we lived by the counterattack, not saying settling for a tie, but having a bit of defensive mind set for the Ghana speed demons.
We just seem to have a lot of defensive players with a lot of offensive ability: Jakic, Stanisic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol, etc.
For long pass counterattacks we have Baturina, Musa, Sucic.
I am not saying go all Greek mode, just a focus on executing good defense.
I think Stani, Bati and Liva are our only good players lol
Add Petar Sucic and Perisic to those three, and you’re right.
Still it’s enough to make a couple things happen if Luka can Turn it on for a couple more weeks and then ride off into the sunset
Heck maybe budimir can get hot a bit
If Gvardiol and Modrić show up, then we’ll have 7 good players and will only need to round out the squad with four more role players.
I think Vušković needs to get back in there, and we should try out Jakić at RB. That should clean up our backline with faster, in-form players in our fullback positions with Stanišić on the left side helping Gvardiol (especially since Ghana’s best player is at RW).
Kova should be benched and only come on as a sub for Modrić. Giving Musa and Budimir a half each is fine.
For the Croatians in the greater Toronto area, do you want Croatia to win tomorrow and get 2nd place (assuming England beats Panama), thereby playing the first knockout game in Toronto, but the caveat is that they play Portugal. My big fear is that happens and they lose 3-0 or something. I would rather they lose to Ghana if that happens. Losing to Portugal in 2016 they way they did and then them going on to win the tournament. That was bad enough. This would be worse. Of course, beating them in Toronto would be fabulous. I have no clue what would happen, as both teams have big question marks.
We should just bunker it up (with the 8 CBs that Dalić called up) and have Livaković win all our games for us via PKs.
May as well rely on him. He’s basically been saving our arse so far.
The thing is this team does not know how to bunker.
We lost that euro game because we had a tv repair man or vacuum cleaner sales man for a coach who did not allow us to push forward. Those Portuguese were fouling left and right all game . Ref was for them . The last 8 minutes of that game we had a burst of offense power and almost scored . Had we pressed we would have won. We play to win . We beat Ghana we face Columbia or maybe Portugal. Dalic calls those guys sitting at home we will have a chance .
I believe Croatia qualify as a 3rd runner up with a draw. The only way they don’t qualify is with a loss
So we will fight to hold the ball in our own end at the end do the match to have Ghana try to steal it. Boot it back to their keeper who rifles it top shelf in injury time
That Would be fantastic football phuckery.
How awesome
4 points guarantees a third place? Do we know this for certain?
I know there were some bad results for us yesterday
Yes, 4 points guarantees a 3rd place playoff spot. Scotland and Korea finished with 3 points, so they beat them on points. Paraguay finished with 4 points, but a minus 2 goal difference. Croatia ties tomorrow and their goal difference is minus 1, so they are above Paraguay. And Senegal plays Iraq, and they both have zero points, so the most that third place team will have is three points. So Croatia ties, they are in for sure.
Actually
If Ghana finish 3rd – after Kansas City – it’s Vancouver – so Partey would miss that game – so they are screwed – but it’s better to have Partey for R32 (which is a guarantee) then plan for R16
Mental Masterbati@n !!!
Play for a win then whatever happens happens. If we play for the draw we will end up losing. Modric has his 200 now it’s time to put him on the bench, he’s no longer starter level quality. That’s two crappy games in a row for him, if he can’t step aside on his own Dalic needs to grow a pair of balls and bench him.
We are not going to be 1st so that scenario can be tossed out the window. Now whether it would be better to be 2nd or 3rd I would take 3rd as it seems like an easier path but with our form so far we are just as likely to lose any game.
Now consider Ghana POV – they WANT to lose and finish 3rd too
Their best midfielder Thomas Partey can’t enter Canada if they finish 2nd and the R32 in Toronto – and they don’t want to play Mexico at elevation either
Considering the fact that Modrić was one of the best midfielders in Serie A and one of the best players in the league overall, the narrative that he’s suddenly not good enough to be a starter is ridiculous. It’s based on just two games that were below his usual standard. This is much more of a continuation of Dalić’s poor decision-making at the Euros, where he kept experimenting with formations, tactics and his starting 11 while repeatedly making the wrong calls. Modrić absolutely has to start against Ghana. Nobody else in Ghana’s squad comes remotely close to his ability to control the tempo and dictate a game the way he does, even at his age.
I just don’t believe it’s as straightforward as that!
What does coming third look like in your eyes? Does this mean we manage the game against Ghana and try to hold them to a draw? Superb strategy until they score late and we get dumped out in third – do we really trust this side to get a goal back if that happens, against a low block team that held England?
We can’t rely on coming third as a safe bet. Certainly if we only get 3 points, then we’re facing the possibility of getting dumped outright.
Are we also just assuming Portugal won’t beat Colombia? Outside of that one friendly win against them two years ago, we really haven’t done well against them historically.
There’s just too much risk and not as great a reward as this article seems to suggest in coming third. We must play like the Hrvati we are and not some cowardly team going for anything less than a win!
Let’s at least wait and see the result of the Spain/Uruguay match tomorrow before we even consider the prospect of Croatia playing for anything less than a win.
Here’s a nice graph from the Atlantic on % probabilities vs. paths
x.com/search?q=the%20atlantic%20world%20cup&src=typed_query
The biggest benefit of finishing 3rd is FIFTY SEVEN extra hours of rest before we have to play – 1st play Wed 12:00pm – 2nd play Thur 7:00pm – 3rd play Fri 09:30pm – that’s massive
But why wouldn’t Ghana throw the game Saturday and let Croatia win 1-0 and secure 3rd place themselves ? I mean they aren’t complete MORONS they can see the same stuff we see – they will throw it and let Croatia win (maybe even kick the ball in their own net if needed) – mark it – now if this happens Croatia will have to respond by kicking the ball in their own net to return to a tie – that’s why Ghana will let a 0-0 draw happen until like the last minute of ET and then boot it in their own net – again, mark it
The point about 2nd playing in Mexico City at elevation (the stadium is at 7,220 feet above sea level) is valid – imagine poor 40 y/o and the other geriatrics having to try to run there lol – Ghana don’t want to play in Mexico City either
The other issue is the path’s won’t be set when Croatia plays Saturday – there will still be TWO groups or 4 games AFTER Croatia plays – and they will do their own calculations – Columbia will try to beat Portugal to stay 1st in the Group – but equally Portugal will try to beat Columbia to try to get 1st – in the other group Austria will 100% tank the game so they finish 3rd (to face Switzerland) and not finish 2nd as they are currently (and face Spain)
Colombia vs. Portugal
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan
Algeria vs. Austria
Jordan vs. Argentina
But I can see Croatian pride – and Dalic wanting to win Saturday bc he doesn’t want to have to face the media why he lost 2 out of 3 – and we end up coming 2nd and end up in Mexico City – can see that happening too
These discussion are all mental masterbati@n – it’s predicated on NONE of the “big dogs” being eliminated in the R32 – that’s just silly – there will for sure be some upset(s) somewhere – so what maybe seem hard now – will seem easy later – like in 2018 Russia beat Spain in PK – and Croatia faced Russia (instead of Spain) – and if Denmark beat Croatia in the PK – it would have been Russia vs. Denmark in the QF (two underdogs)
Just take it one game at a time – anyone can win on a given day
If you come in second, we’re gonna play in MetLife Stadium, not in Mexico
The other reason Ghana will lose to Croatia deliberately on Saturday – is Thomas Partey can’t enter Canada – so they won’t want to finish 2nd and play in Toronto without their best midfielder – full stop – period
Let’s see if Dalic and nose pickers can’t figure out how to finish 3rd – I’m sure they will even f that up and end up finishing 2nd – mark it
Valid reasoning. Columbia is beatable. Beating Portugal would be a huge accomplishment and set us up nicely for the round of 16. Better odds against Colombia though.