Germany
Photo: Bild
Ivan Perišić (center) scores his first ever Bundesliga goal against Mainz
Borussia Dortmund ended a four match winless streak after coming from behind to beat Mainz 2-1 in front of 35,000 at Coface Arena. The Black Yellows bombed Mainz with 20 shots(9 on goal) and controlled 71% of total possession, but needed a 90th minute strike from Łukasz Piszczek to end the night victorious. Croatian international, Ivan Perišić earned his second straight start and played the full 90 minutes in the win. Ivan played well for Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, getting the equalizer and his first Bundesliga goal in the 64th minute off a Robert Lewandowski cross. With Dario Srna suspended for the Greece game, should Ivan Perišić get the start in Athens?
2:53 Ivan Perišić goal
“These were three big points today. I was pleased with the late goal because that it was the least that we deserved. We can play as a team and play in our style but it becomes difficult when you are not picking up the right results.”
~Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp
Photo: Köln
Mato Jajalo celebrates his goal against Hoffenheim on Sunday
Mato Jajalo and Köln are flying high after shutting out Hoffenheim 2-0 on Sunday for their second straight win. Mato started and played the full 90 minutes for Köln in the win. The former Croatian U-21 captain opened up the scoring in the 20th minute after finishing a Lukas Podolski counter-attack with a left-footed shot to the bottom right corner. Mato has now scored three goals this season in seven matches for Köln, earning him a call up from Slaven Bilić. However, the 23-year-old, former Slaven Belupo midfielder, is still waiting for his first Croatian cap.
Mato Jajalo celebrates his goal against Hoffenheim on Sunday
Photo: SWR
Srđjan Lakić(right) in action against Kaiserslautern
Wolfsburg overcame a Sotirios Kyrgiakos red card to beat Kaiserslautern 1-0 in front of 26,779 at Volkswagen Arena. Srdjan Lakić started and played the full 90 minutes against his former team but couldn’t get anything going in the win. Srdjan finished the game without registering any kind of shot on goal.
Mandžukić back-heal that led to Wolfsburg goal
Felix Magath brought on Mario Mandžukić for Rasmus Jönsson at the half and the 25-year-old did not fail to impress. Mario set up the game winner in the 63rd minute with a cheeky back-heal that gave Marcel Schäfer all the time in the world to find Ashkan Dejagah on the far post with a cross. Bild reports that Mario played well in the win. Wolfsburg desperately needed a win at home after losing four of their last five Bundesliga matches.
Photo: Bild
Mladen Petrić celebrates Hamburg’s game winner against Stuttgart
HSV came from behind to end a four-game losing streak and earn its first win of the Bundesliga season under interim coach Rodolfo Cardoso by beating Stuttgart 2-1 on Friday. Cardoso was hired on Monday after HSV sacked Michael Oenning as Hamburg fell to the bottom of the Bundesliga table. Bild have reported that HSV will sign Dutchman Huub Stevens for a second stint at Hamburg, however, Hamburg owner Carl-Edgar Jarchow has denied this rumor by saying, “nothing has yet been fixed for certain. A decision could come next week or at the latest during the international break. We want to have a new coach after the match against Schalke 04.” Cardoso, an Argentine who played for Hamburg and who is now coach of its youth side, does not have a Bundesliga coaching license and can not be in charge for more than two matches.
Croatian international, Mladen Petrić, started and was subbed out in injury time for David Jarolím. The 30-year-old former Borussia Dortmund striker had two shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net for his third Bundesliga goal this season. HSV will be happy with the result and will look to build on this to get out of the Bundesliga gutter.
“It feels fantastic to win again, we’ve gone through such a long drought.”
~HSV striker Mladen Petrić after the match
Photo: European cy
Andre Mijatović(#5) looks on after Claudio Pizarro scores equalizer
After opening the game with a third minute goal, Hertha BSC were forced to play the final thirty minutes against Werder Bremen with nine players as Christian Lell and Gustavo Ramos both received their second bookings of the match just minutes apart. With the score tied at one, Hertha BSC desperately tried to withhold a Werder Bremen attack but they were a minute short as Claudio Pizarro scored the game winner in the 93rd minute of play. Andre Mijatović started and played the full 90 minutes for Hertha BSC in the loss. The 31-year-old, former Dinamo Zagreb defender, picked up a yellow card in the 89th minute of play after a bad challenge on Aaron Hunt. Andre might have been at fault for the game winner after failing to mark Claudio Pizarro on a last minute desperation corner kick. Nevertheless, a great performance by Hertha BSC, playing with two players down for thirty minutes against one of the top Bundesliga sides.
Mijatović left Pizarro open for the game winner
Ivica Olić and Danijel Pranjić are both nursing injuries and were left off the squad for Bayern Munich in a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
England
Photo: Zimbio
Modrić gives Bale a hug after the two connect for a Spurs goal
Tottenham Hotspur are on a three-game winning streak after losing the first two games of the season to Manchester United and Manchester City. Luka Modrić got the start for Spurs on Saturday and played the full 90 at the DW as Tottenham defeated Wigan 2-1. Modrić received a ‘7’ grade from SkySports.com for his ‘good passing’ but was also responsible for Tottenham’s second goal as he placed the ball on the head of Gareth Bale from a corner kick to give his side an early 2-0 lead. Spurs were sloppy on defense giving away a Wigan goal but the all-around effort was enough for the win. Spurs host Irish side Shamrock Rovers on Thursday in Europa League action and then North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
Modrić is playing substantially better this year and has made himself a direct asset to Tottenham’s scoring efforts. Niko Kranjčar has been sidelined due to an ankle sprain but should return against Arsenal. Vedran Ćorluka remained on the bench as an unused sub but played the full 90 earlier in the week versus Stoke City in Carling Cup action. With the game ending 0-0, Spurs lost 7-6 in penalty shoot-outs and have been eliminated from the Cup.
MODRIĆ ASSIST AT 0:30
Ivan Klasnić was not available for Bolton’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal as he serves a red card suspension he picked up last weekend.
Ukraine
Photo: Shakhtar
Srna happy with away point
With Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv tied atop the Ukrainian Premier League standings going into their match Saturday, a win for either club would surely help their championship hopes for the season; already being 11 games into the campaign. Ognjen Vukojević played the full match for Dynamo, who dominated chances in the first half, and received a yellow card in the 30′. Darijo Srna and Eduardo also got the start for Shakhtar in the scoreless draw between the two Ukrainian giants with Dudu being taken off in the 58′. Even late drama in the match couldn’t break the deadlock. With the draw, both clubs stay atop with 27 points through 11 matches.
“In the first half, Dynamo dominated possession, but the second period saw us performing better than the opponents. In general, we played well. I think that Dynamo lost more than we did. Our next game will be played in Donetsk and for Dynamo it will be very difficult to claim any points at the Donbass Arena. Now we are focused on the Champions League. “
-Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Photo: UEFA
Did Kalinić make the right decision to play for Dnipro?
What in the world is former Spurs boss Juande Ramos doing at Dnipro? With Dnipro’s 1-0 loss to Metalist on Saturday, the club has only earned 12 points through the first 11 games of the season. Nikola Kalinić received the start but the kid hasn’t done much since scoring in his debut. The rest of his Dnipro squad didn’t make it easy on him as two red cards were issued against them on the day. However, Kalinić was taken off for Croatian teammate Ivan Strinić in the 68′. Ramos went for the scoreless draw and bunker effect, but it didn’t work.
Scotland
Jelavić scores in the Cup
Nikica Jelavić began his week by scoring the equalizing goal in the 87′ for Rangers in their League Cup match against Falkirk on Wednesday. With the game at 2-2 heading in injury time, Falkirk scored in the 93′ to end Rangers’ Cup run. The defending champs of the Scottish League Cup have already been ousted from Champions League and Europa League contention; and now the Cup. All Rangers have to play for is the league title and Scottish Cup.
Jelavić received the start again on Saturday as Rangers easily took care of Dunfermline 4-0 in league play. Jelavić did not score and was taken out in the 84′. Should we be expecting Jelavić to dominate Scotland with his skills and teammates or would a move to England where he can challenge for proper silverware be more appropriate?
France
Photo: AP/Laurent Cipriani
Dejan Lovren in action against Bordeaux
Olympique Lyon confirmed their place atop the Ligue 1 table with a convincing 3-1 win over Bordeaux in front of 30,806 at Stade de Gerland on Saturday. Former Dinamo Zagreb defender, Dejan Lovren, started and played the full 90 minutes for Lyon in the win. Dejan was at fault for the lone Bordeaux goal in the 86th minute after taking down Anthony Modeste in the box. After the eight week, Lyon, PSG, and Toulouse sit atop the Ligue 1 table with 17 points a piece. Dejan Lovren and Lyon will host a Croatian side for the first time ever when they take on Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League on Tuesday.
5:38 Dejan Lovren brings down Modeste for a penalty
Russia
Photo: Rostov
Stipe Pletikosa
Rostov defeated Amkar Perm 1-0 on Saturday, with Stipe Pletikosa earning his second clean sheet. Both sides had chances in the first half and Pletikosa did well to punch out a cross in the 32nd minute and then save the ensuing volley from Perm. In the 48th minute, Roman Emelyanov received his second yellow for obstructing a free kick and was sent off. Roman Adamov would score 2 minutes later to give Rostov the lead. Perm were then on the attack for the remainder of the game, but Pletikosa and the defense did well to hold onto the win. Since Stipe’s arrival Rostov have moved from 15th to 10th, but are almost certain to be in the second tier of the playoffs.
“These 3 points were very important to us as Amkar were our neighbors in the standings. We had a hard time stopping them on the flanks, but we defended well. Playing on the artificial turf was also difficult for us.”
~Stipe Pletikosa after the match
Stipe Pletikosa(Saves at 1:00, 2:30, 3:30)
Tomislav Dujmović(left) against Israel
Tomislav Dujmović is still MIA for Dinamo Moscow. He hasn’t featured since July, and hasn’t even been included on the bench in the past few games. Dinamo held onto 3rd place after losing to Kryliva Sove on Sunday.
Spain
Photo: superdeporte
Ivan Rakitić(center) in action against Valencia
Sevilla continued their fantastic start to the season with a win over previously unbeaten Valencia. Ivan Rakitić came in the 59th minute and had a productive 30 minutes, making some nice passes, and holding onto Sevilla’s lead after they went down a man in the 71st minute. Rakitić picked up a yellow card in the 86th minute. With Piotr Trochowski suspended next game, if Rakitic is fit, he should start.
Sevilla-Valencia highlights
Next Matches: Time(US/Eastern)
Tuesday, 9/27
Manchester City at Bayern München(Champions League)(Fox Soccer+ 2:45PM), Dinamo Zagreb at Lyon(Champions League)(Directv Soccer 2:45PM), Kilmarnock at Rangers
Wednesday, 9/28
Borussia Dortmund at Marseille(Champions League)(Directv Soccer 2:45PM), APOEL at Shakhtar Donetsk(Champions League)(Directv Soccer 2:45PM)
Thursday, 9/29
Shamrock Rovers at Tottenham(Europa League)(Directv Soccer 3:05PM), Dynamo Kyiv at Maccabi Tel Aviv(Europa League)(Directv Soccer 3:05PM)
Friday, 9/30
Oleksandria at Dnipro
Saturday, 10/1
Bayern München at Hoffenheim, Köln at Hertha BSC, Augsburg at Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg at Bayer Leverkusen, Hibernian at Rangers, Krylya Sovetov at Rostov, Krasnodar at Dinamo Moskva
Sunday, 10/2
Arsenal at Tottenham(FSC 11:00AM), Chelsea at Bolton(Fox Soccer Plus 8:30AM), Schalke 04 at Hamburger SV, Sevilla at Atlético Madrid, Lyon at PSG(Fox Soccer+ 3:00PM), Zorya at Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv at Vorskla, Olhanense at Nacional
~Ante Kvartuč and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN
The debate on who should start matters little. We only have one true superstar (Modric)- the rest are really interchangable, which was very unlike the team Croatia had in 1998. What the national team needs most now is a coach who knows how to break down a bunker. National teams have consistently played "park the bus in front of the goal" against us. Croatia, like many of the Eastern European countries, were experts at the counter-attack game. We now need to be able to play both styles.
Being the underdog is easy. Less pressure/scrutinty to deal with.
Who had more pressure on them in these games: Real Madrid – Dinamo, Lyon – Dinamo.
There was pressure on Dinamo players during the Malmo matches because they were expected to advance. Here, not so much. The only pressure is internal, there is no external fan pressure or media pressure that this team must win. Real Madrid deals with that, not Dinamo.
Ziva -"And there is no presure playing against Real when nobody thinks you can win. If you lose 5-0, no biggie because nobody expected anything."
To say that there was "no pressure" on Dinamo playing for the first time in a very long time in the greatest most prestigious football tourny in the world against one of the most storied clubs in the world – IS PREPOSTEROUS!
Ziva -"The presure is getting a result when people think you should be able to get a result. Being the underdog is easy."
You're speaking in abstracts; moreover, if the pressure was so great on favorites, then favorites wouldn't win the vast majority of the time – that's why there are point spreads and money lines. Go tell Dinamo, City, & Ajax that "being the underdog is easy".
I am not getting into any debate about the word "great"
@ ivica…..the reason Bilic plays or has played guys like Simunic and Pletikosa is because they have given him results, especially Pletikosa. Outside of a bad game against Macedonia 4 years ago and England 3 years ago, I can't think of one time where Pletikosa has screwed up with the repka when it mattered.
I'm not saying any of the young kids are bad, but i would not be starting any of them for the repka because they are untested and have no or very little experience playing in big games.
And there is no presure playing against Real when nobody thinks you can win. If you lose 5-0, no biggie because nobody expected anything. The presure is getting a result when people think you should be able to get a result. Being the underdog is easy.
"Don't compare a solid player like Kranjcar sitting on the bench behind top-caliber players like Modric, Bale, and Van Der Vaart to a guy like Dujmovic sitting behind guys like Soda Popinski"
AWESOME!!!!!!!!
LOL @ Anonymous
I don't know if you're being serious or not. You ask me if I know anything and tell me that Celtic's no. 1 (Fraser Forster) is Ireland's no.1? Forster is ENGLISH and has never played for a national side. He's been on loan to four different teams in four straight years.
THIS is your phenom goalkeeper that kept Pletikosa from winning a starting spot.
Russia doesn't have a minimum allowable rule for starting Russians. Even if they did, the rule wouldn't apply to keeping Dujmovic off the substitute's bench and sitting in the stands. Don't compare a solid player like Kranjcar sitting on the bench behind top-caliber players like Modric, Bale, and Van Der Vaart to a guy like Dujmovic sitting behind guys like Soda Popinski.
As I said before, I don't mind Plete and Dujmovic on the team as backups. I just don't think they are good enough to be ahead of some of our younger players in the pecking order.
@Tesla, True, there would be pressure, of not being totally embarrassed by real, in front of your home support, plus with the whole world watching. Its not if its a friendly, theres always pressure in competetive sport.
Anyone that says there isnt, hasnt played, or doesnt know much about competetive sport.
I agree with IvicA almost everything.
That said I wouldnt give a automatic start to any of the youngsters or oldies.
Bilic does lean more to his "proven" players, wich I think is wrong. You have to start putting in some youth.
Pleti and Kelava along with every other Cro keeper make blunders.
The fact that Pleti couldnt play at tottenham or Celtic wories me.
Vida deserves a shot! For sure!!
Anyone who argues this…i dont know what your watching.
Perisic has been getting playing time for th NT so Im okay with how Bilic is using him.
Jajalo is has had a good month and is just now starting to play consistent football so id take it a little bit slower with him then the rest.
All in all id rather see Keleva then Pleti vida then simunic.
Ivica, if you know anything, you'd know that Celtic's #1 is also the Irish NT goalie. Why would Pletikosa get a start ahead of him?
You judge Dujmovic because he can't get a start on a mediocre russian team? So what? Pletikosa was in the same situation. The russian league requires a minimum number of russians on the field. Pletikosa got the bench because he's not russian.
Kalinic and Kranjcar sat on the club bench for weeks, if not months, but yet they managed to score goals. Just because the club level coach is retarded, doesn't mean the players are bad.
You were probably on the Sammir bandwagon a while ago when he scored against Villareal.
Watch the performance/skills rather than judge them because they're on the bench of a shitty team with a shitty coach.
@ ziva istina…
Everything you've said against Kelava, Vida, and Jajalo can be said tenfold for Simunic, Dujmovic, and Plete.
I'm still not getting how you think the latter three can warrant regular starts, but the prior three can't even play a single game.
Why does everyone belittle Lakic? Age discrimination? The guy was one of the leading goal scorers just last year in arguably the best league in the world. And MacGath must be starting and playing him 90 minutes for a reason, no?
@ziva, to say "there is no pressure playing against Real Madrid" is preposterous. You make it seem like there is more pressure playing Rijeka (for e.g.) in the Croatian league than playing Real in the Champs league. There is the pressure of not being blown off the pitch in front of your home crowd and the WORLD.
Of the four guys you mentioned, Perisic is the only one who had played consistently well for a over a year.
The other guys have struggled at times, been benched or play in crap leagues…..No way do any of those 3 deserve to be in the starting 11 based on what they have done so far.
What happens in the future is anyone's guess. But, to write that Jajalo, Kelava and Vida deserve starts is dead wrong. In the case of Kelava and Vida, playing well when you are a heavy underdog shows nothing. I want to see consistent play when results are expected of them. There is no pressure playing against Real Madrid because the expectations are so low. In a sense, you are playing with house money.
@ Anonymous
Ha ha. You're awesome.
You start your first point by saying Pletikosa is a "great goalie", then follow it up by saying he chose not to be on the BENCH for Celtic.
If he's a "great goalie" then why couldn't he win the starting spot for a mediocre Celtic squad? Why was the only option to be a backup? (which he has been for the past several years, btw)
Also, your third point stating that Dujmovic as a "great midfielder" is funny considering the man can't even make the substitutes bench for Dinamo Moscow. He had trouble holding a starting spot last year. He's just been declining since.
Look, I have no beef with Plete and Dujmovic. I think they make great veteran backups on the CRO national team.
I also like Bilic, and the reason why he made such a positive impact when he first came to the CRO national team was because he picked his starting squad based on who was currently the best player (and not based on reputation from years prior). People were probably shocked when guys like Corluka and Dudu were starting, and guys like Babic, Tudor, and Simic were on the bench.
Bilic's only weakness is that he's probably a good guy and developed good relationships with many players like Plete, Runje, Simunic, and Olic. But a great coach has to acknowledge when his regulars are out of form or have been on the decline for the past few years and give an opportunity to the younger guys who have been impressing and improving (not just for these past few weeks) but for the past few years.
Ivica, let's clear something up about Pletikosa;
-he's a great goalie.
-he chose not to be on the bench at Celtic. He'd rather go to Russia and start each game.
-Dujmovic is a great midfielder.
If you can't see the 1st and 3rd points in the way they play for the NT, then your observation skills aren't too good. I could bring up several examples but you should pay more attention when you watch.
Like ZI said, consistent players get a call up. A good game or two gets some attention, but a string of good games gets more consideration.
@ ziva istina
On the contrary, you gotta love it when guys think a player should be starting on the repka based on their play from years ago.
If you had reading any of my posts, you'd see it's not based off one month of good play.
Love it when guys think a player should be starting on the repka based on one good month of play.
Probably the same clowns who thought Lakic should have been starting last year and Mate Bilic the year before.
Andrej, dude…these guys have been key prospects for YEARS who have improved every year. Do you actually believe the players I listed are doing well just because they happen to be 'in form' and not the 'quality players' like Simunic and Dujmovic? LOL.
You bring up a weak example like Lakic but you are forgetting one key thing: AGE. Lakic was never a major prospect for Cro, and was already 27 when he had that one good year (on a weak team).
If you actually followed CRO soccer, you realize that guys like Perisic, Jajalo and Vida aren't coming out of nowhere. Perisic was the main man for the CRO U-21 team and was the Belgian player of the year last year. Jajalo was the CAPTAIN of the U-21s. Vida has always been an excellent defensive prospect, with people always putting him on par with Lovren. Kelava is the only surprise out of the bunch, yet even HE impressed in Europa league last season and Champions League this season. What were guys like Plete and Runje doing? Plete (after being kicked out of Moscow) was a practice dummy for Spurs and Runje was too busy being booed by his own fans, lol.
Guys like Perisic, Vida, and Jajalo have been proving themselves for the past 2-3 years and are now developing into excellent professionals playing key roles on their teams.
You think guys like Simunic, Dujmovic, and Runje/Plete still starting on the national team is not a friendship/loyalty thing, and rather, them simply being the "better players"?
What exactly has Simunic been doing these past couple years to show this? Sitting in the stands for Hoffenheim? He's 33, and he's Vida's backup on Dinamo…and (apparently) should start for Cro (especially after that nice assist he had for the Israelis' goal). What about Dujmovic? He's not even a substitute on Moskva. Runje can't get a team. Plete couldn't even win a backup goalkeeper spot on a very weak Celtic roster from a free trial. But, apparently, these guys are "proven" so they have an undisputed spot in the starting lineup.
If you want to keep only proven players, then we may as well call up Suker and Boban back to the national team.
Andrej: "Give me a break! Its how many weeks into the year and you are talking about breakthrough years. Are you actually being serious? Remember Lakic? Breakthrough year? Where is he today? I don't know either"
——————————-
You contradicted yourself: on the one hand you say it's "too early" to judge breakout years; on the other hand you're saying it's NOT "too early" to judge Lakic.
And can't you ever write a post that's shorter than a novel?
Ivica,
Give me a break! Its how many weeks into the year and you are talking about breakthrough years. Are you actually being serious? Remember Lakic? Breakthrough year? Where is he today? I don't know either…there is a big difference in being in form and playing well and simply just being a quality player.
Kelava? Dont forget his blunder that almost cost Dinamo vs Malamo. He had a great game yes…but he still is making the odd mistake. He played awesome vs Madrid but that is just a couple games. You are trying to base him being a starter of that? You have to be kidding me man. He is improving and if he can stay consistent he will get his shot otherwise he will die off as Subasic did who was known to play well and then had blunders throughout.
Simunic? He is still our best CB. I do however agree its very difficult to select him at times because of his lack of game time but he is still the best. Vida? Looks great and will get his shot eventually but its the same argument as Kelava…you have to do it for more than a couple games.
Perisic? He is getting his shots and he will overtake somebody eventually. He is a great option whether its on the first 11 or coming off the bench he is the only one of the players who has an argument currently for a spot in the first team.
Jajlo? Lets see how his season goes. He has been hot and cold his whole career and for the options we have he isn't breaking through into this team.
We have already started to rebuilding process and the players who are getting called up are the right players. You may not like Bilic but his stats say it all. The man does not lose often boring or not. I agree its time to move on soon but you are very wrong in kicking off proven players for a couple guys who are looking good for a couple weeks. No coach would ever be stupid enough to do such a thing its not loyalty its simply being a better player. Once players prove themselves they will get there shots.
There are a lot of young Croats that are having breakout years this season:
Jajalo
Kelava
Perisic (well, his was last year)
Vida
Bilic really has to stop being so loyal to guys like Pletikosa, Dujmovic, Simunic, Olic/Petric, and has to replace them with the more capable Kelava, Jajalo, Vida, and Perisic.
For example, there is simply NO reason that Simunic (who plays as a backup on Dinamo) should be starting on CRO.
I like Bilic, but it's agonizing watching CRO go down in the first half of every game (due to Bilic's "loyalty" selections) only to have to correct his mistakes at halftime with appropriate substitutions. We've been lucky that it panned out against Georgia and Israel, but we won't be as lucky against stronger opponents. Pick your starting eleven more wisely and you won't have to battle back anymore.
@Golden Child
I wouldn't worry too much about how Pletikosa does. The man is old and pretty much done. We FINALLY have a capable goalkeeper in Ivan Kelava who SHOULD be starting today (if only Bilic could stop being so loyal to his buddies on the team)
I don't think Rakitic is going to bring much this soon. He's still got some recovery to do. I say he plays a few minutes in the end, but nothing serious,.
@Srna
Where are the moves for the NT?
Pletikosa needs to learn how to properly punch the f*#K out of the ball. Two of those clearances were prime chances for goals.
I'm interested to see how he does against Dinamo. For me Lovren is like Vukojevic, a great fit in each team's system. However, individually, they both have their flaws.
Still early in the season, but Ivan Perisic has proved me wrong. I wasn't so sure on his transfer to the Bundesliga champions as I was afraid that he would struggle to find playing time and end up like Domagoj Vida at Bayer. That goal on Saturday was Suker-like. Most of our strikers would have one timed that cross u picku materinu. Ivan calmly twisted the Mainz defense and took the right amount of time to set up a quality strike.
Nice to see Stipe starting to find his form.
Hopefully, Rakitic is ready for Greece.
City-Munich should be interesting tomorrow.
Man! how many goals has dejan lovren given away this year? seems like every game he plays in.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26092011/58/champions-league-matchpack-lyon-v-dinamo-zagreb.html
Stipe doing exactly what he said he would do in Rostov!
And Mandzu still sucks