England
Arsenal destroyed city rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in front of 60,103 at Emirates Stadium Saturday afternoon in the North London derby. Eduardo did not start for the Gunners but came on early (37′) for fellow striker Nicklas Bendtner who appeared to tweak his groin. Eduardo didn’t have to do much as a Robin van Persie double and Cesc Fabregas counter against a sleeping Spurs defense was enough for a dominating win. However, Dudu did have a chance to join in on the fun as he was free on a breakaway in the 53′ only to be blocked by Spurs keeper Gomes. It was a prime opportunity for Eduardo to find the back of the net. He still hasn’t scored a ‘quality’ goal this season.
Vedran Ćorluka was the only Croatian to play for the Spurs as Niko Kranjčar sat on the bench as an unused sub and Luka Modrić heals from a broken fibula. Ćorluka started for Tottenham but could not help his club beat the bad luck bug in their 3-0 loss to Arsenal. Ledley King had a horrible day in the back for Tottenham. Ćorluka was not at fault for any of the three goals.
Nikola Kalinić came on in the 76′ for Blackburn in a 1-0 game against English champions Manchester United. The Red Devils made it 2-0 nine minutes later off a nice Wayne Rooney flick. Kalinić should have broken the United shutout in injury my scoring his first ever Premiership goal off a rebound. However, the linesman incorrectly called Kalinić offsides. It’s good to see Nikola being subbed into a close game, especially at Old Trafford. Even though Blackburn results are not impressing, Kalinić has made the best of his short time on the field in recent games.
Ivan Klasnić was not featured in the squad for the Bolton Wanderers in their 4-0 defeat to table toppers Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium.
Germany
Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart battle to a 0-0 draw in front of 42,000 fans at the Mercedez-Benz arena in German Bundesliga action on Saturday afternoon. Danijel Pranjić remained on the Bayern Munich bench for the entire match as a substitute. Despite a very hyped transfer this past summer to the Bavarian giants, Pranjić has had little to cheer about considering his lack of playing time and involvement in coach Louis Gaal’s tactical approach this season. How long will Danijel remain tight-lipped before voicing his displeasure with club management? Bayern Munich currently sit in 5th place of the German Bundesliga standings and will host Bordeaux in UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday.
Hamburg striker Mladen Petrić has been ruled out until after the Bundesliga’s winter break due to an ankle injury suffered against Hertha Berlin on October 4th.
Schalke 04 drew Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 by scoring two late goals in the contest (83′, 88′) to salvage a point in front of 61,000 crazed fans at the Veltins-Arena. Ivan Rakitić came into the match in the 67′ for teammate Christoph Moritz to add some creativity and fresh, youthful legs to his side, which ultimtaly payed off. Schalke 04 are away at Bayern Munich next Saturday.
Josip Šimunić and TSG Hoffenheim defeated Ivica Banović’s SC Freiburg squad 1-0 at the Badenova-Stadion on on Sunday afternoon with 24,000 in attendance for the contest. Both veterans proved their worth despite their respective ages, playing the entire game for their clubs. The victory has TSG Hoffenheim sitting in 5th place in German Bundesliga standings while SC Freiburg are 13th, dangerously near the relegation zone. TSG Hoffenheim next take on Vfl Wolfsburg while SC Freiburg are away at Vfl Bochum.
France
Vedran Runje allowed only one goal past him today as his Lens squad tied Lorient 1-1 in French Ligue 1 play. As you can see from the video below, Vedran had very little help from his porous defense on the tally, yet was able to hold his own for the duration of the contest to salvage a desperately-needed point for team in the standings. Most notably, Runje made a save off a Lorient free kick in the final minutes of the contest which may very well be considered one of the better saves we have seen in Europe this season.
Lens are away next Saturday at Sochaux. Expect the veteran Runje to stay between the pipes for the rest of the season after today’s performance.
Italy
Inter Milan defeated Livorno 2-0 from Stadio Armando Picchi on Sunday in Italian Serie A play. Dario Knežević played the entire match for Livorno but was unable to contain a potent Inter offense. Despite a long season ahead, Livorno have little to look forward to. Sitting 3rd to last place in the Serie A standings, the threat of relegation is a real possibility come season’s end. Knežević, at 27, still has a few solid years left in him which he surely wouldn’t want to waste in the Serie B. What is in store for the club future of Dario Knežević? Livorno are away at Bari next Sunday.
Mato Jajalo played the entire match for Siena in a 1-1 draw with Lazio from the Artemio Franchi Montepaschi Arena. Jajalo had a solid scoring chance in the 54′ after a setup pass from teammate Albin Ekdal, but the shot sailed high and wide. Later in the 76′, it was the young Croat setting up Abdel Kader Ghezzal for a chance on goal, only to be blocked by a solid Lazio defense. Last place Siena are away at Genoa next Sunday.
Ivan Jurić remains absent from the Genoa lineup after sustaining an injury a few weeks ago. There is no set date on when Ivan will be returning to the lineup.
Igor Budan was not featured in Palermo’s lineup for a wild 5-3 shootout loss to Inter Milan after sustaining an injury this past week. No word on when he will return to the lineup. Budan came in late in Palermo’s 0-0 draw to Genoa on Sunday as well.
Spain
Deportivo La Coruña and Sporting Gijon drew 1-1 from Estadio Riazor with 28,500 fans in attendance. Mate Bilić came into the game as a substitute for David Barral in the 67′. Only two minutes later, Diego Castro Gimenez of Sporting Gijon scored to bring the game level. Sporting Gijon sit in 7th place in the Spanish Primera Division and host Catalonian outfit Espanyol next weekend.
Belgium
Ivan Perišić played the entire match for Club Brugge as they defeated St. Truiden 1-0 in front of a sold-out home crowd at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Club Brugge has collected at least a point in their last 7 Belgian Jupiler League contest and look to continue riding that momentum at they travel to Belgrade this week to take on Partizan in UEFA Europe League play.
Austria
Nikica Jelavić played 89 minutes for Rapid Vienna in a 1-0 win over SV Josko Ried from the Gerhard Hanappi Stadion on Saturday afternoon. As has been common in recent weeks, Jelavić remained off the scoresheet for his club, making for what has been a quite October for the Čapljina native after an incredible start to the season. Rapid Vienna sit in 2nd place of the Austrian Bundesliga standings and will be hosting Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel-Aviv this Thursday in UEFA Europa League action. Jelavić is in need of a solid performance this week on the European stage to gain some confidence in his game before returning to Austrian Bundesliga play next weekend against LASK Linz.
Nikola Pokrivač and his Red Bull Salzburg team defeated SV Mattersburg 2-0 at Red Bull Arena. Pokrivač played the entire match for his team, hitting the crossbar in the 48′ on a spectacular shot. In the 61′, a Pokrivač cross to star striker Marc Janko was put away by Franz Scheimer to make the contest 2-0. The Austrian Bundesliga leaders travel to Bulgaria for a UEFA Europa League match against Levski Sofia on Thursday.
Russia
Ivica Križanac played the entire match for Zenit St. Petersburg in a 1-0 loss to FC Moscow from the Eduard Streltsov Stadium in frigid temperature and slushy conditions. As the Russian Premier League season winds now, each match remaining gains significance, especially for teams fighting for UEFA competition spots for next season. Zenit and FC Moscow are both tied for 3rd place in the standings, making for an exciting end to this season. Zenit host Terek Grozny next weekend in an incredibly important contest.
Spartak Moscow defeated FC Tom’ Tomsk 3-1 from Trud Stadium in front of a raucous crowd of a whopping 8,200 fans (I guess the weather is keeping everyone indoors). Tomislav Dujmović played the entire match for his team. The win makes for a very tight chase for Zenit St. Petersburg’s coveted 3rd place spot (UEFA Europa League spot) in the Russian Premier League Standings. FC Moscow, CSKA Moscow, and Lokomotiv are all within a point of each other in the standings. Lokomotiv Moscow host FC Amkar Perm’ next weekend.
Stipe Pletikosa remains off the Spartak Moscow roster with a serious knee injury.
Ukraine
Darijo Srna did not start for Shakhtar Donetsk in their 1-0 away win over Chernomorets Odessa. Shakhtar only needed a 2′ strike from Jadson to get by Odessa. It is unknown if Srna played at all since Shakhtar.com was down the time CSR looked for match info. It is also a possibility that Srna had to sit out due to the acquisition of too many yellow cards. Shakhtar now sit four points behind rivals Dynamo Kyiv.
Ognjen Vukojević did not play for Dynamo Kyiv in their 1-1 draw to Karpaty Lviv due to receiving a red card earlier in the week against Shakhtar in the Ukrainian Cup. Goran Sablić is still out of action for Dynamo due to injury.
Turkey
Trabzonspor crushed winless Ankaraspor 3-0 at the Ankaraspor Stadium on Sunday. Hrvoje Čale and Drago Gabrić both started for Trabzonspor but match reports have been sparse to detail how they performed in their respective roles. Trabzonspor sit in 9th place of the Turkish Super League standings and host Besiktas next weekend.
~Ivica Peroš reporting from Long Island, New York with help from Ante Kvartuč while Denis Svirčić is on assignment in Croatia.
I dont want to say I told you so, but…….
from day 1 I said the greek and the slepicka were terrible signings.
What about Gordon Schildenfeld at least being scouted for the national team? It seems he has consistently started for SK Sturm Graz and they are doing relatively well in the Austrian Bundesliga. Does anyone have an opinion.
For reinforcing Dinamo between now and summer i think basically that we need a few players to see us over the line.
MAJOR SIGNINGS would be people like ERMIN ZEC, JERKO LEKO, BOSTJAN CESAR or DARIO CVITANICH. That's the class of player Dinamo needs. Short term signings to see us on the way to the title who would do better than the current batch is guys like SASA BJELANOVIC and ANDREJ KERIC. We need guys who are hungry and will wear the jersey with pride. To Slepicka and Papa there is no passion for Dinamo. They came for money. They are best to leave this winter.
I no longer believe we need a keeper. I'd have like Didulica, but i think we should give Loncaric and Keleva a chance. We should also take Antolic back and play him and Tomecak ahead of Sammir.
What was on the field for Dinamo tonight was some of the first teamers and some of the squad members they'd like to keep i.e Sivonjic, Callelo, Ibanez, but yes definitely Slepicka and Papa are on the way out. I think Dinamo is just waiting till winter break. The project requires a rethink. The signings made were a total flop. Even Sivonjic is nothing special. Sivonjic is like Dario Zahora and Josip Tadic. Keep him on board by all means, but we need serious reinforcements. Mamic can not pretend the money is there. Its time he paid our and brought in quality. Really freebies like Ljubojevic could have done about as good as Papa and Slepicka. Pointless wasting 2m Euro on rubbish. If we wanted rubbish we could have got cheaper rubbish then that.
Tonight we threw in the towell. The players are all tired and need reshaping and Dinamo needs to reinvent itself. This side has reached as far as it can go without reinforcements.
Perisic scores another goal!! The kid is sticking it to Partizan. Ivan Perisic 2 – Partizan 0.
Good effort by Dinamo. that is about as good as they can expect.
He was the captain of our under 21 side. He moved to Germany from Varteks at a young age, I believe he was 21 at the time. He barely featured at all for Energie Cottbus. Cottbus was always going to be in the bottom quarter of the league table, teams like that hardly ever feature youngsters, there is no margin for error when you are in a relegation fight year in year out. Totally the wrong move for him. He has flown under the radar at FC Midtjylland. I try and keep up with all Croatian prospects, but, those playing in the Danish League are hard to follow.
Watching the Dinamo game, Tomecak as a striker? Is that how little Jurcic thinks of Pap and Slepi that a RB/RM is chosen as a striker ahead of the pair.
@ Petar Radman
I have heard the rumor as well about Kristijan Ipša to Lazio. I never have really heard of the guy. After some research, i see he has represented for the NT in all the junior levels and now plays for FC Midtjylland in Dennmark. Does anybody else have any info on this kid.
Has anyone else heard about this Kristijan Ipsa to Lazio rumor?
In his first season he scored 12 goals in 28 caps. Lets not forget that its his first season in a big league, and has had his share of injuries. To you that means he showed nothing?
I'm a fan of Ilicevic and think we should call him when we have injuries, but Modric, plus Rakitic and Perisic are probably both ahead of him.
I also think that Strinic position is probably Dejan Lovren's when everyone is fit. I think Pamic deserves a look, but again not sure his name is on squad list when everyones fit. I think Gabric, M Bilic and Dujmovic can hold down there place in this squad though. Basically we need competition and that's what i been asking for all this time.
When Leko and Drpic is there they just don't compete for a jersey. Picking this bunch which is in for the Leichenstien game basically is healthy cos they all play each week, are fit and want a place.
it might be negative, but it is true.
rukavina has shown nothing in Greece and he showed nothing at Hajduk.
Typically negative Croatian comment.
If you are waiting for Rukavina to share the same field, you will be waiting for a long time.
No more Ilicevic! The only good news is that Manuel Pamic has been called up. This call up, was long over due. Ilicevic has been someone I have been following since he was 18. I cant wait for this guy to get a proper run with the National Team. Still waiting for the day that both he and Rukavina can share the field at the same time.
I am in agreement on Strinic as well. He is good, just never thought that he was in the picture for a call up. Cale plays in a far better league and we haven't given him that much playing time.
Ilicevic!!
Did anybody see the dirty tackle on Eduardo during Arsenal's game, right before they scored that second goal. Eduardo seems like a target for every possible bad challenge.
I find it odd about Cale as well. I mean Strinic has hardly been great at Hajduk. I don't mind his call up, but Cale has not been playing badly in Turkey. His team has got into a good position in the league again this season. But Strinic is young. It is still better than if he called up Drpic. I think Knezevic gives Bilic more options. He can play him right, centrally or left side or he can move Simunic left side now. Against Leichenstien i'd imagine Pranjic will be left back. It seems though HNS dropped a clanger cos this is not an appropiate squad to put out against Leichenstien. Its too strong. Even if players play well, we learn nothing cos there is no opposition.
Can't wait for this game Go Croatia Go
Of course Bilic was going to recall Krizanac and Simunic- they're all "friends", after all…
Yeah, I'm with you on our "competition" for the friendly- it pretty much sums up what's going on with the HNS and the NT that they get Leichtenstein for a friendly (And I was complaining about Moldova…).
On a more positive note, I (for once) don't think it matters who the competition is. This is the start of a new project- judging by the new names in the squad, Bilic is going to need time to experiment and try things out. For these guys- many of whom haven't played together- to play a quality opponent and lose could bring the confidence down even further. I think we need to start slowly and rebuild the squad and the players confidence. After all, there really isn't any rush- we've got, what, almost a year (10-11 months) untill the next competitive fixtures.
Btw, it's really strange that Cale wasn't called up and it worries me that Bilic doesn't have any plans to address the LB problem. This would be the perfect time to give Cale a few games and decide whether or not he fits the bill for starting LB.
I am glad to see Nikola Kalinic getting big game experience against ManU. You can tell a move like that means the management know that the kid has potential and they want him to know they have confidence in him.
@ Alex
Perisic and Jajalo clearly show us that we have some serious future prospects for the NT midfield. Wouldn't surprise me if they made regular appearances during our EURO 2012 qualifying campgaign.
Perisic is playing a lot of minutes, making plays, and finding ways to score goals for Club Brugge. Jajalo, despite being in the Serie A's worst team at the moment, is also making the best of his playing time. If/when Siena is relegated next season, where will he go? Odds are another mid-table Serie A team will pick him up.
Yeah, perhaps the long-ignored u21's are finally getting the attention they should. I understand the politics but players like Rakitic and Kalinic really should be playing there anyway. While I get the fact that Croatia is a small country with a limited pool of quality players, the complacency in the senior squad is at least partly attributeble to giving so many of these guys(not just the youngsters) a permanent slot on the squad irregardless of club form, recent performances, etc. Anyhow, it's all lining up nicely for the u21's and they've got the potential to go deep into the competition.
What I like about some of these young CM's- Perisic and Jajalo- is that they're actual box-to-box midfielders, a quality that Croatia has never seemed to be able to produce in it's CM's. Especially in certain formations like straight 4-4-2, CM's need to both attack and defend. Jajalo, while nominally a DM, has recently played at the point of the diamond for Siena(and to good effect), while Perisic is robust, athletic, absolutely two-footed CM who's got the eye for goal of a striker (In other words, he's got everything). Both seem to be coming on leaps and bounds this season.
The problem is though that there is no opposition. A friendly against Leichenstien??? what does this achieve. HNS said they should have been playing Argentina or Chile which would have been more of a test. But its interesting anyway for the reason of being able to see which players Bilic is looking at these days. If it means he is looking at Dujmovic, Mate Bilic, Knezevic, Gabric and players like that rather than Leko, Drpic, Vejic and Juric then this can only be positive.
He is a LB. Maloca, Vejic, Pandza and Smoje usually handle the CB duties for Hajduk.
Ilicevic!!
Also, Boris Vukčević has played the last 3 matches for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Ladic has left his squad 2 shy of the desired 23. I am curious if those places are reserved for Boris Vukčević (Born in Osijek and represented Germany at youth level) and Dario Vujičević of FC Twente. Oooooh, got a good feeling about these under 21s.
Who is Strinic and is he a central defender or a LB?
Illicevic!!!!! Finally!! He missed the last 2 matches, so, hoping he will be fit for the National Team.
Also, I think we shouldnt even think of calling Badelj, Perisic and any kids now. I always favored calling them up. However, after the Serbia result, Its probably best that we have a strong under 21 side and let them grow together. I love the fact that they will allow Kalinic, Rakitic and Lovren play together. I think our under 21s could make a nice run.
Illicevic!!
I just seen Croatia's squad for the Leichenstien match and it looks likes a good squad. I'm very happy with it.
Glad the Bilic was sensible on Krizanac and Simunic and recalled them. Plus the call up for Gabric, Dujmovic, Ilicevic, Knezevic was fully deserved. Also good to see Bilic recognised that Anas Sharbini and Jerko Leko do not deserve a call up and has dropped them.
Am also happy to see Mate Bilic's call up was not a one off. The only thing i'd say is dropping Cale is a bit unfair, but if he thinks Strinic deserves it then i'd go along with that. Pity HNS selected a bad opposition though.
HAHA Kalinic's Goal was clearly onside,it sums up many Croats luck this year..
that is true that Officals are to scared to award goals or free kicks when Ferguson is around,he is like a hawk bearing down on officals,damnn i hate that guy & united as well.. no wonder MU allwayz some how fight back when even several goals down,1 that comes to mind is the Clash at Old Trafford V Tottenham last season when Spurs where 2 goals up at halftime & stupid Howard Webb got intimidated & awarded a ridiculous penalty that would spark a MU fight back..5-2 the end result..
Spartak Moscow defeated FC Tom' Tomsk 3-1 from Trud Stadium in front of a raucous crowd of a whopping 8,200 fans (I guess the weather is keeping everyone indoors). Tomislav Dujmović played the entire match for his team.
you mean Lokomotiv Moscow :)))
Eduardo was pretty poor, but he did win a throw in for one of the goals and was involved with one more goal.
Corluka was pretty solid on a poor spurs team, he had one run from the far wing with a poor cross but showed great pace
Kalanic came on pretty late, i have no clue how that goal was called off. i thought he was offside but when the replay was clear that is was a goal
I hope Hajduk can pick it up and have a better season
AJMO BILI!
Kalinic is playing better. I think he deserves to start a match for Blackburn in the league next week. I think can prob ignore the fact they lost to Chelsea and United as they are in a different league to rest of division. There Di Santo and Dunn partnership is not exactly attack minded. I think they should change it to McCarthy and Kalinic who both deserve a start. Kalinic's goal was not even slightly offside. This happens cos Ferguson moans continuously about officials who are scared to even give goals against United now.
Pokrivac is playing alright at present. I think there is a choice to be made between him and Jajalo. Also I don't think Drago Gabric has had one bad game since he went to Turkey. Gabric should come in for Anas Sharbini. I'd imagine Anas must be behind not only Gabric, but also Ilicevic, Perisic and Badelj now. I'm not convinced Jelavic deserves a place. He's still done nothing very much in the league. Surely he should be scoring 15 in that division to make the national team.
Knezevic's form is good news. He nearly moved to Shaktar in summer so there is clubs interested, but it would not be the worse thing for him to play a season in a tough division with a struggling club. That can only improve his defending.
With their form i think Mate Bilic, Pokrivac, Jajalo, Perisic, Gabric, Dujmovic, Cale should all be in Bilic's thinking. Eduardo played okay at weekend. He missed chances, but for him he just needs to stop getting injured. Once he's over that the goals will come. He's still a bit rusty, but all the basics are still there.