England
MODRIĆ THE MAGICIAN
Tottenham took on Bolton in a 5th round FA Cup replay from White Heart Lane on Wednesday. Luka Modrić got the start in midfield and made the most of it as he assisted on Roman Pavlyuchenko’s 23rd minute goal. Modrić has been quick and pesky in recent games as he has chosen to take on defenders in a more furious manner. Bolton helped Spurs out putting in two own goals giving Tottenham a 3-0 lead in the 47′. With the tie just about over, Niko Kranjčar was subbed into the game for the last half hour and actually got a chance to play alongside Modrić. Niko only managed one shot off target in the 4-0 win as Pavlyuchenko added a late goal. Tottenham will now face Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinals on March 6th.
Vedran Ćorluka was given the day off and did not have to suit up. Following the match, it was reported on Soccernet that a virus has been present in the Tottenham clubhouse and that Ćorluka and Wilson Palacios have been hit the hardest.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
MODRIĆ CELEBRATING GOAL
All three Croatians (Modrić, Kranjčar, Ćorluka) started for Tottenham on Sunday and played the full game in a 2-1 win over Everton at White Heart Lane. The chemistry and energy of the Croatian players could be felt through the television set as all three contributed for the Spurs second goal. Ćorluka got the ball and maintained possession on the right flank between two Everton defenders finding Kranjčar for a short pass. Kranjčar made one move to his left passing to an open Modric right inside the 18. Modrić let a dipping ball fly towards the far post as Everton goalie Tim Howard remained frozen. The ball hit the bottom of the crossbar and entered the goal for a 2-0 Tottenham lead early in the first half.
Modrić has been a magician in recent weeks finding teammates all over the pitch and putting difficult passes to them. He is opening up the field and running at defenders with full speed. It was exciting watching the three play together the entire match for Tottenham as Spurs move back into fourth place in the English table.
KRANJČAR RUNNING THROUGH
Niko Kranjčar was just as dangerous on the day pulling his step-over tricks out of the bag as he roamed the right flank. He has not been shy to shoot the ball from far distances as he applies pace and precision on the strikes. It would be crazy for manager Harry Redknapp not to play Modrić and Kranjčar together after this match. The two worked phenomenally together.
Even defender Vedran Ćorluka got in the mix offensively as he made runs up to the goal every time he had an opportunity. Ćorluka also blasted a shot from 25 yards out which looked to have been en route to the crossbar but was slapped over for a corner by Howard. Earlier in the week Ćorluka got the worst of a virus that hit the Tottenham clubhouse. Based on his performance today, it looks like all is well with Ćarli and that his health is back to 100%.
Spurs keeper Gomes was at fault for Everton’s goal. He needs to go. Bring in Pletikosa! American Landon Donovan had an easy open net tap-in opportunity to tie the game late but failed miserably.
MODRIĆ GOAL THROUGH CROATIAN CONNECTIONS
EDUARDO FLYING HIGH
Eduardo finally returned to the Arsenal bench after being out one month with a calf injury. Dudu was subbed into the 1-1 game with Stoke City in the 84′ and had a golden opportunity to put away the game winner off a half volley; but struck wide entirely missing the frame. He was let off the hook for his miss as Fabregas converted an injury time penalty and Vermaelan added a late insurance goal to give Arsenal a 3-1 win that puts them back into the Premiership title race with Chelsea and Manchester United.
AARON RAMSEY LEG BREAK
However, Arsenal’s 3-1 win will be overshadowed by the broken leg 19 year-old Aaron Ramsey suffered in the second half. It brings back memories of Eduardo’s tragic ankle injury which occured nearly two years ago in February. Another clumsy tackles leads to yet another horrific injury and rehabilitation. CSR wishes Ramsey a quick and healthy recovery!
KALINIĆ AT ANFIELD
Nikola Kalinić played the entire match in the Blackburn Rovers match against Liverpool at Anfield. Kalinić played well and had a very strong shot that went wide while the match was still scoreless. He is playing well off of his teammates but was not found when he really had open opportunities. Kale was given a yellow card in the game for a harsh foul and was close to another when it appeared that he had taken a dive in the box. Rovers lost to Liverpool 2-1 as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard found the back of the net for the Merseyside club.
KLASNIĆ (L) IN ACTION AGAINST SPURS
Ivan Klasnić got the start for the Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday in their FA Cup replay against Tottenham. Klasnić didn’t have any premium looks at goal but did manage to get four shots off nonetheless. With the game already out of hand as Bolton let in two own goals themselves, Klasnić was subbed out in the 56′.
On Saturday, Klasnić was subbed into a Premiership match against Wolverhampton in the 65′ with the match 1-0 in Bolton’s favor. Killer played a nice triangle ball which he got back that put him on a tight breakaway. Klasnić looked to have mistimed his shot as it was blocked by the goalie. It’s still something a striker of his experience should have finished. Bolton won 1-0.
Germany
RAKITIĆ (C) PUMPED AFTER GAME WINNER
Ivan Rakitić fired in the game winner for Schalke in the 83′ from 22 yards out. The strike gave Schalke a 2-1 win over city rivals Borussia Dortmund and most importantly kept them in the Bundesliga title race. Rakitić looked to be extremely calm as he one-timed the bouncing ball to the far corner of the net. The kid is looking more and more dangerous every week as he once again played the full 90. He’s going to be a treat to watch if he stays disciplined and motivated. This definitely has to be Croatia’s ‘goal of the month’ for February. More to come on that in the next week.
RAKITIĆ STRIKE FOR THE WIN
PETRIĆ (R) HAD NO ANSWER FOR BAYERN
Mladen Petrić took on former Hamburg teammate Ivica Olić and Bayern Munich on Sunday in Bavaria. Petrić played the entire match but could not pull off one shot on goal for Hamburg. Bayern only needed one goal for the win and that came in the 78′ as Frenchman Franck Ribery put the German giants in sole possession of first place in the Bundesliga table with 10 games left in the season.
Olić did not start for Bayern but came on in the 80th minute; moments after Bayern took the lead. He ran around for a few minutes but did not have the time to contribute offensively. Danijel Pranjić remained on the bench as an unused sub for Bayern. Look for him to start getting some time once the second leg of Champions League comes around later this month.
ŠIMUNIĆ BACK AT HIS OLD STOMPING GROUND
Josip Šimunić returned to Berlin on Saturday for the first time since parting ways with Hertha Berlin last year. Šimunić played the full 90 minutes while helping Hoffenheim post a clean sheet in a 2-0 rout of basement Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin. Of course, it wouldn’t have been a proper homecoming for Šimunić unless he received a yellow card in his return to the Olympiastadion, which he did. Hoffenheim remains in a comfortable mid-table position while Hertha Berlin look to be headed for a relegation spot. Way to stick it to your old team Joe!
BANOVIĆ (L) IN ACTION AGAINST MONCHENGLADBACH
Ivica Banović couldn’t help Freiburg preserve a 1-0 lead as they ended up in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach. Banović played the entire match but had his only true shot on goal blocked. With only one point earned from this game, Freiburg are now only two points away from the relegation zone. They better step on it if they want to play with the big boys next season. Being relegated will hurt Banović’s chances of being called up to the Croatian senior squad should he stay with Freiburg.
France
PHOTO: tfc.info, Vedran Runje (L) was left high and dry on the lone goal
Toulouse defeated FC Lens 1-0 from the Parc Municipal des Sports with just under 15,000 fans in attendance. Vedran Runje surrendered the lone goal of the contest to Toulouse halftime sub Kevin Dupois in the 57′. As you can see, the sloppy goal came as the result of a poor clearance attempt by the Lens defense as well as a ‘caught-off-guard’ Runje. The costly errors did not help Lens, as the side remains in 13th place of the Ligue 1 standings heading into next weekend’s match at home against Paris Saint-Germain.
Dejan Lovren was an unused substitute in Lyon’s 2-0 win against Nice.
Italy
PHOTO: AP, Igor Budan
Palermo embarrassed an uninspired and out-classed Juventus side in a final score of 2-0 from the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino with just under 22,000 in attendance. Igor Budan entered the match in the 80′ of play for teammate Fabrizio Miccoli to score what will surely be remembered as the ‘easiest goal of his career’ just a minute later.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The victory puts the upstart Palermo side in 4th place of the Italian Serie A standings. Can Palermo reach the dream of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League by seasons end, or will they run out of steam in the final stretch? Palermo host Livorno next weekend.
Dario Knežević
Relegation probables Livorno and Siena met this weekend in Italian Seria A action from the Armando Picchi Stadium, with Siena walking away with the 2-1 victory. Dario Knežević played the entire match for Livorno, while Mato Jajalo was not listed on Siena’s roster for the contest. Next weekend, Livorno are away at Palermo while Siena host Parma.
Spain
Mate Bilić
Sporting Gijon came from behind for an important and action-packed 3-2 win over rivals Osasuna from the Estadio Municipal El Molinon with 23,000 fans in attendance. Mate Bilić started for Sporting and was subbed out in the 70′ of play for teammate Kike Mateo. The victory moves Sporting Gijon to 10th place of the Spanish Primera standings heading into next weekend as they are away at Mallorca.
Ukraine
VUKOJEVIĆ SCORES WINNER FOR DYNAMO
Ognjen Vukojević scored a rare goal for Dynamo Kyiv on Saturday which gave the Ukrainian leaders a 1-0 win over Kryvbas Krivyi Rig. There was a weird deflection off a free kick and Vukojević managed to stay onside while getting a toe on the ball. The win keeps Dynamo two points in front of rivals Shakhtar Donetsk with a game in hand.
VUKOJEVIĆ GOAL AT 1:35
PHOTO: shakhtar.com, Darijo Srna
Just days after being sent home out of the UEFA Europa League by Fulham FC, Shakhtar bounced back and defeated Vorskla 1-0. Darijo Srna had a solid afternoon for his side, who remain in 2nd place of the Ukranian Premier League, 2 points behind Dinamo Kiev. Next weekend, Shahktar take on rivals FC Metalurh Donetsk.
Austria
PHOTO: AP, Nikola Pokrivač looks to gain possession
Sunday witnessed a clash of two superb Austrian Bundesliga outfits, as league-leading Red Bull Salzburg defeated 3rd place hosts Rapid Vienna 1-0 from the Gerhard-Hanappi Stadium. The match featured both Nikica Jelavić (Rapid) as well as Nikola Pokrivač, both of whom played the entire contest for their respective clubs. Next weekend, Rapid are away at Kapfenberg SV while Salzburg hosts FC Magna Wr. Neustadt.
PHOTO: AP, Nikica Jelavić
PHOTO: kleinezeitung.at, Gordon Schildenfeld
SK Sturm Graz defeated LASK Linz 2-1 from the Linzer Stadium this weekend in Austrian Bundesliga action. Gordon Schildenfeld played the entire match for SK Sturm Graz, who sit in 4th place of the standings heading into next weekend’s match against SV Josko Ried.
Belgium
PHOTO: clubbrugge.be, Ivan Perišić
Club Brugge and hosts St. Truiden played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday night in Belgian Jupiler League play. Ivan Perišić played the entire match for Club Brugge (receiving a yellow card in the 33′), just days after being ousted from the UEFA Europa League by Spanish power Valencia. The draw keeps Club Brugge in 2nd place of the standings as they head into next weekend’s match against KSV Roeselare.
Turkey
Trabzonspor’s match with Antalyaspor was postponed this weekend and will be played at a later date. Čale and Gabrić should enjoy the weekend off.
~Ante Kvartuč reporting from San Pedro, California with Ivica Peroš from the “Big Apple”
I referred to Pokrivac because DF mentioned him in comparison to Juric. I'm not convinced either are NT material.
ziva, it's awesome that you're finally stating some of your personal opinions rather than just shooting down everyone elses. Now that I know you're such a huge Juric fan it's no wonder you know so little about skill and ability. I mean, he has way fewer shots per minute as my man Leko.
@Slaven
Pokrivac is still young, and needs to produce in Austria before he's even looked at again. To give him a spot on the national team would be a free gift. He needs to prove himself before he gets a call.
I agree with you on Srna. He had his chance as captain and its time for a change. I'm not sure on Kranjcar. He's pretty soft spoken on the pitch.
@Ziva istina
"I think the captaincy is way overblown anyway."
I agree and then I disagree. A team needs a Iker Casillas, a Niko Kovac, a Boban, etc etc… to lead them, motivate them on the pitch. This is something that Croatia failed to replace after Boban and N. Kovac.
I respond to posts that show no knowledge of the game or a lack of understanding our players
Juric is hit or miss. I dont care about him either way. I was responding to your comment of his lack of passion. That was dead wrong.
and back to another one of your cliches…what "leadership" skills does Kranjcar have that compare with Boban or Kovac. He is a quiet and shy guy, he is the wrong person to captain any team.
All this shit about lack of "leadership".. please define what you consider leadership and how you can notice this "leadership" and what it is by watching it on TV. Srna is one of the most vocal and with the Kovac brother now gone, the most respected player on the national team by his teammates.
I think the captaincy is way overblown anyway.
^ that was me.
ziva, face it, anything I say will provoke you into a frenzy. It's just the way you are.
Anyways, on a NT level, Juric looks lost on the field. Almost as though he doesn't belong there. I said what I did based on his NT games-which I saw by the way. You say you saw him practice with "energy and passion" but who cares? I'm not sure if you saw him play a real NT game but it was not impressive from my point of view. If you think he has the passion, he sure doesn't know how to transfer it into skill or play on the field during a real game.
I stand behind my feelings towards Srna and his lack of leadership has been brought up here a few times. Kranjcar would easily make a better leader. Good leaders have leadership skills like Boban or Kovac. I can see some of them in Kranjcar. Who else is there for the captain band?
I'm not a big fan of Pokrivac but he's better than Juric.
I may agree – Pokrivac might be useful – but needs to have a couple of really strong seasons in Austria before being selected. His access to the national side has just been a bit too easy so far. Juric on the bench may be a better squad man. I definitely wouldn't want Juric starting though. Having said that when UNDER 21S FINISHES i'd like to see Badelj come in for Pokrivac and Perisic maybe for Gabric. Rest of squad i'm happy with except Mandzo needs to come out for Budan, Klasnic or Kalinic.
Slaven you amaze me…..
How do you know Juric does not have the passion to play for the national team. That is a blind statement to make without any support to back it up. is the guy a player worthy of being on the national team??? That is a fair question and can be debated, but to say he lacks passion is dead wrong. When he was called up by Bilic for the WC qualifiers and practiced with the team,he had all the energy and passion of a 18-year old kid. Don't make blind cliches when you have no clue about the inner personal of the team. Also, just because a guy is older, that does not make him captain material.
Then you say Srna should not be captian, but he is a guy who has plenty of passion and has plenty of experience.
Then you say Kranjcar should be a captain…..please explain this one. Anyone who knows anything about Niko will realize he is not captain material, not even close. He is a very nice guy, but is not an emotional leader. He is very quiet in the locker room, very professional – and trust me when I tell you this – he would be one of the last guys to captain the team. He does not fall in the mold of Boban or Kovac as leaders.
Pokrivac might be younger, but he is an average player at best.
With all due respect to Juric, I think the NT is better without him. He doesn't have the passion and for his experience he should be a better leader (ie captain). I think Srna shouldn't be captain either. Kranjcar would be a better captain. Pokrivac is younger and has more fire in his belly and confidence. It's definately going to be interesting to see who Bilic picks for starting strikers since there are so many good contenders. Mandzukic doesn't get much love from CSR but I think he'll prove you guys wrong.
I wander does anyone think that perhaps we may have axed Ivan Juric too soon? I wander if he can do a job as a squad player. I know its not the future and i'm definitely pro clearing out 32 plus year olds.. plays in Serie A every week and so forth i still wander if that's better than Pokrivac as cover?
Budan has rarely started a match. I don't think he's even started 5 matches this season and this is his 7th goal. If Kalinic is staying down in under 21's for moment – i have more faith in Budan or Klasnic in place of Mandzo. Petric has to start doing something as well.. Petric has to be believing that he has to score tonight. I was still believe outstanding player on his day, but has to give us a performance tonight
Well done Ivica and Ante, thanks for picking up this weekend.
Budan's goal was hiliarious, Rakitic looked surprised after scoring the goal, Vukojevic celebrated like Grosso scoring to win the world cup.
Croatia-Belgium should be a good test. Too bad Bilic invited just about the same WC 2010 qualifying squad.
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkyZuZpZypLAkpHaEa&tmpl=coranto_euro2012
Looks like some injury concerns for our match vs Belgium
I saw the Blackburn match and their midfielders are horrible. Liverpool dominated the midfield. Kalinic played very well. He was wide open and could have made it 2-2. I can see him starting for the NT sooner than later.