England
MODRIĆ WATCHES ON AS GOMES SAVES PK
Tottenham had a long day on Saturday as they were absolutely outplayed at the Stadium of Light in a 3-1 loss to Sunderland. Luka Modrić got the start for the Spurs and played the entire match while Niko Kranjčar was subbed in at halftime. Vedran Ćorluka did not make the trip as he stayed in London to nurse his injured ankle. Reports say that he should be available for Tottenham’s FA Cup semifinal match against Portsmouth on April 11th.
Sunderland got off to a quick start as they scored in the first minute off a corner kick. In the 29th minute, Ćorluka’s replacement Kyle Walker was called for a handball in the box which ex-Spur Darren Bent converted. Even Modrić got in on the drama in the 41′ when he appeared to apply slight contact on Sunderland’s ‘Thespian of the Month’ Fraizer Campbell. Bent stepped up to the spot again but had his shot blocked by Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes.
KRANJČAR HAD A BETTER WEEK AT PRACTICE
Modrić looked wild the entire match as he kept running full speed into defenders without any thought of passing the ball. Kranjčar could only do so much as the entire Tottenham squad was ‘out of it’ during the match. Even though Bent missed yet another PK and Crouch put Tottenham within one in the second half, it was not enough as Sunderland capped the game late to end a miserable day for the Spurs. It’s not going to get any easier as Tottenham’s next three Premiership matches are against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Manchester City have momentarily taken fourth spot in the league table.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS , MODRIĆ FOUL 2:23
EDUARDO IN ACTION AGAINST THE WOLVES
Eduardo received a much needed start as Arsenal hosted Wolverhampton on Saturday. In a must win game to stay in the title race, Arsenal was blessed by a last second goal from substitute Nicklas Bendtner to squeak by the Wolves 1-0. Eduardo had a fantastic shot on goal within five minutes but had it blocked by an alert Marcus Hahnemann and then had an open look on frame in the 12′ but completely botched the opportunity. He looked nervous and he most importantly looked like he didn’t have the ability to shoot with his right foot. He was subbed out in the 79th. Eduardo, what’s going on buddy?
KILLER GOT SOME CHANCES AGAINST VILLA
Ivan Klasnić was subbed into Bolton’s home match against Aston Villa in the 57′ with the score 1-0 in favor of the Villains. Klasnić managed to get off three shots on goal but none were good enough to equalize. Klasnić hasn’t had any magic in the past two months. He is back to mediocre status with his loan spell ending in a few weeks time. Killer needs to score a few goals if he wants to play somewhere decent after a successful season thus far.
Nikola Kalinić came on for the last 10 minutes of Blackburn’s 0-0 draw with Portsmouth. Kalinić did not manage a shot on goal and has received less playing time in the past few weeks. Time to produce and end the season well Kale.
Germany
PHOTO: Bayern; Ivica Olić(right) in action against Schalke
What a week for Ivica Olić and Bayern Munich. First, on Tuesday, Bayern come from behind and take down Manchester United 2-1 with a game winner from our very own Ivica Olić. Then on Saturday, Bayern go into Gelsenkirchen and took down Schalke 04 with the same result to pip them for first place in the Bundesliga.
PHOTO: AP; Ivica Olić signing autographs at Manchester Airport
Ivica Olić started and played the full 90 in Champions League, hustling and grinding out every play to finally be rewarded a game winning goal giving Bayern the slight advantage heading into Manchester on Wednesday. ManU-Bayern
Ivica was rewarded with another start against then league leading Schalke over the weekend and came through once again. The 30 year old Croatian international, found himself open down the left sideline and his cross found Thomas Müller for the game winner. Mario Gomez came in for Ivica in the 70th minute of play. Look for Olić to start on Wednesday in Manchester.
PHOTO: AP; Ivica Olić(right) and Danijel Pranjić at Manchester Airport on Tuesday going up
Goal.com gave Ivica a grade of 7 against Schalke, “Very unselfish play for the second goal and worked really hard sometimes deep in to his own half.”
PHOTO: bundesliga.de; Pranjić(right) in action against Manchester United
Danijel Pranjić is starting to look like his old self last season at Herenveen, playing in eight of the last nine matches for the Bavarian Giants. Danijel started and played 88 minutes for Bayern against Manchester, played well defensively and distributed the ball confidently. On Saturday, Danijel came on in the 67th minute for Franck Ribery and helped Bayern hold on to a 2-1 lead. It is unfortunate that Croatia will not be featured at the World Cup this summer as both Ivica and Danijel have been playing top notch football against some of the best teams in the world.
Goal.com gave Danijel a grade of 6.5, “Helped the cause both defensively and in attack. Helped hold and run the ball.”
PHOTOS: AP; Mladen Petrić, goal against Standard Liege on Thursday in Europa league
Mladen Petrić came through for Hamburg in Liga Europa on Thursday converting on a 43rd minute penalty and leading the Rothosen to a 2-1 home victory over Standard Liege. Mladen played 70 minutes and was taken off after pulling a groin muscle. The return leg is on Thursday in Belgium with the winner set to face either Fulham or Wolfsburg in the semifinals. Hamburg sure missed Mladen on Sunday, as they were unable to score against bottom dwellers Hannover 96, splitting the points in a 0-0 draw. Still early to tell if Mladen will be fit on Thursday for Europa League.
PHOTO: Schalke04.de; Ivan Rakitić(right) in action against Bayern
Croatian manager Slaven Bilić has recently brought on the idea of using Ivan Rakitić as a solution to the absence of former captain Niko Kovač. The way Ivan has been played the past few months or so, the 22 year old might get a shot in the upcoming friendlies in May.
Ivan started and played the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday in front of 61,673 at the Veltins-Arena. Bayern snapped Schalke’s 11 match home unbeaten streak. The swiss born Croat showed very little on Saturday, receiving only a 5.5 from goal.com, “Would have been disappointed with his passing and set plays, which he is normally so good at.”
Wolfsburg took advantage of the suspension of Josip Šimunić and bulldozed Hoffenheim 4-0 on Sunday. Hoffenheim are now winless in five games and managed to score only one goal during that time. Even at 32 years of age, Šimunić is still solid in defense which was clearly demonstrated today in his absence. Joe has made it clear that he still has one more tournament left in him and will retire from the national team in 2012.
Ivica Banović has been the forgotten man in Freiburg as of late, as the former Croatian international hasn’t been featured in the last three games. However, Freiburg are now unbeaten in three matches, but need to start winning games if they want to stay in Bundesliga next season. Freiburg remains three points back of Bochum and Nürnberg in fight for relegation.
France
PHOTO: RCLens; Runje didn’t have enough reach in him to keep out lone goal
Vedran Runje and Lens were on the losing end once again falling 1-0 to Marseille in front of 54,839 at Stade Vélodrome. Vedran started and played the entire game making two key saves keeping Lens in the game. However, a 22 minute Brandao header caught Runje by surprise and gave Marseille the deserving three points. Runje is limited by his height and it clearly showed on Sunday failing to reach Brandao’s header.
Marseille-Lens highlights
PHOTO: AP; Dejan Lovren(right) in action against Stade Rennes
Dejan Lovren started for only the second time in seven games for Lyon in a 2-1 victory at Stade Rennes on Saturday. Dejan played the full 90 minutes and committed three fouls. With Auxerre slipping up at the weekend, Lyon find themselves at the top of the table with Auxerre and Montpellier. Lyon have a difficult schedule in the next week or so, away to Bordeaux twice and a home match with title contending Lille.
Ukraine
PHOTO: Shakhtar.com; Dario(right) in action against Obolon Kyiv
Darijo Srna started and played the full 90 minutes, scoring off a beautiful free kick in the 51st minute giving Shakhtar a 1-0 victory over Obolon Kyiv on Saturday. Shakhtar have now registered ten straight Ukrainian Premier League victories after falling 3-0 to Dynamo on November 21st last year. Dynamo Kyiv remain two points back of Shakhtar in the fight for first.
Srna is back to his old tricks
PHOTO: Dynamo; Vuki(right) celebrating goal over Zorya Luhansk
Ognjen Vukojević was in action for Dynamo Kyiv on Saturday, playing the full 90 and shutting out Zorya Luhansk 2-0. With the victory Dynamo keep pace with Shakhtar only two points back of first.
PHOTO: Dynamo; Goran Sablić
FC Dynamo defender Goran Sablić came to a compromise with the club to terminate his contract making him now a free agent.Goran Sablić moved to Dynamo from Hajduk in the summer of 2002, where he served seven years helping Dynamo to four league championships and a four-time winner of the Ukrainian Cup.
Austria
PHOTO: AP; Nikica Jelavić(right) in action against FC Karnten
Nikica Jelavić started and played the full 90 minutes, leading Rapid Vienna to victory over FC Karnten 1-0. Rapid Vienna have won four of their last five games and remain on pace with Red Bull Salzburg for the lone Champions League spot.
PHOTO: AP; Nikola in action against Mattersburg
Nikola Pokrivač came on in the 56th minute for Red Bull Salzburg in a 2-0 win over lowly Mattersburg. Red Bull Salzburg remain six points up on Rapid Vienna and are looking to finish the season as back to back champions and winners of three of the last four Austrian Bundesliga titles.
Italy
WHAT SHIRT WILL IGOR BUDAN WEAR NEXT SEASON?
Igor Budan came on in the 89th minute in a disappointing 2-0 loss to Catania. Budan hasn’t had any quality time on the field as Palermo fights for a Champions League spot. They currently sit in fourth position over Sampdoria only by goal differential. There is also pressure from Napoli and Juventus. It’s definitely going to go to the wire in Italy, but will Budan even be on Palermo should they earn the final Champions League spot?
DARIO KNEŽEVIĆ PLAYING FOR ALMOST RELEGATED LIVORNO
Dario Knežević played the entire match for Livorno in their 1-1 draw against Ivan Jurić and Genoa. Livorno needed an 88th minute goal to steal the points from Genoa even though they will be relegated into Serie B next season. Ivan Jurić was not on the roster for Genoa as his career quickly winds down. Where will Knežević play next season and will Jurić come back for one more season?
Mato Jajalo was not featured in Siena’s squad as they lost to Atalanta 2-0.
Belgium
PERIŠIĆ IN ACTION AGAINST ANDERLECHT
Ivan Perišić played the full 90 in Club Brugge’s playoff match against regular season champs Anderlecht. The game ended 2-2 with the young Perišić receiving a yellow card in the 36th minute. The playoff round consists of the top six teams from the regular season battling it out for Champions and Europa league spots. Everyone plays each other twice (home and away) with all points being halved from the regular season. Interesting approach to prolonging the season. We like it!
BELGIAN PLAYOFF TABLE
Russia
LOKOMOTIV’S TOMISLAV DUJMOVIĆ
Tomislav Dujmović played the entire match in Lokomotiv Moscow’s 3-2 win over city rivals Dinamo Moscow. Dinamo scored early but Loko came back with three unanswered. Dujmović maintained the midfield for 90 minutes without earning a yellow card. Lokomotiv has six points through four games to start the season.
Ivica Križanac and Zenit St. Petersburg had the week off as they were scheduled to play CSKA Moscow. The Russian league decided to postpone the game since Moscow has a Champions League match against Inter on Tuesday.
Spain
CROATIA’S MATADOR MATE BILIĆ
Mate Bilić was an unused sub in Sporting Gijon’s 2-2 home draw with Xerez. Bilić has been rumored with a summer move to English sides Everton and Sunderland. Another goal or two down the stretch should definitely solidify a Premiership move for Bilić.
Turkey
Drago Gabrić and Hrvoje Čale both had the weekend off as Trabzonspor was rewarded a 3-0 victory over the recently suspended Ankaraspor. Trabzonspor remain five points back of Galatasaray in fight for a Europa League spot.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 4/6
Arsenal at Barcelona(Champions League)
Wednesday, 4/7
Bayern Munich at Manchester United(Champions League)
Thursday, 4/8
Hamburg at Standard Liege(Europa League)
Friday, 4/9
Rapid Vienna at SV Josko Ried
Saturday, 4/10
Boulogne at Lens, Schalke 04 at Hannover 96, Bayern Munich at Bayer Leverkusen, FC Cologne at Hoffenheim, Freiburg at Werder Bremen, Sporting Gijon at Villarreal, Red Bull Salzburg at FC Karnten, Trabzonspor at Besiktas, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at Shakhtar Donetsk, Arsenal Kyiv at Dynamo Kyiv
Sunday, 4/11
Tottenham vs. Portsmouth(FA Cup Semifinal at Wembley), Manchester United at Blackburn, Lille at Lyon, Hamburg at VfL Bochum, Chievo Verona at Palermo, Genoa at Sampdoria, Bari at Siena, Udinese at Livorno, Lokomotiv Moscow at Zenit St Petersburg, KAA Gent at Club Brugge
~Denis Svirčić and Ante Kvartuč reporting from San Pedro, California
Re: Kalinic at Blackburn
The reason why Roberts is in the team at the moment is cos Allardyce is planning for next season. He's already decided he's keeping Kalinic, but none of his other strikers have impressed this season and he needs to make a decision on Di Santo, Roberts and Holliet to see how useful they are. Roberts is simply being tested to see if he's still up to it.
If not he'll be going and they'll be buying someone else. I do not see any harm in Allardyce doing this. Kalinic will be there next season though and starting. He'll prob have a nice strike partner next season. They'll prob be at least 2 new forwards next season and Kalinic will finally have a partner as this one up front business must be getting on his nerves and wearing him down. He's young enough to deal with it. But its actually in Kalinic's interest that Allardyce is assessing the other forwards.
Di Santo flopped i think. That clearly didn't work out for Chelsea. Di Santo and Kalinic are too similar. They need a more creative goalgetting type forward. They wanted Dindane and Gudjohnsen. These guys would fit well in Blackburn.
If Spurs get top 4 which i don't think they will mainly cos of Tevez – they should target a real top top striker. Defoe is good, Crouch is a good rotation player. I think you can cash in on Keane (to Villa, Everton, Newcastle, Sunderland will pay) and Pav (Russia/Germany/Italy) and sign someone better. If Spurs sold Hutton, Kyle Walker, Giovani, O'Hara i think they could afford at £10m centre back and a £10-£15 striker. Anelka would be great at Spurs as Chelsea definitely will go for something big in the summer i.e Aguero.
Re: Ante
Eduardo does have a long term contract, but the problem is they all do.. Van Persie, Bendtner, Wallcott, Vela, Eduardo all signed long term deals but you can't play them all.
Chamahk definitely looks like he's coming and it seems he's a direct replacement for Eduardo. He's a goalscorer who can finish on the floor, but who is also decent in the air. Bendtner definitely looks like he's staying. Van Persie will stay. Then you got Arshavin and Walcott who can play in attack so Eduardo and Vela is not gonna see much action.
Vela prob will accept it as he's still young, but Eduardo is suffering physically through lack of games so a loan deal sounds best for him. West Ham, Fulham, Newcastle will all be fine for Eduardo. I don't think Arsenal should sell him as he just needs reviving and after one good season they can have a £10m player on there hands again. If he just spent a year out on loan, he'll be back to normal again.
You can see Arsenals problem tactically with Eduardo. If they are gonna have lots of little un's in the mid like Walcot, Arshavin, Fabregas, Rosicky, Nasri, Wilkshire, Ramsey then they need to have more stronger guys in attack to hold the ball so they can join in. Van Persie, Bendtner and Chamahk are all physically stronger than Eduardo and you can see where Wenger is going with Chamahk.
Wenger is lacking another centre back as well as Campbell and Silvestre are totally past it. Silvestre V Messi was embarrassing.
With Wenger when you hear him say recently he still does not forgive Martyn Taylor then it explains a little his thoughts on Eduardo. Wenger clearly believes Taylor has damaged Eduardo's career and that he's not the same player. I can't think of a lot of players with same injuries, but one example is Alan Smith who Eduardo can be compared to at the moment.
1. Eduardo just signed a long term contract with Arsenal.
2. He hasn't scored one important goal for Arsenal this entire season. And his position is striker.
3. He had 2 prime chances to scores against Wolves this past weekend and totally choked. No way he should have started against Barca. I'm not a huge fan of Bendtner either but he is at least scoring recently.
4. Whoever said for Eduardo to be loaned out to Newcastle is a genius! No pressure, no Champions League (as if he plays) and he can get more playing time.
5. As long as he plays well for Croatia I don't care. I currently cheer for the other North London club.
I wouldn't say dinamo gave the win to hajduk. Neither team showed much in the two legs and that is a direct reflection on the quality of the teams, individuals and league. At the end of the day I know both teams can't do anything in europe.
Re: being out of shape
Klasnic has one kidney and Eduardo had his leg smashed to bits. How about that for a reason for them not being totally up to speed on their fitness. Klasnic was playing then he got injured. Same with Eduardo.
I think Klasnic can sit back and say look at his record at Bremen and has a title under his belt and can also point to Bolton that hes still there top scorer. But if Coyle wants a runner then Klasnic has to accept that. Klasnic will not run. He can't do it no more. Only thing i'd say is Kevin Davies is even less mobile than Klasnic.
Klasnic is also not gonna be a long term option for Bolton cos he's 30 and he also will not bring in a good sell on fee so there is no point Bolton making the signing. For Klasnic as well, this type of game is no good for him. Its all hussle and bustle in the Prem. He should give his body a break and get back to Germany.
Re: Ziva
Mandzo's ego is bad – but Mamic's ego is worse. This comment should come from Jurcic. He's constantly undermining Jurcic. Mandzo does need to move. This is what happens when you keep a guy too long that wants to go. Its same with Ermin Zec at Sibenik. there comes a time when a guy has to move on.
Re: Dinamo V Hajduk
Seriously i couldn't care less. I looked at the performance of both sides and it was scruffy. A load of individuals. Neither of these two sides are playing like a team.
You've also got Dinamo buying rubbish like Dodo for Sivonjic. Seriously is there any difference. I'm not seeing it at the moment. Primorac – Eintract Frankfurt said it best when they had him on trial. Nice player. Some careful touches on the ball, but he doesn't look like he'll ever score a goal. Why we're signing Osijek's rubbish i have no idea. Might as well signed Ljubojevic – at least the guy knows where the net is.
You don't win titles by beating Hajduk or Dinamo in one off games. Its not important to me whether Dinamo loses to Hajduk. If not for these wins.. just imagine where Hajduk would be. Out the cup and not even likely to be in top 5, so you should be thankful Dinamo gave them the win.
Dinamo's best side is Loncaric, Etto, Cufre, Biscan, Ibanez, Vrdoljak, Tomecak, Badelj, Morales, Mandzo, Slepicka
Subs: Kramaric, Barbaric, Antolic, Sammir, Callelo, Vrsaljko
There our good HNL1 players. Kovac (crocked), Primorac, Tomic, Dodo, Butina should have the exit door marked out for them.
We need better players. if they made a list like this and approached such players.. even one of two would improve the side:
Bjelanovic, Cesarec, Keric, Ipsa, Banovic, Babic, Zec, Vida, Cesar, Knezevic, Jajalo, Bartulovic, Pamic, Alispahic
DF, I'm just pointing out an undisputable pattern, excuses aside. Of course the guys are out of shape…because they're sitting on the bench! Playing 90 minutes and jogging for 10 km are completely different for fitness. As far as I'm concerned, any NT player who sits on the bench more than 3 games (while healthy) should find a new club. The bench is a graveyard for soccer careers. Bentner for Eduardo, Bentley for Kranjcar…so many examples of sheer stupidity. At least the German clubs don't fix what's not broken-except for the Olic/Stuttgart idiocy.
Wenger is just another overrated coach…look at all the talent which he doesn't know how to use properly.
@slaven……..yeah Wenger is a blind coach. Guess he was blind when he decided to bring Fabergas at such a young age to Arsenal. Forget that Da Silva is a brzilian born hrvat….the dude has not done anything to warrant big minutes against the better clubs. The brazilian born hrvat can play against the mid-table and bottom tier teams in the EPL, but he is not a player for the big EPL games.
@dinamofan….you are correct. Dinamo did score a goal, but my point still stands…in the 3 meaningful games they have played this year, dinamo has yet to beat hajduk.
the comments made my mamic after the game about Mandzukic are great and 1000000% correct. I have spoken to some of his former teamates and teamates on the national team and few have anything good to say about him. I've been saying the same for the last year or so….another overblown, overhyped ego.
Thats utter shit about EPL coaches not choosing CROATIAN players. Why is it important that they are Croatian to the coach. Eduardo's fitness has been very iffy this season. I'm a massive Eduardo fan, but sorry he's not ready still. He needed a run of games, but Arsenal are going for titles and can't afford to give him what he needs.
Anyone who says Eduardo is injury prone are also talking shit as that injury should have ended his career if not for him getting the best treatment. I don't know many players who come back the same after breaking their leg like that. Thats not a injury prone player. Its a guy whose trying to come back from practically having his leg demolished. There is ligaments and alsorts of stuff that was messed up in that challenge. Eduardo is a much slower and less athletic player since the injury. He needs a year out on loan somewhere where he'll play more to return anywhere near his normal self.
For me there is no question that Wenger is right. I could tell this by the fact Eduardo was panting after only 5 mins on the pitch at Barca. Eduardo was given a chance against Wolves and it nearly went severly wrong for Arsenal. Bendtner had to rescue the day.
With Klasnic, he's the same as Eduardo. His fitness is iffy and not right for EPL. He needs to step down to a less straining league. Head back to Germany and he'll find a jersey, no prob.
As for Kalinic. He's been in the team. He played well. Sam Allardyce also believes he played well, but he's giving him a little rest now and he'll be there next season ready to start. There is no problem now with Kalinic and Blackburn.
Ziva, Redknapp is the only exception as we know going back to the 90s.
I agree with you, Slobodan, Bentner over Eduard is mind boggling. Obviously Wenger is just another blind coach.
Once again, Bayern kick it up a notch for the 2nd half. More posession and shots on target. I told you guys Rooney was just acting about the "injury".
WOWWWWWW…
Robben's 18 yard volley off a corner was amazing. 3-2 Bayern. 10 minutes left. Bayern go through if it stands like this.
What are you talking about Ziva?????????????? Sivonjic rattled the ball past Subasic if i remember correctly. Was the score not 2-1 in the league match ????????????
You baffled me with that one mate..
I agree with 100% on Eduardo and Bendtner. I live in England and there is no way Wenger is selecting Eduardo ahead of Bendtner at the moment cos they are playing only one up front and the ball kept coming back of Eduardo before cos he's too small. Same thing happened with Arshavin. With Bendtner the ball sticks. Also he scored last night and was in some way a threat. But what can you do with Leo on the pitch. He's the height of football.
Mandzukic was Messy too but not in the Argentinian way 🙂
Hajduk fans celebrating this win are clutching at straws. I've never seen such a pile of horse shit as was shovelled out this afternoon. I turned it off, It was a terrible game. Dinamo without Morales, Tomecak and Badelj is a below average side. We need those guys. Dodo and Primorac are not Dinamo players and someone please put Mandzo out his misery and let him move as he's not combining with his teammates.
This side will see us over the finish line but new season starts we need new guys. Let Mandzo and Badelj move on and bring in 2 new quality strikers. A midfielder and a defender. Butina – i've never been a fan. But he's going end of season so is no big deal.
Olic just scored a fine goal for Bayern with 3 minutes left in the half. It is now 3-1 Manchester United. Bayern need 1 more to go through. Olic has seemed possessed lately. Wait till you see the angle he had to score on.
Oh no, there are no racists in Zagreb. Just as there never were any communists in Zagreb either, remember Ziva? (You know I am speaking facetiously.)
Come on guys, lets be honest….dinamo fans are no different and no better animals than hajduk fans.. go youtube the dinamo-manchester united game in ZG back in 1999 and listen to all the monkey chants.
Croatian cup is as worthless as the regular season. Hajduk will win the cup, dinamo will win the league and both teams will do nothing in europe. Or do some of you have false hopes, yet again.
In 3 games between the two teams that mattered this year, dinamo has yet to score a goal on hajduk. The upcoming game means nothing now with the cup over and dinamo winning the league. I don't know what is more pathetic….dinamo not being able to score on hajduk in 270 minutes of action or that hajduk can not keep up with dinamo in the standings.
Even in defeat, you can't be gracious.
You should learn the meaning of the word "humility."
Whatever helps you sleep at night. Another year, another Championship for Dinamo.
And talk about overkill, check this out (hopefully you know how to actually read Croatian and not just spell it terribly):
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/opet-rasizam-na-poljudu-dinamove-crnce-publika-gadjala-bananama/484941.aspx
Really?
Ante… I won't correct your English if you won't correct my Croatian….
Three games this season… two wins for Hajduk and a tie…. the results speak for themselves.
SAMPIONI!
Praising a Cup win is like praising a gold medal at the Special Olympics.
Nothing will ever top last years though. Butina is now even again.
And Tom, if you're going to speak Croatian, at least use it correctly.
How many chances has he been given over the last 3 months? It's hard to impress from the bench…
lets be realistic…….what has Da Silva done in the last 3 months to warrant a start against Barca…..the answer is, NOTHING.
I am no Bendtner fan, but he deserves the playing time over our brazilian hrvat.
Jebem ti Dinamooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, Šimunić has not "made it clear that he still has one more tournament left in him". He might have one more tournament left in him to ruin for all of us, but I'd much rather have Modrić or my mother back there than Joe. The guy is a liability.
As for Eduardo, I don't honestly see how Bendtner is a better alternative. I've cringed at the sheer number of blown chances Bendtner's had, and the guy shows no heart off the ball. He just stands around and waits for play to come to him. At least Dudu had two opportunities and gave a little pressure in the 2 minutes of charity playing time he was so graciously given in Arsenal's slaughter.
Anybody would look awkward at their job if they only got to do it once a month. Dudu should have started the game and, if he's not given sufficient playing time, should look at a loan to a mid-table side that would appreciate the firepower.
1. respect is earned, not given. And, who says english clubs dont give croatian players respect. Tottenham sure does with the 3 croatian players that are routnely playing.
Da Silva is not a player that can make a differance for Arsenal against the big boys, so that is why he is on the bench. It is not a sign of disrespect…the kid has not produced this year.
Kalinic is not the healthiest of players, so I don't see why a club would constantly play him.
Kalinic is young and while he has sown some encouraging signs, he has also shown that he knows how to miss quality chances.
Again, none of these players currently in the EPL are being shown any "disrespect". If I was an EPL mamanger I would be leary of Cro players; afterall Silvio Maric and Bosko balaban….enough said.
These guys are not going to go to lower level clubs…they don't pay the bills like EPL clubs do. Follow the money.
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL za Hajdukkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
DF, I agree with you that Rakitic is more of an offensive MF than a defensive MF. He's a playmaker and scorer. I'm wondering if he could be defensive as well. You have some other offence minded midfielders beside him-Kranjcar and Modric. Alot of people here don't think Kranjcar and Modric can't defend but I disagree. Both hustle out there causing turnovers and steals. Even when they turnover the ball themselves, they usually steal it right back. The key to good defence is having speed. Out of the three midfielders, I think Kranjcar is the slowest.
Have you heard DZ want Jelavic? He's wanted all around Europe.
Eduardo needs to be with another team. Wenger put him on the field only after he knew for sure Arsenal was done. He lost all faith in him. I think Eduardo should have started that game, considering all of the absences.
If Bilic goes to England, as the rumors say, I bet he's going to end up like Kalinic or Klasnic…on the bench for no apparent reason. Most English clubs don't seem to give the Croatian players any respect. I'd like to see these guys and Mandzukic go to top German clubs. Or maybe even low level clubs just to ensure they start every game.
i think Eduardo needs to mull over his future. He should consider requesting a loan move.
Apparently Chamahk to Arsenal is practically a done deal and Van Persie and Bendtner are already in front of him, plus tactically Arshavin plays 60% of the games in attack. He needs to ask himself if he wants to be 4th choice or whether he should leave that role to Carlos Vela.
A loan to someone like Newcastle United might work. Newcastle needs lots of players. Mario Mandzukic to Newcastle wouldn't be a bad move either.
I don't get all this Mate Bilic transfer talk. Whats the point cos Gijon are gonna stay up and he'll get games next season. This seasons theres been injuries. But he is part of a rotation system of a small squad. He should stick with it.
Interesting news on Goran Sablic. I didn't know that. Consider what Hajduk done with guys like Vejic and Seric i can't see them taking on Sablic. Maybe a move to one of those Greek sides is his best bet of a revival. Guys like that just need to go somewhere where they'll play.
Rakitic in defensive mid. What a daft idea. Its obvious that he should try Dujmovic first..
Rakitic has shown no sign of being high class defensive mid. He's a playmaker. With Budan, Knezevic, Klasnic, Jajalo i think all these guys have shown enough this season to attract decent clubs next season and hope they all select the right move.
Budan to midtable Italian side.
Knezevic anywhere abroad – Russia, Turkey, Germany are all fine for him.
Jelavic to Germany
Jajalo to Germany, Russia or Turkey would be good. or stay another year in Siena
Klasnic to Germany (or Red Bull would be good move for him)
I would quite like to see Banovic in Dinamo in replacement for Badelj. There is another Croatian who plays each week in Frieburg at the moment. 26 year old right defender Mensur Mujzda.
@ Adrien,
With no Vaseline.
The ManU-Bayern game tomorrow should be great. The first goal is obviously going to be pivotal. With Robben in and Rooney out, I have Bayern winning 3-1 as a stunned Theatre of Dreams empties out before the final whistle. I think Bayern will rout Manchester just like they did Juventus. Manu will go on tilt.
And what's up with Srna's goal? Was the goalie watching a rocket ship the Ukrainian government just launched? Pathetic! Good ball placement but come on. Any goalie with more than 3 months experience tips that over the bar.
I think it was Messi doing all the buttfucking
hope everyone enjoyed themselves over this Easter weekend. I enjoyed myself a little too much not having enough time for Croatians Around Europe. To top it off, my internet was down all Monday evening.
Croatians Around Europe was finally updated today. For the most part a great week for Croatians. Looking forward to Bayern-Manchester tomorrow. I predict 1-1.
arsenal just got buttfucked by barca
I agree that Modric was running straight into defenders. Kranjcar, Crouch and Defoe should have started. Pavy was useless.