England
MODRIĆ TRYING TO MAKE THE FINAL
Luka Modrić got the start in Tottenham’s FA Cup semifinal against Portsmouth alongside Vedran Ćorluka, who returned from an ankle injury which caused him to miss the past couple weeks. Tottenham absolutely dominated the first 90 minutes but could not get the ball in the back of the net. Modrić returned to his old ways slithering through the Pompey defense while popping a couple innocent shots on goal.
A problem I have seen in recent weeks regarding Tottenham’s offense is their inability to play the ball on the ground in the offensive third. Every ball comes in through the air from the backfield or wings. It’s like Spurs try to play ‘anti-Barca ball’. They need to utilize their midfield more and enter the penalty box as a single unit- not one player chest trapping the ball from a 25-yard chip.
The stats say it all. Tottenham dominated the game but couldn’t find a goal in the first 90 minutes. The match went into extra time where Portsmouth capitalized on a 99′ goal as well as a penalty kick to win 2-0. They will meet Chelsea in the FA Cup Final while Tottenham has only a Champions League spot to work towards this season.
Ćorluka looked as if he didn’t miss a beat while he was gone. He finds ways to inch up towards the attacking half and is having more looks at goal. Ćarli has played the most minutes of any Spur this season. They will be very dangerous should they buy a strong striker for next year.
KRANJČAR AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB
Niko Kranjčar was finally subbed into the game in the 79′ looking to be the game changer for Tottenham. Spurs crashed the net hard for the last 10 minutes of regulation but couldn’t find what they were looking for. Kranjčar took corner after corner with no luck and tried to bring the ball up on the sideline but lacked pace. Tottenham lose 2-0 to a relegated club and should hang their heads after this poor result. It’s not going to get any easier either. Arsenal-Chelsea-Manchester United are their next three game. Good luck!
KALINIĆ IN ACTION AGAINST THE RED DEVILS
Nikola Kalinić played the entire match for the Blackburn Rovers as they held mighty Manchester United to a scoreless draw Sunday afternoon at Ewood Park. Kalinić didn’t get any play up top as Man United dominated the match with 66% ball possession. Kale couldn’t get one shot off during the entire match but it’s good to see Blackburn still competing and playing spoiler late in the season.
Eduardo and Ivan Klasnić had the weekend off. Bolton take on Chelsea this Tuesday while Arsenal battle Tottenham on Wednesday in the North London Derby at White Hart Lane. In the past 24 hours, it has been rumored that Klasnić could be moving to Newcastle United in the summer while Eduardo completes a loan move with French club Lyon.
Germany
PHOTO: Bayern; Ivica Olić(right) in action against Bayer Leverkusen
Ivica Olić started and played 57 minutes for Bayern in a 1-1 draw against third place Bayer Leverkusen. Ivica failed to register a shot on goal. Since Schalke lost over the weekend, Bayern actually picked up a point with the draw and find themsleves two points up in the race for the Bundesliga crown.
Goal.com gave Olić a grade of 6, “A work horse as normal never giving up but was ineffective today when service found him. Tiredness could be the reason for his early substitution.”
PHOTO: bundesliga.de; Pranjić
Danijel Pranjić came on in the 83rd minute of play for van Bommel.
PHOTOS: AP; Mladen Petrić in action against Bochum
Mladen Petrić started and played the full 90 for Hamburg winning 2-1 at Bochum in front of 25,780 at rewirpower Stadion. Mladen couldn’t get anything going and was tightly marked after scoring last Thursday off a bicycle kick in Europa League against Standard. Hamburg remain three points out of a Europa League spot for next season.
PHOTO: Schalke04.de; Ivan Rakitić scores off a penalty kick
22 year old Ivan Rakitić started and played the full 90 on Saturday for Schalke falling 4-2 at Hannover 96. Ivan tied the score at 2 with a well taken penalty in the 52nd minute. However, goals from Balitsch and Ya Konan put the dagger in the royal blues. Schalke will look to bounce back against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.
RAKITIĆ IS PUMPED AFTER HIS PK
A pair of second-half goals by Adam Matuschyk gave Köln a 2-0 victory over Josip Šimunić and Hoffenheim on Saturday in front of 26,950 at Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Joe returned from a one game suspension and put on a decent display in defense and wasn’t at fault for either of the two Köln goals. Hoffenheim are now winless in six, but remain 7 points clear of relegation with four games left to play.
Köln 2-0 Hoffenheim
Ivica Banović came off the bench for Freiburg on Saturday, playing for the first time in just about a month. Ivica came on in the 71st minute of play after Werder Bremen had already stormed in front 4-0. The result stayed and Freiburg will need a miracle to remain in Bundesliga I next season. The good news is that Freiburg will play three of their last four games at home. The bad news is that Freiburg will most likely need at least two wins and a draw to avoid relegation.
France
PHOTO: RCLens; Runje before game against Boulogne
Vedran Runje made three key saves and posted his eighth shutout for Lens in a 3-0 home win over Boulogne. He also had the help from the goal post twice during the match. Toifilou Maoulida was the man of the night, registering a hat trick for Lens, snapping a six game winless streak. Vedran has kept Lens in games this season, however, has given up light goals due to his lack of size. Should Croatia still look at the 34 year old to start for Croatia in September when qualifiers for Euro 2012 start up?
PHOTO: Lyon; Dejan Lovren might have dislocated knee against Lille
Dejan Lovren was in action Sunday for Lyon against Lille in the race for first in France. Lyon came from behind to draw Lille 1-1 in front of 38,000 at Municipal De Gerland. More importantly, Lovren was taken off the field on a stretcher in the 48th minute of play. Lyon manager Claude Puel said after the match that Lovren had disconnected his knee, however, the French media only reported a knee sprain. We will keep you posted.
Update on Lovren injury….
Dejan contacted the physician of the Croatian football team Jurica Rakić.
“A magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that no damage in his knee. According to information from Lyon, Lovren could be ready for the next match against Bordeaux, which is played April 17”
Ukraine
OGNJEN: AS COOL AS A CAT
Ognjen Vukojević helped Dynamo Kyiv get back to the top of the Ukrainian table and beat city rivals Arsenal Kyiv on Saturday with a very nice placed upper-V goal. Although Vukojević had more than enough time to stop the ball, think about it and then finally shoot; the ball was perfectly placed on frame for the goal. With the 3-1 win, Dynamo take over Shakhtar for top spot only by goal differential as the two clubs are even on points with six games left in the season.
VUKOJEVIĆ POPS, LOCKS AND UNLOADS
SRNA ANSWERED SOME QUESTIONS AFTER A DISAPPOINTING DRAW
Darijo Srna and Shakhtar Donetsk dropped points on Saturday in a scoreless draw to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. The result means that they and Dynamo Kyiv are now tied on points in a race for the 2010 Ukrainian title. Here’s what Srna had to say after the match in an interview with Shakhtar.com.
Darijo, it was the first drawn match at Donbas Arena…
– Everything depended on us. It is not Dnipro who got a point, but we who lost. It was the worst mach for us at Donbas Arena. If we want to be the Champions, we have to play in another manner. The next match with Karpaty promises to be also very difficult, we shall do our best.
Dnipro imposed their play from the first minutes, but you tried not to yield, but stopped to play football at the same time. Have you any combinations?
– Yes, they played very well today, especially in the defense. If Dnipro plays like this with Dynamo and other teams, they will be able to take third place.
It is the second match with Dnipro this season and again you have lost points. Are they an uncomfortable rival?
– Sure. They always play against us with extra motivation. But I want to emphasize that it lands on us. Today we didn’t score and didn’t taken three points. We have only ourselves to thank for this.
Austria
CROATIA HOPEFUL NIKICA JELAVIĆ
Nikica Jelavić scored the game winner in Rapid Vienna’s 3-1 victory over SV Josko Ried. Jelavić played the full match and remains on Croatia’s radar regarding a striking job. Can Rapid get closer to Red Bull and compete for an Austrian title?
JELAVIĆ GOAL AT 0:55
Nikola Pokrivač was an unused sub in Red Bull’s 2-0 road win over FC Karnten. Red Bull Salzburg currently lead the Austrian Bundesliga by six points with seven games left.
Russia
PHOTO: ZENIT, LOKOMOTIV’S TOMISLAV DUJMOVIĆ(R) IN ACTION AGAINST ZENIT ST. PETERBURG
Tomislav Dujmović was in action for Lokomotiv Moscow against fellow Croatian national team representative Ivica Križanac and Zenit St. Petersburg on Sunday. They both played the full 90 minutes for their respected clubs as a goal from Vladimir Bystrov in the 54th minute gave Zenit a deserving 1-0 victory in front of 19,800 at Petrovski Stadium.
PHOTO: ZENIT, Ivica Križanac(C) leading Zenit to another shutout
Goal.com gave Ivica Križanac a grade of 7.5, “Marked tightly and defended well alongside his Belgian partner”, and gave Tomislav Dujmović a grade of 6.5, “Had a busy game handling the attacking outlets of the Zenit midfield and did a reasonable job of retaining them.”
Belgium
PERIŠIĆ(R) FIGHTS FOR THE BALL VS. GENT
Ivan Perišić started for Club Brugge and played 80 minutes in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Gent. Brugge scored an early goal in the 13′ and appeared to be in control of the game. However, Gent pulled off an equalizing goal in injury time to split the points. They are still only three points behind Brugge with six matches left in the playoffs.
BELGIAN PLAYOFF TABLE. TOP 2 PLAY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Italy
DARIO KNEŽEVIĆ PLAYING FOR ALMOST RELEGATED LIVORNO
Dario Knežević played the full 90 minutes as Livorno slip further and further into relegation trouble. Udinese defeated Livorno 2-0 at the Stadio Armando Picchi in front of 6,000 spectactors. The 27 year old from Rijeka has started 22 games this year. What will his future hold? Possibly another Serie A club?
Igor Budan was featured in a game already decided as he was plugged into the game in the 90th minute for Palermo. They defeated Chievo Verona 3-1 and maintain their place for European Football next season. Sure the club is doing fantastic this year, but he needs a personal change of scenery for a shot at the national team once again. Sounds like his agent should be all over the phones.
Ivan Jurić was not listed for the Starting XI nor the bench as Genoa goes down to Sampdoria 1-0. Mario Cassano netted one in the 23rd minute to send Genoa home to their prosciutto and vino in the 102nd Genovese derby.
Mato Jajalo came in as a sub in the 85′ and did not make much of an impact as Siena defeated Bari 3-2 at home on Sunday. Siena continues its attempt to escape from the relegation zone. Jajalo and Budan are in similar situations, however, Jajalo’s chances of making the national team are grim if he stays with the club in Serie B.
Turkey
CROATIAN DEFENDER HRVOJE ČALE
Hrvoje Čale played the entire match on defense for Trabzonspor in a scoreless draw away to Besiktas. The point keeps Trabzonspor in contention for a Europa League spot as they currently sit seven points behind Besiktas. However, they do have a back door plan to play in Europe as they won the first leg of their Turkish Cup semifinal tie 2-0. Drago Gabrić was not featured in this match.
Spain
WE’LL GET ‘EM NEXT WEEK MATE
Mate Bilić played the full 90 minutes in a poor showing from Sporting Gijon, losing 1-0 to Villareal on Saturday. Sporting only managed three shots the entire match, one being Bilić’s, which was off target. The loss keeps Gijon at mid table with no threat of relegation. Mate Bilić and Sporting Gijon have two games coming up this week in La Liga.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 4/13
Bolton at Chelsea, Tenerife at Sporting Gijon, LASK Linz at Rapid Vienna
Wednesday, 4/14
Arsenal at Tottenham, Ried at Red Bull Salzburg, Trabzonspor at Antalyaspor(Türkiye Kupasi), Dynamo Kyiv at Obolon Kyiv, Club Brugge at Zulte-Waregem
Thursday, 4/15
Shakhtar Donetsk at Karpaty Lviv
Friday, 4/16
Zenit St Petersburg at Tom Tomsk, Lokomotiv Moscow at CSKA Moskva
Saturday, 4/17
Chelsea at Tottenham, Everton at Blackburn, Bolton at Stoke City, Lyon at Bordeaux, Lens at Nice, Hannover 96 at Bayern Munich, Borussia Monchengladbach at Schalke 04, Mainz at Hamburg, Nurnberg at Freiburg, Livorno at Chievo Verona, Sporting Gijon at Sevilla FC, Wiener Neustadt at Rapid Vienna
Sunday, 4/18
Arsenal at Wigan, Hoffenheim at Borussia Dortmund, Palermo at Cagliari, Siena at Catania, Red Bull Salzburg at LASK Linz, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at Dynamo Kyiv, Zakarpattia Uzhhorod at Shakhtar Donetsk, Anderlecht at Club Brugge
Monday, 4/19
Kasimpasa at Trabzonspor
~Ante Kvartuč reporting from ‘Tonsillectomy Recoveryville’ with Denis Svirčić at the WD-40 Convention and newcomer Dennis Fistonić wrapping up Italy from San Perdo, CA
There are good and bad media professionals in Cro and all over the world.
The dirt that these guys know and shut up about is mind blowing. It shocks me that nobody mentions what Stimac did when running hajduk and where the money is from the srna and pletikosa deals. Everyone turned a blind eye to Ciro selling a spot on the 1998 WC roster. Surjak destroys hajduk the first time he ran the club and nobody says anything or explains where the missing cash is. Even more dirt on mamic and his paper trail, but nobody does a damn thing.
I have no problem with what they do report, that is fine. My problem is what they do not report and cover up so they can be buddy-buddy with each other and get invited to certain events.
@Ziva Istina,
I agree with your last paragraph. However, put yourself in their shoes.
"nobody mentions anything", if you do, then you are out of a job, or on someone's hit list.
Why would you expect more from Jutarnji List than you would from a website or any other newspaper. They responded to a report about a croatian national team player. Daily newspapers in the states do this all the time now. Look at any reporters notebook column for their respective beats; its all rumors and analysis of rumors.
You guys start start complaining about false rumors invented by the cro media and they did not invent anything here.
My piont stands; they cro media is the same as all other media across the world. Most of these reporters who follow the teams are buddy-buddy with the players and coaches and afraid to be balanced.
Same thing we the cro reporters. It's common knowledge Stimac pocketed money on the Srna and Pletikosa transfers to the ukraine, meaning hajduk lost money on the deal, yet nobody mentions anything.
Ciro sells a roster spot on the 1998 World Cup team and none of the journalist write about and ignore. There are numerous other examples.
the cro sports media is the same as the sports media around the world. They all rather be invited to the party and be friends with the people they cover than report on meaningful story.
"The croatian media did not make this up, they did not invent the report…all they did was report how this rumor/story was posted on a french soccer website."
I agree with Ziva
"However, this is Jutarnji List, I would hope for a little more of a journalistic approach from them."
I agree with Fistonic
@Ziva
Ooooooooo Ziva thinks he's special because he reads the croatian papers.. oooooooooooooooooo.. Dude, if you paid attention to what I wrote and thought before you wrote, maybe you'll get a few things right. My whole point about the Croatian media using those articles is that there are thousands of rumors out there. They pick and chose which rumors to write and analyze about arbitrarily when they are all rubbish.
If if it was some random cro website/blog, then yes your point is well-taken, they're no better, no worse. However, this is Jutarnji List, I would hope for a little more of a journalistic approach from them.
Sometimes I wonder if you guys can actually read croatian.
Go back to the original report that was posted about the brazilian born hrvat and a move to Lyon. The croatian media did not make this up, they did not invent the report…all they did was report how this rumor/story was posted on a french soccer website. From there they added their analysis on how this would impact Da Silva and his current situation with Arsenal.
As for the Cro media, they are just like the media in every other country; no better and no worse.
There are reporters at some of the big outlets (Zdravko Reić among others) that are spoon-fed info from agents and management, just like here in the US.
@ Michael,
Sorry I didn't catch the sarcasm the first time. As long as we're on the same page though. Galinovic's career is done. The guy is 33 and has had 117 caps for Panathinaikos. They have either moved on or he is badly hurt. I have not heard anything.
@ Alex,
You are right. I should have put "soft-er" Ligue 1. It's the fifth best league in the world. Of course strikers will have problems with any kind of intimidating defenders who are constantly playing bully. But let's be real here. The Premiership is the most physical league in the world. Eduardo would have a cakewalk if he moved to any oter league in Europe. Period.
Do you not agree with that?
@ Fisto,
Yes Eduardo needs to move for an entire season. There must of been some miscommunication between us. I agree that Croatian media is a s good as a high school newspaper regarding credibility. However, something is at least brewing here because it makes sense. Both Klasnic and Eduardo. I don't care which team, just as long as the move gets done.
@ Dennis Fist
I agree with the Croatian media part 100%. Just found a few other links and with his role becoming basically non-existent as of late, it makes sense. Ligue 1 is still a fairly competitive league and if he goes to Lyon, he'll get some CL playing time.
Also new rumour………..Newcastle are in the hunt for Ivan Klasnic as they recently got promoted back to EPL.
http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/bolton-wanderers-fc/126573-newcastle-united-set-to-swoop-for-bolton-wanderers-loan-striker-ivan-klasnic.html
Hello
Ante,
Ligue 1 is not "soft"- for a striker, it's one of, if not the, most difficult league. It's become far more defensive than Serie A in recent years.
Eduardo is fairly useless to Arsenal so long as they play 4-3-3. He's a 2nd striker, not a center forward or a winger. When he was performing for Arsenal(and Croatia and Dinamo) it was always in a 2 man attack. He could probably adapt easily to a slightly withdrawn role as in 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 but he's unfortunately found himself playing for a club that switched formation's while he was out injured. He needs to leave Arsenal for that reason alone- can't fit square pegs into round holes.
since the injury*** (2nd paragraph)
@ Ante
I never said it would be a bad move for Eduardo to leave Arsenal. My point was simply the Croatian media is often more wrong than right, so don't believe everything you read. I actually prefer a move away from Emirates for Eduardo. His problem is he can't put a string of games together. It seems like if he is going through a good 3 or 4 game stretch, he pulls a hamstring, or picks up some kind of a knock. So yes, I would invite the chance for him to leave, maybe even play for a side in La Liga.
However, the most important thing for Eduardo in terms of the national team is his health. Sure he was never the fastest player, but since the energy his speed has been non-existent. Because of the fact he never had a shot outside the box, it makes his speed and dribbling ability more crucial. Obviously he has fallen somewhat out of favor with Wenger. The only reason I can think of Arsenal extending his contract is so they can loan him out "leave and come back" so that he is sold in a year or 2 and Arsenal can make some money off of him.
I do think he's still our #2 striker behind Olic. My only point is don't believe everything you read in the cro media. Take it with a grain of salt.
@ Ante – Hence why I put "Won" in quotations :). Ruki will probably be gone after this year.
With RVP returning, Arse signing Chamakh, Bendtner, Arsh, Walcott etc……there is no room for Eduardo. He's joining a list of a few others out the door in London.
@ Fisto,
That doesn't mean he can't be loaned out for a year or six months so that he could regain his form. I am all for the move to the soft Ligue 1.
@ Michael,
Yes, Panathinaikos are Greek Champions but in no way, shape or form dud Galinovic or Rukavina contribute to that this year.
Galinovic hasn't been part of the squad since he imploded in Europa League and Rukavina gets to run around the last 5 minutes of games. Remember Cisse is part of the club and he scores a goal almost every game. Panathinaikos will be in Champions League group stage, but will Ruki and Galinovic join them?
The Croatian media is right about 1% of the time when delivering on the rumor mill. Take the Eduardo to Lyon rumor to the bank and you'll lose your house. Eduardo just signed an extention to stay at Emirates until 2014 a couple months ago.
http://www.jutarnji.hr/francuski-mediji-tvrde–eduardo-da-silva-na-ljeto-postaje-novi-clan-lyona/708197/
Eduardo going to Lyon?
Also in Greece, Rukavina and Galinovic have "won" the Greek Super League with Panathinaikos.
They can also do a domestic double in 2 weeks when they face Aris in the Greek Cup final 🙂
Update on Lovren injury….
Dejan contacted the physician of the Croatian football team Jurica Rakic .
"A magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that no damage in his knee. According to information from Lyon, Lovren could be ready for the next match against Bordeaux, which is played April 17"
Great news for Croatia and Lyon. Lovren should get the call from Slaven Bilic for the upcoming friendlies in May.