A strong run of form for several Croatian attackers across Europe, with Martin Baturina, Igor Matanović, and Dion Drena Beljo all producing lately.
Baturina has found form for Como, recording 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 matches, showing more confidence and sharper decision-making in the final third.
At Freiburg, Matanović is picking up momentum with more minutes, scoring 3 goals in his last 4 games, including the Europa League winner in a 1–0 victory.
And Beljo is heating up for Dinamo Zagreb, scoring 3 goals in his last 2 league games, then adding 2 more today in the Europa League in Dinamo’s 4–1 win.
With the World Cup approaching, staying in top form will be crucial for players like these who are pushing for call-ups.
(Matanović Goal 6:45)
(Baturina Goal 0:15, Assist 1:30)
Odd to highlights DDB and not Kule
DDB has 13 goals in 1472′ (1 in every 113 minutes)
While
Kule has 10 goals in 826′ (1 in every 83 minutes)
So Kule is far ahead of DDB in terms of output
More
Based on watching highlights this year of most games (not the actual games) Anonymous impression is there is no comparison wrt the two in off-the-ball terms i.e.
Kule – works hard for the team defensively (in a Cup game saw him track back all the way to the Dinamo LB position and tackle/win the ball and start a counter-attack downfield which Dinamo scored on) – willing/able to run back and break-up plays – going forward his speed also opens space for teammates
DDB – blah in terms of work-rate and adds little defensively – a lot of strolling around the pitch – not willing/able to run back and break-up plays – going forward he often just hovers in the box waiting to get passed the ball (like his first goal yesterday) or there for a rebound but doesn’t really move in the box and draw CBs away from teammates to open space like Kule does
So – why not highlight Kule? reality is if DDB can’t even be the #1 striker at Dinamo (and it’s MUCH harder (in psychological-terms) to come off the bench and produce goals) than he really shouldn’t even be on the radar for the NT
Happy to hear that watch all the DZ games why the above is wrong (if it’s wrong)
My answer would be that if you only play 20 minutes per game, you can run at full speed that whole time and capitalize on whatever opportunities come with sheer physical power in a way that a player who has to pace himself for the majority of a match (if not a whole one) cannot do. Moreover, a substitute is always playing against defenders who have already played most of the match and are prone to fatigue. The manager knows this and has two strikers with different skill sets. Beljo is sneaky with his movements and is excellent at keeping the ball at his feet. Kulenović is as you say, a physical menace who will do anything to win the ball. Not every player who plays great for 20 minutes will play great for 70, and vice versa. Beljo’s skill set is better suited to a starting role where he’s more involved in the buildup and possession game. Kulenović is more suited to games that have already opened up.
This is actually a good explanation (probably better than Kovacevic could verbalize himself) – Anonymous is impressed – well done!
There are of course outliers to what you are describing as e.g. Jamie Vardy (with his red bull and Swedish snus) was running like an energizer bunny for 90 (Kule profiles similarly to Jamie Vardy imo)
The thing about Kule – is he keeps getting sh*t on and still produces – i.e. Kanga brought in last year to be ahead of him (who flops and Kule ends up being leading scorer anyways), this year DDB brought in for big $$$ and #1 (and yet Kule still out-produces DDB the #1 once again), Kovacevic stripped him of vice-captainship this year, rumours that Marcelo Ryan is coming in (and Kule will be sold) for 6 months (who evidentially t-bags Boban and goes somewhere else), etc etc etc
That’s a lot of crap on Kule’s head – but does he sulk – does he shy away – does he get down – NO NO NO ! – he remains consistent and keeps producing when he’s given the chance (while DDB just strolls in and gets the starting #9 most games (SN had many articles how DDB work-rate is not enough and has “negative body language” during games) – just bc Boban can’t let his big-$$$ transfer in be a flop, so he keeps giving him minutes) – Kule has a VERY STRONG MENTALITY AND GRIT and Anonymous appreciates that
Everyone just takes Kule for granted – like he’s there – he’ll throw in some goals – but never gets appropriate recognition (like the article above highlight DDB bc he finally scores a few goals after doing nothing for two months)
For all these reasons – Anonymous still rates Kule > DDB (and it’s not even close)
Christmas came late but better late than never. Ljubicic sold thank god!!
Hopefully this means Stojković starts from now on.
They still have Mudražija, Soldo, Villar too. Plenty of disgruntled guys on the bench.
I think villar gets shipped out soon, he has no future at Dinamo.
Aren’t they bringing in some kid from Barca academy as his replacement?
DZ should be developing young Croatian players (I mean it’s not like they are running away with the league with all these foreign vets nor dominating Europa)
Is there a maximum amount of foreigners allowed in the HNL?
If not, it should happen
Develop our own
Like some third rate bum from Africa is gonna make a difference in Europa with enough talent coming up the ranks at Dinamo
Where’s mamic when you need him
If 30 players they can both be in squad, I get it unlikely I don’t know if it’s final but I heard they might make it 30 for squad?
Dalic vision 26 man squad if Gvardiol healthy.
Goalies: Livakovic, Kotarski, Ivusic
RB : Valincic Jakic
CB: Gvardiol, Sutalo , Pong, Vušković, Erlic.
LB : Stanisic, Bradaric
Mid: Modric, P. Sucic, Moro, Baturina, Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Vlasic ,Perisic, Jagusic , Marco Pasalic. Kramaric.
Forwards : Budimir, Matanovic , Musa
If all forwards are playing and in Form I’m taking all 3. Kramaric isn’t a forward should be viewed as a #10. 2 forwards isn’t enough for me in a squad.
I think orsic and Jaga are in competition and I think jaga wins out as he is good in all attacking positions wing and middle. Vlasic will be there even though I don’t think we need 4 x # 10’s bati jaga krama and vlasic but I think dalic will go this route.
There is no need for Fruk, he is in my mind so far behind all of our #10 and only other player would be L.Sucic if he is playing regularly which he isn’t. He’s plying more with new coach but not regularly.
If Sutalo isn’t playing he is in real jeopardy of being left out he’s in such bad form that’s it is in question, I hope he turns it around.
You can argue goalies but that’s gonna be the three and you can swap JJ for bradaric if JJ gets in a roll in bundesliga, but if it is a 26 man roster that’s it in my mind.
If it is 30 then L.sucic and D-CC and Fruk orsic will be there everyone of importance will make a 30 man squad.
Add two goals last night from Martin Erlić
Anyone watch the Panama vs. Mexico friendly today ? Mexico won 1-0
Would be good if someone has (or can) so we get a Panama scouting report
btw: why was Noa Mikic on the bench today ? Anonymous read SN a couple weeks ago and said he’s being sent back to reserves – they change their mind again ? The poor kid is going to get whiplash from this back and forth
Friday 23rd
14:30 Vuskovic
14:45 Pero vs. Semper
Mikic has been poor since valincic got hurt. Not ready for big league, I don’t agree with boban that he should be sent back down not good for confidence.
They signed a black Japanese guy from vukovar so mikic would be third choice moving forward once valincic is back which I think he’s a few weeks away.
I don’t get a lot of Boban’s moves
Having watched Mikic play for our national and Dinamo youth teams over the years I can say that he is not a fullback. He just makes too many defensive mistakes. He is very good going forward but a poor defender.
Not sure that his defensive ability will improve with time ?
So if Bakrar gets sold to Al Ahly will they try Mikic out as RW (unless mono Lisica gets back)?
Why doesn’t Boban loan Mikic to Vukovar for the rest of the season as they must now need a RB replacement and let him get a run of games (with less pressure) there ?
Being 3rd choice is being nowhere in terms of his development (or 4th choice if Galesic is filling in at RB too)
Jaga
It’s what we have been asking for. Hopefully they can keep it up.