Photo: Reuters
With European domestic seasons winding down, the right win against the right team can just about seal the deal for a 2011-12 title. That’s exactly what happened to Ivan Perišić and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday as they hosted German giants Bayern Munich, who at the beginning of the day, were only three points behind last year’s Bundesliga champions. After a scoreless first half, Dortmund’s Robert Lewandoski played a cheeky deflection in front of Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to put the home side up 1-0 in the 77th minute. A Bayern win would have put both clubs level on points with only four games remaining in the season but it was not meant to be as Arjen Robben took a horrible penalty kick in the 85′, which would have tied the match and kept Bayern in the Bundesliga title race.
If Bayern can’t catch Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race, they will have one more shot on May 12th as the top two clubs in Germany will face off in Berlin for the DFB Pokal (German Cup) title.
Perišić came on for Dortmund in the 74′ with zero shots to his name and Bayern’s Ivica Olić did much of the same when he was introduced in the 75′. Dortmund now have a six-point lead atop the Bundesliga table, but all is not lost for Bayern Munich yet.
Perišić celebration (0:25) Serbian international Subotić gets in Robben’s face (2:25)
Dortmund’s next two Bundesliga fixtures will not be a walk in the park by any means. This Saturday, they take on hated rivals Schalke in the famous German Revierderby before hosting fourth place Borussia Monchengladback one week later. Points can be dropped opening the door back up for Bayern Munich who will play Mainz, Werder Bremen and Stuttgart in the next three games. However, Bayern have two monster matches in the Champions League semifinals with Real Madrid to concentrate on as well. Expect Ivica Olić and Danijel Pranjić to get some playing time during Bayern’s final Bundesliga matches this season.
Photo: SkySports.com
It may very well be an all-Croatian FA Cup final this year in England. On Saturday, high-flying Nikica Jelavić and Everton take on crosstown rivals Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in a 7:30AM (ET) kickoff semifinal match. Jelavić was rested in Monday’s 4-0 Premiership victory over Sunderland and should be at full strength for this unique Merseyside derby in London. On Sunday, Luka Modrić and Tottenham will face Chelsea in the second FA Cup semifinal from Wembley at 1PM (ET). Spurs have been out of form, earning only six points from their last five Premiership matches. The slide has opened up fourth place and the final Champions League berth in England, with Tottenham and Newcastle tied on 59 points, and Chelsea only two behind. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea approach this match seeing that they have a first leg Champions League semifinal date with last year’s winners Barcelona on April 18th.
@mali HRVAT
Hvala.
@AllenOutraged
“You do realize Olic made that just because they needed to put some kind of striker in there for Croatia. That doesn’t impress me. Robben has had his issues and cost them in the finals, but how many key goals did he score for Netherlands? He scored against Slovakia, Brazil, and Uruguay. That’s a pretty impressive resume in the World Cup.”
In the previous post you mentioned that Olic was not in a top 200 list anywhere and I was merely pointing out that he was. The article could have picked any other Croatian striker by the same token. He is a highly touted player in Europe. He needs to get out of Bayern and he will be fine as he will have a starting job wherever he goes.
Robben did not score against Brazil in WC 2010. That was Wesley Sneijder with both goals for Holland in that game. Robben with a two goal total in WC 2010 is pretty good I guess however he will be remembered for that terrible miss against Spain more than the two goals he scored in the tournament. I did say in a previous post that he is one of the most talented players in the world @ his position. I don’t know what more to add or say about him?
Oh, I know, Robben looks much older than 28.
Why are we putting down our players like this? Olic has played with all his heart and sole for Croatia Krancar like wise.
You do realize Olic made that just because they needed to put some kind of striker in there for Croatia. That doesn’t impress me. Robben has had his issues and cost them in the finals, but how many key goals did he score for Netherlands? He scored against Slovakia, Brazil, and Uruguay. That’s a pretty impressive resume in the World Cup.
@Mihovil:
Well said.
@AllenOutraged
“Olic isn’t in the top 200 likely if these crazy rankings ever make sense. The fact is that Olic and Robben aren’t in the same breath.”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/948687-euro-2012-power-ranking-the-top-strikers-of-the-16-nations-participating#/articles/948687-euro-2012-power-ranking-the-top-strikers-of-the-16-nations-participating/page/3
I agree that Robben is a fantastic talent, however…….
1 – Somewhat of a Choke Artist – Misses the break away in the WC 2010 final against Spain. A clear cut easy goal but he chokes. The penalty kick against Dortmund was a very poor effort and he was invisible in the CL final against Inter Milan.
2 – Injury Prone – Has spent a good chunk of his career on the bench injured. Missed half of WC 2010 with an injury.
3 – Diving King – Dives like it was his job and he loves it!
Excluding those points I would agree to say that he is one of the most talented players in the world @ his position. However, those points cannot be dismissed and it would hamper a decision to take him on my team. Bit of a head case as well and a cancer in the dressing room.
You can use Robben and Olic in the same sentence if you wish.
🙂
@mali hrvat……you don’t need to win mega millions to buy NK Zadar. You can buy that club for two lambs, a bottle of loza and signed photo of Josko Skoblar
Robben stunk during that game and he is always hurt. Other than that he is awesome.
Damn Colin making some mean jokes right now, didn’t know you had it in ya.
You can rip Robben all you want but the fact is that he’s one of the top 20 possibly top 15 best players in the world. I put that guy on my team in a heartbeat. Olic isn’t in the top 200 likely if these crazy rankings ever make sense. The fact is that Olic and Robben aren’t in the same breath.
Coincidence?
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/04/04/3012510/nestas-shirt-pulling-van-persies-red-chelseas-five-penalties
@ mali hrvat
i agree. i can see them selling both, but, if spurs fail to make 4th, i bet only modric is sold. they can at least sell that to the fans as a reasonable move (because he asked to move). if they move both, the fans might start to get pissed at selling their two strongest assets. i say bale will be there next year no matter what.
as for krancjar, his value is very low so i see him staying to play for spurs. i don’t think he has the talent to be a regular starter for spurs if they are chasing top 4 next year again. but i think hes a good depth player for them. if hes desperate to play every week, then he might try to get out to play every week with a mid-table team or move out of the country.
@mali HRVAT
LOL ‘favoured’ is a nice way of putting it, payed off the refs is more like it…mourinho went on record saying that and ibra jumped on board with him after that match
i have a friend who supposedly ‘has someone on the inside’ and the upcoming real vs bayern game is supposedly fixed, as ‘el clasico would b more profitable’ i seriously hope this isnt the case, i like to pretend the outcomes of matches are real 😀 haha
and seriously if anyone wants to see ‘el clasico’ just go watch la liga
Germany look strong.
I hope to see Bayern win this year, but I don’t expect it. Real Madrid are going to be tough.
IMHO the Champion’s League officiating aids Barcelona’s style of play and hinders English teams. I thought that the officials heavily favored UEFAlona against Milan during their last C.L. match.
@mali HRVAT
i dunno man…la liga r like on another level when it comes to diving
and for his sake i hope he still has some fuel in the tank, im sick of this spanish domination (particuarly barca) and i wanna see bayern win CL in allianz arena (lets just hope he doesnt injure himself in that process…haha)
not to mention euro this summer…i wanna see netherlands or germany take down spain…although i think it might b the germans to do it this year
@Ana:
Busquets & co.are a joke. La Liga is taking over the reigns from Serie A as the most unwatchable (big 4 leagues). I just watched the Madrid derby and there was tons of diving.
Robben is injury prone and dives a lot (for the Bundesliga). Put him in LaLiga and he would fit right in. Personally, I feel as if he has peaked already. Bayern will be bringing some youngsters up to speed and he will be phased out accordingly.
With that being said, he is an incredibly skilled player.
@mali HRVAT
well olic is getting older, thats to b expected but seems to me he still feels he has something to prove, man celebrated like he won the wc when he scored his opening goal vs marseille a few weeks ago
but robben is only 28 and should b reaching his peak soon, not to mention the man is a consistent performer for bayern and still plays a crucial role and i dont agree w. the whole ‘diving incessantly’ thing if you’re referring to him….have u seen a la liga match lately? busquets should get oscars for his performances…
@Ana:
Unfortunately, Robben and Olic are both on the decline. At least Olic doesn’t dive incessantly.
omg that game hurt my heart to watch 🙁 i dont know what was wrong with robben, man fucked up every good opportunity he had, like he suddenly had 2 left feet. I seriously hope my boys at munchen get it together before the CL game vs real…die bayern for CL champs ’12!
I would also spring for 100% of your Greyhound fares and a set of Wahl clippers for Denis.
It has been a boring Friday night. I have been waiting for the Mega Millions drawing. I got 3 and the Mega # tonight. I was super close to buying NK Zadar.
Oh I’ll tell ya. It’s difficult 😉
I agree 100%. I suppose resisting the temptation of endless whores throwing themselves at you can become difficult.
ha @ Mali – Nah, I actually love the guy, but it kind of seems like he is bringing this on himself. Just poking some fun on a boring Friday night.
@Colin:
You seem quite passionate about this.
Although, he has been a consistent NT scorer, I am ready for some new midfield blood during these Euros.
I pray that he works out his marital situation. As a father, I can not imagine divorcing my wife and seeing her move away with my children.
fuck croatian players do suck
olic klasnic
dudu
vs italy buffon goalaaaaaaaaaaaa like 2007 we won 2-0 ahhahhaha
croatia should play 4 3 3
pletikosa
lovren vida strinic pranjic
srna ivolivic rakatic
olic klasnic (dudu) second half
Maybe he’s out with a broken heart. If that is so he needs a kick in the groin and wake up.
Or maybe he fell out a window running from his new girl’s husband. Either way, sounds like he needs to sack up.
LOL how exactly did Niko’s wife screw him over then, if he is the one that cheated on her? Because she was pissed at the dog and outed him? Fuck him …
Please.
@ Ziva – Did Niko’s wife beat him or something? I mean, that’s the only other explanation for his injury. He needs to learn HIS place. And see everybody? This is why we don’t have to worry about Kranjcar leaving Spurs. He’s is not going to want to leave London. His wife and kid are across the continent and he’s got himself an English woman (ew)… But good for him… Niko, Rub out that ass injury and get back to watching on the bench, buddy!
@Colin:
LOL
@Armada….no, the wife did not cheat. She knows her role. Niko found some ass in London and the wife and kid are back in Zagreb.
What? Niko is hurt? What did he do? Pull an ass muscle sitting on the bench? I probably play more soccer than that guy lately.
It wouldn’t surprise me that one of those guys would leave if Spurs don’t make. What surprises me is that people actually use Goal.com for information is pretty laughable. That’s one of the most inaccurate sites ever.
Modric or Bale:
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2012/04/13/3032971/tottenham-to-sell-bale-or-modric-if-they-miss-out-on
It’s still an early diagnosis, but the jist I get from Kranjcar’s injury is that he is out for Spurs remaining matches but he should be back by the time Croatia begin their preparations
Rossi for Italy is officially out of Euro. He re-tore his ACL.
That cedo told him! HAHA!
@ Ziva
What’s the story with Niko’s old lady? She cheat?
@ziva istina
I dont get entertainment from other peoples suffering
Man, tough year for Kranjcar. Not getting the playing time he wants, his wife decides to screw him over and now his is injured. If things get any worse he may take the route of his father and begin to hit the bottle on his way to being an alcoholic. Then again, maybe its not a bad route to take. At least we will be entertained by reading the headlines.
Robben looked rough that game and is looking old. I am trying to be objective about this, but I think Olic would have been equally if not more effective as a right winger during that game. Robben also missed a point blank nearly open net shot in the dying minutes. He also flops more than Dario Srna.
@Joe:
I can see Bale & Modric both being sold. Do you think Kranjcar will take over for Modric or will he be gone by then?
more fuel for the fire to indicate that modric is gone if spurs complete their choke job that they are currently engaging in.
i still think they will squeak out fourth and modric will stay another year but if they don’t…..
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/tottenham-sell-bale-modric-miss-063600617–sow.html
Kranjčar zadobio ozljedu koljena
http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EFFuFEVpZyIMiELuAU&tmpl=coranto_eng_news
Perisic was key in the Dortmund goal.
Two seasons ago Olic and Pranjic started in the Champion’s League Final, now they beg for the scraps.
i agree pizano
olic and pranjic playing in final bundesliga matches?
I think willl depend on the coach..Does he see any chances to overtake dortmund? If he does not, then olic and pranjic might get the chance…I do not know whether a 6 point gap is worth putting the first starting 11 in all the remaining matches…It likely bayern can win either CL or bundesliga or none at all…
As for perisic, i think he can be at most a squad player…unless there are several injuries to starting midfield…if not, i dont see how he can start wk in wk out…furthermore, reus is going to dortmund next season…he will definitely be placed above perisic at the beginning of nx season..as he cost 3 to 4 times more than perisic..And there is gotze who is injured for long..and yet perisic is still on the bench..