Croatia will play four friendlies prior to kicking off their Euro 2024 tournament against Spain in Berlin June 15th. The first friendly will take place against Tunisia March 22nd as part of the 2024 “W Cup” hosted in Abu Dhabi. If Croatia defeat Tunisia, they will then play the winner of Egypt/New Zealand in the Final of this “friendly” tournament on March 26th. If the Vatreni lose to Tunisia, they will play the loser of Egypt/New Zealand March 25th in the United Arab Emirates, CroatiaWeek reports.
That will be the last we see of the red and white checkers until June, when the team gathers for two final friendlies before heading off to Germany: June 2nd vs. North Macedonia and June 8th vs. Portugal.
For this month’s friendlies in the Middle East, Dalić called up the usual suspects with two tiny surprises, in my opinion:
- Perišić is part of the squad. This seems like an anticipatory move by Dalić and the HNS for Perišić to be part of the Croatian squad leading up to Euro 2024. He was technically part of the Hajduk squad this past weekend but all signs pointed to him never coming off the bench. It may very well be the same story in Abu Dhabi for Perišić but maybe his locker room presence is enough for this trip. The fact that Perišić is part of the team means all parties expect him to be 100% ready for Euro 2024 after blowing out his knee and requiring surgery in late 2023.
- 4 goalkeepers; no wingers. Why is Dalić bringing four goalies to the March friendlies when our depth on the wings is so thin? I’m assuming Perišić will simply be training with the team this month as he recovers from ACL surgery and won’t see the pitch in either match. That means the Vatreni will only be carrying two “true” wingers in the squad: Pjaca and Ivanušec. Why not dump the 4th goalie and call up Rijeka’s Marco Pašalić, who played very well in November’s Euro qualifiers instead?
If Budimir can stay hot for three more months, Croatia will have an in-form #9 heading into Euro 2024. Kramarić will surely play behind him as a supporting striker. Modrić and Brozović will boss the midfield while Gvardiol anchors the defense. The question this time around will be: who will Croatia’s two starting wingers be? If Perišić is healthy, he’s a lock. But what if he’s not? Budimir will need plenty of crosses in the box to be effective, but who will be supplying them?
Luka Modric can’t be happy about what Real is doing with him. I get it. He is 38. And less mins keep him fresh for Euro. BUT any savage like Luka needs consistent mins to keep sharp and happy. He was very smooth when he came on! But only 17 mins tonight.
17 je dobro.
Kako i način na koji RM koristi Modrić je doktorski.
You want them to start a man who is almost 40. He will have some starts in him before season over. Today was not one of those days.
I agree
He will have his chance for champions league glory if they go deeper
Guess ancelloti is seeing greater benefit to bringing Luka on when they need to take the game back rather then use up his genius at the start
I’m not too worried
If anything luka will use this as a slight to him and will come out for Croatia With yet another final hurrah to show the world the little bust was well deserving of his balon
As soon as Luka came on, RM started playing better. I’m sure he’s not happy with the situation, but he is still making an impact, and proving that he belongs on the pitch. I think he should have come on earlier, but this game was very choppy, with lots of late tackles and yellow cards so I’m also glad that he didn’t start, and risk getting hurt.
I see that Alexander Pavlovic for Bayern is a stud. Prob Serb with That name im guessing. Seems like he is German property especially raised by Bayern
It really does seem like less Serbs are tempted to play for them then a Croat diaspora choosing the repka
Is it mostly our success that fuels this or a zds lifestyle?
Ziva istina, could surely answer this
Yes, Aleksandar Pavlović is Serbian. Looks like a very good CDM prospect.
He’s still eligible to represent either Germany or Serbia. It seems like he chose Germany’s U20 squad and declined a Serbia callup.
You have to understand that (unlike Croatian kids) Serbian kids grew up watching their team get embarrassed by teams like Azerbaijan and Estonia in qualifying…and whenever they qualified for a tournament, they always finished last (with at least one terrible blowout loss in each tournament).
This does something to you psychologically, especially if you’re a child.
As a child, Pavlović probably watched Serbia get pounded 6-1 by Argentina in a tournament, whereas someone like Luka Sucic got to experience Russia 2018 as a youth with Croatia in the Finals.
Psychologically, you can only take so much losing until you break and Pavlović probably cheered on Germany at their 2014 World Cup win and became more attached to his country of birth than his country of origin.
Sucic was probably dreaming for the day to be called up for the Croatian National Team (like all diaspora Croats). Pavlović likely just experiences PTSD at the mere thought of representing Serbia.
Funny you say that
Was watching a bit of the Bayern game y’day
Looked at the line-ups – and saw his name (A Pavlovic – wasn’t clear if Alexander or Aleksander) – so frantically googled him – than saw the Aleksander
So yup as Maminjo says he is a Serb (but born in Germany)
The commentators did say he is a youth product of Bayern and has been w/ the academy since he was 6 !
From what I saw – would be a fantastic fit for us in the position – to take over for Broz one day – I mean from a playing / profile perspective (and age) – but obviously no dice
But we shouldn’t fret – we have Moro ready for his 2nd cap any day now (lol)
Let’s reach out to him and give him a callup. 😉
Who knows. Maybe he watched us these past several years as a kid and would be more than happy to be part of a winning team.
He’ll have to change his name to Alozije, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem.
Until Pavlovic is capped for the senior Germany team in an official match i.e. WC or Euro qualifier he can still change his mind and choose to play for Serbia. Serbs will not give up on him and I think he will eventually choose Serbia.
Any leak of the new Hrvatska NIKE Euro 24 jerseys?
No clue.
I just want LARGE and CONSISTENT checkers for both the home and away kits…and I want BLACK for the away kits.
I hate that the current ones are inconsistent with all these white gaps all over the kit. It ruins the checkers.
Our away ones are okay, but not enough checkers.
I liked the color scheme for our away Euro2020 black kits, but HATED the mini-sized checkers that just got lost on the field. A grey and black colorless version of our home kit was a great idea…but you CAN’T skimp on the checkers!
Our WC2018 kits were the best. I’d just re-use those. They were perfect.
I am surprised there are no leaks yet as Nike is launching the kits later this month. I prefer larger checkers as well. Black away kit similar to the 2018 kit would be the best option. I wonder if Nike is going to do something different with the Away kit since there have been no leaks so far???
A black with white and red checkers would be cool as heck for the away
A grey jersey with black and red checkers would be cool tho obviously out of the norm
Russia was the best not only cause success bias, they were really darn nice
Even a Serb would have to agree
Thoughts on recent kits: one of my all-time favorites was the 2018 Russia WC Away, Black and Blue checks was a killer combo; I received many compliments from people for that shirt. The home and away that WC were probably the best since the Lotto 98 shirts. The most recent Jadransko AWAY, light blue shoulder check shirt were also very nice. The home version with the broken Checkers not so much. The Euro 2020 home kits were solid with the biggest checkerboard and nice blue stripes down the side. I wasn’t a fan of the mostly black away shirt that year. I’d like to see a more minimalist design for the home shirt this EURO, like the euro 96 shirt and maybe more of a traditional blue for the road version.
Which version of the 2018 Russia Away jersey ?
The one with red socks
Or the one with black socks (they needed to change socks from red to black when playing Russia – bc Russia had red socks as part of their home kit)
I don’t think this sock change was noticed by many – but I for one an offended – that they just mixing and matching the colours at this point – it’s disrespectful
Our kit is a derivative of our flag – when I say derivative – the original sketch for the kit was by Miroslav Šutej – the same artist who designed the modern flag, etc – but we’ve allowed Nike “designers” to veer so from from the original sketch / ethos it’s unacceptable
Here is the sketch if you haven’t seen before
https://sartorial.soccer/2021/06/18/croatia-kit-origins/
Home kit should be – large checkers top (his sketch called for smaller checkers – but larger ones are more practical / visually effective) – white shorts – blue socks (please note the blue is the same light blue as in the coat of arms – as worn Euro 1996)
When is the last time as part of our “home kit” that we’ve worn light blue socks ? 2014 ? We had blue socks – but it’s the wrong blue – it’s dark blue based on the tri-colour flag (as opposed to the light blue from the coat of arms)
From light blue to dark blue to now black
If the away kit needs to be a different colour (I liked the Euro 1996 away kit) – that my vote is to make it in the light blue from the coat of arms – the 2022 away kit had this light blue as the checkers on the left shoulder overlay on the dark blue jersey
There were a couple of cool fan concepts
But usually it’s not anything as cool
Tho hopefully we get some beauties
What has been our best euro jersey?
96?
I liked the simplicity of the 08 away kit
My answer to point No. 2:
Ivušić is going to be cut because he is playing club football in Cyprus. However, before Kotarski and Labrović can jump him in the hierarchy, they both need to prove to firsthand assessments by the coaches that they are better than Ivušić.
As for the wings, Ivanušec and Pjaca will split time on the left at this tournament, giving Dalić three very good options for the euro (possibly four if Orsić comes back). The right wing is covered by Majer, Kramarić, and Juranović. Vlasić is not a winger but is a possible placeholder last resort backup on either wing.
Dalić has a plan for the Euro, and he wants everyone who will be there to be ready to win matches, and in 90 minutes this time, not in PKs.
Ivanušec needs to get back to his 2023 form.
Dude was on fire until he injured his ankle.
Can’t HNS ask Rijeka to “load manage” Pjaca ?
He’s playing 90 min every game now
12 more HNL games to go
Plus these Abu Dhabi friendlies
We need him to stay healthy until Germany
esp. since Perisic / Orsic still have a ways to go
Not a reasonable request to make of Rijeka. They’ve won only 1 title and they’re in a 3 way dogfight right now. Their priority is the league, not the national team. And I would wager that Pjaca himself would prefer to play.
Not a reasonable request to make for any club. Rijeka fans would rather win HNL league title than Hrvatska win a Euro
Pjaca napravio 3 driblinga i zovu ga u repku.
Why would Rijeka want to “load manage” him? Rijeka’s job is not to help the HNS. They want to win a league title.
If HNS wanted to load manage then why call him up.
I had to google to understand the term “load management”. jebiga. sportaši su danas pičke. daj meni “load management”
NBA garbage. Those 48-minute games with 7,000 stoppages on tiny courts a bit too much for these tall guys.
“Rijeka’s job is not to help the HNS”
lol
Sure – but Rijeka’s job is to help themselves
How much does the winning team get for winning the HNL ?
Now compare / contrast
How much could Rijeka make if one of their players gets called up – plays well – and as a result they make $$$ on transfer fee (and potentially future sell-ons)
Think of the largest $$$ transfers of Croatian footballers
All of them were on the National Team
Why do you think they got 9 m euro for Kramaric to Leicester (bc he played on the National Team) – their largest transfer fee
If Pjaca or Marco Pasalic plays well – they could potentially sell him for big $$$
HNS could just not call up and Rijeka players going forward (and Rijeka would lose out on potential transfer fee)
Also – the Latvia games was played in Rijeka – the North Macedonia friendly is being played in Rijeka – Rijeka makes money from these games – HNS can just play the games elsewhere
Finally – Rijeka makes money when their players participate at the tournament (FIFA distributes $$$ to teams based on how many players / days they spent at the tournament) etc
So it’s the opposite of what you think – Rijeka has massive incentive to get their players on the National Team
I think he’s regained his form. He’s just on the wrong team. Feyenoord plays very Dutch-style football with all the short passing, maintaining a set shape, and waiting for the perfect shot or cut from the central striker. Ivanušec is a player who can create, so that system stifles him. If he were playing in Spain or Italy (or maybe even Germany), he would be distinguishing himself more. His fitness and technique are both in excellent shape right now.
From what I recall, he was doing very well at Feyenoord.
Then the injury and I guess he lost his spot when he got back.
I could care less if he starts every game or not for Feyenoord, but just curious if he’s regained his full form or not.
He was one of our best players in 2023.
Perišić is a world class athlete.
I am betting on him to be ready for both Hajduk and Croatia.
Also being around the boys is healthy for his psyche.
LOVE that move by Dalic !
keep your delusional statement
” saying that Perisic is a world-class ”
and nobody knows him | even my mom! }}
Wow
Roko Simic not even called up for U21 squad (for upcoming fixtures Andorra & Portugal)
Considering his pedigree – he must have completely fallen off a cliff
Not only Simic but Beljo and Ivanovic. All three are on the standby list.
You cannot blame Skocic for calling up players in form and those that are playing regularly. Having watched all our matches so far, our U21 have a good midfield and attack, however our defence is poor. Hopefully the defence has been sorted out? we’ll soon see if this is the case when we meet Portugal away.
Crazy
Definetely not blaming Skocic
But questioning our recruiting / assessment at the senior level in assessing potential options at striker / testing new players (at senior level)
I mean what made them think Beljo was a solution vs. Turkey / Wales ?
Bc he scored a couple of goals for his club in September – that’s all it took ? Since than he’s not scored a goal. Now he can’t even make the U21s
I mean they gave him 45 min vs. Wales – yet Dalic gives Baturina / Sucic only 5 min vs. Latvia / Armenia
Someone on here posted Igor Matanovic’s goals in Bundesliga 2 a few days ago – good to see he’s getting his first nod since Sep 2022
Yes, you make some good points. We’ll never know what would have happened if Budimir was called up for matches v Turkey and Wales. Dropping players like Beljo and Simic from U21 cannot be good for their confidence.
those players maybe asked not to be called up. we don’t know for sure.
I read that Matanovic had a shoulder injury that kept him out for months.
Probably the reason why he hadn’t received a cap in a while.
Beljo was injured for a while too. He wasn’t even on the squad list for Augsburg for at least several weeks, but as soon as he was back, he played off the bench. Beljo has a future with HNS. This just hasn’t been his year.
Marco Pasalic has been very bad in hnl since he got capped in November.
Vlasic is apart of this team he has stare zasluge 2 clutch penalties 2022 and he aa long as he plays in Torino and not injured he will get called.
The team Dalic called is what we have at the moment
We can expect the same play like in katar 2022 we dont have better at the moment livakovic is in goal Juranovic Stanisic Vida Erlic Sutalo Gvardiol Sosa will all see minutes at the back depending on tactics middle will be MBK with Majer Vlasic If healthy Sucic coming in. Same goes for attack ivanusec perisic if healthy are the wingers. Bruno and budimir number 9 and mario pasalic kramaric as Rwing
Just need some luck we all know Dalic has it plenty of it to make run into semi finals of the euro
I’ve watched some of the extended highlights of recently Rijeka games
Pjaca looked really good – Marco Pasalic a bit sleepy
There is something to say w/ us starting both of them as our LW / RW – given the “chemistry” they’ve built up playing together the last year at club level (they will at least where each other should be on the other wing at most times)
Up front
Pjaca / Budimir / Marco Pasalic
Could be the way to go vs. Spain in June
Ivanusec and Krama are far better and more experienced players. They have to start on the wings (assuming Ivanusec is 100% fit).
Pasalic needs to get out of Atalanta and get some good game time to show what he can do consistently. He was rumoured to be going to AC Milan a season or two ago but they didn’t want to sell him. Now, he’s sitting too much on the bench and his value is going down. He’s too nice. He needs to force a transfer.
Why wasn’t Jakic called up? Since making the move to Ausburg he been starting in every game and playing well.
And Vida….why? All the assistant coaches are former players who can provide leadership to the younger players. Why waste a spot on him. And other then Baturina & Gvardiol who is young on this squad? We’re going to have the geezer team of the Euro’s.
I’ve looked through the call ups and I don’t see anything too weird except for the fact that both Vlasic and Vida are still called. I might be able to understand why Vida has been called…his experience and he’s a senior member that Dalic might want him there for some type of support for the younger guys. with regards to Vlasic being called, he must have naked photo’s of Dalic…no other way to explain this.
I have had several arguments with my buddy nepoznat over these past 2 years. he even text messaged me to ask how I felt about Brekalo signing with Hajduk for 6 months and I told him I’m fine with it although in the back of my mind I asked myself why anyone would want Brekalo after two VERY SHITTY seasons?? Brekalo is a Dinamo player and naturally, I’d support all Croatian players (except Nikola Kalinic)…in this case I just can’t understand how and why anyone thats paid attention at all would sign Brekalo??? I doubt he’d start for my Vancouver Croatian team (kidding).
with regards to Perisic and Orsic coming back for the Euro’s? I’m not convinced they’ll be ready and I don’t think either will be in any type of form. the injury they both suffered is physically super difficult to recover from and on top of that, you gotta ask yourself if they’ll be mentally ready as well.
I’d love to see Baturina play 45 minutes alongside Modric and Broz. Baturina is slowly getting back to form but even when he’s not, the kid is always advancing the play forward, looking for the through ball and clever play.
Vida is largely a cheerleeder at this point.
Vlasic is a former Hajduk player, so you can argue that he’s an “equity hire”. You could also say that he gets priority because he’s grandfathered into the squad already.
At the same time, Orsic doesn’t get this same privilege…which bothers me, because his impact has been far greater than all of our backups.
I’m not too fussed about not calling up youngsters because we are too close to the tournament to try things now…but we might get bit by this winger issue (if Perisic and Orsic cannot come back).
We really need some depth there, and leaving off Marco Pasalic for a fourth goalkeeper is a stupid move.
We also probably should have someone like Donagoj Bradaric as a pretpoziv or some other winger.
We have the least depth at the winger spots right now and the only experimenting we should be doing right now is in those areas.
Orsic also had bad knee injury. No need to bring him back fast. So, I am OK. He still has time to be healthy for June.
bože ovo je jaka web stranica. ovo je već najavljeno prije 24 sata
zašto si ovdje sve što radiš je pričanje sranja. idi napravi vlastitu web stranicu
brate…. if you are going to use google translate, please use it correctly.
Ma bratee!!! Mi ‘Rvacki razumijemo i govorimo kao i materinji
možda si jedini ovdje
Dalic said he has confidence in players that qualified for the tournament and no reason to make significant changes
Sure – but than why
Pongracic – do we really need 5 CBs against Tunisia (who scored 1 goal at African Cup – and finished bottom of their group ?) – he’s last played for us Austria 3-0 loss in June 2022 – he hasn’t been “part of the group” who qualified (he was on the bench in November) – so why a 26.5 y.o. gets the spot (instead of some youngster)
And on stand-by we have:
DCC – do we need a 6th CB in case on of the 5 get hurt – come on – he’s 27.5 y.o. already and last played for us alongside Pongracic in that 3-0 loss to Austria
Erlic/Pongracic/DCC – all the same age – Satulo couple yrs younger – at some point we need to pick one to play with Gvardiol – and stick w/ it – so we have stability in defence / at the back. Unless he’s planning on playing Vida this summer alongside Gvardiol – in which case even less reason to have 5 CBs
Give the 5th CB spot to Luka Vuskovic or some other youngster (from U21s)
Barisic – he was left off November squad / games – presumably bc how he performed in 2x October losses Wales / Turkey – so if we already cut him – why do we put him back on stand-by – can’t we just put whoever is the LB for the u21 on stand-by – how many “average” 30+ do we need around for sake of the squad
Moro – he has been benched the last 4 games in Serie A – before that in 2024 – he has been given limited minutes – there is zero reason based on club form why he should be on stand-by – never mind he’s almost 26 and has 1 cap to his name – come on – can’t we put who is next defensive mid in line from U21 on stand-by
Also
Orsic – if Perisic getting to join to be part of squad – why not Orsic too – how much longer till he returns ? Seems like playing favourites. Even if Perisic is back in time for Germany – he’s 35 and will be recovering from a serious injury – he will need games to build up fitness level – we can’t just slot in him starting squad and play him 90 minutes every game – also realistically – we need to be prepared in case he gets re-injured
Ditto for Luka Sucic – if he’s the future – let him join to feel part of squad (esp. since we know his injury isn’t serious)
Does Belinho have his citizenship yet ? Call him up and cap him in the last minute of one of the games 😉
P.S. nice to see Kotarski get called up – but the issue is how many more years until Livakovic retires – not going to really work if he gets his debut in late 20s / early 30s (Subasic retired when Livakovic was 23 y.o.) – u kind of need next gen goalie to be 10 years younger – unless we’re saying he might be better that Livakovic and take over after the Euros (you 1000% can’t change goalie now – that will completely destabilize the back/defense)
We seem to suddenly have good keepers in Livakovic, Kotarski and Labrovic.
Maybe it’s a good sign that young Croats are finally making peace with the idea of playing as goalkeeper (which was always seen as a punishment growing up).
I know that Oršić is still injured, but I don’t think Dalić cares for Oršić much.
Oršić is a big reason we got the bronze at the World Cup.
He was also unfairly excluded from our Nations League games, and I think we’d beat Spain with Oršić in the lineup.
Even if he’s back playing, I think Dalić will exclude him from the Euros (which would be another mistake).
Orisic always over performs for the national team. He is dependable in so many ways. Such a shame. I ask myself, what is it we do not know, for Dalic to have no esteem for him. It puzzles me. Going to a better team and getting benched doesn’t change your capability.
Conversely, in the past we had Kovac, always bring up Pranijic.
In fairness to Pranjic – Bilic kind of killed his club career
Pranjic was an offensive winger at Heerenveen (32 goals in 129 games)
Bilic called him up to play LB for national team
He played well vs. Germany in 2008 (assist Srna goal), etc in the LB position
And next thing he knows he’s at Bayern fighting for the LB position
From their the rest is history – always stuck in LB role (club and country)
Always wonder if he was allowed to stay in a purely offensive winger role how his career would have evolve
Since we’re still trying to justify a spot for Vlasic on the field (after 50+ caps) – maybe Dalic should try him out at LB (as he isn’t talented enough to play as a #10 – and folks say he can’t play wing – so still don’t understand exactly what he does on the field)
Take a look at Pranjic goals at Heerenveen
Excellent free kicks (goals), long-range missiles, penalties
See as e.g. goal at 1:05 – a carbon copy of the goal Budimir just scored – maybe we should have tried Pranjic as our #9 ?
y*utube.com/watch?v=eQ-FqUr6qlY
Imagine if we had a winger with this offensive talent today – they would 100% start every game and we’d be raving about them – but back in 2008 the only spot for him was at LB (to accommodate Rakitic / Kranjcar) and than he got stuck there rest of his career
So when people criticize Pranjic defensive ability – its a bit silly – what would you expect for a speedy offensive minded winger (taking all the penalties for his team, etc) – when you slot them back there ?
It would be like taking any other short speed winger (e.g. Saka, Raheem Sterling, Salah) and playing them at RB/LB and criticizing their defensive ability
Orsic is one of our best players. He needs to get substantial minutes.
If orsic is healthy he deserves a place
Like I’ve said a few times
Him and petko still have a special connection
If you throw them out for the a quarter of a match together
It’s like one super sub
I guess we just have to trust in dalic
Surely luka gets to approve the list?
4 goalies is special kind of stupidity tho
But I guess it is what it is
Doing it just for experience
But realistically
What are the chances a 4th keeper especially under dalic will ever see the light of day???