Italy
PHOTO: inter
Inter and Milan faced each other On Saturday night. After a boring first half the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ took off in the second half to end with a spectacular 2-2. Ivan Perišić was a starter under the new Manager Pioli. The former Wolsfburg star played a good first half though missed a couple of chances in the box. His first try was too weak then a comfortable header was aimed far too wide. Perišić continued his work in the second half and found a deserved equalizer in the last minute.
Ivan Perišić goal
Photo: EPA
Marcelo Brozović featured in the starting line up and went the distance too. The Croatian international helped the team command the game play in the first half with his continuous presence but hardly ever posed a threat and ended up giving away too many balls.
Mario Pašalić derby’s debut was unfortunate. With the score set on 2-1 The former Monaco midfielder came on in the 88th minute and was unable to help his team maintain the lead. He also had a chance during injury time but his conclusion was rather forgettable.
La Gazzetta Dello Sport Rating: Ivan Perišić: 6,5 “A serious candidate for the worst man of the match as he squandered two golden chances. Eventually redeems himself with the equalizer.” Marcelo Brozović: 6 “Plays a delicate role in the middle. Links the play well with some errors and needs to improve his defending.” Mario Pašalić: No grade.
PHOTO: Juventus
Juventus beat Pescara 3-0 on Saturday to sit 7 points clear of second place. Mario Mandžukić played 84 minutes. The former Atletico star could not have capitalized any better on his chances. He first assisted Khedira on the 1-0 goal, then leaves his personal mark in the second half, his goal worth the 2-0. Marko Pjaca missed the match due to an injury.
Mario Mandžukić goal
La Gazzetta Dello Sport Rating: Mario Mandžukić: 7 “MOTM An assist, a goal and precious work for the team. Tries to assist Higuin as well but couldn’t mange. His plays help widening the opponents’ defense.”
Photo: ilnapolista.it
Napoli beat Udinese 2-1 in the stadio Friuli on Saturday. Marko Rog and Ivan Strinić both looked on from the bench. Stipe Perica came on in the 54 minute with the team down 1-0. After two minutes Napoli scored the 2-0 that could have closed the match. The former Zadar striker did not give up and immediately netted his third seasonal goal with a header that gave Udinese hope for the remainder of the match.
La visione di gioco di Stipe Perica è sicuramente una delle note più positive di questa prima parte di stagione.. pic.twitter.com/Ae9kYVq6Gk
— Calciatori Ignoranti (@CI_OfficialPage) November 17, 2016
Stipe Perica was caught checking out the backside of a reporter before the game
Stipe Perica goal
La Gazzetta Dello Sport Rating: Stipe Perica 6,5 “Comes in and scores with a great jump. The giant could not do anything against his header. Third mark of the season. Gold for a substitute.”
Photo: ilnapolista.it
Fiorentina got rid of Empoli easily on Sunday afternoon with 4-0 being the final score. Hrvoje Milić, Milan Badelj and Nikola Kalinić all started and went the distance. Hrvoje had a stuttering first half then improved as time passed by. Milan played a good match far from the home ground. The former Dinamo star dictated the match tempo for La viola in the first half and won the penalty that was worth the 2-0. Finally a full positive performance. Nikola did not leave his mark on the scoresheet but was a pivotal point up front. The former Dnipro star did not have clear chances but participated in the first goal.
La Gazzetta Dello Sport Rating: Hrvoje Milić 6 “Not much quality but a lot of quantity. Milan Badelj: 7 “His playmaking his fundamental. Rejuvenated. Nikola Kalinić 7 “An important display, only missing a goal.
Palermo lost in Bologna 3-1 after being ahead in the first half. Josip Posavec started well with a super save on Krejici. The team surrendered and he was at fault on the last goal of the match which left a bad mark on what had been an overall sufficient performance until then. La Gazzetta Dello Sport Rating: Josip Posavec 6 “Saves on Krejici, could have done better on Viviani. Sampdoria got 3 points on a breathtaking 3-2 against Sassuolo. Ante Budimir featured as an unused substitute.
SPAIN
Photo: Luka Modrić Facebook
Real Madrid came out firing against city rivals Atletico following the international break on Saturday. With Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić playing side by side in the Real Madrid midfield for the entire match, Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat trick in a 3-0 win. Atletico had their chances with seven shots on goal but were no match for Real Madrid. Neither Croatian assisted on any goal but it’s great to finally see the two play an entire game together for Croatia’s sake. With the win, Real Madrid jump four points clear of Barcelona for the La Liga lead. Atletico’s Šime Vrsalkjo rode the bench for this match as his side now sit nine points back of Real Madrid. Barcelona could not capitalize on two Malaga red cards as the clubs ended in a scoreless draw. Ivan Rakitić made a brief 15 minute cameo, coming into the game in the 77th minute.
ENGLAND
Dejan Lovren was given a ‘7’ rating from ThisIsAnfield.com as he was “booed throughout by his former fans, but on the whole, he dealt well with the abuse and kept his cool – unlike last season in this game. Some stray passes in the first-half suggested he was a little rattled, but this was a mature performance that we didn’t see in his early days at Anfield. His confidence seemed to grow as the game progressed. The match ended in a 0-0 draw with Southampton not getting one shot on goal. Liverpool controlled ball possession for 65% of the game but couldn’t find a goal. Liverpool are now tied with Manchester City on 27 points.
Germany
Andrej Kramaric played the first 78 minutes for Hoffenheim as they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at home against winless Hamburg. While on the pitch Kramaric fired away 6 shots, landing one on goal. Alan Halilovic was not in the squad for Hamburg. Hoffenheim. After 11 matches played, Hoffenheim are in a 5-way tie for 3rd in the Bundesliga, while Hamburg are last with just 3 points.
Ante Rebic played the final five minutes for Eintracht Frankfurt in their 2-1 away win at Werder Bremen. Rebic was not involved in any goals, but was on the pitch for Frankfurt’s stoppage time winner. Rebic was in the press this week discussing his desire to make his loan to Frankfurt a permanent move. Frankfurt are in a 5-way tie for third in the Bundesliga with 21 points.
Tin Jedvaj was not in the squad for Bayer Leverkusen as they fell 3-2 to Bundesliga leaders RB Leizpig on Friday. Leverkusen are 9th in the Bundesliga after 11 matches.
France
Danijel Subasic was in net as AS Monaco as they dismantled last-placed Lorient in a 3-0 road win on Saturday. Subasic made three solid saves as Lorient spent most of the game on the back foot. Monaco remain in a tie for 2nd with PSG, three points behind Ligue 1 leaders Nice.
Save: 0:45, 2:30
Russia
Vedran Corluka played the full match at the back for Lokomotiv Moscow in a 1-1 tie at Gazovik Orenburg on Saturday. Lokomotiv are a disappointing 11th in the Russian Premier League after 14 matches.
Ukraine
Domagoj Vida started for Dynamo Kyiv in a 2-1 win over Stal Dniprodzerzyhsk on Saturday. Vida picked up a yellow card in the 33rd minute. Kyiv remain 8 points behind leaders Shakhtar with 15 games played in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 11/22
Bayer Leverkusen at CSKA Moskva(Champions League), Tottenham Hotspur at Monaco(Champions League), Real Madrid at Sporting CP(Champions League), Olympique Lyonnais at Dinamo Zagreb(Champions League), Juventus at Sevilla(Champions League),
Wednesday, 11/23
Dynamo Kyiv at Napoli(Champions League), Barcelona at Celtic(Champions League), PSV at Atlético Madrid(Champions League),
Thursday, 11/24
Internazionale at Hapoel Be’er Sheva(Europa League), PAOK at Fiorentina(Europa League),
Saturday, 11/26
Sunderland at Liverpool, Marseille at Monaco, Hoffenheim at Borussia M’gla, Werder Bremen at Hamburger SV, Borussia Dortmund at Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen at Bayern München, Sporting Gijón at Real Madrid, Ural at Lokomotiv Moskva, Dynamo Kyiv at Volyn
Sunday, 11/27
Lazio at Palermo, Udinese at Cagliari, Juventus at Genoa, Atlético Madrid at Osasuna, Barcelona at Real Sociedad,
Monday, 11/28
Fiorentina at Inter Milan,
~Ante Kvartuč reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN and Salvatore Cagnazzi reporting from Italy
If I insisted that every young prospect in every sport there is was going to be a bust, I would be right in MANY cases. However, in many cases I will be wrong.
Pessimists think they are more “realistic” then optimists, however that is not true.
I don’t know why you ever follow Croatian sports. What satisfaction does it give you?
I thought Vrsaljko was always going to find it hard to start at Atletico. If Atletico are losing or need a goal, I can’t see Vrsaljko getting subbed in, so I don’t see Vrsaljko getting many games this season unless he gets that starting spot, which I don’t see happening anytime soon.
Conclusion, bad move going to Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo just scored 3 in a top 10 derby so you can save that
Answer my question, Ziva!
What about ALL the great players Croatia has produced over the years?
You were pessimistic about them, I’m sure.
.
As I’ve told you many times before. When you’re ALWAYS pessimistic, sometimes your negative predictions will come true. Not all young prospects live up to their potential.
However, you are silent every time one of your negative predictions fail to come true and a young player does live up to or exceeds expectations.
I’m sure you were pessimistic about ALL the great players Croatia has produced over the years.
When was the last time you piped up and said you were wrong about ALL these players?
It’s such negative thinking that leads to depression and self hated.
“the Truth”
How about Kovacic. Real fans are saying he was MOTM today.
Vrsaljko is a good player even though he is struggling to start.
Halilovic, Breklo and Jedvaj (who played the full game today) are still very young. Where was Modric or Perisic at their age?
Cristiano all but coming out and admitting he is gay this weekend. Hope that Moroccan kick boxer keeps him busy and he stays away from upskirting Modric and Kovacic in the locker room.
At least we don’t have to worry about Stipe Perica.
The “I’m a scum bag” truth. Forgot that one bro
@ dannyj
you serious with that one??? everytime i think you guys learn, you disappoint me yet again. so sure, lets run through the list again
halilovic: not even on bench. cannot get into opposing lockerroom to say hi to a friend because security does not recognize him as being on the team
josip bust-alo : anyone seen this guy?
sime vrsaljkoholic: still addicted to benches
tin jedva igra: loving that pine
d-oh-my-god can you believe he’s playing vida: better at drinking games than soccer games
just going to stop here for now
Perisic played well against the MLS worthy Gomez, would’ve been more diffulcult for him if Romagnoli was in the line up. He was dangerous but missed a few chances in first half to bury to game, as a Milanista I’m glad he didn’t. Seems like Montella hasn’t been fair with Pasalic. He was supposedly going to start but when there was a 70th minute sub offensively minded Mati Fernandez came in. Pasalic made a super late cameo. You can see he is eager to play. Hope Montella puts Kucka on the bench next match.
Damn from the sounds of it: Perisic “should” have scored 5 goals in a Derby. Wow! When was last time someone scored 5 goals in a Derby? It has been 19 years since either team even scored 5 goals.
I am sure you guys are counting his turn around, off shouldered, full volley as an effort that he should have been scored.
Fact of the matter: He scored a clutch (ie not mental midgeted) goal most would have not scored. Many threats went thru him. Even Inter’s first goal was assisted by his expertly placed throw-in.
^^^ spot on, perisic had about 4 that he could have should have burried
I watched the entire Milan Derby and have to agree that Perisic was pretty good. Inter was looking to go to him quite a bit. I think the grade is weak because of the chances missed. They weren’t easy, but you expect a guy like him to finish at least one.
What there is no mention of is the chance that Pasalic had at the end of the game. It wasn’t a bad miss but it cold have made him a hero.
reporting Trump’s garbage is one thing, not reporting important shit from wikileaks against Hillary, Podesta, Cheryl Mills, Donna Brazile…..
that was an all out attempt to put garbage attention like TMZ material in the news and keep the out important facts of what the Dems were doing on the back burner!
Ha, BZ would be the type of dad that would rip into his kids teacher for giving his kid shit grades even though the kids a moron. As hard as it is to picture a woman wanting kids with a guy like BZ..
CNN will always be in bed with your party. Reporting the garbage out of Trumps mouth was no smear campaign.
even the truth gonna have hard time ripping into our boys this week
I watched the last 35 mins of the Milan derby, & it was clear that the best player on the field was Perisic. This Italian breakdown (above) of 6.5 is a joke. I noticed he has been getting bad ratings by that site, & now I can confirm the site is more biased against him than Cnn is to Trump.
Two Croats starting/playing for RM during a derby is impressive.
Read somewhere that vida may get a no veto England