Dinamo Zagreb still on 7 points halfway through their Europa League campaign with four matches remaining. They suffered a pretty brutal 3-0 loss to Celta Vigo at Maksimir Thursday night. But hey, a La Liga side is a La Liga side. Not the end of the world. Dinamo conceded in the 4th minute and it was all downhill from there. Although they had 60% ball possession and five shots on goal, they were never in this match minus a deflected save off the post that nearly went in when it was 2-0.
With the loss, Dinamo fall out of the coveted top-8 which would give them a bye into the Round of 16. Top-24 gets them to the knockout playoff round after the New Year. Still lots of football to be played!
Next up for Dinamo in Europe: a trip to France on November 27th to face Lille.
Shocking Dalic didn’t call up another full back or two
Jakic RB and Stanisic LB ok – but don’t need to play 180 – should try other options
Btw: misic should be stripped of captaincy after that performance – based on the highlights – he looked like Baturina strolling around no tackles and half assed putting him leg up to block plays but they just played right past him
Big mistake not to have Lisica come back and support Theopile against that speedy winger – once he flies by once – the adjustment should have been made or send music over there – so they defend 2 v 1 against him
Ante – what happened to Anonymous detailed Kotarski v T scouting report ? Release the beast !
Kovacevic jas done a poor job in my opinion.
1- His rotation at the start of season was poor and now to many players are not in game shape and frustrated. It’s ok to think that mundrazija isn’t for Europe but cmon he’s a great established HNL player who loves dinamo. I honestly do not understand keep local dinamo kids on bench for bums.
2- From the beginning I would have had stojkovic as my 10. This really makes me think kovacevic is clueless.
3- Boban needs to concentrate on Croatian kids. And as the head of the club make sure the coach realizes this. Jakirovic looks like he can play just as well as Dominguez.
I honestly don’t think soldo, stojkovic mundrazija with misic wouldn’t do any worse had they been playing more than Ljubicic, zajc amd Villar and Bennacer. .
I would sign krivak and promote Jakirovic and finally solidify stojkovic as your 10.
Dinamo has been okay when it comes to playing Cro players. They generally start 6-7 Croats and the majority of their bench are Croats too (which is generally unheard of in club football).
But I agree completely on Luka Stojkovic.
He’s probably our most creative talent, and he’s struggling to get minutes. But when he plays, he does very well. He even played very well out of position at RW last season as well. This is just a case of Kovacevic liking his veteran midfielders more.
Re: Signing and playing foreigners…
It should only come at the cost of actually advancing us as a team.
Bennacer makes Dinamo a better club, so I understand that signing. However, guys like Theophile-Caterine do not (so why bother wasting a squad spot on him?).
Other foreign cases like Dominguez and Varela are “buy-low sell-high” opportunities to make money (which is fine)…but I’m not sure if Dominguez was ever even considered a high end prospect like Varela, so I don’t think going through the growing pains to develop Dominguez will pay off the same way as it did like with Dani Olmo. So it may just be a waste of time, or a case where we are developing players for Spain instead of our own. I would rather just try out Zivkovic or these other young Croats instead.
Wait till you read about the Brazilian striker who’s contract in Japan ends in December
Boban signing him on a free – guess DDB and Kule move down the pecking order
Sad
Marcelo Ryan?
Is he any good?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Martinis
I know this website is for showcasing our prowess in sports especially soccer, and nothing else is acceptable, with a occasional nod to UFC.
Miss the Denis Svircic days when the vision was bigger and bolder, and different issues were to be addressed. The victors write history.
I am so surprised an article was not written about John Martinis, the great Komizian, that won the Nobel prize in physics this 2025.
His genetics developed during centuries of figuring out to survive on the high seas, on a remote island, allowed him to make a name for himself in high science.
We are no one trick ponies.
Well the site is called Croatian “Sports” .com.
People bring up other Croat achievements in the comments all the time, but for the most part, people visit this site for Croatian sports updates.
All good
Brain sports = sports
It’s one of the sports Anonymous excels at 😊
Olympic gold medal in the competition of Eye Test
they will most certainly drop points vs Lile and Real Betis and can hopefully beat their last two match’s to get 13 points
The loss v Malmo hurt them
Kovačević lost us this game with the Theophile at RB experiment.
Also, I was never sold on Ljubičić as a starter, despite him scoring twice against Maccabi. Zajc should also not be a guaranteed starter every single game. Dominguez is also still a young project and not as good as McKenna. Maybe we need to look at the CB pairing too.
But it seems like Kovačević has his favorites, and it cost him dearly.
Hopefully he learns from this and starts guys like Stojković, Bakrar, Mudražija and others.
Bennacer will be on the Europa squad for January, so that will be a big boost.
They should beat FCSB, and if they play the right players then they can score points on the other three teams.
Orsic and Musa officially invited for the upcoming matches. Thoughts?
Would be nice to see Orsic attacking on one side and Marco on the other.
Slažem se s tom mišlju. Would like Marco on the other wing. Drive forward Gvardiol and Vuskovic, and play a midfield modric sandwich with two slices of the Sucic cousins.
If I can muse, Don’t know what I would like to do with our continued striker dilemma, but with Perisic losing his speed in his late thirties, why can’t we have him camp out in front of the goal. He has a nose for scoring.
Kao ide Perisic, ide Hrvatska, lets play the record one more time.
Sometimes it’s good to just let go.
Perisic still has a role on this team, only because he’s known to create chances from nothing.
At the same time, his play can be very frustrating. Largely walking and standing around waiting for the ball. Not really pushing forward (which is understandable due to his age).
Guys like Perisic and Krama are very skilled and can be lethal finishers, but the wing positions should be reserved for players who are capable of pushing the ball forward and pressuring the opposition relentlessly.
Krama found himself a good spot in the middle (behind the strikers). I don’t mind if Perisic starts at LW, but we need to be quick to yank him if he’s doing absolutely nothing out there.
Orsic seems to be a guy who thrives in the bigger games. And some players don’t really play better for the Vatreni. I think that many people here have said that Pongracic is a good and skilled and somewhat physically imposing defender, who plays well in Serie A. But for some reason he never quite seems at his best for the national team.
Orsic is at his best in the big games and plays well for the national team. He can destroy top competition, and it seems to bring the best out of him. He has good speed as well which will really help us. Some people were surprised by that awesome goal he scored against Bayern a few weeks back in Champions League. But people who follow Croatian football and Orsic probably weren’t as surprised to see him score a goal like that against Bayern. It is just how Orsic is.
I am happy to see Orsic invited. Musa is more of a question mark but perhaps should be given an opportunity.
Kova and Budimir out
Orsic and Musa in
No Jagusic 🙁
Kotarski vs. #ottenha# (sorry for the delay)
Highlights:
x.com/SpursOfficial/status/1986161599200006243
Thoughts/observations:
– Pre-game line-up in the tunnel. Vicario tried to establish contact / shake hands with Kotarski in the line-up, he looked over a couple of times. Kotarski just ignored him. This is just dumb and shows he’s insecure – if Donna didn’t exist – Vicario would be #1 for Italy and is a much better keeper than him. He needs to grow up and join the keeper union and not act “too cool for school”
– Kotarski is very comfortable with the ball – he’s able to effectively play it from the back – his short passes to team-mates was very good / accurate. His long-ball distribution 3/4 downfield (or more) was OUTSTANDING and perfectly accurate a number of times (see: 10:27, 16:09, 26:38, 45:05 (ET of 1st half))
– 16:49 he made an easy save into his chest from an Ugodie outside of the left-foot shot thru legs of the defender with spin and slight movement (not shown in highlights above)
– 18:20 first goal – up to the first goal – #ottenha# had issues creating – so basically Kotarski gave them a goal to get them started – read on SN a comparison of him vs. Liva – and that he is “wild” – this goal shows this – he comes racing out and completely misses Johnson with the tackle – the replay from behind the net shows his slide was 5+ yards away from Johnson – i.e. he wasn’t anywhere close to Brennan – so there was no point sliding, other than knowing he made a mistake rushing out and decided to slide just to do something – terrible decision making and terrible read – just terrible – even if he was closer to Brennan and comes sliding out like that Brennan could have just moved the ball a bit, take the tackle and generate a red card – again, just terrible
– 50:35 second goal – Kotarski came out but again – terrible read and decision making here – he comes out – than stutters and stops – not sure what to do realizing he’s caught – he doesn’t commit – he needed to get to the ball first – but given his uncertainty and delay – by the time he gets to the ball and kicks it – Muani is right in front of him and blocks it – at that time he rushes back – but it’s a mess – and as the ball is retrieved by Muani and passed centrally to Odobert who shoots for the goal – Kotarski isn’t able to get over
Both goals 100% Kotarski’s fault – there is “wild” and than there is just dumb goalkeeping – this is dumb goalkeeping and inexcusable
– 57′ Brennan red card – after the red card – Copenhagen played worst – and #ottenha# played better lol
– 63:40 third goal – Micky VDV – runs from his 18 yard box to Copenhagen 18 yard box – going through / past SIX Copenhagen players in the process (for all of you who keep telling Anonymous speed doesn’t matter lol) – it’s a goal of the year contender – Kotarski should have been able to save the shot with this right hand (needed better anticipation as there was only a shot to worry about, no pass options) – but was weak and let it past him – bc he didn’t save it – he’ll forever be on highlight reels as the keeper that let Micky score that beautiful goal – of course one of the Copenhagen players should have fouled VDV at some point during the run (shambolic defending)
– 66:35 forth goal – Kotarski angle/over commitment to Romero who passed it – was his downfall – you can tell by looking at Romero’s body shape and head down and angle that he was going to pass it across – but Kotarski didn’t read it well enough to start getting over – if he did he might have been able to save it – again if his hands are stronger maybe he could/should have saved it with his palm – maybe if he gets some tattoos on his hands, they will become stronger? Can’t hurt to try I guess
– There was four other chances that Kotarski didn’t save which could have also been goals – first half Muani shot it wide and another he headed it just over the cross-bar – second half Richarlison headed it and bounced off the cross-bar (no save) and also missed a penalty (off the cross-bar – no save) – if those balls were a bit more accurate – it could have been 7-0 or 8-0
Between Dortmund and #ottenha# performances – wonder if Dalic is thinking of rescinding his Kotarski invite ? He’s clearly not ready for top-tier/level opposition – that’s why he’s playing / moved to crappy Denmark and before was only in crappy Greece
On the Neck Tattoos – they are just dumb and shows his dumb mentality – no issues with tattoos themselves (couldn’t care less) – but it’s silly getting “gangster-like” tattoos when he’s not “living that life” – he’s saving (or trying) to save balls for a living – it’s just fake and dumb – if he wants to “live that live” go live it – but don’t pretend to “be about it” with neck art – it’s contrived, primitive and makes you look like a wanna-a-bee gangster instead of a tough guy – Dalic should tell him to got to a Tattoo removal place and get the neck ink off his neck – similar to when he told Jakic to take the dumb braids out of his hair
I think that Dinamo coach Kovacevic is in trouble and his head could be on the chopping block. First half was awful defensively and this current squad lacks creativity in the midfield with Zajc and Ljubicic being poor replacements for Baturina and Sucic.
Rijeka drawing 1 – 1 in Gibraltar was also a poor result played on a plastic pitch.
Could have been worse with the home side missing a spot kick.
U17 WC we won 3 – 0 against UAE and are in a good position to top our group and get an easier opponent in the knockout stages.
Our defence is looking great, and according to the TV commentator we have not conceded a goal in our last 8 matches which is amazing. Goalkeeper Grahovac looks the goods and so does our left footed CB Jakirovic.
Inexcusable
Mudrazija is inexplicably rotting on the bench
You can’t let 3 goals playing 3 6s/8s in front of the back 4
We had a lot of players in action in European competition this week. Any other reports on who seemed to be going well?
I watched Stanisic and Bayern Munich win 2-1 against PSG. Did anyone else see that game? Stanisic played the full game at left back and I thought he played very well. This was the big show, in Paris, and maybe he was a bit tentative in the very early going when PSG pressed a bit but overall and throughout the game he was effective. I was surprised at the amount of attacking he did, coming up from his position at left back. He was constantly moving up the field. He is doing roughly what Gvardiol did attacking on the left side for City, if not more so. I don’t recall seeing Stanisic on the attack quite that much before . . .
Bayern got a red card late in the first half and Stanisic was one of ten players defending who held off PSG in the second half . . . . They did a good job being down one player, and he was more defensive in that second half . . . . but he still had one fast counterattack and set up Olise for a chance to score on that play. I think Stanisic might be one of our most underrated players. Let’s hope he can stay healthy.
Could Dalic have our right and left backs attacking as much as Bayern does? Is it a different system than we play? They too use four backs.
Erlic scored a nice goal for his side against Celtic. A header off a great cross. Erlic left the game with a leg injury of some kind. He walked off under his own steam and it doesn’t seem overly serious.
Prpic got a number of positive comments from the commentator in Porto’s game against Utrecht. The suggestion from the commentator was that Prpic is a real talent, a player to watch. I’d never seen him play before and he looked effective as the left center back. Passed the ball really well. I only watched the first half. Do we see him as someone with national team potential? (Not this time but perhaps 2028, 2030).
Prpić is probably on par with Duje or Pongračić… but since he’s far younger, he has the higher ceiling and should already be called up.
Gold star for Maminjo
He apparently put pressure on Franjo Grgic parents to start parenting their son – so they followed his advice
Franko Grgic out of retirement and swimming in Croatia this weekend
Article in SN. They highlight Maminjo’s contribution to the cause
Let’s all congratulate Maminjo
Ante – should we start a Go-Fund-Me for the Croats in British Columbia given the Cowichan ruling ?
LOL. Not too many Hravti in Richmond, BC. Unlike other parts of the Lower Mainland like East Van or Burnaby.
But 95% of land is not subject to treaty and therefore subject to risk?
The case making global headlines everyone talking about it
Read something about Kamloops there is another case going on for years but behind closed doors
Crazy
Definitely crazy.
I guess this means we can kick out any foreigner who bought up land on the coast in Dalmacija and Istra.
Our U17’s easily won today over there Emirates if anyone follows that tourney
3-0
Wake me up when they beat one of the 23 year-old filled African teams. 😉
So the Senegal draw was a really good result? 🙂
Yeah not bad.
These tournaments mean absolutely nothing. The only U17 prospect that might become anything is Jakirović and maybe Radoš.
17 is too early an age to gauge Croatian athletes.
I’m sure that in two years, there will be at least 20 Croat footballers (who are currently 17) that become far better than the ones we selected for this tournament.
Venezuela beat England 3-0
Win or lose doesn’t mean much – but they are there so might as well try to win
Maminjo: did you see SN today – your record setting swimmer boy is coming out of retirement and swimming this weekend? Frank Grgic (already forgot the name)
Venezuela beat England 3-0
Win or lose doesn’t mean much – but they are there so might as well try to win
Maminjo: did you see SN today – your record setting swimmer boy is coming out of retirement and swimming this weekend? Frank Grgic (already forgot the name)
Grgić is coming back?
He was a Michael Phelps level talent six years ago.
Career ruined by injuries (although I thought it was a mental thing with him and he just quit).
He would’ve gotten us a ton of Olympic medals.
He’s still young-ish (swimming is a young man’s sport though).
It would be a great comeback story.
It’s too early an age to scout, but let me tell you the guys I love….!!!!
This and Anonymous is why I don’t post here anymore.
Ante lako noć!
Lineup is too weak.
Guys like Ljubičić and Zajc aren’t talented enough to finish on chances or create anything. That Zajc miss was embarrassing. The look of disbelief on the faces of the Dinamo bench said it all.
We need to work Stojković into the starting lineup. He’s too talented to leave on the bench. Bennacer will also be a huge upgrade in January too.
Theophile-Caterine is just making Dominguez and the rest of our backline look bad.
It was a big mistake starting him at RB.
Second half much better.
This is what happens when you sub in more talented players like Stojković and Bakrar.
Stojković created more chances in the 30 minutes he played in the second half than the entire Dinamo midfield did in the first half.
3-1 Celta