This is exactly why the CroatianSports.com Team has been rooting for Croatia to finish 2nd in the England group. Whoever finishes 2nd will play the second place finisher from the Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Poland group in the Round of 16. The England match was a nice spectacle and it is disappointing that Croatia didn’t do much offensively, but the real tournament starts Friday vs. the Czech Republic.
In their opening round of matches, Slovakia defeated 10-man Poland 2-1 while Spain laid an absolute egg against Sweden. Spain dominated ball possession for 75% of the match and had five shots on goal but only managed a 0-0 draw against Sweden. They should have easily scored two goals in this game.
This Spain side is going through a lot of growing pains at the moment. The Vatreni just obliterated Slovakia in qualifying. Both Sweden and Poland are average European sides at best.
If all goes to plan, Croatia will beat Czech and Scotland to finish 2nd in group and then play Slovakia in the Round of 16. Imagine that: having to beat Slovakia to get into a stacked EURO quarterfinals. I will take that all day.
“The Vatreni just obliterated Slovakia in qualifying. Both Sweden and Poland are average European sides at best.”
November 16, 2019 was a long time ago and recall the Slovaks were actually leading 1-0 at HT. They also received a red card after an hour, we were ahead 2-1 at that point but that certainly helped get us to the finish line in that one.
Sure the Swedes and Polska are not powerhouses but let’s not kid ourselves, the form this team has displayed the last year puts us on par with those two. We split with the Swedes in the Nations League, FWIW.
Don’t underestimate the opponent.
If full points are not gained versus the Czechs, we better start doing the math on getting in as one of the best 3rd place teams.
It will be tough because we need four points. Wales has four, Finland, Russia and Austria all have three points. One win won’t secure a path to the knockout stage. We need two wins to get second. Or to at least get third, a win and a draw. If we loss to Czech our euro tournament is over. But if we draw them there’s still a chance of getting second. We would have to beat Czech then draw Scotland. I’m hoping England smashes the Scots because a draw for Scotland gives them lots of momentum heading into the final group game.
Imagine playing Slovakia…that would be a gift for us.
Ideal scenario is we ‘get in gear’ vs. Czechs and Scots and get a team like Slovakia in the KO’s.
@Cigan
I’m not going to keep going on about this because I have no problem with you, but you seem like you have a problem with me I guess, at the end of the day it’s just your opinion vs. mine and we aren’t going to agree (nor do we have to), so it would be stupid to keep up a negative conversation when, in the end, we all want the same thing. And that is for Croatia to win games.
But I will say your argument kinda sucks because I can guarantee that you haven’t watched much more than Budimir’s highlights either I have watched multiple games of his this season and last (like I said mostly against the bigger La Liga teams). You’re trying to tell me my opinion on Budimir doesn’t matter since I don’t watch him week in and week out, but I know for a fact not a single person here watches Mallorca play too often at all (and if you do, fair play to you, they usually aren’t very entertaining). I never said Budimir was a pushover, nor am I acting like he is. I simply said he’s not a good fit for our team. I still do think he seems like a weaker player for someone that big and all of our defenders bar Bradaric, Juranovic, and maybe Vrsaljko would likely be able to muscle him off the ball. He needs to be fed some more cevapi or something.
He is in the team for his good form at club level not because Dalic sees him as a possible solution. He tried it in multiple games so far and it has never paid off. Not once. He got a goal against Turkey when we drew 3-3 and got an assist in another friendly against Switzerland. But you know what he did in the Nations League when we had no other options at striker? Nothing. And against Malta when Dalic gave all the backups a chance to shine? Nothing. Modric and Perisic had to give up their rest game to make sure we got the win. Budimir is likely only going to get playing time if we need to throw everyone forward to try to find a goal or if Kramaric and Petkovic are injured. That’s what 3rd string strikers are for. Maybe I’m wrong though and Budimir will start and pull off a masterclass. It’s always possible. I’m just a fan after all, not someone claiming to be an expert like some of the Croatian media.
Also, you now have Petkovic in your new lineup below and not Budimir. I do like it though and I think Dalic will go with something like that with Kramaric as the attacking mid and Modric pushing forward. Might play Kovacic instead of Brozovic, but who knows. I do hope Dalic sticks with Gvardiol even through the criticism the media is trying to hurl at him. It could hurt his confidence some if he is benched now. The one thing that worries me is that I’m not 100% sure how Kramaric and Petkovic will work together. Both like to receive the ball a little deeper with their back to goal and then try to play one-twos to create space. There’s no real foil there. That’s one thing that Vlasic brings in the sense that he’s pretty direct and is never scared to go forward and just take a shot from anywhere. Krama and Petkovic could work, but I’m not sure. Wish we had the chance to try it out some time, but I’m pretty sure that the only time they’ve both been available to play together is literally this summer. Overall I don’t think it even necessarily matters who plays against the Czechs so long as we get our heads out of our asses, stop being scared of playing aggressive, and just play as a team, then we win the game by at least 2 goals.
What happens when Spain ends up in second just to play against us?
We beat them …
They are looking weaker than before but they still shouldn’t be taken lightly
Spain is not going to play for 2nd place. 1st place in their group means they play a 3rd place team in the knockouts
I thought Brozovic was disappointing. Too relaxed on the ball and seems a step late on defense. Dalic said he would play more offensive next game. I’m assuming that means bringing in Vlasic into the number 10 role but I hope he keeps Kovacic in the double pivot over Brozo. Feel like Brozo has logged a lot of min for Inter while Kova is still relatively fresh. Rebic looked gassed too so it’ll be interesting to see if Brekalo starts…
Top 4 of the 3rd place teams go through correct?
I feel a 1-0 loss is ok overall
It’s only one goal on the negative
England should take Czech but do they go light on Scotland
I suppose it’s good they are playing Scotland first rather then the Czechs
All In all, I feel a favourable way of how are games got scheduled in that regard
Those Slovakia and Hungary games seemed so far away now. But goals seemed so easy then
I suppose we needed a coaching change/shake up before tourney like last time perhaps
Whether it’s tactics, lack of players or loss of the room we need a bloody shake up
You could see at one point last game Rebic was frustrated he was out pressing by himself it seemed
I agree with who said it
When you have the oldest guys on the team with modric and perisic appear to be running the most, we have issues
Talent aside the boys need to run
Yes it was hot but there was one play where perisic just chases down I forget who after losing the ball
But he was hauling ass
Talent wise we shouldn’t lose the next two games
Effort and tactics is the problem
Let’s pray for a wake up call
I just hate that we didn’t roll out the youth and random formations a little earlier
Yeah. It’s interesting actually. I ran across a chart today showing where the 3rd place teams will be placed, depending on what 4 groups they come from. Bottom line, the 3rd place team from our group has a 50% (5/10) shot at playing the winner of Group C (likely Holland). Not bad. And even better, the winner of that game gets the winner of the 2nd place matchup between groups A and B (likely one of Switzerland, Russia, Finland). That’s about as easy a path to the semifinals you could ask for.
Why doesn’t Dalic try 4-2-4 ???
I don’t think we’ve ever tried that ..
At this point, Dalic should try anything.
We need a new formation. 2 up top. Why is Dalic stuck on a formation that worked because of Mandzukic? We don’t have a true target man. Play with 2 up top! Krama and Rebic! Brekalo goes out to the right. Brozo and Modric start and Kovacic is the reliever.
Agree 100%
Would like to see how that would work…
Sounds Good to me!
The problem will continue – as Petkovic | gets more times on the pitch!~
Perisic absolutely _ needs to get subbed …
only for these players! -> the else –
Brozovic has to start from the bench |}
………………………..Budimir……………………….
I Perisic….…….Kramaric…………A Rebic
…………..Modric…………….Kovacic………….
Gvardiol……..DCC……Vida……..Vrsaljko
………………….…..Livakovic……………………….
Brekalo -> I Perisic
Brozovic -> Kovacic
N Vlasic -> A Rebic
Vrsaljko -> Pasalic
……………….Budimir……..Kramaric…………………
Brekalo….…….…..Pasalic……………..N Vlasic
………….…Modric………………Brozovic…………..
……..Gvardiol…..DujeCar………D Vida………..
………………….…….Livakovic…………………………….
@ Soul Champ
I think we’ve become a little predictable the last few years. Our aggressive pressing up top with Mandza made up for our lack of scoring punch as it created opportunities. We just haven’t figured how to change and adapt without him and what he brought.
@Cigan
I actually really like that lineup. We need to setup more attack minded and unlock Krama. We tried Rebic upfront (I was all for that) in hopes of pressing like we did but he didn’t seem himself.
I have faith we will rise to the occasion. I’m actually more afraid of playing the Scots as they seem to have our number and are a tough team.
My background is in basketball. My soccer knowledge is limited.
I love all things Croatian.
Especially our beloved Vatreni who I talk to Stari about every week.
Full respect to 2018.
But it seems like Dalić makes zero proactive adjustments going into matches.
All his moves seem obvious and pedestrian.
You have Luka Modrić and Perišić still playing at their peak.
I see talent on all angles.
Figure something out.
Ante Budimir scores goals in La Liga, he can’t score against Czech Republic with our crew behind him?
It is almost criminal that Modrić and Perišić can go for 90+ minutes and we can’t score?
Non running players need to sit this one out:
Petković
Kramaric
Brozovic seems emotionally spent.
We need fresh legs and ideas on the pitch.
Give me all the Splićani:
Vlasic
Rebić
Perišić
@nikola Vukmanic
Sorry brate, completely misspelled your name.
Vukmanic is what I meant.
It’s all good. Don’t worry I’m not offended by Cigan at all. We all have opinions and are passionate about wanting our team to do well. Sometimes it turns into something it’s not meant to be although I don’t think I’ve said anything rude but hey, it is what it is. I work a job where if your feelings are hurt easily you don’t belong so someone trying to come at me for something like knowing every detail of our 3rd string striker, it’s not going to do anything to me.
tired of us playing like pussies, just go all out attack 4-1-4-1:
………………………..Petkovic……………………
Perisic……….Modric…..Kramric…….Rebic
……………………….Brozovic……………………..
Gvar……………..DCC…..Vida……….Vrsaljko
…………………………..Livi………………………….
I think Dalić will stick with Kovačić now no matter what
@ Maminjo
I’d love the England path. Lol.
Totally agree I’d rather take Spain if they finished second over finishing 1st and crossing over worth the group of death.
@ Stari
Well said. Dalic is trying a few things out and ultimately is trying to play our best players even though for some not in their ideal position.
It’s on the players to step it up. In 2018 you could just feel that everyone had once collective goal. Dalic brought them together and look at what they achieved.
We are so hard on the players (me included) but for the most part they are giving their all.
The England game wasn’t completely awful. After that initial 20 minutes it was a pretty even game aside from our lack of creating any offence.
@ Cigan
Sta je s tobom? I get having some banter and back and forth but why go at Vukmanovic like that? You’re coming off like a bully.
This site should bring us together but you seem hell bent to be here to show you perceived superiority in soccer knowledge.
Let’s all get along….we are all here for the same thing.
Let’s first beat the Czechs and the Scots at home (who btw we never beat). Then we can talk about the next round. That’s a big “If”
This teams moral over the last 3 years is at an all time low. We will have to manage more than 2 shots on goal to win.
Watching Dalic’s interview today he just keeps repeating himself. ‘We need to make changes for the Chechs and try some new things out’. ‘We need to attack’. Has he not been saying the same shit for the last 2-3 years since we stopped winning? He said this after nations league games, after our loss to Slovenia, after the poor result to Cyprus, after Armenia, after Belgium, now the same thing after England. He looks like a destroyed man on the HNS youtube. Lost the dressing room a long time ago. Damn it with the excuses we just need a win.
@ Dubrovcan I couldn’t agree with you more. He lost the room a long time ago. He should just hit record and the play button after every game. No ideas and absolutely no vision. This team is a complete mess. I hope someone can get him some help. He’s in over his head.
But it would be pretty awesome if we secured an “England” path to the quarterfinals, lol.
Lose to the only decent team in our group (England) and then beat Czech, Scotland and Slovakia to set up a quarterfinal clash with France.
What if Spain finishes second? 🙂
I would rather play Spain than France or Portugal, so it’s still a win for us.