The Croatian national side has a huge week in front of them. On Wednesday, they face Lionel Messi and World Cup finalists Argentina in a friendly from London, England. Four days later, the Vatreni take on Italy at the San Siro in Milan in Euro 2016 qualifying.
After a World Cup we would all like to forget, Croatia have been perfect since returning from summer break. They defeated Cyprus 2-0 in a friendly before taking three straight victories over Malta, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan to start Euro 2016 qualifying. Sure, that’s not the stiffest competition a team can play against, but Croatia have scored 11 goals in that stretch without conceding once.
Manager Niko Kovač looks to have the team back in good spirits after one of the poorest 90 minutes I’ve seen Croatia play in my life versus Bulgaria. Add the rumblings we heard coming out of the locker room that players were unhappy i.e. Nikica Jelavić leaving the team, and progress has been made in the past month. That showed in Croatia’s 6-0 thumping of Azerbaijan in their last qualifier in October. The team went out without mercy and played at 100%.
But what does that mean going into this week?
The team needs to be careful regarding the next two games with Croatian press and fans alike putting everything under a microscope this week. What’s most important is how the team plays. If Kovač has his boys go out looking for goals and playing without fear, we shouldn’t be worried about scoreline. If they play like they played against Mexico at the World Cup, making it look more like a chess game than a soccer match, sound the alarms and light up the flares.
Regarding the Argentina match, it’s only a showcase match. Remember this folks. It’s absolutely phenomenal that the HNS could lock up a team like Argentina after the U.S.A friendly fell apart, but none of the big stars will see all 90 minutes, that includes Messi, Mandžukić, Modrić and di Maria. None of them will be playing on all cylinders either. But it is a high profile friendly for Croatia, so the young studs should rise to the occasion. Look for Croatia to build some confidence going into the Italy match and please disregard the scoreline. Hopefully they can go at Argentina and play with some pace.
As for Italy.
This is a slightly revamped (from the inside out) Italy side with former Juventus coach Antonio Conte now at the helm. He has given players like Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza the chance to shine, and they have not disappointed. Italy is back on the upswing after a shocking World Cup which saw them go 3-and-out, losing to Costa Rica along the way. Italy hasn’t particularly impressed in Euro qualifying, only defeating Malta and Azerbaijan by one goal, but be sure they will be ready to face Croatia with first place in the group on the line. Their players, as well as ours, all know that Italy has never defeated Croatia in a competitive match.
As the current crop of Vatreni players try to keep that streak going, we need to know this is not a do-or-die game. Both Italy and Croatia will qualify automatically for Euro 2016 finishing 1-2 in the group. And although first place is on the line, this is more of a statement game for Croatia than anything else. Croatia need to stop playing like they’re scared to score goals.
The players shouldn’t be scared to take a rip from 30 yards or clean out a player with a hard tackle, knowing a yellow card is awaiting them on the other side. This Italy game is all statement. And this is the first time Croatia will be able to go into the Lion’s Den since November 2007 at Wembley to slay a European giant. Already knowing they qualified for Euro 2008, Slaven Bilić and his boys went into London and slayed the Three Lions.
It’s time for Croatia to bring that fire back. And if they bring it back and fall short, we shouldn’t be worried. Because Kovač has this crop of players aiming for more than just qualification. More than just another name to be picked out of a bowl.
With Croatia having nothing to lose this week: Expect Fire.
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How can I watch Croatia vs Italy online thanks?
I think I’ve made the right call in deciding not to head over to West Ham for the friendly match tonight. It looks as though our B team will be facing a spanking by Argentina.
Are the rumours true that each of our boys will be wearing a price tag instead of their number on the back of their shirts?
Here is the starting 11 for Croatia tomorrow – 4 players making their debut.
Nakon treninga izbornik Niko Kovač održao je press konferenciju na kojoj je novinarima izdiktirao početni sastav: “Kalinić – Vrsaljko, Jedvaj, Lešković, Leovac – Antolić, Badelj – Milić, Kovačić, Sharbini – Čop.”
Od ovih 11 igrača čak će četvorici (Kalinić, Lešković, Leovac, Antolić) to biti prva utakmica za seniorsku reprezentaciju dok trojica (Jedvaj, Sharbini, Čop) imaju po jedan nastup za Vatrene.
@ jarac
I respect that ur boy doctor has a dream and made a video but the song sounds bad.
Where’s the beat and the hook. Needs some work.
@Živa
Why is fear of being humiliated an overreaction?
That’s our name out there. I don’t want to see it smeared with a 5-0 scoreline. Anyone who doesn’t care about that has no pride.
It’s also natural to not want our FIFA ranking to drop either. Us being placed in our Euro 2012 group with Italy & Spain was due to us dropping in our FIFA rank prior to the tournament. Those points matter.
@JM
socro fits in perfect in cro, people in cro dont get jacked, unless there cocaine dealers. they get fat and wear a speedo with no shame. just hast to shave the taliban beard.
I concur, not the smartest time to be doing something like this.
I fear that the likes of Di Maria, Tevez, Messi and Aguero will leave our young inexperienced defenders scarred for life. Talk about being thrown to the wolves.
Being humiliated tomorrow is not the end of the world. It makes Kum Kovac have to answer questions as to why Puppet Suker scheduled this in the first place.
I’m looking forward to the overreaction tomorrow by some of you and complaints how this will lower our FIFA ranking.
I just pray that we’re not humiliated tomorrow.
Jedvaj, Vrsaljko, and Kovacic are starting at least. Halilovic is coming off the bench too. So there’s at least SOME quality on this team. But with guys like Sharbini, Antolic, and Leskovic starting…this is definitely a ‘C’ team with many guys obtaining their first cap with the team.
Not the smartest time to be doing something like this.
Wait a second, Kovac is leaving his main squad, and taking his reserve team to play a friendly in London? Does ANY of this make ANY sense?
They got a critical encounter this Sunday against Italy, and Kovac just leaves his team during crucial preparations. It would have made more sense to have a friendly played in Croatia (although the Argies wouldn’t come) this way Kovac can be with his entire squad during this whole damn period!
And as far as this little friendly against Argentina, there is an eerie sense of impending doom….now I know what the people on the Titanic felt like….
So Cro couldn’t look more like a bum, but god bless I guess.
i got a good kick out “from the coast like kukoc, my whips a fishing boat”
ha the video is pretty funny. socro needs to hit the gym a bit if he’s going to be rocking the cro speedo though
Nice video.
Honestly, Croatia is so beautiful that it’s flat out impossible to make a bad video when filming there.
I watch Game of Thrones only for the scenery. The plot is okay, but the visuals are awesome.
since noone responded to my link. Check out my buddy SoCro, aka cico, he released a new hit from croatia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFu3nML19DM
@Dave
Yea. I think (like us) Srna is expecting too much from both Inter and Kovacic. The kid is only 20. When he was first purchased by Inter, I never would have guessed that Inter would be starting him right away. I thought he was guaranteed to be benched for a season or two.
He’s definitely had some growing pains, but who cares. Inter is not my team, and I don’t care if their record suffers as a result of trying to develop their young players. Kovacic plays in a top-6 league and against decent competition in Europa as well. That’s more than anyone can ask for at his age.
Now if Srna is commenting on HOW they are developing Kovacic’s skills, then it’s a different story, but I doubt that. But it’s not like they are playing him out of position or trying to suppress any of his talents. They let him roam free in the midfield, as his highlights have shown. I wish they pushed him to shoot more (as I don’t think he’s ever developed his shot), but his bread and butter will be those runs and defense-splitting passes, and he’s been doing a lot of that in Serie A these past couple of years.
@ARMADA
I’m also paying close attention to Kovac’s learning curve as well.
He had a pretty weak debut in Iceland (with some disastrous selections in the starting eleven and some very horrible play) so in my opinion he started off pretty low. The World Cup was a mild improvement where he got his wing rotation (kind of) correct by starting Perisic at RW and giving Rebic some minutes here and there at LW, but it was obviously not enough of an improvement with the obvious gaffes being Sammir and Pranjic, along with his indecisiveness in our central midfield rotation. He may have improved a bit with this lineup in the last game against the Azeri, but it’s hard to say. Sometimes people can make a lucky call…but I really hope he doesn’t suddenly think that this diamond formation will work on every team.
Either way, he’s not yet good enough as a “tournament coach”. He’s still nowhere near good enough and if this learning curve plateaus in any way, we’re fucked as we’re guaranteed to burn yet another tournament (effectively ending the Luka Modric reign with nothing to show for it).
It’s such a terrible shame to have football talent like this, and we’re wasting it by trying to develop coaches.
The only justice to all this would be if Bilic and Kovac become amazing coaches over the years coaching club football in Europe and pay us back by coaching the National Team AFTER they’ve become experienced enough to do so.
Whats with Srna saying kovacic should leave inter milan because they aren’t a world class team like before.
The useless tit has been playing in the shit ukranian league for his entire career.
Last time i checked italy isn’t the best league but much better than ukraine.
I don’t mind kovacic playing in italy for 2 to 3 more years his still young and getting tons of playing time.
Hope this article is a misprint of what he really meant.
Ziva… we get it you hate Mamic and puppet suker and all your other stupid nicknamed guys. you don’t have to repeat it every day
@ Horvat
He might not be our next NT coach, but Bilic will coach the NT again at some point….
Bilic isn’t the best coach, however, I would be happy to have him now.
I’m sure he would at least get the lineups right with this crop of talent.
@ IvicA
I think the jury is still out.
The real problem is the vetting/interview process for NT manager. Just look at the guys we have brought in, as mentioned in an early post of mine. We’re a solid top 20, top 15 side in the world, led by coaches with little to no experience. What if were like the Russian FA in a way and would open up the pocket book for a top notch coach?? who knows…
The fact remains we know what we have with our savez. With NK, it was a crapshoot (unfortunately) with the WC and he drop the ball big time. What I’m really keeping an eye on is his learning curve; will he make the same mistake of not using a holding MF vs. a strong side like Italy? Will he utilize the Modric/Rakitic combination correctly? Will he finally settle on a good CB combo and stick with it? Will be finally figure out the mess at LB? If he keeps making the same mistakes and not figuring things out, I’ll be the first one to roll out the carpet for Kek and bring him on.
………………..Mandzo……
Olic………
Perisic……..…….Rakitic
………….Modric..Kovacic…
Strinic..pranjic..Corluka..Srna
……………….Subasic…………….
I know there were a lot of negative times throughout 2009-2011 during the Billc era. A lot of underperforming, but the team (when healthy) against quality opponents were excellent. One thing you can’t take away was Croatia against European powerhouses in Germany, Spain, and Italy played excellent in all three games (minus first half against Italy). I’ll always give him credit for his part in that. Obviously England wins were huge, but I rate the three other countries much higher than England.
In 2008, he brought in Rakitic to start against Germany after Petric missed a few good chances against Austria.That helped solidify the midfield more.
In 2012, he brought Modric in a more of an attacking midfield role and brought Pranjic at left wing to spark up the comeback against Italy. Then his lineup against Spain to keep the game at 0-0 before going all out attack in the last 30 minutes was excellent.
Mixed feelings about Billc is fine, but in what they did in those three massive games in major tournaments was incredible, Always will be a legend to me.
nicely said IvicA!
The jury isn’t still out on Kovač.
After that World Cup performance, he’s in the negatives. We know what we have in Kovač. He’s learning on the job, and he might improve but in order to negate the failure in WC2014, he’d need to reach the quarterfinals at Euro2016.
It’s likely we just make the Round of 16, and he finally gets his dream job of coaching in Austria (now that he’s proven himself using Croatia as his stepping stone) and moves on with the belief that he did a good job.
It’s very possible that we achieve great things even with Kovač at the helm, but that would only occur as a result of our talent and Kovač just stepping aside and allowing our best players to do their thing (which I hope he does).
But once Kovač is done, I really hope that someone else doesn’t snap up Matjaž Kek before we do. He’s a tournament coach, who knows how to make his team show up for the big games. He may not win HNL this year, but he’ll always have Rijeka do better in Europa than any team in our league can.
Ivica A,
I agree with you.
My only concern is that this isn’t going to happen any time soon.
Because of the talent we have, the team is going to continue to succeed.
re: Kek
I just hope they don’t make the mistake they made by not closing the deal with Srecko Katanec back in the day (and us going with Cico Kranjcar)
Granted, Cico had probably the least amount of talent to work with out of all current and former NT managers… but since Cico, we’ve hired 3 straight managers with little to no experience… Stimac, enough said. NK, jury is still out. Bilic, mixed feelings – we had a great Euro 2008, a disaster for WC 2010 and were just unlucky with the draw at Euro 2012 (he’ll coach the NT again down the line).
I’m still all about riding this out with NK and seeing where we are at the end of this qualifying cycle, but if Kek is available down the road, we should jump on him.
He coached Slovenia to a few tournaments and took a pretty average HNL team, got a few decent signings and now has them as the 2nd best team in the country for the last 2-3 years with very solid performances in Europe…
Well on the bright side, Matjaž Kek is getting a lot of respect from the media and other HNL coaches.
If and when Kovač leaves (or is fired), I think Kek will be considered as coach. He speaks the language, is connected to Cro football via the HNL, and would not be expensive.
Once he becomes coach, this team will reach its full potential and we’ll be a top 5 team throughout his reign.
If I were coach,
………………..Mandzo……………
Perisic……..Kramaric…….Rakitic
………….Modric..Kovacic…
Strinic..Jedvaj/Vida..Corluka..Srna
……………….Subasic…………….
Disappointing to see Pranjic, Lovren and Brozovic resting for the Italy game while guys like Kovacic, Strinic and Jedvaj are playing against Argentina.
This is the most talented team we have had since 98.
I get the impression that Kovac has not learned from his mistakes. I think he is by far our weakest link.
does anyone know any good betting sites for the match vs Italy?
Hatred?????? Not from me. Where have I ever hated on another hrvat?
Last friendly against Argentina we won 3:2 a long time ago. Croatia is paying 11.00 for the win.
i don’t know what to say about that…
ill just let ziva unleash his croatian hatred on him
but surely all of the men who died fighting for cro are rolling in their graves
on another note, saw that lovren has a little brother signed to dinamo. anyone know anything about him?
On a side note, I found CICO, I know u guys have been worried, but our friend was up to making a music video that silly guy.
Watch the link new music from cro. Really shows what a good time is to be had in our eastern block balkan gypsy country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFu3nML19DM
damn, Doper Cilic needs to get back on the juice.
thats sportsnet pacific
guys in vancouver… italy game is on channel 22 on sunday
i guess we have to thank the wops for this… to be given the prime channel
…meant to say that the Croatia-Italy match will be live on Fox Sports 1 on Sunday at 2:45.
Uefa has changed their qualifying schedule in a positive way. The games have now been spread out over a 3-6 day event.
Back in September, it was 6 days, from a Thursday to the following Tuesday.
This time around, it will be held from Friday November 14 to Sunday, November 16., with games at either noon (EST) or 2:45PM (EST).
Buy yourself an Xbox and enjoy all the coverage over 3 days thru ESPN3.
The good news this time around is that Croatia- Argentina will be on BeIn sport on Wednesday, and will be live on Fox Sports 1 (here in the States) on Sunday at 2:45pm.
Here’s an excellent link to this weekends schedule;
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/qualifiers/season=2016/matches/index.html
excellent writing Ante, nice work!
Danijel Subašić
Gordon Schildenfeld Dejan Lovren Tin Jedvaj Danijel Pranjić
raktiktic brozovic modric perisic
mandzukic kramamic
srna should retired
Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Ivan Vargić (Rijeka)
Defenders: Ivan Strinić (Dnipro), Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos), Šime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), (Rostov), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer), Marin Leovac (Rijeka), Marko Lešković (Rijeka), Ivan Tomečak (Rijeka)
Midfielders: Mateo Kovačić (Inter), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Alen Halilović (Barcelona B), Mato Jajalo (Rijeka), Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo), Marko Rog (Split)
Strikers: Nikola Kalinić (Dnipro), Ante Rebić (RB Leipzig), Duje Čop (Dinamo), Anas Sharbini (Rijeka)
Preparing in Zagreb, the following players will also await the encounter with Italy:
Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Danijel Pranjić (Panathinaikos), Ivan Perišić (Wolfsburg), Marcelo Brozović (Dinamo), Ivica Olić (Wolfsburg), Mario Mandžukić (Atletico Madrid)
subs vs italy kalanic kramaic sharbini cop
Kovac interview:
http://hns-cff.hr/news/6306/kovac-argentina-je-jaka-ali-zasto-mi-ne-bismo-iznenadili/
Great job summarizing everything up Ante. Very surprised that Ballotelli got called up, given his form. Conte didn’t seem so high on him following the disappointing WC. I can’t see him starting, but could come on as a sub if Italy are down. Immobile is the striker that I’m probably most worried about. Only Italian striker that has any real pace and can score from outside the box. Not sure if he starts though.
I will be at teh stadium for the game against Argentina, not sure if I will be in Italy for the qualifiers game. 😉
http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/openhouse/the-real-estate-market/croatian-terrorists-bombed-this-crestwood-house-in-1980-buy-it-from-bosnia-for-600000.php
Who wants to bet we will see a Yugo flag by these bastards.
Balotelli is due for a break out since he has been so awful at Liverpool. Need to cover him good.
Pirlo is out, which is huge for them.
@Ziva:
I agree with Ante.
lets just hope that piece of shit keeps making money hand over fist and hopefully his retirement will come early
or he just dies. i know thats not the za dom spremini way of living but if he accidentally fell down a flight of stairs would the world miss him???
am i reading it right the italy game is on sunday?? im guessing im wrong, but if not since when have they done qualifying games on a weekend?
Mamic will never have a change of faith like Saul on the road to Damascus. Maybe things will improve when he retires….
and because he isn’t going anywhere, it is tough to really get behind these guys. Some of these guys are beholden to Mamic (Modric, Vida, both sides Lovren) while others have a bad taste in their mouth from dealing with him (STD Corluka).
It’s the reality…yes.
But I want this group of players to just play for themselves. I know that sounds selfish. But it is what it is.
Why should they (or us) get punished? I want to see them beat Italy. I want to see the streak grow.
Mamic isn’t going anywhere for awhile. You and I already know this.
I’ll be honest…….its not easy to root for Cro knowing Mmic is pulling the strings with Puppet Suker and our coach only has his job because of who his kum is. No other reason.
Now, as many of you guys know, I do live the “za dom….spremni” lifestly and I try to advocate that to all of you at various points in time on this website. But, even for me as someone who does abode the codes of “za dom…spremni” lifestyle, it is painful to see scum like Mamic and Puppet Suker succeed. That is why I am not as emotionally invested in this qualifying campaign. Win or lose or tie against Italy, we are going to qualify and nothing we do in this cycle (good or bad) will matter once the Euros kick off in the summer of 2016.
I guess at this point all I am hoping for is that none of our fans show up for our home games. Showing up is accepting the Pupper Suker and Mamic’s of the world.