The kid is only 18 years old. He’s already starred in Champions League. And he’s already played against the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But the kid “tag” will surely fall off sooner than later as wunder-kind Alen Halilović plays for Barcelona B in the Spanish second division and gets the chance to impress from Niko Kovač’s Croatia side.
Should Croatia get a win against Italy in June, they would be able to cruise into the Euro 2016 draw with the remaining four matches in September/October mere technicalities.
That would be the time to test the younger generation of Croatian kids at the senior level in competitive matches. #1 on the list would be to start Halilović in those matches.
But what he did in Barcelona B’s last match before the most recent international break could be a red flag.
After Barcelona goalkeeper Adrian Ortola Vano was red carded and sent off in the 27th minute of play, manager Jordi Vinyals prompted to sub off midfielder Alen Halilović in order to get another goalie into the game.
But Halilović was not happy.
He took his sweet time to leave the pitch and appeared to pout like a child, ignoring Vinyals as he exited the field. The kid has been slated as “the next big thing” for years, but if continues with this attitude, his chemistry with Croatian teammates may not work.
Fair or foul: did Halilović overreact over this first half substitution?
hey fools look at the fourth goal that srna set up from the corner kick against Norway, he still gets the job done
@ Maminjo
Actually Srna still has a very magical right foot indeed. Just ask the fans of Shaktar Donetsk. So It’s just that he forgets to bring it for Repka. He should just treat his right foot like his American Express Card, “Don’t leave home without it.”
@VatrenaCast
I understand you have your opinion but Soul Champ ima pojma!
@soul chAmp
Since when does the rb position have more running than a wing position?
Ti nemas pojma
@slavonac
Svaka ti cast.
Excellent posts. You nailed it.
RIP Hrvoje. Tragic.
With Corluka’s suspension who do we play with Vida against Italy? Dare I say Lovren? To get deep at the Euros we need to figure out the best pair and get much out of them.
Olic still gives it his all constantly, but the problem is now his all is only a fraction of what it was. He looks like he’s going to collapse after ten minutes for crying out loud! He cannot get to balls in the corner like he used to and when he does he gives it away way to often. You all bash pranjic for turnovers but ignore olics turnovers , remember the Brazil game, come on guys open your eyes up , loved olic but iI think its over now
R.I.P Hrvoje Čustić laka ti zemlja!
Yea, Jedvaj and Vrsaljko will continue getting better these next 1.5 years. It will be difficult to ignore them. Don’t be surprised if Vrsaljko is playing for Juventus next season too.
Yes, I agree with Vida being a big surprise. He’s not a natural talent, but is a very hard worker. He’s a warrior on the field, yet I’ve never seen him make a reckless tackle anywhere near our box. He’s becoming a very valuable asset.
Maminjo & Soul Champ another concern for the Euro Championship Tournament and beyond is our CB pairing. Corluka’s days should be numbered too. Another veteran I will always appreciate but he’s becoming a liability with his lack of pace. Vida has been a pleasant surprise. Damn, wish Lovren could consistently show his Southampton form. Of course our young and coming talent in Jedvaj is arriving. This needs to become settled prior to the Euros.
@Soul Champ
Srna has zero magic left in that right foot. He hasn’t sent in a decent cross it a free kick on target in YEARS.
His value is in his tireless running on the right flank. But most of it is in vain.
I agree completely with your Olić and Pranjić comments. Olić off the bench against tired legs would be very good. Pranjić, as much as we bash him, still has value as a left winger (not as LB). I’m surprised that Kovač doesn’t start him at LW. If you must start him, at least put him where he plays at PAOK.
Full respect to the veterans who have given their heart and soul to the Vatreni.
And we need to shift their roles going forward:
Srna – starts at RW, he can play a David Beckham type role as his right foot still has some magic in it. RB is too much running for him. We have Vrsaljko and Jedvaj ready to run up and down the right flank. Plus it will be easier to sub him out when he tires. When he steps off he can hand the captains arm band to Modric.
Olić – plays max 45 mins. He can start or come off bench in the second half. When he runs out of gas he immediatly comes off. I prefer he comes on as a Sub to go at more tired legs.
Pranjić – LW insurance plan off the bench when we have a lead. Provides natural width and may put in a good cross or two? Strinic is better defensively at LB.
I respect NK stabilizing the program through the first half of qualifying. The veterans have competed for him but we are at the point of diminishing returns from them playing 90 minutes.
I pray NK can now make the subtle shifts that will take us to a new level.
Italy match is an opportunity to secure first place and become a seeded team for the Euro draw.
After Italy all the young studs get an opportunity to EARN their way into the squad that will compete for the Euro cup 2016.
Isus died on the cross today and along with him the cynicism of this world was transformed through faith in Christ.
Bog i Hrvati.
@ olly
“Poor season for Halilovic – just like it has been for Rebic and Livaja. All three need to find the appropriate club for their level. Halilovic would have benefitted from another year in Croatia”
i gotta disagree. I think this season for halilovic is just fine. the competition level of the spanish b division is probably just right for him and probably better than the hns
furthermore, he gets the development skills of barcelona. granted dinamo has been pumping out midfielders through the years so you gotta think dinamio has a decent developmental program as well
it’s ok for a player to have some ego. even necessary sometimes for them to be great. and part of that ego is thinking you are better than your play has warranted so far. everything needs to be done in moderation though. willing to let this halilvoic outburst slide as long as its not a regular occurrence
Kovacic to Barca?
http://tv.sb.eurosport.com/fudbal/serie-a/2011-2012/tv-videos_vid365084.shtml
+++
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/euro-papers-barcelona-inter-milan-104056163.html
Neck tattoos are a cry for attention as is any other visible tat. I have no idea what his issue is at this point in his life. Putting that crap on him explains a lot.
http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/kovac-ga-ne-zove-ivan-martic-odlucio-zelim-igrati-za-bih-412825
what up with this dude? any good?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s78dUo5AORg
man these reporters must get so annoying for these guys… looks like mandzu handling them ok
ZIVA we all know your opinion on the arm tattoos what say you about pranjic’s lips tattoo on his neck? id love your opinion on this one
as i said before my guess more then likely is all three olic, srna and of course sranjic will play at euros
olic and srna i can stomach still playing… sranjic and his lip tattoo on his neck can stay in greece
Kovacic has played in wide attacking midfield positions at club level. So he’s a viable option. Besides, he’s the odd man out in all the other midfield spots, so ya gotta put’im somewhere ya know.
Naturally a striker, Olic has performed admirably in the right attacking midfield role. But the million dollar question is, how much gas does he have left in the tank???
Now Kovac and Olic go way back, Heck they played together. Don’t forget that Niko was a starting Defensive Midfielder for Repka at the age of 37 in Euro 2008. So he might be thinking, “Well If I could do it, so could Olic.” Now if this is Niko’s thinking, we might see Olic make his swan song as a 37-year old on the wing in Euro 2016.
@Vatrena Cast
But you can’t try out Kovacic on the wing because Olic is proven so he has to get the entire 90 minutes.
😉
wasn’t kovacic tried on the wing during world cup qulifying?
Italy wont view the match as a must win. One, it is not must win for them; they are not eliminated if they lose and they are not in bad shape if they lose. Two, the top two teams in the group qualify. Italy will play for the point.
A team like the Netherlands is facing must win games, not Italy.
Shit if worse comes to worse, but kovacic on the wing. He doesn’t have to fly in attack but he canoodle the ball and beat some people, keep brozovic where he is at. Shit id do that way before I played UNPROVEN halilovic or rebic. its common sense. come on now.
Whats the point of giving young guys 10 – 15 minutes on the international level? They can’t grow in those 10-15 minutes especially if we are up by a few. players develop on the club level and should be ready by international level. common sense guys. Halilovic is not a starter, Rebic needs to get it together. You can’t tell me that there is no decent wing player in the HNL that gets regular playing time. Olic is not a winger, he is someone you put in if you need goals and can’t get anything going because he “creates” goals out of nothing. Im not worried about the euros, we’ll find a winger by then.
Subasic Srna Lovren Vida Strinic Brozovic Modric Perisic Rakitic Pjaca Mandzukic. Vs italia.
Well, my fear would be that Italy would neutralize Halilovic offensively and expose him defensively. He’s got a huge potential but I fear he isn’t experienced for the big games yet.
You know, I could be wrong….he could take that game and explode….emotions could work in his favor….but I highly doubt he’d repeat an amazing performance since he is getting less than 30 minutes per game with Barca B, that should tell us something.
We have to look at other options to create, we may have to change the system or play a different formation. The one thing I noticed after this round of Euro qualifying….there were many goals and chances played from the wings and centred into the box, we need to work those flanks and I do think Halilovic can offer that!
@ Slavonac
Vrsaljko at RB.
Strinic at LB.
Kramaric plays off Mandzukic.
Jebi ga start Srna at RW and when he tires bring on Halilovic for him in the second half has tempo changer.
I am with most of your “logic” I am just on the innovative side of what you are standing for.
Rebić needs to sort himself out in the second half of qualifying.
Kovacic comes in the second half as well he has showed enough to warrant minutes.
Italy is going to be epic as they will view the match has a must win.
Modric will once again be the best player on the pitch.
Uvijek vjerni
Good posts and banter boys.
I agree with Soul Champ in that are wingers have been a bit of an issue for some time and we lack some attack from the wing. I was a Perisic hater but dude has been very good for us for the last year or so.
We could use another good winger but as much as I would love Rebic or Halilovic to take this spot they just are not ready. I believe both will in the coming years (I actually think Rebic will show up more of the repka that Halilovic) but they both lack in their defensive responsibilities. Olic plays because the dude hustles his ass off and helps cover the likes of Sranjic. He also still comes up big when we need him.
Agree with Slavonac…we need to have incorporate Strinic and Vrsaljko into the lineup….unfortunately though, Srna will starting for us barring injury.
First off the bench up front is Kramaric….he’s shown some good flashes. Badelj is playing well and has earned the first off the bench in midfield.
As for Halilovic…kid is 18. We need to cut him some slack. We all remember how we were at that age. He is in great hands and will be put in his place should he act up.
They will do a number on us if Halilovic doesn’t play? The last time I check Halilovic creates and scores goals, not defends them. With Kovac’s current system, Halilovic will be pressed to be back at his own 18 and also expected to create goal scoring chances….while pressing when they have possession.
I totally agree we need upgrades but I’m not convinced he’s the answer!
Soul Champ and maminjo. You both are lost. You sound like a high school football coach.
@ Hickory Hrvati
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH4Q8vkbV2U&sns=em
What’s next the world is flat ?
Nothing worse in life than to become an expert.
Once you “know” your dead.
We haven’t had attacking play on the right wing in decades and we are jerking each other off with late market mind pizda?
We have a left footed 18 year old phenom and we are playing the posture game?
The kid is ready to contribute right now. NK find a way to integrate him.
We don’t make some upgrades for Italy they will do a number on us. They play a quick game with Conte and they will be ready. They are due for a good performance and now gli azzurri are humble and hungry.
De Got.- my dream would be to go to Europe and study to be a class “A” coach and learn from different people/coaches! I’ve been exposed to some brilliant people involved in this sport and you’d be surprised at how much our own personalities affect our judgement!
I appreciate the compliment but I’m far from having that type of experience!
Slavonac after niko retires you need to become the repka head coach you know your stuff.
amen Poglavnik!!!!
Great comments Slavonac, Maminjo, Ziva, et al.
Agree with points from all of you.
Bottom line for me is Kum Kovac’s job is not an easy one.
Everyone knows you don’t want to rely on a 36 year old for 90 minutes a game but until someone can take that spot from him and do the work and think the game like him, it’s his to lose.
The youngsters will get their chances when they’re ready and hopefully it’s in the 2nd half of this qualifying cycle. Then hopefully by June 2016 we won’t be relying on Pranjic at all or on 90 minute games from Olic and Srna.
The pucaj comment is what makes going to a local Croatian church or cafe enjoyable for a game. Plus the wafting smell of beer, cigs and rostilj in the air.
Ziva lol on the pucaj comment. I need to ask you – what will make Halilovic deserving of 15 to 20 minutes as a sub for a 36 year old Olic who ran his ass off for 70 minutes?
@slavonac
Good work with the kids.
Thanks again for the informative posts.
olic olic olic
position? when I was very competitive I played midfield…after that, I was forward..
I coach kids…U13. I started out with the absolute worst set of kids North America has ever seen 2.5 years ago…they were worse than the “Bad News Bears”. before the season started I quickly realized…we will lose bad if we aren’t prepared so I started practice 6 weeks prior to the season starting and made sure they practice 2 touch soccer and were in top physical condition… kids need basic skills…if they don’t practice basic skills over and over and over again, learning how to PROPERLY pass, shoot, chest, head….it will be a very short career….basic skills are imperative…. this is of course my coles notes version….we’ve lost 3 games in just over 2.5 years, 6 of my kids went from the lowest level to now the highest level and I stayed behind to coach at the Gold level…developing kids is really a satisfying job…but you don’t see the results until much much later.
@Ziva
your “pucaj” remark made me laugh, I can’t count how times I have seen that at the local Croatia bar
@Slavonac, just curious, which postion did you play at soccer, was it semi pro and have you coached the game
@Buducnost…….its up to that young talent to take the spot from the veteran players. In the case of Halilovic or Rebic, they have not done enough to warrant significant minutes.
@vatrena cast……thanks
@slavonac………hey man, I agree. Never let the facts get in the way. Sometimes fan have a hard time separating reality from what they want or hope to see.
All of us want Cro to win and succeed, but throwing loose terms out there that XXXXXX players needs or deserves 15 minutes in every match is lunatic. it wounds like the drunk corwd at the back of the croatian bar yelling “pucaj” everytime one of our players comes within 30-yards from goal.
We are going to qulify with ease for the Euros and we might actually clinch a spot during the Spetember qualifiers. So, that will leave us with a few games to screw around with the lineup. I doubt Kovac willscrew with it too much, but it will be at that point intime for the likes of a Halilovic or a Rebic to produce at the club level and show they in fact deserve an opportunity.
I think some of you guys don’t understand how soccer works, especially national teams in soccer and you assume a player should be insterted into a line up like they are in the NBA or american pro sports. A first round pick usually is given a starting role. Well, that doesn’t work with international soccer with a country that is contending or hopes to contend.
advocate for the player and then say why
example….Slavonac from Canada has been getting some regular playing time at Wolfsburg over the past 5 games…he has setup 3 goals and has been playing well on both ends of the feel, I think Kovac has to recognize this and give him some playing time…..
not….we have to play Halilovic and Rebic 10-20 minutes per game…because they’re our future!
Ante Rebic has appeared in 9 game and playing a total of 399 minutes…0 goals 0 assists….
Alen Halilovic has appeared in 14 matches has scored 3 goals and has recently had a combination of 185 minutes of play in his last 7 games averaging 26 minutes per game in the Spanish Segunda division…his last goal was scored 61 days ago!
@ny
Pfft. Please.
I advocate a few minutes of playing time for our only other wingers on the team (who happen to be young and green), and the counter argument is just a laundry list of Olić’s accomplishments.
Sorry if I don’t see why playing a very old Olić the full 90 minutes must NEVER be questioned, even though this is all a preparation of a tournament 1.5 years away.
ny…thanks bro, I appreciate it!
wow, wow, wow,
maminjo you just got served by slavonac
Slavonac, the posts on this site the past year have been awful but everytime you post it is worth reading, you back up what you say and it now comes to the point I only look to see if you post, as you say best to move on and be on the same side of our beloved NT
remember though you will have many trying to bust your balls over your posts, stay strong 🙂
subasic 4
gordon s 3 srna 4 vida 3 pranjic 3.5
raktic 4 modric 4.5 brozovic 3.5 persic 4
olic 4 mandzukic 4.5
stars # there is no 5 star player for croatia probleam
Hear, hear Slavonac!!
alright Buducnost, I’m gonna step back on the Olic topic.
I’m desperately hoping someone steps up, otherwise our hopes of final 8 at the Euro’s may be just that, a hope!
some people have to realize the seriousness and importance the job the coach has deciding on who plays and how you play.
I’m looking beyond…and my experience tells me that hope and luck are not part of the recipe for success. good players perform…consistently and there are and have been tons of players that were highly touted but haven’t fully developed into the expectations of them…
lets move on and at least be on the same side for our beloved NT!
@ziva
Your argument won’t fly on this site and is wrong according to most people on this website because it makes perfect sense.
To me however, you are right.
Ohh Slavonac here you go again! Because someone has a differing view than you does not make the other view illogical. Always have and always will appreciate what Olic has done for the Repka but now is the time to try out some of the younger talent as discussed. We must look beyond just our next match but start considering what our beloved NT will look like at the Euro Championship tournanment and beyond. I’m with Maminjo on this.
Maminjo-
my last post to you on this topic.
“This is about Olić taking up 90 minutes as an out of form 36 year-old”
he assisted Brozovic’s goal and ran his ball sack off! I’m certain Kovac isn’t looking at him for goals alone, as I’ve mentioned hundreds of times there are other parts of the game that we have to look at, not just dribbling and making moves but based on the last two days, I don’t think anything I say to you will be agreed on so I’m really tired of trying to explain this.
when we approached the World Cup we were in a more serious situation, we had a core group of players and very few other options that were ready to play, which is why Sammir was included in the squad. Olic created the goal we scored against Brazil and he then scored one they called back…he also scored the first goal against Cameroon…
your comment about Olic stealing goals is ludicrous dude…you have seriously put on blinders and just can’t see the forest from the trees.
the first guy that steps up and takes Olic’s position from him will make me really happy…but whats really sad is that the guy may not be able to retire because nobody has yet challenged him and taken it from him…
Sure, if it is a blowout you can play them. But, you can’t walk into a game thinking that a certain player has to play no matter what. It all depends on the circumstances. Let’s say we are killing Norway when we play them again and are up 4-0 in the 75th minute, but Modric and Mandzuka are tired and have heavy legs. The common call is to take them out and not bring in Halilovic because he needs minutes. You are not going to learn anything about a player coming into a 4-0 game. The other team is done and just waiting to finish the game. Circumstances dictate how you approach a game and what takes place during the game. But, this is nothing new. Anyone who has played the game knows this.
Plus, the repka is not the place for a young kid to develop. That takes place at the club level. I’m reading a lot that we screwed up in 2006 World Cup because we didn’t use the likes of Modric or Da Silva. That could be correct, but those guys were at least playing at the club level. Rebic is not and Halilovic is in the second division and is in the process of being developed.
So, lets stop with the “they need 10-15 minutes per match.” No, they don’t. They need to show it at the club level to overtake a veteran who has shown something at the international level. Plus, the likes of an Olic and Srna do have an established relationship with the coach.
Now, if we wrap up the group with ease and the last two games mean nothing (except for those of you who care about where we are in the ranking and what pot we will be for the Euros), then go ahead and play them. But, for them to get meaningful minutes right now is a disservice to the team and could be a disservice to them as well.
Whatever, geez, blowout or not. I’m not going to resort to dissecting a word here and there to dismiss an argument.
This is not just about Rebić and Halilović.
This is about Olić taking up 90 minutes as an out of form 36 year-old who is having just as shitty a season as our “unproven” young prospects, be it Rebić, Halilović, Kramarić, Pjaca, etc. Yet people like you insisting on playing him because he’s “proven”.
I’m for ANYONE of those guys playing 10 minutes in Olić’s position, and anyone with any sense would know that we’re setting ourselves up for failure at Euro 2016 by continuing with a player who will be on his last legs come tournament time.
All this talk of locker room issues is absurd. If Pranjić starting every game, and Olić stealing goals from our own players won’t cause locker room issues, then nothing will. Lol
Maminjo, I’m not gonna go back and search through your comments but I am pretty sure you didn’t mention the phrase “blow out” game as you’ve just stated, I quote you below.
“So, I’m hearing a lot of arguments AGAINST giving Rebić and Halilović 10 minutes in a blowout game”
once again dude, I have to ask you to look closely at the situation and then decide who you sub in. Rebic has fallen off the face of the earth, Halilovic was just involved in a pretty serious display of “disrespect’ on live tv and all of Spain and Croatia watched his actions while you have a humble guy like Kramaric, who plays for one of the shittiest teams I’ve ever seen in my life….just recently signs a contract, he works hard, keeps his mouth shut and isn’t hungry for publicity…and….he’s also scored more goals in one season that Halilovic, Rebic and Kovacic have combined….and you’d play Halilovic over him?
you just aren’t logical bro…sorry man but the reality of all this is “red i rad”…if you don’t think order and work mean much in this game, you’re wrong!
also….I understand and appreciate your view on playing guys on the outside, as wingers….but a sub such as Kramaric can also fulfil that role for 20 minutes.
in my opinion, I felt Rebic was not only fast and strong…he was also an imposing type of player. his presence automatically put defenders on high alert because he takes them on and he’s not a small guy or easy to contain….but shit, he’s just fallen backwards and its kinda frustrating to see!
So, I’m hearing a lot of arguments AGAINST giving Rebić and Halilović 10 minutes in a blowout game, but I’m not seeing anyone give names or solutions to who should have been ahead of them in the pecking order.
– I’m hearing the name Badelj, who is a CDM.
– I’m hearing the name Kovačić, who is injured and doesn’t primarily play on the wing anyway.
– I’m hearing Srna’s name, again, he’s already starting at RB in which case we’d have to bring in one of our unproven players in in RB spot…
FACT:
Outside of Perišić, we do NOT have anything when it comes to wingers.
So, why is it such an atrocity to play one of our young “unproven” wingers for a few minutes a game, yet it’s totally fine playing a player for 90 minutes out of position who is having an equally bad season at their club?
The players are not retarded. I’m sure they realize that we are thin on the wings, and playing a couple of young prospects at the end of games won’t cause some kind of mutiny. Especially to replace a 36 year-old player who is only starting on the wing because of the lack of depth there.
jm lol completely agree. This place can be maddening and why I infrequently read and post here. Good work Ziva! What about this sabbatical Ziva you’ve mentioned??
Soul Champ I also appreciated your last post. I agree that this team has elements of staleness and we wait too long to shift tactics and bring on fresh legs.
Slavonac as stated I respect your opionons and read your posts. You must be a good man! Your apology was very unPep-like! Much like that douche Ziva – Pep is an asshole. Totally agree with you!
it’s really not about who is the biggest Hrvat, but who lives the most strict “za dom … spremni” lifestyle
it’s quite strange. lately there has actually been some decent back and forth soccer conversation rather than the usual topic of who the biggest hrvat is….strange
Manuel Pamic for LB
Bog
@Ziva and Slavonac
I ususally do not post and have to give you both credit, for the excellent posts and being correct about this topic. Unfortunately too many on this site use emotions or some meaningless statistic to back up the argument they put forth.
@ Slavonac
Sve u redu brate.
I respect your reasoning.
I am just concerned that NK is waiting a little too long in this campaign to begin to turn the page on our plus 33 year olds. We can all agree that Subasic should have started in Brazil.
And Mexico was a debacle.
Also in individual matches he seems to wait too long to shift tactics and put on subs.
Germany as nurtured young players over the years who were having struggles at club level (podolski, klose) who excelled in major tournaments.
Halilovic is this level of player for me.
Messi is the best player ever. And Halilovic is the only Nogomentas I have seen in the last 20 years to be able to bring 10% of what he brings.
There are elements of staleness in the squad at present. We started out flat against Norway. We have not made it out of pool play since 2008. The “chemistry” is NOT championship level. “Good is the enemy of GREAT!”
I am looking at Germany lift the World Cup after creating a generation for ever program and I also see Serbia with 1 pt from 4 matches in 4th place, 6 points back from Albania.
At what point do we drop this Balkan BS and become the world class footballing nation that we are destined to be.
Bog I Hrvati.
whats going on with kovacic? i was reading on the inter forums that he has small tweak on knee and someone else said he may have ligament damage in knee that ain’t no small knock
i sure hope he gets his career back on track
i’m not sure if that works cro vs ant but i wouldn’t mind seeing brozovic tried in that role… he looks like he has a strong shot when needed, his work rate from what i have seen an heard is strong which could maybe mimic olic’s. he will press hard when needed i believe
and slot badelj in the DM role like you said
thats also what i said move srna up some and him and vrsaljko could possibly work well together but someone said srna is too slow… which i don’t get im really not too strong on soccer knowledge but i see srna trying to make runs from defence, common sense tells me its easier to run from a more advanced position. again correct me if im wrong on that
like your ideas cro vs ant
look guys some nice discussion going on… great to see
there is one thing we all can agree on pranjic needs to go… what is it that kovac needs to happen to replace him
for him to mess up euros for us???
im also in the anti rebic and haililovic camp(see what i did there anti-ante lol i kill myself;)
i don’t need to go on about it too far cause slavonac and ziva paved the way… if they are playing well they will get their chance
the defensive changes im all for and for sure badelj has earned some playing time.. he has quietly had one of the better second half of the seasons from most of the repka if not mistaken
as a wise man once told me the cream will always rise to the top… if halilovic is that he will mature and prove his worth… sure if we have a couple friendlies play him then but otherwise till that time in our qualifying use the subs that really warrant playing time
long time still to euro, maybe haililovic and rebic show their worth big time and deserve to play at euro… id be all for that
im sure halilovic has more skills then olic no one gonna debate that but as much as i say i would like to see olic phased out, that guy is the old magarac you treat like shit that wants nothing more then to work hard for you. but may he never do another step over as long as he lives!!
Sorry but Halilovic and Rebic are not ready to start in the Right attacking midfield role. They haven’t been playing well enough at club level.
Besides Kovacic deserves to get minutes ahead of hAlilovic and rebic. And Kovacic by the way has fallen way down the pecking order in the other midfield spots, as Perisic, Rakitic, brozovic, modric, and badelj are all ahead of him. So if anything I’d try Kovacic in the right attacking midfield role.
You could also move Srna up, and bring Vrsajko in at RB.
Or you can put Brozovic in the R-AM role, and bring Badelj into DM.
We actually have many options for R-AM. So I really don’t get this obsession with seeing Rebic and Halilovic there, especially when they aren’t ready. They ain’t exactly tearing it up in the second division.
Maminjo, I’m not biased…..I used to be an anti Perisic guy and I now admit he’s been incredible since the World Cup, I’ve also criticized Mandzukic when he’s been a bonehead. I try to see the game through the eyes of effectiveness and creativity, if a player isn’t contributing by being effective or creating opportunities at a high rate, I think they aren’t worthy of playing time.
Watch the game on both ends of the field and see what they do when they defend, press and attack and see their value! I was so critical of Rakitic in the last Euro’s because he was floating and passive defensively, he’s now much better. It was the same for Perisic….he was so ineffective but as of this past summer, he’s also come a very long way! I don’t chose favorites, I respect a players contributions.
Ziva, you are coming across as the voice of reason on this topic!
Not often I’ll admit to that… 😉
iPhone autocorrect sucks!!!
Soul Champ, yeah man….you can definitely count on it that I’ll take ownership!
I have to first day that I am a fan of his play but at this moment I think he has to do a little more, that’s all! I like his attacking style, I enjoy how he runs at players and takes them all, he’s dynamic and pushes….constantly looking for the lanes to run into and create. I don’t want to come across as an anti- Halilovic type of guy, I’m very very hopeful he becomes a star but I am also a realist and cautious. On a few occasions Ziva has mentioned the chemistry and dressing room and he’s right, you cannot risk playing Halilovic in place of someone else that has proven and earned their time just because he looks like he’ll end up being your future, he had to earn his minutes!
Maminjo, I live Rebic and have no idea what happened to him recently? He was looking like a stud every time he played for us and then he lost the confidence of his coaches….I’m actually concerned for the guy!
If we revisit the comment I made about subs and we look at how many deserving players we have, then it’s important to note that as of today, my first or second sub is Badelj, he’s been awesome for the past few months. Once we take that into consideration, we are left with 2 more subs…..everybody wants to see Jedvaj, Kovacic, Halilovic…..does anyone now agree we have a good problem? How can we sub Halilovic, Badelj, Kovacic, Rebic….and now people are talking about Pjaca?
Soul Champ….sorry for the strong words earlier today!
Halilovic is having an excellent season?????????? On what planet. Let’s leave him alone for now. Barca knows what they are doing. Let the kid develop and earn his spot. Same for Rebic. Dude is not wanted by his coach, hasn’t done anything this club season and we have people saying he needs to play 10,15 minutes for the repka.
Kovac’s job is not to develop the young talent. Development takes place at the club level, not at the senior national side. By this time next year Halilovic or Rebic may warrant minutes, but not right now.
@Chupe agree with you those should try lb spot and Marko Pjaca is real deal he should go on left wing and perisic on right. Rebic Halilovic need to get playing time for clubs.
Maminjo well said. I completely agree.
Lb Barisic Strinic Leovac
Right wing Tomecak Pjaca are better options at this point than halilovic until Halilovic plays regularly for club. Coric looks good too and he plays regularly for dinamo i can see him on squad for 2016. Why not. But Pjaca has potential to be like Perisic.
@Slavonac
Yes, I too do believe Olic does a lot without the ball and is worth playing…but if we are to give playing time to players solely on account for how well they perform at club level (like you insist we do for guys like Halilovic and Rebic) then you have to apply the same brush to Olic as well.
Right now, Olic is on a horrible goal drought. If you use the same logic you’re using for Halilovic/Rebic, then Olic shouldn’t play until he proves his worth (by scoring goals at club level first).
Now, you could argue that Olic has already proven himself on the repka in the past, and doesn’t need to prove himself anymore. But again, if you apply this same brush to Rebic and Halilovic, both have played surprisingly well for the repka in the limited minutes they were given. Enough to warrant continued limited minutes (i.e. last 10 minutes of the game or so).
To be so adamant about one player having to thoroughly prove themselves in order to simply play 10 minutes, yet be so lax with another’s performance and have no issue with giving them the full 90….there are inconsistencies in your logic and an obvious bias toward certain players.
@slavonac
You know your stuff. No one on this site comes close. Same token many will take shots at you. Stay strong. 🙂
@ Slavonac
Duly noted.
Can I count ownership from you when Halilovic comes correct in France.
Halilovic is the best option at right wing RIGHT NOW.
Please don’t pull lame semantics when we find out who has lacked VISION.
My posts are my perspective, take it or leave it.
I remember Luka Modric not starting in 2006 because he “needed to earn his minutes?”
Either you got it or you don’t.
Halilovic has got IT!
@ Slavonac Pjaca Tomecak can do that to so can Rebic so can kramric Mando does it to dont give me that olic defends crap everybody defends but pranjic on this team and sometimes lovren lol. I dont Olic pranjic in 11 NK complains that the igra was poor but he played that 11 lets be honest only the italy game croatia played well v malta it was poor until kramaric came in bulgaria was terrible igra and now norway the igra was poor in first half second half better. As for Halilovic hes only 18 and needs time to grow up but we will see how he progresses. Like to see in freindly Subasic Vrsaljko Jedvaj Vida Barisic Brozovic Badelj Perisic Kovacic Pjaca Kramaric.we all know what modric rakitic srna mandzo are about. What do you think of that 11
@ Ziva Istina Slavonac Iz Kanada is definitely wrong Halilovic does deserve at least 20 minutes a game. He can change a game with his long range shot, skill set and speed you would have to be crazy to think otherwise go look at some of the long range goals he scored for Barca B. So back to your point of
So, if we are tied with Italy in the 75th minute in June, you think Halilovic is the answer? Really???? Yes it wouldn’t hurt in bringing him on he is worth a shot we are first in our group nothing to fear. So yes he could be the answer better than keeping him on the bench for the full 90 minutes which is a waste.
Ziva by the way IMO so it’s obviously my opionion, you are the Fox News Channel of CSR. Just saying..
It’s what Olic does without the ball that has made him deserving of his playing time. Closing down passing lanes, doubling up Srna on defence, pressuring our opponents….he assisted and scored last game. His assist was crucial!
CSR Create an app!
Who else do we have off the bench on the right side other than young unproven players?
Halilović and Pjaca are both having excellent seasons and are definitely worth 10 minutes at the end of a game.
What has Olić done to deserve 10 minutes, let alone start? Both Halilović and Pjaca have scored more than him in every month since November…and they’re not even forwards
Ziva you raise some good points. IMO after last year’s WC performance the locker room atmosphere should have disrupted right then. Time for big change was then. Now we must slowly work this obvious talent. Hell, who knows… We can be pleasantly surprised…
Slavonac is right about Halilovic.
Some of you gusy throw around crazy stuff that he should be getting XX minutes every game for the repka. So, if we are tied with Italy in the 75th minute in June, you think Halilovic is the answer? Really????
You can’t go into a game thinking I have to get a certain play a certain amount of minutes. You can do that on the club side but not for country unless you are bringing back someone from injury right before a big game or competition.
Halilovic will play when he earns it. Has he earned it?????? Nope. If he is as good as we think and/or hope he is, then he will have earned minutes.
Want to disrupt the atmosphere of the locker room????? Play somebody who doesn’t deserve it.
Slavonac I agree with Jedvaj. IMO Halilovic will be a big part our beloved NT’s future and it’s time to work him in, along with our other young and upcoming talent. I could sort of understand your response to Soul Champ if he had called for Halilovic to be our captain! I don’t believe that’s what he said or intended to say.
Buducnost, hahahaha….Pep-like?
my beef with Pep is he takes his personal feelings about players (personalities) on his team and uses it against them…I find that very unfair! Most coaches demand and command respect but in some cases, they also have to be flexible and understand we, as people, are all different and have different personalities. Pep is notorious for judging his players based on how they are with him, rather than how they respond to his direction…thats just not right!
I would like to see an immediate replacement for Olic and keep him around as a sub, but who, at this time is capable of covering the amount of field as he is? who can defend and attack at a high tempo for 70 – 90 minutes…while pressing defenders (Kovac wants pressing)?
I think Jedvaj is a tremendous talent and in my opinion, the best kid we have…he has the most quality for his position, I’d love to see him get playing time but in all fairness, Kovac had to get results and up until the Italy game, we were jostling for top spot…that may have been too much pressure for an 18 year old. He was then injured and has just recently come back, which is why I think he didn’t get a sniff last game! going forward, I want to see him playing…hopefully Kovac includes him and begins to trust him as a defender.
I was harsh with Soul Champ but for the love of God, I just don’t understand why people would think Halilovic has earned anything.
Slavonac sounds like we are not too far apart on this. Maybe it’s timing where we diverge. I respect your opinions and read them. I just find it funny how you diss on Pep but you come off very Pep-like! IMO this transition needed to take place immediately after last years WC debacle starting with Pranjic – done, Olic & Srna being phase out. IMO we need to play a Jedvaj once healthy in place of Corluka for some games. For the most part, I agree with the replacements you’ve named.
ooops…Buducnost…sorry for the spelling mistake!
Budocnost, if you think I am against change, you’re wrong…I am for it but I am also leery of making changes when we aren’t doing it for the right reasons.
my first change would be Strinic and Vrsaljko for Pranjic and Srna…although for Pranjic, he’d never get another invite…Srna still has a role. I’d then give 20 – 30 minutes to Jedvaj…in my opinion, he’s the best prospect we have….then I’d look at Kramaric….
think about this…we have a total of 3 subs per game (I mentioned this earlier on another site today) so we either make changes now to some guys that are ready…ie…Vrsaljko and Strinic…and use our 3 subs for Kovacic, Kramaric, Jedvaj, Badelj, Rebic (once he’s back to playing regularly), Halilovic….
the question is always who and where? each game we have different needs…in some game but less often we change a defender…in more games we change midfielders…and we also see a lot of forward changes so with this said, we MUST not waste subs on positions where we know we have to allow these players to be introduced as starters…ie…Strinic and Vrsaljko and we then have to allow Jedvaj time on the field also….so if he is 1 sub, that leaves 2 more….who do we use in those cases?
@ Anonymous
stop it with these Croatian posts with the bad grammar… you’re making my Google Translate overheat with all these spelling and grammatical errors.
slavonac is right about this, good post
Halilovic is a runty little Bosandzero anyway.. Let him sit his Muslim ass on the bench and maybe lift a weight or two while he is at it… Maybe take some cues from guys like NK and Ziva on what a ‘za dom … spremni’ lifestyle is about before playing big minutes for us.
😀
Slavonac of course you’re right but I disagree. The time is now to bring work in (I repeat work in) the upcoming talent. Let’s raise our horizons from our next match to the Euro Championship and 2018 WC qualifiers.
Anonymous iznad Buducnost,
Slazem se ali ipak mislim da je to sasvim druga tema. No, jos uvijek stojim iza toga da nasi nebuju apsolutno nista napravili i da onaj tzv sastanak nebu nis ucinilo.
sorry Buducnost but in this case, I am right! Halilovic has to earn playing time…who in their right mind would just give it to him over the rest of those that deserve time as well?
Slavonac you come off as such an asshole sometimes. Your righteous indignation is pathetic! It’s time to work in the youth! The Euros are around the corner and after that comes WC 2018 qualifiers.
@Ante B
Kako nista?
“Hrvatsko Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova (MVEP) uputilo je oštar prosvjed otpravnici poslova srbijanskog veleposlanstva u Hrvatskoj Bosi Prodanović, a hrvatski veleposlanik u Srbiji Gordan Markotić bit će pozvan na konzultacije u Zagreb.”
Nije mi jasno koji ga je ludak pustio iz Haag-a, i sta cekaju da ga vrate nazad.
U meduvremenu Hrvatska plese kako Europa svira.
Luk,
If we did that, they would ban us from every international sport out there. And what will be Croatia’s response to this flag burning? Absolutely nothing because our politicians are obicne komunisticke picketine and the rest of us will only huff and puff about it. Except for our navijaci whom the overwhelming majority here refer to as ‘huligani.’
oh those crazy Serbs.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2015&mm=04&dd=01&nav_id=93669
Soul Champ,
I’m not sure if I’ve ever bumped heads with you in the past but your comment is as delusional as it gets….you’re so far off and you give such little thought to the ramifications of how his behavior can fuck up the atmosphere in a team….you can’t see further than the tip of your nose dude!
there have been tons and tons of players in all sports that were great but had personality/disciplinary issues and most of them fade away and have little to no career at all. being part of a team is in some ways as similar to being part of a military force…one guy can fuck the entire group….who the hell is Halilovic to think he has the swagger to shit on everyone around him? he’s what we call a balavac!
…and then for you to suggest “Halilovic should be getting 10-20 minutes every match for the repka on that right wing”….my God, I wonder why you think you can so easily say this and think it warrants a neutral or positive response? I’m ashamed for you dude….you are clueless in this comment and I think you have to consider what you write before you write it….this was so far from the way it is at that level and yet you think Halilovic deserves 20 minutes per game with our NT, where other guys have earned far more respect and consideration!
sorry to be offensive but I just had a hard time not responding to you!
The kid will be fine.
Let him earn his way to the repka. It only pisses off his teammates if he gets playing time without earning it.
typical for a bosandzero
How about a Croatian Johnny Manziel just joking.Luka Modric who was also the best player at Tottenham got taken off the ground early at the San Siro when Spurs were in the Champions League due to a red card from the goalkeeper. Alen Halilovic is also the best player at Barcelona B.
He will be loaned out to dinamo for next season. According to goal.com
He’s a young kid, give him some slack….he will make mistakes and learn from them.
The comment about finding the right team for Halilovic, Rebic and Livaja? I disagree….suck it up and work harder. Too many kids these days look to take the easy way out. Professional sports and success in them is not easy, it is extremely hard. Growing up involves commitment, hard work and resiliency.
This is the problem with today’s culture, everyone looking for the overnight success….those are extremely rare.
If they took me of I would have done a head kick to the coach!
A player should be upset if he is subbed off so early. I’d be more worried if he wasn’t upset. You want a player that cares not one that is indifferent.
This is no big deal. Let’s give him time before labeling him anything. We’ll see where he stands three years from now.
I really hope a Croatian Justin Bieber account is made on the site.
I believe Halilovic apologised for this and not many players would have not been angry at being pulled off before half time. Unless he is getting game time in Barcelona, it was not the best decision to go there just to play in Segunda Liga where they are currently likely to be relegated to the division below.
Poor season for Halilovic – just like it has been for Rebic and Livaja. All three need to find the appropriate club for their level. Halilovic would have benefitted from another year in Croatia. Not that we need him at the moment with Pjaca, Soudani, Marcado and Fernandes all playing well.
@ Sveti Svima
I am calling BS on this sanctimonious sharing around Halilovic.
Yes it was immature and selfish to react the way he came off.
Do any of us here have any clue of what it must be like to play for Barca B? Everyday you compete with the best young players in Europe for the hope of getting but a few first team minutes to show your worth. All the well knowing that chances are you will never crack the senior club squad and have to be shipped off to another club.
Halilovic should be getting 10-20 minutes every match for the repka on that right wing. He is the closest thing we have to Messi in Croatia.
What is up with this dichotomy of either not playing at all to needing to start ?
What happened to 10-20 minutes at the end of a match to put pressure on the tired legs of a team?
AND yes you need attacking players who can dribble past defenders. We have Modric and Rakitic pulling the strings and MANdzukic finishing, Perišić on the left and now we need Halilovic on right.
Halilovic = Real Deal
Now when some of the cynicism starts pouring out here I trust folks will be willing to stand by there words when Alen rips up the competition in France.
Uvijek Vjerni
Exactly the same stunt young Ziva pulled with me when I confiscated his Playstation for a week .
Two peas in a pod.
Croatian Justin Bieber.
that alone shows why he needs to be slowly brought in with playing time. sure he’s talented but he has got to earn his spot. he has been given so much and expects too much too soon… an apprentice needs to put in his time no matter how skilled you are you need experience
i hope some of the older guys on the team can be a good influence
look at kovacic i know he is older but much more mature
i hope we beat the wops just so some of the young guns can get some playing time… would be the best thing for the repka i believe