What a disaster start for Croatia’s Euro 2024 campaign. However, the Vatreni look to keep their historically solid record in the second match day of tournaments against weaker opposition in Albania. With that being said, the boys can NOT afford to take the Albanians lightly as they showed some quality in keeping a tight score line against reigning European champions Italy in the first match day. What tweaks should/will Dalić make ahead of the Albania game kicking off at 9am EST on Wednesday June 19th?
Above is the expected line up for Albania. Dalić spoke out about his concerns with the whole Petković penalty situation, so expect Budimir to remain at striker. Pongračić has also been subject to much scrutiny following the Spain match and will most likely be benched. This would result in either replacing him with Erlić or moving Gvardiol back to his natural position and bringing in Sosa at the left flank.
Dalić subbed off Modrić and Kovačić early in the second half as he folded his cards and accepted defeat in order to rest the midfield duo for Albania. However, Brozović was given the full 90, indicating he may not be seen in the eleven come Wednesday. Instead, a 10 will likely start in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Moving Majer inside will allow him to play in a more natural role and should Perišić be deemed fit, expect him to start as he was our most direct threat in attack since being subbed on. Kramarić would most likely shift to the right if Majer were to be brought inside. I would highly doubt Luka Sučić would be given the start at the 10, and thus if not Majer, only Mario Pašalić should be considered a possibility in attacking midfield.
Simply put, the Vatreni need all three points from Albania. Should this not occur, consider our Euro hopes pretty much gone. I think this tweaked formation gives a stronger defensive foundation and also adds an offensive midfielder to help convert the chances we create, that being the largest issue in match day 1 against the Spaniards.
How should Dalić line up against Albania? Do you stick to the midfield trident or does Broz warm the bench?
Watching ESPN Bet Live tonight on ESPN2 and that Salazar guy from ESPN was brought on for soccer talk (because the hosts of ESPN Bet Live have no clue).
He said the Spain-Croatia score wasn’t indicative of the play and the Spanish goalie had a lot of work. He likes Croatia on the -1.5 goals line tomorrow.
For what it’s worth. Jebi ga!
Euros have become messy since the 24-team format was introduced
Then there’s the 48-team World Cup in 2026. Ridiculous.
Put NC State in there and it won’t be so ridiculous
@ anonymous
When i first started making a lot of money, i just gave it away without thought. I quickly realized that is a poor roi and since then I’m very focused on philanthropy which isn’t just giving but giving with a focus of where each dollar is most effective. Saving miocic from only fans wouldn’t qualify
Back to soccer
This reminds me a lot of euro 2021 when the line up was changing sporadically and no rhythm was established.
I think a big part of Croatias success in recent years has been the continuity and the positive effects it has
I’m happy to see brozovic still in the line up. To remove him declares the medal winning era of modric briz and kovacic dead. After such incredible success, I’d like someone to prove it dead before throwing in the towel.
Dear Dalic
Did u see 19 y.o. Arda Guler thunderbolt strike earlier ?
Best goal in the tournament so far
That’s what Marco Pasalic can do
But only if u give him a chance to start tomorrow
Love,
Anonymous
I support those remarks. Speaking of dynamic wingers, wonder where Orsic is as well this cold blusterous day?
I wash my hands of Dalic chosen lineups since he stopped taking my physic messages.
Pjaca is an ever-evolving talent to arrive some promised grand day.
Orsic was a proven producer in the here and now.
Play Sosa, and put Gvardiol back to CB, his natural position to restore order, while we fight to score a single goal.
Stipe Miocic just launched his OnlyFans
WTF
Can TheTruth2 wire him a few million if he agrees to delete it ?
Can’t believe nobody told him it’s for chicks to show their t*ts for a few bucks
Pepe 41 y.o. starting for Portugal today
Of course also 39 y.o. Ronaldo
Age is not an excuse – pity party stops
They also play like shit
Chechs got robbed the 2nd goal. Should have been a foul and free kick on the other end when the player recoeved a shoulder to the head as he was about to chase the ball behind the last defender.
Yeah, the “top” teams always get help from the Refs.
I agree guys. I am an amateur referee with 15 years of experience and there has been some questionable refereeing to favour each of the soccer powers. The Portuguese push/bodycheck caused a turnover which led to the winning goal in the other direction immediately after. Sabitzer of Austria getting shoulder-barged in the back by the French defender should have been a penalty, which would have made the game 1-1. Then Mitrovic of Serbia had the same thing happen to him by Trippier of England, which is another 1-1 result that should have happened. Even the penalty for Croatia was strange since they claimed Perisic encroached but if you watch the replay, there was a Spanish player that was also a whole step inside the box with his other foot on the penalty area line as well. The penalty kick according to the law should have been retaken since both teams encroached. Then the penalty kick to start with, should have been a red card not a yellow card to Rodri of Spain. Yes, Petkovic goes down easy but if it called a foul, then it has to be a red card since Rodri is taking away a sure goal. Then lastly, take a look who refereed the games of the so-called powers, an Italian refereed the Portugal-Czechia match, a Spanish referee did the France-Austria match, an Englishman refereed the Spain-Croatia game, and Modric’s most-disliked referee Daniele Orsato (Italian)does the England-Serbia match. It is a strange coincidence that all of these matches were refereed by people from the so-called powers and almost all of the so-called powers have benefitted from strange calls made by referees from other so-called powers. The Italians had a German referee who did a good job in the Albania match but the Italians got into the Euros a day after the FIFA president claims that it would be a shame not to have Italy at the Euros. This was when an Ukrainian player is taken down without a doubt in the penalty area by an Italian in added time and an Ukrainian win would have sent Italy to the playoffs; the opposite of what happened. There was not even a VAR review on the play which was even more shocking. With all of these “coincidences”, I am starting to wonder if there is already some sort of fix that is in or are they trying to get the soccer powers in the tournament to be there as long as possible in order for more money to be be made by UEFA and the federations of the soccer powers.
Gvardiol posted some pics on the Gram with “Nema predaje!”
No further comment necessary by anyone
In Gvardiol we trust
Aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska
Nema predaje nema predaje nema predaje nema predaje
Aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska aymo Hrvatska
Nema predaje nema predaje nema predaje nema predaje
Latest media reports are suggesting that 3 changes are likely for Albania.
Petkovic in for Budimir, Juranovic in for Stanisic and Perisic playing at LB with Gvardiol going back to partner Sutalo as a CB.
Petko flops to try and get Rodri a red car instead of guiding the ball for 4ft into an open net and Dalic is going to reward him with starting against Albania?
Also starting Perisic as LB is totally retarded. Yes lets play another player out of position when we have Sosa who is a natural LB.
I like Juranovic starting. He shouldn’t be treated like a cast away for having a so so club season.
Hopefully this is just hearsay and Dalic is not this retarded.
Budimir shouldn’t have bailed on that coffee chat with Dalic
If this is true, then it really is gonna be a “Christmas Tree” formation, with Petko up top, and Majer and Krama in the Attack Mid roles behind him.
And with Perisic and Juranovic pushing up as wing-backs to provide width, and crossing. The Trident of Broz – Modric – Kova maintained, with a possession based football with two wingback providing the width.
I mean yeah, this should be enough to defeat Albania, but is it good enough for a big team???
Woulda been nice to throw on Marco Pasalic as the 5th sub in the Spain game, to see what a pacy winger can do. Coulda taken of Majer to rest’im for the Albania match.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8WfLGVNGoa/?igsh=YmdvODY0aTVieHcz
Vlasic is done. Really stupid of Dalic to bring him. Waste of a roster spot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8WhAO3M_gG/?igsh=azNrYTR6ejhlbm05
I guess I was mistaken with my earlier post. According to Dalic, Vlasic really wanted to go to a big tournament, so it’s all good. ????
Players get injured. Who would you have picked instead?
Orsic
Could have brought orsic…..
Ditto
Don’t buy the penalty bullshit, playing happy families. If it was someone other than one of the Golden boys they would be gone faster than a fat kid on a Snickers bar.
@ Cigan
To je to !!
……………………….Budimir………………………….
Pjaca ………………………………….Marco P
…………………………Majer…………………………..
………………Kova…………….Modric……………..
Sosa…………………………………………………..JJ
………………..Gvardiol…….Erlic……………………
………………………………………………………………
…………………………..Liva……………………………
Albania match is calling for a “B” team special.
This is the match where our squad depth comes through to keep us at our freshest for Italy and beyond.
Brozovic and Kramaric cannot start this tournament.
Seeing Slovakia -Denmark etc …
I was again struck by what running down the offensive flanks does against any defense.
I would still bring Perišić off the bench but give him 40+ minutes tomorrow.
Sučić
Petković
Pasalic
Stanisic
Tomorrow is a Balkan special.
Then the battle of the Adriatic on Monday.
6 pts please !!
Why don’t you guys acknowledge it already?
We are years away from challenging the world
The gap between our quality might get bigger!!
but it certainly won’t get any smaller.
More than formations or strategies,
Football is about building a team with starts.
The difference between our team and the top team is simply too great.
Modric was the only one who stood a chance against those favorites.
but I see now how good our team is. I admitted this team has potential,
We are still far below those favorites. No matter what we throw at them,
with one look, they will return it twice as good.
We can struggle, but we will never beat them.
The real world isn’t that easy!!
This is why I told you guys are too delusional/!
4-2-3-1
……………………….Budimir………………………….
Ivanusec…………………………………….Marco P
…………………………Majer…………………………..
………………Kova…………….Modric……………..
Sosa…………………………………………………..JJ
………………..Gvardiol…….Erlic……………………
………………………………………………………………
…………………………..Liva……………………………
Cigan je Cigan
I’ll take that.. Perisic love the guy but not ready for more then 20-30 minutes.. it’s got to be Ivanusec/Pjaca…. I like the wild card in Marco P but I believe he wil start Krama then get his chance.. Sosa will get the nod and Stanisic will rest and give opportunity to a more speedy Juranovic…
Don’t appreciate forum moderator deleting my posts.. Mozda sam uvrijedio kojeg komunista ovdje? ZDS! Eat that pederko…. Vidim da netko kida moje komentare kad tad…
Utakmica protiv Albanaca bit ce ko borba izmedu Ottomana I Rimljana.. tesko ce nam biti a na kraju dizemo Barjak!
nothing…
in a sport that the Spanish can do
just for this one they impress me—>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmRf41SVHS4&ab_channel=Olympics
The amount of favoritism that France received is insane. Only going to get worse as the tournament progresses. Reminds me of 2018 WC. Poor Austria.
yep, soo true!
Should have been a hand ball for that one cross Austria had. You can tell that the referee favoured France for the minor challenges.
The goal kick given to France after Baumgartner’s shot was clearly saved by the goalie was ridiculous. We have all seen corners or goal kicks given when they shouldn’t have, but they are usually cases of small deflections that were only confirmed on replay. But this was as easy a corner kick call as you could have. And a minute later, France “scores” the only goal of the game. Ridiculous.
I dunno. This is the first match I’ve seen with Austria. Looks like a high energy low skill garbage team. Usually a recipe for someone to get hurt. And we lost to these guys? Shame on us.
Pjaca Kramaric Marco Pasalic
Kovacic Modric Majer
Perisic Gvardiol Sutalo Juranovic
Livakovic
I get why he wanted to take the penalty. He wanted to redeem himself and get rid of the demons of the nation league loss. He made things worse . He had a wide open shoot at goal and blew it .the way we line up vs Albania make no difference. Remember some teams line up better with others . What did not work with Spain could work with Albania because they don’t have the skill Spain has . It’s not that these team have our number . It’s we are own worst enemy who implode . We fall behind and fail to have the skill and luck to overcome our bad circumstances. At the end of the day however we line up we need to score . Something that has been missing. Goals win games .when the chance presents itself we have to put it in or someone will put us in .
Ante – JUST IN !!!
***.vecernji.hr/sport/ekskluzivni-video-imamo-snimku-razgovora-dalica-i-petkovica-sve-su-rijesili-1777883
Very smart of Dalic
Coffee with Bruno 1 on 1
Also – Perisic providing cover for Bruno – saying Bruno spoke w/ him and they agreed Bruno should take the penalty
Perisic (and Dalic) know that Bambi Budimir is a completely useless and Petkovic is better option
So everyone okay know
If we go w/ a #9 – let’s make it Bruno
You know for some reason when Perisic was being subbed in I was like is he coming into striker role?
I’ve been saying it for years
He is still fast enough and more then skilled enough and a way to extend his repka longevity
I know it sounds absurd to some
But how would a pjaca Perisic Mali pasalic sound like
To me it’s some fire power with press
If you wanted to play a press style
Maybe ivanusec is a better option for pressing on the left side
I don’t know the speed comparison with ivanusec and pjaca
But I know the middle and right side would have skill and press
But what do I know
I’m just a random internet coach
Trust the boys can figure it out
But got to have majer somehere behind striker and or kramaric(I prefer majers current form)
Old pasalic to sub when we need an injection of freshness
You know Guys, not having orsic is a bummer but I bet having rakitic right now not many would bitch about it
I know people have things to say about Musa. And those comments are fair . He started to find form and done well in Dallas . You think it was mistake that he was not ask to come in as sub at least . Can things get any worse .
Musa needs 1-2 seasons in MLS. He will only get better as he pushes towards 30. He will be a late bloomer. Nothing worst than riding the bench in your mid 20s.
Thank you for the reply. I feel he can be big player. Just a matter of him finding form playing time and being on the right team.
And as a reminder – Slovakia beat Belgium w/ 2 37 y.o. in starting 11
So let’s stop the pity party that we’re too old – that’s no excuse
If not in form – no play – only players in form – play
Belgium w/ a prime 32 y.o. KDB with Doku and Troussard as outlets as well as pillon Lukaku couldn’t score 1 against Slovakia today
Best result possible for our boys
They see other “top” teams can have an off-day where it just doesn’t work
One game at a time (stop talking about Italy or the knock-off rounds) – the Albania is a de facto knock-out game – nothing else but that matters
Also – I see everyone saying Satulo can’t play w/ Pong or Erlic – in that case – the issue is Satulo – if he can only play with the best CB in the world Gvardiol – not the defensive partners – Satulo couldn’t make it at Ajax – while both Erlic and Pong where mainstays with regular 90′ at their Serie A club – so I’d actually drop Satulo – he does take way too many risks (there was a moment earlier in the game – where he was being pressed – and he did a cute right foot ball behind the left foot turn – this is absolutely crazy to in when ur in ur own box – where if he get it slightly wrong the presser picks up the ball and gets a goal)
Call me crazy – but I thought Pongracic looked way more “stable” as a CB – I’d rather see him paired with Gvardiol
Regardless of how we lineup I’m pretty sure we won’t repeat the defensive gaffe’s we did against Spain…and thats why we lost. you can go in circles and discuss why Gvardiol played at left back and say it was a mistake but I rarely saw anyone complaining after we beat Portugal. He was fantastic in that game and both Sutalo and Pograncic were pretty good as well (vs Portugal). The reason Gvardiol started on the left is because Sosa has been pretty bad so I can’t imagine he would have defended well against Yamal and we would have most likely looked for Krama to come back and double up defending….which would have been worse for us.
Kovacic was our best of the 3 midfielders, not sure how anyone wouldn’t acknowledge that. Sure, he sucks at shooting but he broke through lines and created for us.
We had 3 75% chances and on most days, those were goals. I don’t think the score truly represented the game….Spain scored on every chance while we didn’t. The good thing is we did create chances and thats important. I
I’m not throwing in the towel. If we play like we know we can, we will be more than ok. Our team hasn’t drastically changed because of that loss although I keep telling you guys that we need to learn how to win in every game we play…even when we aren’t at our best.
Agreed 100%. Kovacic just needs more confidence. He can dribble he just needs more confidence with his shooting.
Sutalo sits back when he should press and presses when he should sit back. Perfect example is the Ruiz goal. He had no reason to sit so far back….he should have attacked him once he got by Modric. Not just stand there and screen the goalie and let it go between you legs ffs. He is such a liability with his positioning and decision making.
While I agree Budimir couldve pressed better, if its not a team effort with the wings and a midfielder joining then theres no point in even trying
The is no way you can play Sutalo with either Pong or Erlic. There is a reason why Sutalo was in the dog house for the majority of the season at Ajax. His positioning is horrid. He lost the starting CB position to the 21 yr old Turk. He takes to many risks that lead to turnovers. He played the same way at Dinamo. If Pong or Sutalo start as CB’s they need to be paired with either Gvardiol or Vida. Throwing Pong into the first game against Spain was a mistake……he has not played with this group enough. Dalic did the same thing with Gvardiol in 2020. Either one of Gvardiol or Vida need to start as one of the CB’s. I am also OK with pairing Gvardiol/Vida vs Albania. Sutalo & Gvardiol did well against Morocco at the WC third place game. Sosa & Juranovic also should get the opportunity to redeem themselves. Not sure why he was thrown them to the curb so quickly.
Juranovic – Vida or Sutalo – Gvardiol – Sosa
Perisic & Marco Pasilic as the wingers. Budha up top. Kramaric can come in for Budha in the 2nd half.
Perisic – Budha – M. Pasalic
Kova – Majer – Modric
Jurano – Vida or Sutalo – Gvardiol – Sosa
Livako
Subs: Krama for Budha, Ivanusec/Pjaca for Perisic, Broz for Kova, Mario for Majer, Susic for Modric, Stanisic for Jurano
@ZDS Lifestyle
Sutalo has shown the capability to have worked with Erlic and quite well in fact. They were the pair who have beaten both Denmark and France away and with a clean sheet which basically kickstarted the Nations League Final run which also both of them kept Spain scoreless in the Nations League final.
With Sutalo’s season at Ajax, the club have had many changes to the squad and not just only that but to the hierarchy of the club which is why it has been a bad season for everyone in general as that will have to take time for it to all click.
Vida should be out of consideration to start, he wouldn’t even make into any other euro nation’s side as a squad player let alone a starter.
You are spot on about Marin Pongracic, having barely played for us over the course of 2 years where he was dropped after Austria and now he is in the lineup somehow? That also confused tf out of me and like you said, it’s another Gvardiol Euro debut situation.
Would also agree with both Sosa & Juranovic, should not have been binned off so easily as I would rather someone at fullback which keeps the team balanced instead of having our best defender out of position there.
Also Slovakia have two 37 y.o. in their starting 11
RB Pekarík (38 in October) and midfielder Kucka
I’m sure Tedesco is already regretting starting 20 y.o. Debast at CB
U think our CBs are bad – check out Debast and Faes completely lost on first goal – no clue how to shut-down/cover the 2 Slovakian players – embarrassing
Also 22 y.o. Doku with an immature pass into no-mans-land in the Belgium box
I don’t consider this a disaster start because Spain exposed our main weakness, CB, while we still have a chance to correct it. If Spain didn’t do it, then some other skilled team would have during this tournament. The first two Spain goals were very poor defending. Morata on a straight-through-ball? Are you kidding me? Fabian Ruiz with a few goals in Ligue 1 dribbling through three guys in front of our net? These two goals were horrible defending by the CBs. I must admit the last goal was an incredible cross that just eluded the top of our defenders head that Carvajal got to on the end. However, that was Carvajal’s FIRST international goal!
Yes, still plenty of time to correct this.
But my concern is that Dalic didn’t attempt to correct it at halftime (or at all during the game).
Sometimes your starting lineups may not work out, but you have to make in-game adjustments.
We may get the starting eleven right for Albania and Italy…but what if we don’t? Will Dalic sit there stubborn and ride and die with his starting unit?
Maminjo, how bad do you want juric?
He’s related to juric and wants to be his agent ..rather obvious!
Juric or Terzic…I’m good with either.
Dalic will probably leave after this tournament if we don’t make the knockouts, and I get worried seeing guys like Olic, Corluka and Mandzo on the sidelines pretending to be coaches.
Worst case scenario would not be getting eliminated in the first round…It would be ‘promoting’ an inexperienced former player assistant coach to our head coaching position.
My guess is Dalic and Modric leave together, whenever that is and juric and terzic (maybe modric between them) are proabably the next two coaches of Croatia (in whatever order works out with their careers!)
I just hope each coach gets the ability to develop a system that they think fits the national team.
Both are tactically head and shoulders above Dalic, but my guess is Dalic handles the players and HNS better than either one of them will.
Olic , corluka or any other of the national team groupies would be a disaster waiting to happen.
lmao is juric dalic’s twin or what
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Jurić
We know Pongracic is out. What’s left be determined is if it’s Erlic replacing him or Gvardiol at CB – I’d be fine with either.
I’d be interested to see if Broz has a seat for this next game. He really was poor last game and he deserves to sit and be replaced by a true no 10 with both Kova and Modric playing are old double pivot. Then he’ll be back and a bit hungrier for the game against Italy. Or we bring him in if we get a lead to help protect it. I think then we flip Krama on the right and Perisic/Ivanusec/Pjaca on the left and leave Budamir in. We do need Budamir to be a little more active. I hated how he floated around and did very little pressing. I miss our old pressing from line of 2018….sigh.
He didn’t need to correct the cb situation at half time. 2nd half was 0-0 and we should have scored 2 in that 2nd half.
He will get it right vs Albania. Everything went wrong vs Spain. Jebiga. Gvardiol will play CB and his inner Franz Beckenbauer will come out. We will be fine vs Albania. I will say it over and over. Gvardiol is a world class CB. What pep does at Man city can never translate to a national team.
Removing Brozo and inserting Majer into the 10 spot will push more bodies forward with property distancing. And having Brozo as a reliable CM sub in the 2nd half is a great option. Modric doesn’t need to play 90 and Brozo is a great replacement.
I hope we can correct it . I know we can beat Albania . But can we beat Italy ? I think Spain and Italy will draw . Only way we go through is if we win both games . Third place is not an option . Down 3 goals could be a huge obstacle for us . I would love for Luka to go out a winner and let the world know da smo ovdje
I see Buddha redeeming himself this game with sosa providing lethal in swingers thru out the game if he indeed starts?
That big melon of budimirs will put one in the onion bag he’s due!
Too many changes for me. The same lineup that played well against Portugal suffered terrible luck against Spain. I like Perisic starting if he is ready, and Kramarić and Majer in those roles, but it’s too early to put Pongračić in the doghouse. Gvardiol gives us so much in attack (people are forgetting the tap in he gave Budi to bottle). I would keep the same back 4 and try to make up some of the goal differential tomorrow.
“but it’s too early to put Pongračić in the doghouse”
Please never comment on here ever again. He’s f***ed us over multiple times now.
“Gvardiol gives us so much in attack (people are forgetting the tap in he gave Budi to bottle)”
Gvardiol didn’t “give” budimir a tap in lol, watch the replay. Gvardiol missed an easy goal from 5 yards out
Bitch, please. You’re gonna hurt my feelings.
Enough of this retarded talk of 5 changes in the starting 11, especially for players not even regularly starting for minnow clubs. No coach worth a damn would do that during a major tournament, unless we had the group wrapped up or players were injured.
The defence was fine in the second half. We were not clinical enough in excellent situations, but we still manufactured those situations and that unlucky streak can’t last forever. Now we have a deficit to overcome, and the best solution is to get Kramarić and Majer more central, sacrifice Brozović for Perisic until a lead is established, keep Gvardiol at LB, and then we can talk about spelling starters with Petković, Sucić, Pašalić, Pjaca, JJ, or Ivanušec level players as the situation warrants. The 3 youngest of those players I have no doubt will be important pieces soon enough.
Budimir should have reached the back of the net. He had no excuse to not reach a single limb out, but he didn’t expect the ball to go through Simon’s hands and reach him. I’m sure he’s sick about it. It was there.
As for Petković, Rodri impeded him enough for a PK and card, but he finished the move by tripping over his own feet. I like him enough situationally, but how does someone have such good ball skills, yet not be able to do the most basic things like run in a straight line? Reading people saying he dove for a card instead of scoring is mind-boggling. If he could have, he would have, but he didn’t. That’s all you need to know.
P.S.
midfield should be decided on where Modric thinks he should play (and choose around him) – yes, I know there is a lot of inter-change of positions – but does he want to play as a #10 (w/ Perisic and Marco as wing outlet) – than choose who to play as a “#8” w/ Kova – if he wants to play deeper as a #8 – than choose who is our best #10
Question who is our best creative “#10” – Majer, Sucic, Baturina ?
Forget about age, hierarchy, etc – that’s who should be out there vs. Albania
We played 16 minutes w/out a #9 last game (b/w Bambi Budimir leaving and Petko entering) – so Dalic is comfortable fielding a team w/out one (and playing Krama or whoever in the “#9”)
Bambi Budimir was taken off bc he offered zero pressing and flubbed his chances – additionally in the 11 minutes he was in the 2nd half – we saw again Majer and Krama cut inside on offensive and completely IGNORE Bambi Budimir as an outlet (bc he already f up so many times – header 20 yards wide, missing Gvardiol pass 1 yard out) – exactly what happened in Portugal game
The reason, at least partly, why we saw Krama and Kova and Broz take those long-range shots is bc they had no confidence if they thread a pass into Bambi Budimir (who’s movement / runs in the box was no-existent) that he could score so they might has well try the Hail Marys
Therefore – we shouldn’t put Budmir back out there – and since Petko is in the dog-house (bc he took the penalty, lol) – we should/can play w/out either of them
Put Mario Pasalic in the #9 (he will offer pressing ability and be able to deal w/ putting in any garbage goals in the box coming his way)
Choose one of either Krama or Majer in the #10 (I don’t care which one) and start Marco Pasalic on the right (anyone who watched England y’day – did u see when Jarrod Bowen came on immediately he drove down the right flank and beautiful cross into the box – that’s what Marco can do)
Since our issue was creating high-quality chances and finishing our chances – we need a different profile playing – Marco offers it – he will create width down the right-hand side and someone who can cross it in and/or make direct runs (we can’t again have Majer and Krama cut inside the whole game on offensive – and keep Gvardiol/Stanisic so far up glued to the bi-lines – we are too exposed that way defensively for the counter-attack – unless we make Kova (or whoever) sit back completely into a back 3 w/ 2 CBs – but than you give up a body in the midfield)
We shouldn’t think too much about one of Krama or Majer sitting – there is no spot for Phil Foden to play #10 in England (bc of Jude) so they tried him on the left-side y’day – he was completely anonymous / offered zero width (he kept trying to cut inside) – so he will likely sit next game (w/ Anthony Gordon coming in) – if England can sit world-class (as a #10) Phil Foden than we can sit Krama or Majer and not worry about hurting their f*cking feelings) – additionally, the Phil Foden e.g. shows us what happens when you take central players (Krama or Majer) and put them on the wing – they naturally want to cut inside – identical
I also agree w/ Maminjo re: subs last game – Perisic was ready to go to start the 2nd half (he was on the field w/ warm-up gear off, ready to play and even threw his gum out ready to be subbed in) and for some reason Dalic waited 11 minutes to bring him on and take off Bambi Budimir – then Modric/Kova only had 9 minutes to create a goal with Perisic on the field – if he started 2nd half they would have had 20 minutes together – to try to salvage (at least goal difference)
With what we have this seems much better. Kramaric is only useful at that false 9 otherwise he’s a bump on a log!
Majer is more of a threat like this and let’s hope Perisic has 90 or at least a good first 45 minutes + in him. He should start and go as long as he can. Gvardiol pie most effective at CB on national team, what he does at club is a different story. So are defense should be more solid. We have good subs to finish the job. I’m expecting 2-0 against Albania to get us back on track. Then we can figure out how to beat Italy.
Not sure about Kramaric playing on the RW ? Majer did OK on the RW and I can see him playing there again. Kramaric should play behind Budimir or Petkovic.
2 sobering points:
1. – If Albania parks the bus and somehow beats us in a game they don’t deserve to win, we would be officially eliminated already if the next day, Italy either beats or only even ties Spain (since head-head is 1st tiebreaker in the groups for UEFA). After only 2 games. No possible “redemption” by beating Italy in the 3rd game, because we would be locked into 4th place. (we would lose all tiebreakers with Spain or Albania for 3rd)
2. – in the 2016 and 2020 Euro, BOTH years there were four 3rd place teams with 3 points. in BOTH years, 2 of those made it to the knockout round phase……. but 2 did not. Since our GD is so bad, there is already therefore a high risk we would not make it, even if we beat Albania but lose to Italy (and end up with only 3 points).
Bottom line, need 4 points minimum in the next 2 games.
If we pump Albania by 4 goals, then lose 0-1 to Italy we likely go through with three points and zero goal differential.
Considering our record of crushing teams in our second game at tournaments, I wouldn’t be surprised if we came out and did this.
Decent lineup.
I hope Dalić didn’t piss off the locker room by giving up so early.
Preserving Modrić and Kovačić, but leaving the rest out there also sends a bad message too.
I just hope his ego hasn’t inflated so much where he won’t admit his mistake, and actually use his subs sooner when something isn’t working.
We already watched this story with Rebić at Euro 2020, and I don’t want to see it unfold again.
He has only 5 subs. Makes total sense that he used one on Perisic and another on Petkovic (at the time). I don’t think others would be miffed he took out the 2 older MF’s and left them in.
Some ppl have not liked this Dalic move, but I have no problem with it. The likelihood of getting 3 goals in 30 mins is pretty low. So you leave Modric in there to try to bust his ass and maybe lose 3-1 or 3-2 instead? I don’t think it was worth it. Plus the more tired you get, the more likely you are to pick up a card (and yellow cards don’t erase for everyone until after the QF round). I was totally fine with this substitution. Sucic came in and looked OK as well.
Agree with you chicro1, Dalic did the smart thing by subbing Modric and Kovacic and resting them for Albania and Italy.
He didn’t make any subs at the half, and waited over 10 minutes into the second half to make only one sub (Perisic for Budimir) which wasn’t addressing the issue.
Then, a few minutes later, he gave up on the game with the Modric/Kova subs.
At least TRY to address the issue at the half and make a few subs to see where this goes first, before just waiting it out, making one pointless sub, and then give up.
Goal differential is important. 3 points actually secured teams passage into the knockout rounds for Euro2016 and Euro2020. But you can’t go through with a -3 goal differential.
We’ll need to pull of 4 points now.
It’s doable, but if Dalic wasn’t able to make quick adjustments during this Spain match…then what gives us confidence that he will do it in the Albania or Italy match?
It seems like if he doesn’t get the starting eleven correct from the start, then he just goes down with the ship without attempting to save it.
If the match v Spain was just a single match, then I agree you leave your best players on, however EURO is a tournament, and you have to think about the upcoming matches. In military terms the battle was lost so you withdraw you troops to fight another day and the war goes on.
In regards to making subs at HT what would have happened had he done that, and we got thumped 4,5, or 6 – 0 ? people would have criticized him even more.
He did the right thing by starting with the 11 that won against Portugal. Dalic and his coaching staff thought that was our strongest lineup and you cannot blame them for that.
I always thought we would need 4 points to be certain of going to the knockout rounds. Yes, 3 points and negative goal difference may not be good enough but I’m optimistic that we can get 4 points from the next two matches. The key is to beat Albania and for the last match a draw would probably suit us and Italy so we can play accordingly.
as long as Lovren 2.0 will not be there anymore
so this one is not that bad, I will support it
How about Dalic gets fired because he has been riding a rabbit foot, he’s no coach! Igor Tudor is next coach, that’s why he resigned from Lazio,, Dalic said we to what wrong against Spain? U donkey u played against them in Nation league final…wtf were doing during the game?
Tudor is too emotionally unstable to be a coach.
He’s a good coach, but seems like he can’t handle the politics or whatever. He always quits or burns bridges and gets fired.
Ivan Jurić is also a free agent. He’d probably be a good replacement for Dalić.
Firing Dalic is wrong. He knows the team best and has led Croatia to such great lengths. Im sure he will pull through the next 2 games he knows what has to be done.
and if he dosent win he should go right!
Depends on who is available.
I definitely do NOT want any one of Olic, Mandzo or Corluka near this team.
However, if a seasoned coach like Ivan Juric made himself available, then it’s definitely worth a listen.
Terzic perhaps an option now that he’s left Dortmund.
Why does it have to be a local guy. Perhaps it’s time for a foreigner. What that be so bad ?
We should have the greatest respect for Mr Dalić. He did what no other Croatian coach has done. He seems to rise to the occasion. Let’s beat Albania and come what may.
Gvardiol at left back an dusted or any chance of Erlic at CB? Did Caleta get called up?
P.S. Pongrancic performance was an “E”. I consider him at fault to a varying degree for all 3 goals. Absolutely shambolic. Katastrofa. I wouldn’t put him anywhere near a starting position.