The Vatreni begin their second block of Nations League matches (games #3 and #4) this week against Scotland and Poland. Croatia currently sit 2nd place in group after defeating Poland 1-0 in Osijek last month but losing to Portugal. Top-2 sides in group will make the Nations League quarterfinals in 2025. 3rd place will play in a “Relegation play-off” with a 2nd place League B team. 4th place automatically gets relegated to League B next Nations League campaign. If Croatia can win both games this week, they will have one foot in the door for the quarterfinals before November games even kick off.
NATIONS LEAGUE
October 12th: 🇭🇷vs. 🏴 in Zagreb — 12PM (ET)
October 15th: 🇭🇷vs. 🇵🇱 in Warsaw — 245PM (ET)
There is a ton of turnover from Croatia’s September call-ups. Oršić is back in the squad, which has been completely depleted of true wingers this year. Rijeka’s Marco Pasalić has also been called up from the “Standby List”. Josip Šutalo has been cleared to play Saturday after a slight injury scare.
Scotland are in poor form; only earning one draw and losing four times in their last five matches played. Poland are coming off a loss to Croatia and only have one win in their last five matches. Croatia realistically should grab all six points this week but four would keep them in top-2 contention in this group. The one luxury Dalić and company have is that Portugal is scheduled to be played last in group on the final matchkday in November. Portugal may have already clinched the #1 spot if they win both matches in October versus Poland and Scotland.
In my opinion, Dalic clearly lacks a strategy for closing out matches, which is quite embarrassing at this level. This issue needs to be addressed immediately.
Need some speed from somewhere. Soccer is fast, loose ball runs. We might actually be able to secure some stuff with Orsic if he’s ok. Nothing wrong with the “build up” we are known for but damn nice to have some guys who are quick. Let’s hope Dalic gets out of the way soon and we can get someone with an offensive game plan.
Agreed, hopefully we utilize our actual wingers. Spain did so well in the Euros because they combined their possession style with speedy wingers, and some quick direct attacking (Dani Olmo).
We have the tools to succeed. We just haven’t been using them.
Our wings are far from elite, but they’re still good role players who can fulfill the need.
(until King Durdov takes the world by storm)
Some people just wont be satisfied until we do not lose a game.
Which countries have been more successful in soccer than Croatia?
Then lets look at what they have to work with..
France 66 million in France proper and half of Africa and controls Fifa
Spain 49 Million people, amazing soccer infastructure…
Argentina 49 Million people and soccer mad and they also need Fifa assistance. They also have the best player of all time.
Croatia. 4 million people and some stadiums where you can see farm houses, Rijeka who are going to be refurbishing Kantrida for the next 20 years. Zagreb, whos stadium is falling apart, parts of it are closed.
Split, who have crazy fans and possibly the best stadium built by Yugoslavia. Only Osijek have a new stadium and it was built bu Hungarian interests.
Not that it really matters, but Nediljko Labrović will replace Dominik Kotarski (back injury).
We should win against Scotland, but I disagree with the comment that “Scotland are in poor form…” The last two games vs Portugal and Poland, from what I read, Scotland played well, and only lost the games in the final minutes. They seem like a frustrating bunker team to play against, and we always seem to have problems breaking down teams that play this way. Hopefully we can score an early goal, forcing them to open up the game.
This is why the Orsic and Marco Pasalic callups are critical.
We need wings to supply Budimir and Matanovic.
This is key against Scotland.
Dalic hopefully learned his lesson at the Euros when he fielded a starting lineup against Italy with Krama up top by himself.
Yes, and I wouldn’t mind some long-range shots on goal once in a while. We have the talent to produce some bangers (Modric, Sucic, Gvardiol, Krama… the list goes on)
Scotland can’t hold possession and it will probably be something like 70/30 in favor of us.
They will pack the middle and try and stifle our central midfield, and they will take their chances leaving our wings open (especially since we generally play central midfielders on the wing).
It will be VERY important for Dalic to be aware of this and if we’re not going to start players like Orsic and Marco Pasalic…then we need to insert them off the bench if we are struggling to create chances for our strikers.
Six points is not vital, since they changed the format to have two sides move on.
Poland is a bigger threat than Scotland for that second spot, so a draw in Poland with a win against Scotland would pretty much clinch us second place.
Portugal hasn’t been scoring easily either (and almost lost points to Scotland last game) so we can’t just assume that they will end up with a full six points also. First place in the group may still be in play, as we play them in Croatia in the deciding match.
Finishing first is ideal, but I’m sure Dalic doesn’t care either way and it would probably lower expectations if we finish second place (in case we get bounced in the quarters).
So long as we don’t treat these games as weird experimental scrimmages, and call up young players that we are planning to play with our vets during the World Cup 2026…then I’m happy.
Shame to hear that Kova may miss the match, but I would like to see the two Sucics, Baturina and Modric play and develop chemistry (and not default to some Mario Pasalic or Nikola Vlasic crap).
Dear MaxSport –
Hopefully you will read this
Have you considered starting an online player akin to HRTi or BBC’s IPlayer ?
Many of us would LOVE to watch the U21 games coming up in MaxSport1 (well at least the Greece game) but we’re unable to.
You wouldn’t need to make it “free” (like the examples sited) – pretty sure folks outside of Croatia would pay a monthly sub fee in order to have access to your content
Please consider – Anonymous is sure it would a good way for you to increase your revenue and profits.
Best,
Anonymous
as usual against these lower tier teams i just wanna see all out attack with true wingers or wingbacks depending on the formation. Please no 5 CMs starting with kramaric on the wing
Kovacic has not joined the squad yet for personal reasons. Possibly illness in the family? We need him he is in good form and one of our best players at the moment.
Just read in SN that his wife is expecting hence his absence.
kakva picka. kovacic – tip muškarca koji sluša svoju ženu
Did you see his “baby sucking his thumb” celebration last w/end ?
Didn’t realize his wife was expecting so soon though
Hopefully everything is okay and she/baby remain healthy thru the birth
So both Scotland and Poland only won one game in their last five? Umm isnt that the same with us?
Yes, we have only won once in our last 5 – that being against Poland.
We are not in great form either.
We were in great form the last match against Poland.
Most of our ‘form’ issues in the games prior to this were poor coaching decisions from Dalic by playing formations and players who shouldn’t have been playing.
Hopefully the recent game is a sign of us turning the corner, and continuing to play the right players.
Terrible time at 2 am for the first game sigh, i wont be able to watch that one.. second one is 4.45 am so i’ll watch that one tho