It’s happening! Mateo Kovačić and Chelsea are absolutely cruising in the young Premiership season with 13/15 points. Kova played the full 90 minutes for Chelsea on Sunday in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Kovačić received a 7/10 grade as he was “Pulled out of position on a few occasions by Ndombele and struggled to keep up with the Frenchman. Better after the break as he and Jorginho ran the show.” Kova received credit for an assist on Chelsea’s 2nd goal when he fed Kante in the middle of the field who had his shot deflected before it hit off the post and into goal.
Is it time for Ante Rebić and Zlatko Dalić to make up? Rebić scored at Anfield midweek against Liverpool in Champions League and scored again Sunday in a 1-1 draw against Juventus. In the 76th minute, Rebić headed home a corner to chop the points with Juventus, who have yet to win a game in the Serie A this season. With Zlatan hurt, Rebić has picked up the offensive slack for Milan. We know he is passionate and ill-tempered, but when Rebić is focused, he is an incredible asset to any team he plays for. Can Dalić fix the situation for October qualifiers?
We have a Marko Pjaca sighting! The 26 year-old winger scored the lone goal of the game for Torino in a 1-0 win over Sassuolo on Saturday, which was his first for the club. Pjaca came on for Josip Brekalo in the 76th minute and whipped in a low shot inside the right post seven minutes later. Pjaca is on loan from Torino this season and is still owned by Juventus. After two serious knee injuries, can Pjaca make a name for himself in Croatian checkers?
Luka Modrić got the start for Real Madrid on Sunday and played 67 minutes as Los Blancos scored two late goals to stun Valencia 2-1. Modrić had an average game and received a 5/10 grade as he “Did not control the game as we know he can but did have some bright moments before being taken off when Real went 1-0 down.”
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.bavarianfootballworks.com/platform/amp/2021/9/20/22683637/bayern-munich-josip-stanisic-croatia-benjamin-pavard-nagelsmann-brazzo-flick-sarr-sule-kimmich-coman
How lucky are we to get this kid rather unexpectedly
since when is a simple pass considered a highlight? that’s scraping the barrel.
I see Ivusic Juranovic Vida/Gvardiol Lovren Sosa Kova Broz LM10 Kramaric Livaja/Vlasic Perisic 11 if healthy with Pasalic Brekalo Ivanusec Barisic off bench. I think since we looked good v slovenia that is Dalics 11 with krama livaja perisc as wing/ Fake 9 switching and i think modric gets the Cam position to make him defend less set up attacks.
Like most my opinion is we still dont have a set lineup a true starting 11 since 2018. In Katar how many of you are confident that vida lovren will be the cb pair come 2022 wc.
There are too many skilled Croatian players, and if being selected to the Repka continues to be just a validation of individual star status, then the team won’t win. Rebić is a good example: he is a big deal in Milan and basically a guaranteed starter on the left wing, and he plays as replacement striker when Zlatan is injured because there is nobody there who is as good. But he comes to the Repka, and he has to compete for a spot with Perisić, Orsić, Kramarić, Pasalić, Budimir, and in the case of the Euros, Petković. These players are all very different, but they all are good enough to make the coach’s lineup choices difficult. Rebić has a terrible game against England and loses the coach’s confidence as the main striker. It goes to his head. Then Perisić gets Covid. Suddenly Rebić is needed to take his actual position, but he is in a negative mentality and loses his concentration. Then what? The guys with whom he competes for a spot all get subbed in and lead an epic comeback, making him look even worse. He won’t just accept it, so he tries to hurt Dalić.
Of course, Dalić’s job is to form a successful team, so he turns to the players who he trusts to work well as a team. He doesn’t care if he loses Rebić’s individual qualities because the team can compensate for that with combination play and intelligence, as they did against Slovenia.
Dalić doesn’t call up Rebić for the same reason he doesn’t call up Nikola Kalinić, even though Kalinić is a tried and true 9. The team can do more without these guys. And it isn’t just Dalić and Croatia. Balotelli was dropped from Italy’s squad at the peak of his form. Benzema the same. Anelka and his best buddies were removed from the French team for having a poor attitude toward the coach. The HNS is now aiming for a standard of achievement like Spain, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, etc. Those organizations have so many great players that it would be impossible to call up every single top-tier player and get them all playing time. It would be unrealistic for most players called to that team to expect anything to be done to favor them individually. These Croatian players are not used to being in such a small pond with so many big fish, but if the team is actually going to win, they have to adapt. Dalić will keep the players who are willing to do so.
*** Who starts in Goal ***
I’m hoping Ivusic over Livakovic
Thoughts
The order now has to be Ivusić, Grbić, Livaković. Ivusić just because he already has two shutout wins with the repka, and Grbić because he is playing in Ligue 1 AND Champions league. Livaković should now be the third string player.
Ivusic has a way bigger presence in net too. Much more commanding of the box than Livakovic.
Hopefully Ivusic did enough in Dalic’s mind with two shutouts to displace Livakovic
Obviously everyone wants Ivušić…
But who Dalić goes with? I dunno.
I don’t know if he’s as committed to Livaković, as he is to veterans like Lovren and Vida starting.
That gives me hope that he’s willing to change things up, in order to play the better player.
But I dunno. Dalić is a complete wildcard, who picks his lineups out of loyalty and geography (playing Škorić in Osijek, starting Livaja in Split).
I “think” that he might start Ivušić, but for the wrong reasons (because we play Slovakia in Osijek).
I’d be fine with Dalić accidentally making the right decision.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
At least Skorić has played well in most of his appearances since his debut, which made no sense from a footballing perspective. He was unlucky against Armenia (let’s be honest that most of the team played poorly), and he was excellent against Portugal and got the job done against Russia just now. Dalić also had Skorić in the stands at the Euros, and the guy was OK with that. He must be bringing something to the team in his behavior that warrants a place as a backup.
Don’t look now, Alen Halilovic heating up!! 2 assists on the weekend…
Lol, yea, and Pjaca (who is also a winger) scored in a better league and on a better team last weekend too (and he’s just as far away from a callup too).
So Halilović somehow still goes further down the pecking order even when he has a good game.
The guy’s done for us. We have like 30 wingers ahead of him right now.
Dalić always said that he will never “close the door” on any player, including Rebić (i.e…Sosa). He claims that anyone that is in-form can get a call-up. Hopefully Dalić isn’t just holding a personal grudge, but I believe that he is still waiting for an apology, which I think is deserved.
He’s waiting for an apology and he deserve’s one, whether his track record is shit or not. One of the most important qualities a player MUST have is respect to the coach…and as much as I love Rebic, he publicly shamed Dalic…and thats not ok!
I forgot the exact events that summer.
But didn’t Dalić say something that laid blame onto Rebić?
What exactly set off Rebić?
He didn’t just disrespect Dalić out of nowhere. I think Dalić did something to lay the Spain loss onto Rebić (I could be wrong).
But let’s face it, Dalić is only sticking around because he can’t make up the cash he would lose on his current deal.
That’s hardly going to garner much respect from players, and we know that Rebić isn’t the only one who has no respect for Dalić. Others made disrespectful comments toward Dalić after that tournament, but Rebić had the wrath of the media on him after his poor tournament (so his couldn’t fly under the radar).
He don’t think any one of Rebić, Kramarić, Oršić, Petković, Vrsaljko, Ćaleta-Car, Brozović, or Perišić have any respect for Dalić.
They’re just gonna go through the motions until he is replaced.
The next World Cup will be a coin toss just the same as these Euros, and any real forward progress will happen once Dalić gets his money and leaves.
Ante Rebic: Rebic is a big game player, this guy just doesn’t get rattled in big game situations. Being played out of position again, Rebic still came to play. 7/10
Dalić ?!!!!
Rebić not good enough?!
So he is a hot head .. that is what drives his explosive Self.
Away to Cyprus and home to Slovakia, 6 points puts us to in a power position.
You don’t call CL caliber stacking player?!
This is WEAK.
Bro, he hasn’t looked good consistently ( or at all ) for the repka in a while… if Dalić needs him out of the locker room to feel comfortable then so be it… Why would you want a toxic locker room guy that does not produce?
Soul Champ, I’m not sure you understand why Rebic has been omitted from the National team.
I’m Rebic’s fan and I remember leading up to the Euro’s and at the Euro’s Dalic was stuck without an in form, goal scoring striker/attacker. He also needed someone to press high and we have exhausted the conversation regarding Krama, Petkovic, Budimir and Rebic! As far as I’m concerned and as far as what I’ve seen…I felt Dalic had no choice but to start Rebic at striker. We had options on the wings, we are very thin at strikers…and Rebic offered Dalic what he needed and what he’s been recently doing at Milan. The difference between then and now is that Rebic was horrible at the Euro’s!
THEN, Rebic made some bone head moves…ie…changing his boots 7 minutes before the end of half and we got scored on by Spain. That created tons of players and media singling him out….what did he do? he shit on Dalic!
I’m sorry, if he felt Dalic was making poor decisions in the last couple of years like the majority of Croatia does, he shouldn’t have used that excuse to his shitty performances.
There has to be a sit down with Rebic and find out what the hell is going on? He’s playing so inspired and those highlights are vintage Rebic- if it’s Dalic messing with him- Dalic has to go – we can get another pipe-fitter from Lika to coach but a hot Rebic can bring us to another level in the World Cup qualifiers and eventually the world cup itself
No Rebic again, shame.
So, why does Lovren get a pass for losing his place at Zenit?
Why does Vida get a callup if he hasn’t been playing these past few weeks either?
Ćaleta-Car has been a steady starter and in-form player for us for two years, and the moment he is put on his club’s reserve squad, Dalić immediately dumps him from our squad and onto the standby list.
Do we really have more faith in players like Škorić and Uremović as backup CBs?
His bias for his veteran players is going to hurt us badly again.
The fact that Pongračić isn’t even on the standy list, means that he will need a steady starting spot at Dortmund to even get a callup (let alone play minutes ahead of Lovren, Vida, and Škorić).
I guess we can be grateful that he at least called up Stanišić.
Multiple starts for one of the best clubs in the world at a position where we are incredibly thin finally got to Dally boy.
Whether he actually plays or not, well, that’s another story.
It’s painfully obvious that we need to start planning for the next World Cup and move forward with a core of Pongračić, Stanišić, Ćaleta-Car, Gvariol, Bradarić, Juranović and Sosa.
Whoever is the most in form of these players over the next year.
These guys need to start playing some minutes together and start developing that familiarity with each other.
You can still call up Lovren, Vida, and Vrsaljko…but they should not be guaranteed starting for us unless they are in excellent form for their club as well (which none of them are right now).
Lovren Vida are Dalics boys in dalics mind they are bonucci chielini thats why they will be on team and are Alternate Captains of national team hence will get called until they retire.
Pongracic weird dont get call but the mile skoric love is ridiculous to me. Čć well i saw that coming in dog house with club. Brekalo is back looks like those rumors were not true that hes a problem.
Rebic is in form but looks like he along way from getting a call up until he apologizes.
No cfs called up looks like 4 3 3 with no true scorer is new taktika.
If i were Dalic id call pongracic instead skoric.
And budimir we need a cf.
Otherwise no problem with this sheet
Vratari: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivušić (Osijek), Ivo Grbić (Lille).
Obrambeni: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Borna Barišić (Glasgow Rangers), Josip Juranović (Celtic), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Filip Uremović (Rubin Kazan), Joško Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanišić (Bayern).
Vezni: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (West Ham), Luka Ivanušec (Dinamo Zagreb), Kristijan Jakić (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Napadači: Ivan Perišić (Inter), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Josip Brekalo (Torino), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Livaja (Hajduk).
Pretpozivi: Duje Ćaleta-Car (Olimpique de Marseille), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Antonio Mirko Čolak (Malmö), Simon Sluga (Luton Town), Kristijan Lovrić (Gorica), Nikola Moro (Dinamo Moskva).
Pretty upset Majer didn’t get called up. He deserves a chance to prove himself, at least for a game…
I think Majer got injured.
The list of players came out only id call pongracic instead of Skoric. Stanisic with a call up. Jakic instead of moro and no budimir i guess dalic likes livaja krama attack. Grbic gets called instead sluga. No CC because hes in dog house for club. No rebic also. Brekalo is back.
Over all i guess hes sticking with whos in form gets call ups.
https://sempremilan.com/rebic-steps-up-milan-juventus
Dalic .. is this good news for us or bad news for you?
There is no one like Rebić in our squad.
Leads line and scores at Liverpool and then Juve?
Power, explosive and runs with purpose.
With Sosa and Kovačić would get Serivce all day long.
Pjaca also deserves a look based on the at Estonia “friendly” on a lumpy pitch that blew out his knee when he was an explosive young winger.
@ Ziva
Could you imagine if Pjaca comes on like Olić and you called him and Modrić busts prematurely?
That would epic basement performance by you.
You definitely would need to bear the Kriz.
ZDS
Mateo with the brain fart. He should have scored another goal there.
Agreed…Kova has already broken through. He is Chelsea’s MVP. He is also on the way to being Croatia’s MVP (after Luka of course)
Might sound bias here but Kova is Chelsea’s best midfielder as of right now. Chelsea does have the best midfield in the world.
Kovacic assist. He’s had a great game and it’s looking like it might be his time to really break through.
Arguably the best midfield on Chelsea right now.
Where is karlo letica? I thought real madrid wanted him in the past.
If we have prospects playing well, we will have the lineup for next generation. Sadly all gone.
Letica
Benkovic vuskovic jedvaj
Rog balic coric halilovic brekalo radosevic krovinovic
Perica
Don’t forget Delac. Chelsea’s former longest tenured player.
Is he almost ready? I’ve been waiting patiently.
Throw Rebic in there too.
I like what I have seen from Jakic
When I first saw him last year I thought he had repka potential
What do you guys think?
What’s he closest to in Croat midfielders of the past?
He’s alright.
He’s like Arijan Ademi or a better version of Marko Rog.
I don’t think he’s talented enough to ever start for us, but good enough for a fringe callup.
It all depends whether or not he continues to grow. He wasn’t anything two years ago, and now he’s playing for a solid Bundesliga club.
Anybody know why Dinamo-Hajduk is postponed for tomorrow?
Antonio Marin with 2 goals today. Guy is starting to regain his form and is getting his career on the right track… let’s see where he takes it from here.
Congratulations to Toni Kukoč for being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last weekend. Where’s the reporting on the Dalmatinac?
Yes indeed. Great player. The pink panther! Fortunate to see him play live. Outstanding!
Ha, i was about to make a joke about people calling for Marko pee-ass-a to be an nt starter again after one goal but TGAD beat me to the punch
I still remember a few years ago after his injury when i said he may never be the same again and everyone on this board got on me for that
Alas i got to tell the truth. It’s not easy but i will bear the kriz
Bear the kriz? Have you ever lived a ZDS lifestyle a day in your life!? 😀
@The truth
You did say “he may,” which expresses the possibility that he may yet be the same as he was before. Did you believe him to be world class before?
It was a good goal, hopefully he can keep it going and gets a crack at that 9 spot like @TGAD suggests, I’ve heard worse ideas on this board.
In no way did he ever do anything to be considered world class. He showed some promise and put in a couple good minutes against Spain in Euro 2016 but he was just another prospect like the countless ones before
@The truth
So “he may never be the same again” means he may never be a prospect again?
Marco’s Pizza may never be a superstar, but what the repka needs is one guy who can is tall, can run, can receive the ball in a central position, and can shoot without the perfect angle whose name is not Ante Budimir. Budimir can do all that stuff, but as we have just seen, the only other non-Budimir players available who play that position are either short, slow, or unable to generate powerful shots in less-than-ideal positions. If Marko Pjaca can just be a reasonably effective striker, he can be useful as a backup on the repka, even if he never plays for Juventus again.
I guess that I’m not counting Nikola Kalinic as an available option at this point, but his skill set would be useful to this team
Look at that Pjaca goal! He positions himself perfectly using his large frame, takes the ball down with ease, and fires off a quick shot before anyone can move to block it. Is this guy our new number 9? He certainly looks the part more than some of the other experiments we’ve had there
Simon Sluga with a masterclass against Swansea:
4.9/10 rating
3 goals against
0 saves
1 error leading to goal
46% pass accuracy
12/29 long balls
Top 3 Croatian keeper right there 💪🏼💪🏼
He’s garbage. He always was.
Ivušić, Grbić and Livaković should be our three…
But we can never just sit back and let them be comfortable.
We always have to keep our eye on and evaluate any of these younger keepers like Pandur and Žiger (who are playing regularly).
Good to see Stanisic starting for Bayern again…
I watched Karlo’s video he put together for Jakić performance against Fenerbahce. That was an amazing display. It looks like we have an heir apparent for Brozović for when he inevitably gets himself kicked off the NT.
Dinamo supporters are kinda weak
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16171156/west-ham-fan-fight-dinamo-zagreb-europa-league/?utm_campaign=native_share&utm_source=sharebar_native&utm_medium=sharebar_native
Those fans are Croats.
everyone here talks frantically at :I Brekalo and Pjaca
but Torino actually stupid just like you!!
because here ->
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjG7ChJM72k
( he should be over those two players in any day )
Your boy crush on halilovic is concerning LA