This is what I’ve been saying since Rakitić left the squad in 2018! And I will be saying it all the way to my death bed.
Playing Kovačić next to Modrić is a complete waste of a spot in the Croatian starting XI, especially with Brozović sitting behind both as the #6 CDM. When Kova plays, it takes a slot away from a Majer playing his natural #10 CAM position or Kramarić playing behind the main striker in a supporting role. I know Dalić hasn’t had much offensive luck since Mandžukić, Rakitić and Rebic (2020) left the squad in 2018. Unfortunately, no one properly filled the striker or right winger roles and Kova took over Rakitić duties; even though they are completely different players.
The time to change Dalić’s (offensive) luck is now…in the year 2024. Look at what Majer was able to do in his natural CAM role when given the chance against Egypt. Yes, Majer has been deployed by Dalić over the past year but on the right side. He’s not a winger. Majer was my MOTM today versus Egypt and hopefully Dalić can now see the light. Majer was linking up with Vlašić, Modrić, Pjaca and Petković all day long. The Croatan offense looked alive compared to that dreadful display against Tunisia on Saturday. And most importantly, the boys looked like they were having fun against Egypt, moving the ball forward, and most importantly taking some cracks at goal.
Look, Dalić can continue playing 90’s Italian football “chess” at Euro 2024; playing a a conservative game of midfield control + possession with MKB (Modrić, Kovačić, Brozović). But I don’t think he needs to anymore. Majer is the perfect #10 to play in between Modrić and Budimir/Petković. Majer in his natural role will also alleviate winger duties from both sides of the field from Ivanušec, Pjaca, Pašalić, Vlašić — whoever Dalić puts there.
But this will only work if Dalić decides to free up a spot by benching Kova.
Or play a 3-5-2…but that’s a conversation for another day.
To pick up a bit more on the convo below
Is kova tough enough for that cdm role?
I think the way he can control the ball and make a little run here and there could keep guys guessing before he inevitably passes it off and returns back to his position
Also pjaca is gonna be 29 now
Sure he missed time with his knees but also missed miles he wouldn’t put on his body other wise
And being 29. He is ready to hit prime Croatian soccer age
He could be a difference maker this summer
Brozovic will look like Lovren
the biggest locker room cancers
that’s wasted everywhere he goes
hvala dragom bogu nitko od vas nije u HNS.
Kako znaš da nismo?
My inside source at the savez says maminjo has a source too
For the ones that weren’t around many moons ago now
Ziva istina(the biggest legit troll this site has had and fan favourite) used to always say he had an inside source at the savez
Enjoying this ride Dalic has taken us on and spoiled us haha. A major tournament is hard to win and takes steps remember as a kid after 98 we will never have a team like that and boom 2016 to present we have been on special ride.
I think that last game v Italy will be a heart pounder just like 2022 v belgium. I think w d l gets us through to knock phase 4 points then anything goes.
What would you guys want rhat second game result to be spain or italy win i think a draw would be bad for us we can all take points off eachother. I would not underestimate albania bunker team its going to be fun ride i hope
Euros are watered down with the 24 teams.
Being drawn into the Group of Death at the Euros loses all meaning now.
It’s not the same as being drawn into the Group of Death at the World Cup (like we were in 2018) or when we were drawn into a similar group back in Euro2012.
3 points gets you into the Round of 16 at the Euros (because most third placed teams go through). If we win against Albania, we’re pretty much through.
Too much is being made of Brozovic not being at his best.
He was our best midfielder at the Nations League last June and he was one of our best players on the field in pretty much all of the Euro 2024 qualifiers since then. Both Broz and Modric were equally awesome in our final critical qualifier against Armenia in November (in a 4-3-3 without Kovacic).
Not to dump on Kovacic too much, but he was the worst player on the field during that critical loss against Wales (which was the last game he played for us that wasn’t a friendly). He was also our worst (out of our three mids) in that 0-1 loss to Turkey too, and he had to be subbed out in the second half.
I understand that Kovacic was out of form during those losses to Turkey and Wales…but he was absolutely brutal in those games and those were actual qualifiers.
Good for Kovacic that he recovered his form, but one bad showing from Brozovic in some Arabic mini tournament doesn’t mean that he’s suddenly worse than Kovacic. I’d have to see Kovacic play well in a meaningful game (and watch Broz do poorly at the same time) to even entertain Kovacic replacing him in the lineup.
Give Brozovic some rope here. You guys are worse than Dalic is with Orsic, ha ha.
Love Broz. forever, but everything is in a state of change and flux, no doubt and seems like the reality is that there as always been a litmus test regarding national team selection, what level of competition you can play at on a daily basis, or in Broz case, what level you chose to play at. Ronaldo days as the leader of Portugal are near an end as well, and it is twilight for him. Even Beckham took a bench role after going to the USA. When Modric goes to Miami, the days of +90 minute of play are probably over.
What have you done for me lately, Orisic ? Answer: Everything
Brozovic? Answer: ??
Broz is less than two years older than Kovačić…and in terms of what either of them have done for us lately, well, Kovačić played very poorly in our most recent qualifiers and Brozović did not.
Unless there is something recent that is showing up in training that we don’t have access to… You go with Broz.
It seems to me that I have seen some weak passes that are not normal for Broz of late could be wrong. Love Broz and am open to what you are saying. If we replace him with our best score minded mid fielder, and go with our best next possession keeping mid fielder, I am find with that whoever that is Brozovic/kovacic. If the ball is going over the goal post, it is most likely a Brozovic shot. If they were on frame, they would be dangerous.
Hopefully Broz just had a few “bad games”. He’s a legend for us, and deserves some slack. However, if it continues, then I hope Dalić has the balls to bench him when necessary. I also have a bad feeling that Broz would not react well to being benched.
Why not Kovačić instead of Brozovic ?
Kovačić will be needed no matter what for depth in the midfield.
He is stronger now than when he first got bullied off the ball as a CDM.
He plays with Man City and has years of playing in the EPL with Chelsea.
Brozović is chilling in the Saudi league, not as sharp. Also he is no spring chicken either.
It’s clear that Majer is the goods in the final third and can score the type of goals we need.
But Kovačić starting at the CDM – 6, behind Modrić offers more cover and greater dynamic movement than Brozovic.
Also Modrić has to be monitored to keep his legs fresh for a deep run. Kovačić can play back up to his 8 as well.
Majer – 10
Modrić – 8
Kovačić – 6
Kovačić > Brozovic
I agree with you, there is no way that I would have Kovacic on the bench. Brozovic has gone backwards; at the WC in Qatar he was not at his best due to the hamstring injury that he suffered a few months prior to the WC. However, in recent matches he has not been playing well and that is mostly due to the fact that he plays in Saudi Arabia where the standard is far below that of Seria A. His fitness is not what it used to be when playing for Inter. Hopefully he will be back to his best in a few months?
Yes, I agree. Good comment.
Just a little twist :
Additionally, as soon as Sucic, and Orsic are healthy, start the following four: Kovacic, Marco Pasalic, Orsic, Sucic.
Orsic, Sucic, Pasalic , will have you on your seats waiting for a goal to happen. Kovacic, will have his irons in the fire, making sure the ball gets to them from the middle of the field.
Have Brozovic and Majer come off the bench to close out.
Orsic Budimir Pasalic(younger)
Sucic
Kovacic Modric
Sosa Gvardiol Stanisic Juranovic
If they start giving 3 points for shooting the ball over the goal posts, and a half a point for every weak pass, than start Brozovic. Unfortunately, Kovacic is a better player than Brozovic of recent , all due respect to Broz. We all like the old school cigarette smoking Thompson singing stud.
Albeit, play you best players in each area of the field and adapt to their strengths and characteristics.
Are sucic or simic still playing soccer? Heard something about them applying to colleges
Your thinkin’ of Tin Jedvaj and Alen Halilovic.
Is Musa a lost cause? Can he make any contribution to the team . Is he worth a chance or better to cut him
Hes done imo its Budimir Petko Krama and after euros simic beljo matanovic if they perform
Let’s hope Roko is the real deal. I would be real be pissed he was a flop
Musa has potential
He shouldn’t be done
I feel like he never even started
Hopefully his time and place will come
Right now he needs to change league and be a starter at a real club. Until then he needs to become a big scorer in MLS to get an opportunity? Time will tell
I think he has potential to. I don’t believe got a lot of time in Porto. I could be wrong on that . I feel if he was on a better club that could develop him he could get something going. I wish him luck. At the MLS they do try to develop talent as best they can . he may get more playing time . I don’t think the MLS knows how to develop talent. What club could he go to ? That he could find form
If he becomes the leading scorer in the MLS, then he will be considered.
Being a starter is not good enough, because MLS is pretty bad.
As an example, we have a couple of Croat goalkeepers starting on two MLS teams and neither are probably ever going to sniff being a backup on the National Team.
We also had Damir Kreilach doing really well and (I believe) was captaining a team in the MLS for many years…but didn’t even get a callup.
Musa has an advantage in the sense that he’s already been capped…but he really needs to be a top scorer in the league to get another chance.
You’re right about the MLS. I would guess the only plus at MLS is he may get more playing time and develop his skill and find form. Remember Luka had the same problem. I think Luka was better than Musca at his age. But he went to Real Madrid and lightning stuck . Musa has something. He just has not found that place where he can be taken under someone wing and fly. What time in euro could be that place ?
Kreilach was a late bloomer and yes, was captaining RSL for a number of years. Back in his Rijeka days he had Niko Kovac in front of him at DM and once he started playing at a high level at RSL, Broz was already entrenched at DM.
I’m convinced we can make another run this year. Despite not having Perisic and shuffling our offence due to departures, injuries and retirements. This is still a team that can make it to the final. If we get second place, we’d most likely play Germany or Hungary. Germany has been improving and arguably have the best midfield in the tournament. Then we would play England and that’s always fun. England doesn’t have me sold as going far year. Somehow they will draw a game against Serbia or Slovenia. Then we would play France and that would be a matchup for us to bet revenge. Final would most likely be Portugal if we somehow miraculously made it. Portugal is the only team we haven’t beaten in a competitive match. I still think our group is the toughest or even Frances. I personally think Albania will be a tougher opponent than Italy. Finishing third won’t happen but if it did hypothetically, we would play Belgium or Portugal.
I’m guessing you’re part Hungarian? lol
But I agree that this team can still make a nice run. We have the experience and depth (in key positions).
Too much is made about our striker situation. We have two decent in-form strikers. Just a matter of whether we pick the right one situationally.
Midfield is among the best in the tournament, and we have a decent backline and goalkeeper (who have all been playing together for the past several years).
We have good, skilled stop-gap wingers in Ivanusec and Krama…but it would be nice if we had some true traditional wings (although Pjaca and Marco Pasalic are promising, but need to be tested more).
If we had an in-form Perisic and Orsic, then I would be very confident in a deep run. Losing those two hurt, especially when you see how big a part of our offense both those players were in Euro2020 and WC2022.
Sorry, I misread your Hungary comment.
I thought you meant that either one of Germany or Hungary were going to the Finals, ha ha.
But yes, we will likely face one of those two in the R16 knockouts.
Regarding 3 5 2 last coach to play that was rip cico kranjcar on regular basis it could work dalic tryed it vs austria it went terribly wrong we lost 3 0. Livi Gvardiol erlic sutalo back 3 jura sosa wing back MBK Krama Budimir/Petko would it work
Most likley win loss draw gets you atleast best 3rd spot. Finishing second in group gets you second team in group a germany Hungary scotland swiss finishing first gets you a third place team and winning the group gets you a group winner so alot of calculations will be going on
Tournaments never go as planned by so called pundits there will be a shock or two can never oredict how groups will finish nor the knockout rounds. We are in the toughest group which is going to be fun 8 9 10 fifa ranked teams in one group should be fun.
I watch the zabari azzuri games they are in like rebuild also has the goal keeper and play a new formation 3 4 2 1 its not the italy from the past but always in tournaments soild and defending champs.
Spain are such little bitches they have these young arrogant baby stars who flop and the seniors play dirty foot all mix of argentina brazil imo. Shakey goalkeeper and are beatable shame we played conservative in that nl final.
Albania are no disrespect but no power house maybe they park the bus and whats good for us is if they are out when they meet up with Croatia they will open up and not bunker so the game could look like the Egipat game for us.
Cant wait for euro to start. Pray no injuries and team building Dalic proved 2022 anything posibble i have a feeling we make the semis for some reason. Just need luck 2021 if perisic dont get covid and Lovren played and orsic started instead of asshole Rebic we could have won that game
What the f@#$? Kova’s no good? 😆
If not sucic, do we have room for a baturina
Got to be one young real blue chip prospect for the experience I would hope
I’m with the others who said sign vida up as a coach
Shit even Perisic If he can’t play
No need to waste spots
If we want these players to become part of the coaching department, what the HNS should suggest is actually go out to other clubs and get coaching experience before they come back to the HNS if they go down that path after they retire.
How sure are you that Kovačić has to sit and not Brozović? I would start Kovačić and Majer at the same time, but then substitute in Brozović for one of them later in the game, depending on what the score is and who has had to run more. Neither Kovačić nor Majer is a good bet for PKs. Brozović is. Brozović can either make the game more defensive if he’s paired with Kovačić or more up-and-down, like when he was playing with Majer in the nations league final. On the other hand, putting Kovačić’s speed in as a replacement for Brozović late in a game could potentially destroy a tired defense.
Best lineup vs Spain: Kova has to play!!!
Budimir
Kramaric Majer
Modric
Kovacic Brozovic
Sosa Gvardiol Erlic Stanisic
The denmark game epitomizes this argument. We take out kova in the 78th min for majer and one min later he scores the game winning goal. Although im on the “anit-kova” side, against spain given no injuries and everyone is inform i would keep the MKB midfield for that specific game. But against a team like albania for example, gotta go for the jugular and put in two actual wingers (orsic, marco P, ivanusec, pjaca), one CAM (majer, kramaric, mario P), and one striker (budimir).
Same thing happened against Japan too.
Majer almost won it for us at the last second of the game before PKs, but the low shot just narrowly went wide.
This isn’t about Majer vs. Kovacic. Of course, Kovacic is better all-round. It’s about an attacking midfielder vs defensive midfielder.
What percentage of Modric’s corners are dangerous? Hardly any. Majer is better. Having one more goal off a corner every three games could make a difference itself.
Unless we’re bunkering in the first half, we should play Majer-Modric-Broz/Kovacic, then sub-in a fresh Broz/Kovacic in the second half.
yea, majer should be taking almost all the set pieces. While kramaric should take all the pks. We’ve been doing the short corner thing for years and its the dumbest thing ive ever seen. Think of all the goals we could have had if we just took corners normally.
We literally scored off Luka’s corner last game. And he’s had 4 assists off corners this year year for Real Madrid already.
Wake up dude.
We scored because he took it properly and sent it into the box.
It feels like more than half our corners are short corners. We need to cut that out.
I forgot to mention sucic if healthy will he have a spot on the team? The 23 man squad. Shame he is always hurt when croatia games happen.
Imagine if Sucic was healthy and 2 years more mature. What a #10 he is gonna be. I would proudly wear his name on my back. (that one’s for you Ziva)
Is Sucic even back from his latest knee scare?
It’s already been 5 weeks since he came out of the game with some soreness (or whatever it was). Hopefully it wasn’t a re-injury of the tear and they’re trying to be hush hush about it.
I would guess Sucic has a higher ceiling potential than Majer.
I enjoy the way Marco Pasalic plays with aggressive vigor, and seems to have a Olic, DaSilva nose for the goal, and puts his shots between the frame. I like Orsic for the same reason. I would be happy with these two. Didn’t watch Pjaca enough yesterday, but so glad he made it back to the national team.
100% Sucic has a higher ceiling.
We need to play wingers in the winger position. We’ve put Majer and Vlasic and Pasalic there before. They all like the middle of the field. If Marko Pas. and Pjaca can step up for Rijeka in the next 2 months…looks like theyre taking the HNL crown…who’s to say they aren’t the right guys? At least they’re true wingers.
Unfortunately for Hajduk of course
Unfortunately the Middle of the field Dream Team era between 2010 and 2024 is coming to a close, and there will be job openings finally for the youngsters, if they can keep their knees pleese!
I love it. Slavonac pulls his I know soccer card on Ante and sides with me while blasting Ante for his no Kovacic-Modric idea he keeps pounding the table on and what does Kvartuc do? Comes back with a full force article doubling down after a strong Majer performance (let the record show, for all the hate thrown truth’s way, I am much kinder in my disagreements with Ante than Slavonac was).
I think Majer certainly can have a role on this team and I still have hope that he can emerge to be an above average player as he enters his prime. But let’s face it….all he did was put in a solid effort against a disorganized group of players playing in the egyptian league.
Croatia was able to outgun them. But when it comes to playing the bigger opponents, trying to outgun them will be a failed approach and Croatia’s only real shot at victory will be their usual approach of taking the air out of the ball and killing the flow of the game, which is a kovacic specialty and not a Majer specialty.
So sure….if we were playing in the African championship, I would say start Majer over Kovacic… but since we’re still playing in the European championship even though it features lots of players of African origin, I would recommend sticking with the usual game plan of Kovacic.
I would split every Blackjack hand I have on the table and double down on all of them against Slavonac. All day, every day.
It’s hard for me to say this but I actually agree with the above. We can play Majer in that role with teams that want to sit back and counter/lesser opponents, but playing without Kova and controlling the midfield will get us in trouble with the big boys. We just don’t have enough talent and speed upfront right now (not to mention the injuries to Perisic/Orsic/Sucic. As we all know, our strength for the last 10-15 years has been our midfield. Hopefully this changes and we develop more attack minded players but with this team makeup, we need to control the midfield and keep the games close. It’s won us a lot of games….
I love it. Slavonac pulls his I know soccer card on Ante and sides with me while blasting Ante for his no Kovacic-Modric idea he keeps pounding the table on and what does Kvartuc do? Comes back with a full force article doubling down after a strong Majer performance (let the record show, for all the hate thrown truth’s way, I am much kinder in my disagreements with Ante than Slavonac was).
I think Majer certainly can have a role on this team and I still have hope that he can emerge to be an above average player as he enters his prime. But let’s face it….all he did was put in a solid effort against a disorganized group of players playing in the egyptian league.
Croatia was able to outgun them. But when it comes to playing the bigger opponents, trying to outgun them will be a failed approach and Croatia’s only real shot at victory will be their usual approach of taking the air out of the ball and killing the flow of the game, which is a kovacic specialty and not a Majer specialty.
So sure….if we were playing in the African championship, I would say start Majer over Kovacic… but since we’re still playing in the European championship even though it features lots of players of African origin, I would recommend sticking with the usual game plan of Kovacic.
Yesterday’s game showed us that we have a couple of hungry natural wingers in Marko Pjaca and Marco Pasalic.
This means that we don’t have to keep forcing guys like Majer, Vlasic and Mario Pasalic at RW.
I would still start Krama on the wing, but would start subbing him out for a guy like Marco Pasalic instead and give Majer more opportunity to come in as a central midfielder.
Same goes for that left side with Ivanusec starting, and Pjaca coming off the bench (assuming we don’t have Orsic or Perisic available).
It will be interesting to see who starts between Budimir and Petkovic up top.
“It will be interesting to see who starts between Budimir and Petkovic up top.”
Against spain it should definitely be Budimir. However, ultimately it should depend on who we are playing against.
Though I would love to see an experimentation of both Budimir and Petkovic uptop together.
I love Vida but he is just taking a space up and a roster spot imo. Pongracic had one mistake let the player run by him. Other than that he played well and his form in italy shows.
Broz is showing signs of being slow non technical player going to mickey mouse league his game isnt as good as kt was in inter. But you cant play Modric Kovacic at dms at least broz is a dm Gotta have a defensive midfielder
23 men will go so 20 are safe leaves 3 spots.
Livi Ivusic and Kotarski/Labrovic 3
Gvardiol Sutalo Erlic Sosa Juranovic Stanisic 6
MBK Vlasic Majer Pasalic 6
Kramaric Petkovic Budimir Ivanusec
Thats 19 leaving 4 spots open
Perisic if he heals thats 20
Candidates
Vida Pongracic Baturina Pjaca Pasalic M Barisic
Imo gotta drop Vida Take Pongracic thats 21 and the two final spots for me go to Pjaca and Pasalic. Thats 23.
If Perisic is not ready take a hnl player Baturina Fruk Maybe Orisic plays well until June and gets called again.
Who are your guys 23 that you would call?!
Take a risk and pick 2 goalies only and take Orsic as well. I think Orsic is ahead in recovery vs Perisic.
Do we dare bench Broz and play Kova as CDM? Dalic won’t do it but just a thought…
Conservative Dalic will play MBK we all onow especially vs italy and Spain maybe v albania if we need a win he goes all attack. Then conservative again in the knock out stage
Totally plausible. Broz is a 6 out 10 now -God love him, he has done so much for HNS and I love his patronage but best days are passing – I could see this completely- it’s a good problem to have
Brozovic played horrendous yesterday. All chances happened when Kova came on.
If anything you start
Modric kova majer
Brozovic has declined since move to SA.
Now we’re talking. I’d play Kova at the #6 all day. He would be perfect there.
Just take Brozovic off, his passes are inaccurate and his tackles are sloppy and mistimed. Not to mention our defense is always caught ball watching. I don’t get how that happens. how many times did the Egyptian players just run right by our defender as he’s starring at the ball oblivious to the run behind him. it hurts to watch. Egypt is bad and like someone said Ronaldo puts those chances in. Majer played great, Pjaca played great and I really want Marco Pasalic to score, routing for the guy!
Watched the game in passing , Brozovic looks a little sloppy since he moved to SA Club Med.
Ante, I will vote for Majer as president if he is MCGA, Croatia first, and against expanding the labor force thru massive displacement immigration, base on the need for ticket collectors for the blue cave, BNB house keepers, and Brazilian soccer strikers.
I agree! Would also love to read what you thought of the other different players from the usual starting 11 (I really liked Pjaca!! He was really hard working and trying to push and create chances)
this headline is like something we’d see on CNN.
good Lord, these comments here are just ridiculous. “Playing Kovačić next to Modrić is a complete waste of a spot”…”Look at what Majer was able to do in his natural CAM role when given the chance against Egypt.”…Ante, you’re doubling down in a game where we played a team that is ranked below Australia and Ecuador…they tied the 110th ranked country in the world in January (Mozambique) and you’re using this as a measuring stick? If you’re gonna do that then lets be real and make a clear correction to your analysis. Kovacic was on the field for 3 of 4 goals…how do you explain that?
I don’t know whether to call you out or leave these comments. in some respect I feel if I don’t correct you, you’ll pollute a population of people that are clueless and if I do correct you I’ll be attacked by all your cousins and the San Pedro faithful…but facts are facts and you really are completely making shit up as you go. someone needs to take the microphone away from you cause the shit you say is complete garbage and just controversial!
Here, here! Zlatna polja Slavonije.
Go back on your meds.
Don’t care. That’s the first lively football we have played since extra time against Brazil. Just saying.
Every game is us controlling the midfield and not moving forward. It’s like the Simpsons episode when Mexico and Portugal come to Springfield.
Yes it worked for Italy in the 90s. Yes Greek won a tournament in 2004 by bunkering. Those are are complete outliers.
You know which teams win tournaments? Teams that score. Dalic can get us all day to the quarters and semis but it sounds like you boys want to win a title. In order to do so…we need to score.
And we won’t score with Kova playing the 8 next to Modric. I’m here all day if you have questions or comments.
Agreed, I am open to other ideas and moving on, from the quad alliance of Rakitic/Modric/Brozovic /Kovacic, where kovacic would come in to replace one of the three better choices. As long as we can figure out how to continue to control the middle of the field. The first half hour of play look messy without Kovacic presence, dribbling everywhere to avoid loss of possession and prancing around like a gazette on the Serengeti on a spring day. Unfortunately one of the 4 musketeers retired which made Mateo a starter by default, not ideal, that where Ante’s idea comes to bare, and has merit.
I don’t think yesterday results albeit, was a ringing endorsement , that we have found the ultimate golden key, to a better dynamic offense, with an ability to still maintain possession time and dominate the game. The alliance is past the midnight hour of 1:00 AM hour , the horse carriage is a pumpkin, with one retired player, so a solution , no matter how imperfect, is inevitable and imperative. Time marches on, and Kovacic becomes a necessity next year, rather than the hated villain culprit.
The last 6+ years of the Dalic reign, have been about finding a way to victory, with the cards we are dealt, against all mainstream media’s opinion of our chances.
Fair points. But although Kova is generally a passive player, no one can debate his technical skills. No way we advance past Brazil without Kova accompanying Modric and Broz.
I suspect it will be those Big 3 versus Spain at least. Against Albania and maybe Italy, I could see an argument for starting Majer.
For clarity, I’m not saying Kova is a shit player. Not my any means. And I know how technical he can be. I watch the guy every weekend. All I’m saying is if Dalic wants to play offensive football, Croatia need to play with a #10 on the field, which means someone has to sit? Are you benching Modric or Broz? So who sits? Someone has to.
Like I said, Kova can stay if we play a 3-5-2, but Dalic has never done that and we’re not going to start now. That’s all.
Totally understood. Respect your opinion. However the question is, can Croatia advance as far as they have been playing more “offensive football”, is that what we SHOULD want? I would worry they can’t advance as far. We don’t have the finishers to accompany more aggressive play. I guess we’ll see.
Majer is very inconsistent player that’s why he’s in Wolfsburg and not a bigger club. He’s class when he’s on and he was on yesterday. As far a Kova goes I don’t read to much into yesterday’s performance. He was our best midfielder the last World Cup and is currently in good form for City. He’s a starter come Euros and rightfully so.
He is inconsistent. That is true. Wolfsburg has also been a dumpster fire and just let Niko go. Majer has never had the opportunity to play his natural #10 for Croatia. Dalic put him on the righ wing in 2023 with mixed results. I kow it was just a friendly yesterday, but Majer was MOTM in my eyes and 1/1 in the CAM #10 role. The Portugal match will tell all before Euro kicks off.
Glad me have the legit Portugal challenge. Hope they bring all guns.
People are mis-construing the view v-a-v Kovacic
Nobody’s saying he’s not a very good player
The issue is w/ him on the field – we have
#6 Broz
1/2 #6 1/2 #8 Kovacic
#8 Modric
No #10
Y’day w/ Majer we had
#6 Broz
#8 Modric
#10 Majer
So when we play w/ Kovacic – our midfield – while good in possession – is very defensive-minded / oriented – with nobody really making attack runs of a #10 – coupled with us struggling w/ wingers / forwards – makes our attack anemic
Amen i Hallelujah! You get it. You get it 100%. We’ve been playing with a 6 and 2 #8s since Rakitic left. And yes it has gotten us results but we’ve still never 100% controlled matches the way Italy did in the 90s. The fact that we go down a goal in nearly every game is a problem. That is why playing a 10 is my solution. Nothing more, nothing less.
Goran and Novak have separated.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/68672653
We were 1/2″ away from being down 0-2 in the first 10 minutes to Egypt,….. to Egypt. I think we did loss some of our ability to control the game, and ball control was sloppy. Might of changed the whole dynamic of the game if Egypt went ahead by two goals early. Game almost became a complete blow out . It was a very ugly victory, almost revels our Belgium tie, in the world cup, that should have been 1-4.
Ante, How is a 4-2 victory, that was almost an Egyptian blow out, due to lack of ball control, until Vlasic’s outstanding but improbable goal, a good litmus test result for your theory. At best it is a cautionary tale rather.
Let’s see how Croatia does against Portugal later in the year with the same line up, that will tell us something, and see if they can have a Slovene repeat performance.
Ronaldo won’t miss a completely open net, and Portugal will take advantage of a country that can’t control the ball.
Forgive Ante, for he knows not what he says!
🙂
It doesn’t matter if Egypt scored 2-3 goals in the 1st half yesterday. Our offense looked alive and that’s what I’m most happy about. It’s sooooo slow with the MKB midfield. Sooo slow….
That’s your job, to create conversation, no harm no foul.
The only real difference between the Tunisia game and the Egyptian game was that Egypt came to play and Tunisia parked the bus. Kovacic would have done just fine in the space Egypt allowed. I am a big Majer guy but we should accept that Kovacic is very talented.
The most pleasant surprise was the play of Pjaca. For me he was the MOTM. Not only was strong and fast, he displayed terrific vision and made so many accurate passes that could/should have led to goals. He ran all game and possesses a powerful shot. That was the best performance by a Croatian winger since Perisic.
Are you guys nuts?
Does anyone ever really ask about how Italy won all their trophies?
I have a lot of Italian buddies and all they say is the trophy case is full. Doesn’t matter how they got there because the trophy case is full.
I couldn’t care less about style, I care about results!
What Dalić (and the team) does and has done in regards to tactics is superb. You analyze your opponent, strengths and weaknesses, you evaluate yourself, strengths and weaknesses and you implement a plan to capitalize on these metrics.
Croatia does this almost flawlessly.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
You cannot play against Brazil the same way you can play against Egypt.
Sure Majer looks great against Egypt. How great does he look against Bayern Munich with Wolfsburg? Not to minimize Majer. I think he definitely adds to our team. Love the guy. But
Kova plays week in and week out in the toughest league and is coached by arguably one of the top 3 active club coaches in world football. Do you seriously think that’s by accident?
Ajde mislite malo.
Napred Hrvatska 💪
Bog i Hrvati
bravo stari…dobro si mu rekao!
No, we were not quite 90’s Italy yet. Italy would absolutely control the game start to finish and win 1-0. That is control. The issue I’ve had with this Croatia team since 2020 is we’re conceding first in nearly every match.
Euro 2020: England and Czech scored first
World Cup 2022: Canada, Japan, Brazil, Argentina all scored first
That’s not control IMO. However, for teams that are much faster than us and more technical like France, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, I would implement the MKB trident to slow the game down. But only against those 4. Everyone else…go score goals!
I agree that Majer was MOTM for me yesterday. He injected an energy and a pace into our attacks which I haven’t seen for a long while. Kova created nothing positive when he came on in the second half, although his role was to replace Brozo so its unfair to compare like for like on yesterday’s performance at least.
Did anyone else stay up to watch the tournament medal and trophy lifting after the match? It was a good but surreal feeling as a Croatia fan to watch Luka and our boys finally lift a real winners’ trophy at last after all these years – even for a nothing tournament such as this. Maybe that’s where we start – creating a winners’ mentality instead of just being happy to get a silver or bronze.
Yes, I watched the medal and trophy presentation and at the end of the presentation Majer was limping when leaving the podium. Three players injured – Majer, Erlic and Ivanusec hopefully nothing to serious.
How good was the little interplay from our guys leading up to Pasalic’s shot that went JUST over the bar btw? Absolutely beautiful passage that, shame he missed the shot or it would’ve honestly been one of the great Croatia goals !
It’s kinda on par for us.. one shit game, one good game, one shit game, one good game lol..
Beat Brazil one day, lose to Estonia the next; this is the Croatian way
Kovacic played second half.
Yes, but he came on for Broz to play the deep-lying defensive role in the Croatian midfield. He was never on the field with Broz in the Egypt match.
Just to add … I think our best is when we play fiery, free-wheeling soccer. It’s also fun to watch. We don’t have the talent to do this against all teams, but it’s what should be our brand.
I agree. We need offence and need to add it where ever we can.
Put Budimir upfront with Kramaric swinging behind. And hope we can squeeze some last bit of magic out of Perisic/Orsic (assuming they can recover from injury).
This is what I’m hoping for …
———-Budimir ———–
Perisic ———Kramaric
—————-Majer———–
—–Modric ——————-
————-Brozolic ———
Sosa ——————–Juranovic
—–Gvardiol —- Erlic———-
———–Livakovic ——–
Kramaric can swing behind Budimir, giving Juranovic the lane.