Luka Modrić suffered a double-fractured cheekbone Sunday night vs. Juventus after colliding head to head with Manuel Locatelli.
❌ Bad news: Serie A season is over
✅ Good news: He will be ready for the World Cup with mask in hand
Question is: Will Modrić have to wear a mask at the World Cup just as Gvardiol did in 2022? Most likely.
Saranic highlights from today
***.youtube.com/watch?v=edN0wYmOCYU
The move to Istra has motivated him big time
This is the best Anonymous has seen him
Two World-Class perfect penalties – in each corner (unstoppable)
62:20 defensive work rate (very long stride so covers crazy distance w ease)
66:40 look at that movement in the box and shot attempt
But you know why Anonymous is increasing his NT probability from 33% to 35% after watching this ?
Because he is now – for the FIRST TIME EVER – doing CUPPING – see marks on his neck when he takes the penalties
U don’t do the pulse-check celebration every goal in 2nd division – unless u want to make the NT
And u DEFINITELY don’t do cupping in the 2nd division – unless u know ur going to make the NT
Nothing says you made it like a transfer to Istra at the age of 22.
He turns 23 in 10 days
Saranic fixates too much on his hair.
I saw a photo of him (a few years back) wearing corn rows. 🤦
He was also shaving off the hair on the sides of his head (an undercut) but cuts it extremely short, like a zero guard or razor short.
He is also on some hair paste website (called Hairbond).
This was all in 2022 when he thought he was good.
Fast forward a couple of years, and he probably had a wake up call last season when no team wanted him anymore, and he had to play on some mid-table team in UAE.
I’m hoping this good season he had at Sesvete means he is no longer fixating on things that don’t matter and he’s stepped his game up. Would be nice to see him get back on track.
Anonymous, do you know how to make YouTube videos? Make some YouTube videos showcasing your favourite players. I get frustrated with some of the videos because all they show is the goals and assists. They don’t show those little bits you pick up on. Put all your passion into something creative and technical. Then you can share them here 👍🏻
SARANIC TWO GOALS TODAY !!!!!
14 on the year !!!
Anonymous = GOAT !!!
Suck Anonymous’ BBCC !!!
Lunch time. Mama zove!
Anonymous great trash talker but also said Murdrazija was a better player player than Baturina should be in the National team as well. That prediction did not go to well. As far as Saranic goes he reminds me of a bit of Majer with his left foot and technical ability on the ball. Only problem is Majer is a much harder worker and dedicated to football than Saranic. Saranic has similar issues like Robert Muric who was more talented and didn’t make any kind of career that he should have.
Where is “Soul Champ” Miss his kind optimism and positivity. We need these going into the World CUP.
Anonymous’ Jan. 11, 2026 eye test on Baturina 6 minute cameo vs. Bologna
Anonymous told all u MORONS that based on those SIX MINUTES – it was the turning point and that Baturina would START the next game – fast forward and Baturina has started every game since then and took over the team
Anonymous explained WHY this would happen (similar to Saranic – all based on BEST Psychological and Body Language Assessment IN THE WORLD)
Anonymous perfectly bottom-ticked the Baturina bottom !!!!!!
Anonymous is the GREATEST of all times – 100% HIT RATE – 100% !!!!!
https://croatiansports.com/the-weekend-water-cooler-134/#comments/523233
######
Anonymous just closely watched Baturina’s cameo
– When he came on – so did Ghanian Ibrahim Sulemana for Bologna (capped 6 times) – it’s a parallel as they both want to make their WC squad (and both face limited play time at their clubs). Unfortunate for Sulemana he was the one Baturina went one-on-one with for the goal (this is a different player to the Ghanian Kamaldeen Sulemana who plays with Mario at Atalanta)
– 90:45 Baturina in the box trying to head in a cross b/w two CBs (!) – can Dinamo fans tell Anonymous if Baturina has ever scored a header goal at Dinamo ? Can’t remember him ever heading the ball on the NT. He didn’t do particularly well but he got STUCK IN between the two CBs and TRIED to jump and get a head on it
– Baturina was getting closer in duels – both ground – and aerial – he wasn’t shy – and was again getting STUCK IN there – not scared, not shy
– After the goal – did you notice that Baturina immediately signalled to teammates to get back to centre to start the game (to go for a winner) – while his teammates we’re mesmerized by his goal and then swarmed him. Baturina wanted to restart the game, while the rest of Como was celebrating the tie. What mentality
– You know what will get Baturina a start in the next game ? See 96:00 Paz is on the right-channel/half-space and crosses it into the box but ball gets cleared – Baturina looks at Paz and tells him (by pointing) that was the wrong pass and he should have crossed it to the far post where a free Como player was running into (Baturina on his part made a run into the centre channel to drag the RCB away from the Como player on the left side to free up that space). Also, when the whistle went Baturina put his kit over his face – the message being – a tie is not good enough – I wanted to win – and overall wasn’t happy they didn’t score again. Again, what mentality
Now Baturina has been cold one game, then hot the next (yesterday was hot) – he needs to replicate the effort and mentality – so it’s consistent across every game. With this mentality he will get a chance to start a game
Again – Anonymous will not be shocked of Cesc gives him a start next game – not bc of the goal (sure it’s nice and important) but bc of his body language and mentality and effort on the pitch. That’s what was missing.
######
Can someone do a WELLNESS CHECK on Vlad – PLEEZE !!!
Anonymous is worried that he’s not taking the Saranic to Istra news very well !!!
“Scores goals like me in my Sunday Beer League” 😉
“Lazy” 😉
“2nd division Croatian crap” (thanks Davor and Mart for this one :-))
The tell ?
The PULSE-CHECK CELEBRATION over and over again on every goal in the “2nd division Croatian crap” – told Anonymous he’s locked in and seeking his redemption arc
It’s all very basic psychology and body-language assessment
Anonymous LOVES being the ONLY ONE RIGHT ABOUT SARANIC
And all the MORONS were betting against ANONYMOUS EYE TESTS
Baturina.
NEW YORK KNICKS BABY!!! WOOOOO!!!
It’s the Mamdani knicks bro
Vuskovic
For all the drama queens
He posted on IG himself doing a scorpion kick in training
As anonymous told u – there was never any real issue – just some time off to regroup mentally and physically ahead of the WC
Boban flirting w some 20 y/o Barca RW Rodriguez kid that if good wouldn’t be available for a couple mil and Matkovic who might never play again in HNL when he returns in 9 months as his RW targets
While Istra snatch Saranic from under his nose for peanuts no doubt with MASSIVE upside ie NT potential
Bahahahahahaagahahahavaahahab
Great job Boban – keep nose-picking !!!!!
The same Boban thats gonna get 8 figures for Beljo?
😊
Anonymous RIGHT
Every single one of u MORONS were WRONG
Saranic NT probability next 3 years increased from 25% to 33%
###
🚨 𝐍𝐄𝐖: Ivan Šaranić set for HNL move!
The Sesvete winger, who scored 12 goals this season, has reached an agreement to join Istra 1961 this summer.
Official confirmation expected after the season.
[Germanijak]
He only had 12 goals?
I thought he had like 40.
Anonymous thinks you pulled the wrong penny stock pusher analogy – the RIGHT analogy is a penny doubling every day for 30 days pusher 😉
😃
Freiburg lost 2-1 to Braga this morning. Igor played the whole match. It was a crappy, start-stoppy boring game so it’s hard to really say too much; he seemed to do okay from when i could be bothered to draw my attention away from Xbox to the second screen to watch the game, i guess.
More concerning is yet again the absolute bullshit, arbitrary lottery of the state of penalties. I know i keep going on about it, but ive never seen football in such a state of chaos in terms of what is/isnt a penalty in games. It is truly just a complete mystery the way they are deciding them. The commentators were baffled in this game yet again where a non-penalty is a penalty and a penalty is a non-penalty, all after VAR review. There are going to be a lot of bs penalties/non-penalties in this wc, mark my word.
Anon,
Your boy (Ivan Šaranić) just signed for Istra next season.
Good move for him. Let’s see what he does.
😊 😊 😊
What can Anonymous say
Anonymous eye tests are the best the World has ever seen !!!
😛 👅 😜
1/2 season Istra – Dinamo sign him in the winter – NT call up in summer/fall 2027 seems right ?
33% NT probability next 3 years (increased from previous 25%)
I think We should just start calling you the “optometrist!”considering the extreme talent you have in eye tests!
These are worst time for injuries. Every club is pushing for a cup title, champions league, etc.
Gvardiol is making a comeback with a speedy recovery. He should be back my early May. Man city has 6 games remaining. If we can play even a few to get his rhythm back.
Vuskovic has a bruised knee and should be back soon too.
Stanisic is arguably having his best season.
Both Sucic’s have a solid season
Baturina is a young gem
I still think our midfield will be set even without Modric. We can expect him to pull his weight anymore at 40 with his mileage. Now especially with his injury.
Forwards let’s bring the height and aggression with Matanovic. Invanovic too with his youth. Perisic with the experience lastly.
Was not on my radar. Adrian is completely antithetic to Kovacic when it comes to finishing in the last third.
This guy looks better than 6′ 0″ Sesko, @ a diminutive 5′-8″. He plays like he is 6′ + able to hold his own space against larger strong players, very Modric-esque. Different than Brekalo, Biuk, Halilovic, and Coric types, easily pushed off the ball. Maybe we have our new Wayne Roonich/Eduardo De Silva mixture with strength and killer sublime presence.
Anon:
Croatia/Aussie Double Expresso…… Bernard Tomic on the tennis court was another live wire as well. It’s all good. I just saw a few highlights looks awesome. Has Mario aggressive energy. We need that.
Let’s not hold up “Tomik” as any sort of exemplar of anything other than how to be a cunt.
I prefer the Ned Zelic school of Aus/Cro “if you cut me, i bleed red and white checkers” or of course the Big Joe Simunic absolute train smashing into that Serb in that critical qualifier we played in 2013 lmao.
@Kromiza
There is definitely risk that Segecic gives himself a concussion by smacking the ball into his own head over and over again – watch this lol also he had good interaction with Pompey fans by pretending he’s going to throw the game ball to them
x.com/Pompey/status/2048114824731623815?s=20
The boy is definitely a LIVE-WIRE – he’s very Aussie Rugby Ladish – if you mix that with a ZDS hard-core Croat – you get NEPALM
Not sure Croatia NT has ever had a personality like him – Simunic came across as aloof or at least very chill (unless he red carded a dirty Serb lol) – but Sege is opposite – I’m sure Modric will have to tell him to settle down a few times as he’ll be over-exited – but his energy – if it is always positive – is definitely a plus (I wonder how he acts when things not going his way – hopefully he doesn’t flip to the other extreme)
Anonymous very VIDUKA like… we don’t have him in our NT those days cause we had the likes of Suker Boksoc and co. Otherwise I’m assuming he would have played for Cro… Arguably best striker Australia had for sure!
2 quick takes….
Stanišić played fine against very top level opponents. Even the best get burned now and then when it comes to the semis of the Champions League.
Hopefully we have Stani, Vuško and Gvardi all healthy and performing for the foreseeable future… that’s a pretty solid defensive line! Let’s hope the stars align and we get to see them play together at this World Cup.
On another tangent…
VAR should be taken out of the game!!! Both semis had bad penalties given. And one taken away that probably was a penalty.
The initial, on the field call should be the call (even though at times it will probably be the wrong call).
So many penalties are debatable and could go either way. VAR just allows the game to be manipulated from outside the field. Like the BS call against us in the 2018 final.
Ajmo dečki!!!
Looks like we can have the best defence in the world with Stanisić, Vuskoviċ, and Gvardiol, potentially for 6-8 years.
If Baturina and Sučiċ can prove themselves in the international game and we come up with some forwards, Croatia can still be a dark horse that no one wants to draw in competitions for the next 10 years.
You ain’t lyin @fellow from
Well said
Looks like Vuskovic on track:
https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/tottenham-news-luka-vuskovic-injury-33858702
So who would the Aussie Segečić take the place of, being another attacking midfielder, our most loaded position, could he be versatile and possibly play winger out of position for injured Marco P.?
P.P.S.
Remember when Mart was arguing with the GOAT Anonymous about the “2nd English Division” being crap when Anonymous said Pandur was 100% going to go to the WC lol
Of course Anonymous was RIGHT calling Pandur to the NT
But now, Croatia will have TWO “2nd English Division” crap (not-crap) at the WC
Never doubt the Anonymous – EYE TESTS and CRITICAL THINKING are the BEST BEST BEST the World has EVER seen
Chance that Pandur could still miss out ? somebody from Hajduk needs to be on the list and goalkeeper Silic has had a good season in goal since replacing injured Ivusic.
He is our U21 goalkeeper and anyway whoever is the third choice goalkeeper at the WC they are unlikely to play. So you might as well call up Silic so that Hajduk gets some money from FIFA for player participation rather than Hull.
I hope that this happens as I have never rated Pandur highly having watched him play a few times for our national youth teams. Not tall enough for my liking and hence suspect on crosses into the box which is still the case from what I have seen of him playing for Hull.
Segecic is a good player, quick has a good shot on him and importantly scores goals.
However, his only chance of going to the WC Imo is if some of our regular squad players get injured and are forced to miss the WC. This is a real possibility with most comps in Europe still having 4 or 5 matches left in the season.
P.S.
Maminjo won’t like hearing this
But obviously “Diaspora Privilege” at work
Dalic HAS to call him as there is RISK Australia offer him a WC spot
Hence he’s higher in the pecking order that Stojko and Poor Jaga
He most likely won’t be a starter (less than 20% chance IMO) – but can offer Messi-like attributes off the bench (see his 3rd goal last game)
Again, Poor Jaga – although PAO still has 4 games left – and Anonymous will NEVER GIVE UP ON HIS JAGA – JAGA WILL BE A STARTER FOR THE NT – just not this summer
Is there really a “risk” of Australia calling him up?
Since he officially switched to Croatia a couple months back, doesn’t he have to switch back to Australia (and go through a process again)?
Or can he just accept whichever call up comes at him next, without any delay?
Also, Is there any risk he will do a Za dom spremni and get booted!, before the WC. We could use a little Aussie spirit in a bottle. Miss Josip S.
Anonymous EYE TESTS ARE THE BEST THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN !!!
SEGECIC GOING TO THE WC – AS GOAT ANONYMOUS ALREADY TOLD YOU
#######
x.com/CroatiaFooty/status/2049589750638481440
𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓: Adrian Segečić could be in Croatia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Zlatko Dalić has asked for reports on the Portsmouth winger, while Ivica Olić says: “Segečić is a national team A player. He’s different from everyone we have.”
With injuries affecting several attacking options, Segečić could force his way into the final 26-man squad for the World Cup.
[Sportske Novosti]
#######
Stanišić had some really bad ratings overall. I didn’t have a chance to watch the game. I saw him in the previous two matches with Real Madrid and he wasn’t the greatest there either. This kind of calls into question the idea of a back three for us. I am gonna go out on a limb here and say that I think we need a 4-4-2 system. I just cannot see the back three working.
Yup. Stanisic got lowest ratings.
https://www.goal.com/en-sg/lists/bayern-munich-player-ratings-psg-champions-league-luis-diaz-michael-olise-harry-kane/bltebcc37eed084fbc1
Stanisic is a defensive RB or LB. He cannot be play in 3-5-2 where he is right wingback.
We should continue with back four as we do not have good LWB and RWB. Sosa and bradaric are off form. Orsic has lost his spot and does not come off the bench.
By playing a back four, there is only one player at risk of not adapting as well. That is vuskovic..he played as back 3 for westerlo and current club. Gvardiol sutalo and stanisic all playing in back 4 in ther respective clubs.
I hope we can bring back juranovic
I think the plan for a “three at the back” would always be Gvardiol-Vuskovic-Stanisic.
We played this formation in a friendly where we were missing Gvardiol, and we were trying out different guys (like Erlic, Pongracic, Jakic, and Marco).
I would assume that if we ever tried this formation again, you would only see those three starting in the defender positions.
—————-(Beljo/Matanovic)—————
————————Ivanovic————————
—————Baturina——Vlasic——————
————(L.Sucic/Majer/Pasalic)———
—Perisic—Sucic—Kovacic—Stanišić
——————(Jakic/Moro)—(M.Pasalic)
——Gvardiol—Vuskovic—Sutalo———
—(Pograncic)—(Prpic)——(Smolcic)—
———Livakovic/Pandur/Kotarski———
The above will be the core post world
We have a good mix of youth and experience this worldcup… By 2030 our talent pool will exceed… possibly a top contender… Listed below are some of our future talents…… most of you heard or follow them… future is bright post Modrić…
Mlacic Durdov Belinho Covic Jagusic Zvonarek Kusanovic Simic Grgic Segecic
lol
He played against KVARA
The BEST LW in the World
He faced #2 LW in the World Vini when they played Madrid
He got beat a couple times 1 v 1
Big deal
He also shut him down numerous times
Only saw pieces – but he was also expected / making runs into the box and joining the attack
Lots of (too much) grass to cover over 90 up and down the pitch
If Kompany had him focus 90% on defence (instead of 50%) he would have been / looked better defensively
They were looking at the overall game. In the first half, he hit a terrible square ball in his own half that gave PSG a chance in the box where their attacker fell under a challenge, giving shouts for a penalty. And in the second half, he was found open in the PSG box on a cross and missed hitting a square pass to Kane for a tap in.
To be fair . . . Stani has been very solid this year, and is a world class defender.
Many times this year, he has been on the higher side of the Bayern Munich ratings.
He is also used to playing against the Mbappes, the Vinis, the Kvaras . . . . .the top attackers in the world.
We should feel confident that we have an excellent defender in Stanisic.
It’s just a few guys on here that wait in the shadows for one injury or one bad game, then jump on here with doom and gloom
It’s not doom and gloom. I felt watching the friendlies that a back 3 wasn’t suitable then either. We were left exposed many times, even against Columbia.
It’s worth noting that the level of competition changes when your at the World Cup. You will be playing against these difficult opponents more often so the expectations also rise. You will be playing Vinis, Mbappes, Kvaras and the like.
I never doubted Stanišić as our defender and he is still starter in my eyes but I think that a back four is better just from what I am reading and seeing.
But again I could be wrong.
M1:
I lean to the view that you may well be right about a back four.
It seems Sutalo or DCC would probably be the fourth defender. DCC is coming off a cup win, Sutalo has the better skills in my view, but has been inconsistent.
Sutalo played fairly well in his last two games. Will be interesting to see how he plays against PSV on the weekend. That will be a pretty good test.
Well don’t worry, we will just call up Halilovic and Coric lmao 🤣
Stanisic looked like he inherited Vuskovic’s foot-work on that 1 v 1 Kvara goal
No matter.
PSG winning big is a very good thing for us.
I don’t need Stanisic killing himself any more in these Champions League matches.
Just calmly finish up the Bundesliga season and get ready for the World Cup.
Amen
5 – 4 to PSG may not be enough with the return leg next week in Munich. Still a 50/50 proposition in which team goes to the final.
Yea, I posted when it was 5-2.
I don’t care for PSG, but I was hoping it would stay that way just so Stanisic can stop playing so much and be ready for the World Cup.
Hey MORONS
Bild reporting Luka back on the pitch training
Too many of you guys are DRAMA QUEENS and/or dirty Serbs
Do better – learn to be a GOAT like Anonymous
King of prince luka??
I’m not worried about the king. He is coming
Ideally, the battered and recovering players, get treatment for the next 6 weeks, and miraculously come back for the friendlies and the WC, and it all actually works in our own favor.
I was under the impression that if Gvardiol was not released tp play, and if he did not see the field before season end, somehow that would affect his availability for WC as well. Hopefully it is not true.
Broz tried to quit the NT in 2021, but Dalic “convinced” him to stay
“Odlučio sam završiti reprezentativnu karijeru. Prestajem. . . Dosta mi je, ne mogu više podnositi to pljuvanje po svima nama i meni osobno, tu atmosferu u ekipi i oko nje, te sukobe i podjele, a imam i druge planove”
***.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/brozovic-zamalo-napustio-vatrene-dalic-ga-uvjerio-da-ostane-15703208?cx_linkref=jl_home_vijesti_prva_pasica
What’s with the news of Vuskovic tearing his patella?
Could we be looking at a World Cup without Vuskovic or Gvardiol?
I’ve been following Kicker.de, Bild and Sportbild and none of them are reporting a torn patella — only a contusion.