Luka Modrić and Real Madrid are all but through to the Champions League semifinals after their 3-0 win over last year’s finalists, Borussia Dortmund. Real were expected to come out hot, with revenge on their minds after Borussia Dortmund bounced Real Madrid out of the competition last year in the semifinal round. But Los Blancos made quick work of the German side Wednesday night at the Bernabeu as Gareth Bale and Isco scored in the 3rd and 27th minute, respectively, with Luka Modrić stealing the ball and passing it to Ronaldo in the 57th minute for the game’s final strike.
Modrić was rested at the weekend but has completely settled into this Real Madrid side under Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti. With Modrić, Mandžukić and Rakitić firing on all cylinders at the moment, we could be witnessing some Croatian magic this summer in Brazil.
Modrić steal, assist @2:39
On Tuesday, Mario Mandžukić came off the bench for Bayern Munich in the 63rd minute as they trailed Manchester United 1-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg. And it only took Mandza four minutes to make an impact as he perfectly headed down a pass to Bastian Schweinsteiger in the box, who put the ball right under the crossbar and into the back of the net to equalize. The match would end that way. Mandza received a yellow card in the 82nd minute for catching Serb Nemanja Vidić on the chin with his elbow. Mandžukić has been on fire for Bayern all season; receiving service in the box from all sides of the field.
Manager Pep Guardiola will surely start Super Mario next Wednesday in Germany as Manchester United must score to ensure their survival. A two or three goal performance by Munich will surely see the Red Devils leave Allianz Arena hanging their heads.
Mandžukić assist to Schweinsteiger
i see two more posts from the imposters. Carry on girls, carry on.
Slaven Bilic would make a better coach than Peppi Guardiola.
I see we have another Ziva imposter. Not the first and won’t be the last.
Question for you……do you wake up and decide you will be a Ziva imposter or does it pop up in your dreams.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^Dont worry son.I will get him and soon you will have a little brother at home to play with.I will dish out beatings to both of you.
I see we have another Ziva imposter. Not the first and won’t be the last.
Question for you……do you wake up and decide you will be a Ziva imposter or does it pop up in your dreams.
Why does Pep think he’s so clever by playing a B team against a hot Hoffenheim side? Why does he think he’s so clever keeping Mario on the bench against Man U? Why does he think he’s so clever allowing Toni Kroos to take set pieces that are useless? Why does he even field the useless Mario Gotze?
Pep Guardiola is a prima donna poseur. The last coach for Bayern Munich was much better.
Lovren is not the only one. The others have to step it up.
We’ve got Mandzo, Modric, Rakitic, Lovren, and an up-and-coming Kovacic yet we still scrape by to get into the World Cup via playoffs.
There is no excuse for this team not to perform. We need to figure out a way to get the most out of this group (or at least limit the amount of errors from Lovren).
We should be on par with the Netherlands with these names, yet the Dutch sweep their qualifying group with ease and they are a potential round of 16 opponent that would be the heavy favorites against us.
Franz Beckenbauer role??????????
Do you know where he played and the position Rakitic plays?
We are watching Rakitic play up front with Sevilla and having he freedom to role. There is nothing in Rakitic’s play that suggests he could copy Beckenbauer’s role.
Rakitić is ascending to world class status.
He would thrive at Real Madrid and Ancelotti will create the scheme to have him and Modric play together on song.
I really see Rakitić growing into that Franz Beckenbauer role.
Liverpool should go all in to bring Rakitić And Kovačić to Anfield.
Funny, I remember seeing a Liverpool supporter in Dubrovnik back when Steven Gerrard was at his peak. Ironic that Rakitić would be his ideal replacement.
After this summer Rakitić will need to honored as yet another world-class nogometaš !
@Slavonac that is true about strinic, but Corluka is better technically. I like pranjic LB for the attack because he is much better technically with his passes/crosses than Strinic (also better at those than perisic on the wing), but Corluka is does well defending as well as getting forward.
Rakitic might be better suited at Madrid.
At least he knows the league and style of play very well and he’s settled into life in Spain with his lady.
Liverpool’s midfield isn’t that shallow and he’d have to settle into different country and league.
Ziva- are you really surprised?
Friends, I have sad news to pass along.
http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/vrbanovic-je-potvrdio-suker-je-novi-stari-predsjednik-hns-a-360642
jm- I agree…I think Rakitic would easily get lost in the shuffle at real if he had a few average performances…the thing I find strange is that organizations dont tend to take all things into consideration when looking at a player like Rakitic. he’s always been a good player at his clubs…and the fact he’s done very well may have a lot to do with his surrounding cast and the freedom he gets…it doesnt mean he will perform the same somewhere else!
I think the biggest issue will be having 1 less day to prepare for the 3rd game than the 2nd game, and it will be coming off of our longest trip from the hottest atmosphere.
Super Mario- what about Strinic? he’s been a solid defender for Croatia.
@Horvat Brasil is huge so it depends on the location. First game should be tolerable but the other two are on the equator basically so it will be hot & humid. In Manaus (2nd game – Cameroon) the avg high in June is around 90 and low around 75 and I’m sure the humidity will be 100% or very near
What is the temperature like in Brazil in June?
@Cro v Ant
Benteke just tore his Achilles.
Russia and Belgium can play with the best and lose to the worst. Much like us and Mexico so you never know…
Would love to see Belgium get bounced at the group stage!
Rafa Marquez would be the best thing for Cro. Can’t believe Mexico still calls him up.
@Adame & @JM
I read previously (during the Atletico interest stories) that Sevilla is not likely to sell him within La Liga (understandably so), so I am guessing the same would apply for Real
@ Adame
You’re comparing apples to oranges. Given our quality it’s fair to say we are the favorite, the better team, and odds are we will win.
But jeeze, if the Mexican think they are better than us–now that’s a severe case of Homer Googles. That’s like saying Russia is gonna beat Belgium.
But let them get cocky. There’re in for a rude awakening when they play us.
@Croatia v Antwerp re: betting
you are correct Croatia has always been favored to advance at the betting sites since the draw was finalized
@JM toe/foot injury:
Fiorentina Rebic for the season might be over
25.03.2014 16:55 by Anthony Gaito Twitter: @ antonio_gaito article
The season of Ante Rebic may already be finished. The tip of talented ’93 class, taken in January dall’RNK Split, is out for more than two months for a metatarsalgia big toe of the right foot and in today’s conference Vincenzo Montella has dismissed his back on the pitch, “How is Rebic? Do not been training for months, it will be difficult to have it available. “
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2015713-liverpool-transfer-news-ivan-rakitic-blow-dealt-by-real-madrid#articles/2015713-liverpool-transfer-news-ivan-rakitic-blow-dealt-by-real-madrid
@ adame
i’m very torn. i can see him end up getting buried on the bench their from their constant wave of talent. not to mention, rakitic has not exactly thrived playing with modric.
on the flip side, it would be awesome for them to consistently play together and develop a chemistry to bring the repka that they seem to lack right now
Let the mexicans talk and assume they will beat us. I mean, don’t we do the same thing?
What do you guys think about Rakitics move to Real Madrid. Apparently his agent/brother had talks with Madrid today.
@ Slavonac
I got news for the Mexicans. Looks like the betting sites have Croatia as the favorite. I guess when Money is involved people start making a lot more sense.
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup/croatia-v-mexico/winner
anyone know yet what the deal is with rebic’s injury?
I say vs Brazil 4-2-3-1
………………….Olic…………….
Pranjic…………………..Kovacic
………………Rakitic……………
………Modric………Vukojevic……
Corluka Schildenfeld Lovren Srna
………………….Pletikosa
Perisic can sit his ass on the bench, Pranjic is much better and can help Corluka on the left. Vukojevic’s defending is needed in this game so Mateo can play on the right (good for counter attack)
vs Mexico and Cameroon:
…………………Mandzukic……………..
Rebic……………………………..Pranjic
………………….Kovacic………………
……..Modric……………Rakitic……..
Corluka Schildenfeld Lovren Srna
…………………..Pletikosa
Mandzo back from suspension, rebic on to run at players, and a creative midfield diamond. They won’t be able to compete with the quality here. Corluka should go back to left back where he is more solid defensively than pranjic/strinic, and he still likes to join the attack.
have you guys checked out what the “supposed” experts say? in most cases they give the edge to Mexico, I’ve found one or two that give the edge to Croatia.
I can’t believe the Mexicans are assuming they will beat us. They have no respect. They say that as if Modric, Mandzukic, and Rakitic don’t even exist.
Look at the clubs were the Mexican team plays, mostly domestic teams. While ours are scattered throughout Europe playing in good teams.
And It’s fair to say we are the favorite and they are NOT. A reality check is in order for Mese’cans.
I hope we slaughter them…really, I’d love nothing more than to see Mandzukic bitch slap Rafa Marquez and for our defenders to frustrate Dos Santos and Chicharito…I had respect for Mexico before but have been disappointed at the majority of them…their lack of respect for Croatia and their over confidence…we better beat them by goals and physically!
@slavonac
I understand they didn’t have them but chichatito has been ok at best, dos santos even the commentators were saying is their best talent but he tends to not show up more often than show up. As poor as they look I am a little worried about them just because they seem to get Lady Luck on their side in tournaments. So we shall see
Vatrena cast- mexico played without some of their European players…with that said, I didnt watch the game but have heard their defense is like Swiss cheese anyways. I hope this is their team…Mexicans think they will walk right through Croatia, on many sites they are talking about the second round and who they will meet…it pisses me off! I have several bets with my wife’s family…we better bury them, I will never go to Mexico again…1) because I couldn’t handle the shit talk I’ll receive and 2) I hope none of them ever learn Croatian…I’ve sworn at many of them…hopefully they won’t know what I’ve said!
http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1773209/alen-halilovic-transfer-barcelona-happen-fifa-ban-says-bosman-lawyer?cc=5901
According to Roman mythology, Neptune, God of the Seas, wielded a Trident….
So too does Croatia, a sea faring nation, have it’s own footballing Trident which features Mandzukic, Modric, and Rakitic.
And with this attacking Trident, Croatia will strike fear and awe into our group stage opponents. Surely it will be enough to make the Round of 16.
Anyone watch the special Olympics last night? USA played Mexico. If the Mexicans play how they did last night we should do pretty well against them. I understand it was only a friendly but they looked terrible. They tied it up in the second half mostly because it seemed like the USA took the foot off the gas. Maybe they are too many icecreams at the half. I think mandza will dominated their back line, but we gotta be wary of their counter attack.
@jm
Don’t forget Ognjen Vukojević
With the world cup coming up, I’m sure we’ll see lists like the top 50 players in the tournament start to come out
For Euro 2012, modric was the only one on the list
I think there is a strong argument for croatia to have 3 on the list now: modric and rakitic definite. mandzukic as well
Our three top guys playing vital roles for their clubs as they compete against some of the top teams in the world.
Looking forward to seeing Rakitić against Porto today in a heated Iberian clash.
His captaincy this year at Sevilla is just the training he needed to assert himself with the Repka. Kovač will get the best out of him this summer and he will become our captain for Euro 2016!
@ Zija
If that transfer does not go through, then the bidding will begin in earnest for Halilovic.
What’s going to happen with the halilovic transfer with the new barca situation?