Luka Modrić scored another ‘screamer’ today in Champions League as Real Madrid were shocked by Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2. It was 3-0 for the Ukrainian champs at halftime but Luka’s goal got some momentum flowing for Los Blancos. But it wouldn’t be enough as Real Madrid lost 3-2 to open up their Champions League campaign after a late equalizer was taken back by VAR.
Real Madrid lost at the weekend to newly promoted club Cadiz and then again to Shakhtar Wednesday night in Champions League, who played without 10 key starters due to testing positive for COVID.
What the hell is going on at Real Madrid?
Srna even as a coach is still the best croatian footballer.
If Modric missed 2 pk’s and we lost to Denmark he would’ve been public enemy #1. Rebic too for trying to round the keeper. Fine lines.
Remember, both Dalic and Modric were VERY lucky in the Denmark and Russia games.
Dalic kept getting cute with his subsitution of Perisic too early in both those games, right after he cracked the woodwork in both games.
We needed that ‘Perisic ex-factor’ during extra time, and he wasn’t there. He scores the big goals out of nowhere (proven in the England game) and can switch things ON at any given time.
Modric kicked that penalty into Schmeichel’s stomach in injury time, then kicked it straight at Schmeichel’s feet in the shootout. He was lucky that one went in, or else we could have lost that game for us (and be labeled as a failure at NT level). He did the same thing in the Russia shootout.
Those were games that we both dominated, but thanks to Denmark’s anti-football play and Russia’s PED use (along with the Dalic substitution mistakes and Modric’s botched PKs) the games were kept close.
Perisic is equal to Modric, and has been BETTER than him if we go back as far as WC2014.
I love Brekalo for the same reason as Perisic, that he can suddenly score (or creating a scoring chance) out of nowhere…no matter how good or bad he’s been playing. Very lethal player.
I see him as our next Perisic, but I definitely give Perisic priority over every single player on our National Team.
Brekalo is an up-and-coming star…
I think we all know that now 🙂
But even as his biggest supporter, I am a bigger fan of Perisic (who I think is equally as valuable as Modric, and has been our BEST and most impactful player in these past three tournaments).
I think sitting out Perisic under any circumstance is a no-no.
But if he is getting exhausted early, then throw Brekalo in.
Or we can try some combinations where both Perisic and Brekalo start, then a fresh Rebic comes in and completely tears apart the opposition.
These are the things I was hoping Dalic would ‘experiment’ with. Using combinations and strategies that you would actually use in a tournament (rather than just give some fringe players some “playing time” despite never realistically using them in a tournament, especially in an out-of-position role)
@Maminjo: re Rebić for Perisić, I was assuming Brekalo starts on the other wing. Pasalić is our backup to Vlasić. Brekalo loses the ball a lot, but he’s learning still, can run all day, and scores goals. Perisić is the best winger we have, but if his endurance is suffering, he might be better off the bench. Like Ricardo Cuaresma for Portugal in 2016. 😉
Bradaric with a peach of a cross. He should already be our LWB starter.
https://streamja.com/JoJZ4
@ARMADA87
The Livakovic save was huge, any penalty stop is, but it had more to do with it being an awful shot.
https://www.goalstube.online/dinamo-zagreb-vs-feyenoord
https://streamja.com/9jN93
Vlasic with a really nice assist today. The pass itself wasn’t anything special, but the hard driving build-up to it was a thing of beauty and power at the same time.
I think Rijeka did pretty well today. Of course Sociedad is way better than Rijeka you gotta respect their courage. They have a coach who knows what he’s doing.
Marko,
I didn’t find Kulenovic bad at all. Okay, he lost some balls but he kept running all the time. In fact, he really reminds me of Mandzukic. He really copied Mandzukic’s style. And even when he dead, he manages to get past the opponent some times. I see him ending up in our national team for sure.
Also great to see how their youngsters as Smolcic, Nevesitic, Stefulj etc. grew into the match.
A coach who doen’t know what he’s doing is Mamic. Dinamo is not 20 per cent of the team it was last year. Orsic was great last year, this year you hardly notice him.
The only player who’s better than last year is Majer.
Also he shouldn’t have started Ivanusec and Petkovic. With them on the pitch, Dinamo started to dominate.
Jakic and Kastrati were awful.
I guess Gvardiol is a great talent… only I don’t see it. The game in Hungary and today as LB. I’m not yet convinced about him.
Omg ademi with the cheeky back heel we shoulda stole this one – feyenoord red card …decent draw – but coulda used the W red card and all…
Armad87@- we all know ur pro Rijeka fan and i have no true allegiance (dinamo perhaps) as long as ain’t hajduk haha but 2nd half they were run over by sociedad- (hit the post and came close often) I wish but woulda been lucky if Rijeka escaped with a draw – they barely deserved that- 1st half they played better – klumenovic looked awful – looking for calls constantly – the press call him the next mandZo – not by a long shot – like the god of halilovic lolor more realistic kovacic being a Modric
Bradaric with a cross that leads to Lille goal.
No UEL thread, Kvartuc? Don’t be a typical Hajdukovac.
Very entertaining UEL games to far. My Rijeka deserved the tie but Sociedad deserved that goal as well. Livakovic with a big time PK stop. DZG need a goal after HT here.
What a save livakovic lol summoning the pk brilliance of suba! No more shitty give away PK’s dinamo ! Rijeka was on back foot a lot of 2nd half – was hoping a draw but they folded near the end – not bad 1st half – 2nd half they just dumped it didn’t play counter, possession kept giving away- not bad tho as both cro teams got tough groups
https://youtu.be/ukWo8edQSEA?t=156 Juranovic goal.
Never feel sorry for a Serb
Rijeka and Dinamo in action today. I think they both can get a result today
Don’t cry for Jovic.
The guy got himself a massive pay day thanks to Rebic’s hard work…and Rebic was the one that had to be loaned out and prove his worth (again) at AC Milan.
Funny thing is that Jovic was looking to get loaned to play with Rebic again, but I’m sure that all ended when he learned he would have to take a massive pay cut (as Serie A doesn’t pay nearly as well as the other leagues).
He can have tons of money, or he can get a transfer to move forward with his career (for less money).
He’s made his choice.
Another fantastic performance from Luka should have been awarded a PK as well as he was tripped in the box as he got through on goal a few min before he scored. He’s pressing led to Real’s second goal too bad he was taken off as I believe he would have led them to at least a tie.
How lost does Jovic look out there no confidence no drive almost feel sorry for him one of Real Madrid’s worst signings in history so far.
@Doom
Whatever keeps Pasalic starting on the wing, I’m all for it!
😉
What do you guys think about Rebic starting instead of Periodic? Perisic was evidently really tired in the second half against France. He still played great, but I wonder if last year’s injury took off some of his endurance.
Good news is Rebić is back on the training pitch, non contact drills.
Milan is going to be competitive all season long between Europa league and Serie A.
Hope his form is still hot.
This has been good for his legs to take a mini rest for a couple of weeks.
I wonder if Milan tries to extend his absence through the next international break?
Probably not as they need him depth as the depth up front is being challenged.
Be great to see a hungry Rebic to play his part v Sweden.
Luckily for Luka, Barcelona and Atletico should be bad too, so the Madrid media might not try to blame everything on an aging Modric.
Rebic still out tomorrow and for ACMilan’s monday night game.
What do you call Hazard and Jovic?
Modrić can’t carry these bums.
At this rate he may not be able to rest.
I thought he was supposed to be surplus to requirements.
You see what level Luka Modrić exists on.
I am not sold on Zidane and his ability to recruit?
He seems to have his biases and they don’t pan out.
He inherited a core group of champions but I don’t see him replenishing the team.
Jovic better than Bale?
Hazard makes Bale look durable and available.
I have seen many a manager burn Modrić out because they relied on him too much.
He is 35 and Real Madrid need him this bad?
All I see are these pumped up articles about all these Real players and they are all scrubs.
Nice goal Luka almost better than his goal against Argentina