Joško Gvardiol doesn’t score a lot of goals, but when he does, oh my!
Gvardiol rifled in a shot from 23 yards out to put Man City up 3-2 late in the 2nd half against Real Madrid in the 1st leg of their CL quarterfinal tie. Real Madrid would equalize later to force a 3-3 draw.
Goal.com gave Gvardiol a well deserved 8/10 rating as it was “His finest performance for City and vindicated the club’s decision to spend €90m (£77m/$97m) on him. Defended aggressively, moved the ball around well and scored an absolute screamer.” He was the highest rated City defender in the draw.
Mateo Kovačić got the start for Manchester City against his former employer. He received a 6/10 grade from Goal.com as “Stayed calm amid the chaos and did his job well.” The game was chaotic with six total goals. Kova didn’t have too much to do offensively but held together the City midfield (defensively) the best he could.
Luka Modrić came off the bench later for Real Madrid in the 71st minute. Los Blancos would equalize at 3-3 eight minutes after the Vatreni came on. In his short time on the field, Modrić received an impressive 7.5 rating from ManagingMadrid as he was “Near perfect with every touch, and contributed with 1 key pass, completed 3 out of 4 long balls, had 1 tackle, and won all of his 50/50 duels while on the pitch for 18 minutes.”
Woah, is this a statement game by Ljubicic? imo he’s made progress at LASK this season, and is also scoring consistently for our U21s.
Someone uploaded the full game on youtube, below are links pointing to moments in the video shortly before the goals happened.
LASK 1-0 Salzburg
Ljubicic (PG) 18′
youtu.be/WPL3I0DQj64?si=L6hxXpROFfVpB2YK&t=1207
LASK 2-0 Salzburg
Ljubicic 26′
youtu.be/WPL3I0DQj64?si=VeSSqiAEoi-xLMdR&t=1768
LASK 2-0 Salzburg
Ljubicic 73′
youtu.be/WPL3I0DQj64?si=q7Xdh5U8MNkl-tEa&t=4817
LASK 3-1 Salzburg
Dorgeles 84′ – assist by LUKA SUCIC
youtu.be/WPL3I0DQj64?si=GHj876JMtHxOBUcU&t=5474
Is ljubicic a streaky guy or just still too young to be consistent?
My guess is both
https://youtu.be/LL0UxoWNHv4?si=bI0CKCQW7xZwLE2J
Wonder if guardiola wants anymore Croats
Good stuff, too bad I couldn’t hear a couple of names that the (soft-spoken) interviewer was saying to Josko at the end.
Ljubicic with a hat trick so far….
SofaScore has both Ljubicic and Sucic as the two best players for their respective teams.
Damn, it would be tragic if sucic can’t make euro
Even with these injuries. He is progressing
He’s still going to be behind Majer and Pasalic.
I think Baturina has a higher ceiling than Sucic, so I’d play him over Sucic as well (assuming there are any minutes left).
so far…… What is above a hat trick, you ask?……………
Brace yourself, apparently:
“Haul” = 4
“Glut” = 5 (unofficially)
Cheers to a haul of a day, filled with gluttony.
Ljubicic, got to love it.
Marin ljubicic sitting on a brace before half time vs Luka sucic and company
Hatrick
https://football-italia.net/player-ratings-liverpool-0-3-atalanta-scamacca-message-for-spalletti-as-la-dea-stun-anfield/
Pasalic 8.5 – An impressive all-action display in the middle of the park both on the ball and without it, topped off with a tap-in for Atalanta’s third.
Looking at his positions at Atalanta this season – didn’t realize he’s playing all over the pitch – #9, #10, #8, #6
If Atalanta can pull of the upset (2nd leg next week) – would be a pretty strong credential for him (apparently most of the Liverpool players were terrible today – with many of the 1st choice players sitting on the bench until late on)
I said the two pasalic boys will be difference makers this summer
I don’t think Mario is shy of big games and he has that knack for goal
He fits the Croatian mold
Good effort above average talent
It’s all we need
A squad like that and we can win it
During NL 2024-45 and WCQ 2026, if we ever find ourselves without an in-form striker, perhaps Mario Pasalic should fill that role as a false nine.
Mario Pasalic is a good depth piece, but I do like Majer and am interested in seeing more of Marco Pasalic.
Hopefully, Dalic continues to opt for Majer as our first player off the bench (for the central midfield) and Marco Pasalic (for RW).
We will need all the depth we can use if we go for the tie and extra time special
I always said in a worst case situation I think Mario could fill in as a striker type role
Tall and strong
Decent header
Good knack for goal
He’s a good pounce on that trash and put it away kind of guy
I don’t trust Majer regarding penalty shots, even worse than Modric, but probably better than Kovacic. Maybe I am wrong. Modric seemed to get better than last two years fortunately.
Lately, we been winning by overtime shootout, so it is kind of important for Croatia, to have our best penalty shot kickers at the end of the game.
My guess is Sucic is a better penalty kicker, but just guessing.
Rakitic was cold as ice, and Orsic melts his ice. Majer shakes like a leave inside, you can feel it thru the TV set.
Hasn’t pasalic hit his that he took for us?
Yes, Pasalic #1 seems to be good and seems to go for top corner and gets lift, Pasalic #2 imagine is probably going to be good, albeit, I have no database in my head.
Kovacic and Majer both suck at PKs.
Kovacic’s PK against Russia was horrible. Everyone saw exactly where he was going and it was easily saved.
Majer’s PK against Spain in Nations League cost us, and his PK at the World Cup against Brazil (despite scoring) was a very bad one.
Modric is an average PK taker, who had this really bad spell of bad PKs in the World Cup 2018.
His two PKs against Denmark, and his one against Russia were just brutal. Kicking them low, skipping off the grass, and too close to the keeper. He’s extremely lucky that two of those three went it.
His PK against Nigeria (in our first game) is a typical Modric PK though. He picks a side, and hits it well…but not wide enough because he’s scared to hit the post.
So, it’s pretty much a coin toss whether the keeper will guess right….but at least he can hit it hard and not telegraph it so much (like Kova did against Russia).
Our best PK taker is Kramaric. Nobody comes close.
That is why Sucic at the end of the games to close out, rather than Majer, have him on the front end rather, if you are in a do or die situation, is my gut feeling.
Denmark, had the best goalie in Schmeichel, Rakitic or Kramaric should have taken Rebic’s penalty kick.
Did anyone watch Leverkusen v West Ham? Stanisic started but was subbed out in the 66th min.
Yeah I watched it. Stanisic was solid. He was upset to be subbed, he didn’t make a single mistake, but alonso is just rotating his players as he has all season. Again they got the right result, so there can be no complaints.
Thank you Crnkovic. Glad to know it wasn’t a subpar performance or injury that led to Stani getting hooked.
Where do you guys see stanisic next year?
I don’t want him to be an infrequent player at Bayern
Obviously this loan was amazing for his growth and winning a title in bundesliga and maybe even europa
Great for all sorts of confidence
Going deep in World Cup
This gives all sorts of experience at a young age that teams will probably seek out
He is a very good player, very intelligent and no real weaknesses, but he lacks any spectacular attribute so he won’t start at a big club. Anywhere he plays regular is where he needs to be. Leverkusen or a mid table team in the big leagues would be perfect…Roma, West Ham, wolves…others. I haven’t really had a look to see who needs a player with quality who can play CB/RB, there must be several. Hopefully leverkusen keep him and have another good season, maybe he’ll continue his progress and then he’ll be ready to go to a top team. He is a very very underrated player. Definitely should be first choice for vatreni now. JJ is actually excellent at left back. Don’t forget when we beat France in Paris in the nations league the back line was stanisic, erlic, sutalo, JJ….all 4 were incredible that night
Liverpool vs Atlanta-
Pasalic scored at the end of the match. It was a rebound from the Liverpool Keeper. He was good this game
ooh Pasalic makes it Liverpool 0 – 3 Atalanta
Ironically
Man City pundits now pushing for Gvardiol to play CB – so he’s more in centre of action and has more defensive responsibility
Yet – Croatian pundits pushing for Gvardiol to play LB for us
There is 0% chance Dalic plays Gvardiol at LB in Germany
None of of our other CB options are nearly as good as him defensively
So all we’d be doing is end up “stranding” him at LB
As other teams would just overload on their left side and attack down our right-side/flank (just like RM adjusted vs. Man City yesterday – especially 2nd half)
And Stanisic is okay defensively – but he’s not some top-shelf defensive guru
So that would be silly
Best is to play Gvardiol as CB #1 (and leading the entire line) – meaning he switches b/w LCB and RCB and is first line of defensive – with other CB he’s paired w/ – “revolving” w/ him during match to other side as 2ndary CB
If Sosa is not good enough defensively to play as our LB – than we should take another CB (as we have a surplus) and them in the LB position (or maybe Perisic)
If Perisic is fully fit? and that is a big question mark, I’m sure that Dalic would consider playing him at LB. However, all the indications are including quite a few media reports in Croatia recently, suggesting that Gvardiol will start at LB against Spain. It is definitely an option for Dalic and the odds of that happening are definitely greater than 0%.
I hope our press is smartly putting out false reports (formation, who starts, who plays where) deliberately so that Spain prepare themselves wrongly accordingly
Ditto on Marco Pasalic – I don’t want to see reports that he is starting on RW – as don’t think he’s really on Spain’s radar (why would he be given limited minutes so far) so they not preparing to face a “Jarrod Bowen” on right side
Spain gonna get a taste of a pjaca in pasalic from 2016
Also – I think JJ replaced Gvardiol last game at LB (not sure many picked this up) – it did look a bit awkward (but apparently he’s done it before at club level)
good day gentlemen. Random question. If atletico madrid win the champions league will Ivo Grbic get a medal? Thank you gentlemen have a wonderful day. P.S. Denis Svircic #1
Most of our players seem to be playing regularly and are in good form. We can only hope that this continues and there are no injuries prior to EURO. As far as our defence is concerned it looks like it will be Gvardiol at left back, with Erlic, Sutalo as CB’s and Stanisic at right back. Sosa is a liability at LB, physically weak and poor in the air and should not be starting against Spain or Italy. Juranovic is also poor in the air. I would bring Sosa on in the second half if we are behind and chasing a result. Pongracic has improved a lot at Lecce and is capable of playing as a replacement for Sutalo or Erlic if needed. Our midfield picks itself with Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic.
Up front Budimir or Petkovic and Majer in all probability on the right. On the left if Perisic is not fit, it will have to be between Ivanusec and Pjaca depending on who is in better form. If Orsic is fit and playing I would take him.
UEFA is yet to be decide on how many players will be allowed at the EURO 23 or 26. Most coaches including Dalic at a recent UEFA meeting have indicated that their preference is for a squad of 26 players.
Krama will start on the right. Not Majer.
Majer will come off the bench for one of Luka, Broz, Kova (whoever is subbed off first). Majer has played a lot better in central midfield for us lately, but it could simply be due to good form. Either way, he won’t usurp Kramaric from that starting RW role.
Ivanusec will start at LW like he has been before. Perisic has a chance, but how well he performs at Hajduk these next two months (and whether or not Ivanusec gets back into starting full 90 min matches) will decide that.
I hate to say it, but I don’t think Dalic will call up Orsic. I think Pjaca will get the callup instead. Orsic is a big game player who has like 3 goals and 3 assists in the past two tournaments (coming off the bench for us too). It would be a mistake to leave him off.
We shouldn’t see to many surprises with our forwards and midfield.
The bigger decisions will be in the backline.
Stanisic is having too good a season to not start at RB. Juranovic has been coming off the bench this season and will likely do that for us as well.
Gvardiol at LB would be better than Sosa at LB, but this move creates an opening at CB. Sutalo being potentially out of form creates a second CB opening.
Not sure what Dalic will do here. We have a lot of in-form CBs like Erlic, Pongracic, Vida and Duje (but I do not like the latter two). Not sure if Dalic would move forward with a brand new CB partnership as well.
My guess is he will default to starting the familiar Vida with Erlic…or just keep Gvardiol at CB and opt for Sosa or Perisic at LB.
Just another note…
IMO, Bjelica is a better coach than Dalic and it’s interesting to see Bjelica keep playing Juranovic off the bench. Dalic has to take notes here and do the same.
He is well aware of Jura’s defensive weaknesses, and understands that having his countryman play off the bench is a better suited role for him.
Also, it’s important to note that Bjelica has been desperate to add Mislav Orsic to his new team (he tried back in January, and the media are saying he is trying to get something done in the Summer now).
Bjelica understands that Orsic is a game changer, whose talents are being wasted at Trapzonspor. He probably wanted to snag him before Orsic gets back into form and increases in value.
If Orsic shows that he is back in form when playing for Trapzonspor, you don’t hesitate to call him up.
Yes agree with you I forgot about Kramaric.
What about Marco Pasalic ??
He gives us something completely different – and is an excellent outlet / threat on the right-side
Kramaric as a “#10” (more or less)
But for this to happen Marco Pasalic really needs to play his a*s off for the remaining HNL games and play himself into our starting line-up (TBD)
I think Krama on the right side is pretty much a guarantee, since the Luka/Broz/Kova trio in the middle will not be tampered with by Dalić.
Marco Pašalić will be our backup RW, and Majer will be our backup central midfielder.
That was Gvardiol’s right foot !!
I like him better at LB for us as well.
Ancelotti should have went to Real Modrić 10 minutes earlier.
Modrić was vibrant off the bench and sparked the 3rd goal to keep this thing level.
Modrić in at 60 minutes and Real Madrid win that game.
Kovačić > Brozovic right now. Start him at the 6. He put in a good shift, especially defensively.
Actually amazed on how Modrić can come into that game in the 72’ and be that sharp and creative.
Best club match on the planet and we have 3 nogometaši on the pitch playing their part.
No accident.
I am open to as many Modric encores that he can have. Gvar/Kov’s time will come as well in the future.
That is about as good as goals get from a defensive player. Last time I saw a defensive player, make a great goal like that, it was from a guy with the last name of Gvardiol, who threaded the needle with a header on a set piece into a well-guarded Moroccan goal.
Gvardiol, Modric and Kovacic all in good form.
Add in the already excellent form of players like Kramaric, Budimir, Petkovic, Baturina, Majer, Livakovic, Erlic, Pongracic, Marco Pasalic, and Stanisic.
Also, we’re seeing some key players like Perisic, Ivanusec, and (hopefully) Orsic get back into form over the next couple of months.
We just need to figure out our backline situation with players like Sosa, Juranovic and Sutalo) who are not regularly playing first team football).
We have Erlic and Pongracic racking up tons of minutes in Serie A. Either one could replace Sutalo if he is out of form. Josip Stanisic can easily cover for Juranovic. We just need to see what happens with our LW players (Perisic and Ivanusec), and see whether or not Dalic will just put Gvardiol at LB over Sosa.
My only worry is Vida is also in good form…and we all know that Dalic will look for a reason to start Vida over better players like Erlic and Pongracic (who is one of the Serie A league leaders in minutes played).
Dude knows ?
Dalic won’t dare to sub out Brozovic!
this will cost us dearly. –
Yes sir
We are low key becoming a formidable force that I think people may sleep on once again
What a great match. Kova was very good, Gvardiol was amazing, and Modric showed that his team is much better when he’s on the pitch. Good day for all the Croatians today. City will have the advantage at home, but you can never ever count Real Madrid out. BTW I noticed Modric gave his game shirt to KDB who didn’t play because of illness…It looked like Kevin was a fan. Luka is respected, and adored by so many people around the world, including the football elite. We are extremely lucky to have such a humble, and talented representative of our nation. Bog i Hrvati!
So luka showing all of the world still how darn important he is?
If luka gets the pieces around him going well like they are right now in the summer, watch out Europe
Per: Sofascore
Joško Gvardiol v Real Madrid:
? 90 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
? 1 shot (0.03 xG)
? 1 key pass
⚔️ 6/10 duels won
? 3 interceptions (most)
? 4 tackles
? 0 times dribbled past
? 7.8 Sofascore Rating
Man City’s young defender is our #RMAMCI Player of the Match! ???
Oh man that’s so nice to hear
I was waiting for always gonna be injured and he’s playing like a bust comments(too slow)(over rated)
He’s just a kid
If all goes well sky is the limit
Kovacic did very well today! Gvardiol with a wonder goal and Modric with the hockey assist and all class in his 20 mins. Amazing game!
And todays game is why Kova has more value than Brozo at this stage. Brozo still has the goods but today’s pace would be the fastest in the world. Kova was effective. Meanwhile, Brozo is trotting around in a league a little better than the MLS. I don’t blame Brozo for taking the cash but the Saudi league hurts his game.
What a difference Modric Makes
Too late.
Should have started him. Oh well. Lessons learned.
Indeed, he played very well.
Gvardiol first goal for Man City – what a banger !
RM brought Modric on to try to turn it around
Damnnn! wut a hit by gvardiol!
1st half review Gvardiol
One word: Outstanding / really impressive stuff
Positioning – wasn’t caught out of position even once
Decision Making (when to press Jude & Rodrygo vs. when to sit a bit back)
Tracking back into the box (to cover the runner – there was never free man to pass into bc of his tracking)
Aerial duals – I don’t think he lost one – was v strong in the air
Ground duals – alongside decision making – good intuition when to be super aggressive and completely close down the man (won a couple throw-ins this way)
Good passing – both across defensive – into Kovacic and Rodri – and w/ Grealish on the wing (a couple of nice 1-2s)
Only “criticism” is not much adventure in the RM half i.e. when he gets the ball to try to take a few steps forward / make more small runs into the open space (he had a 1-2 w/ Haaland in the first minutes – where he ran into the box – but not much after that (makes sense as he doesn’t want to get exposed on the counter / at the back)
All in all – can’t say I’ve seen him play better for Man City this season – really impressive stuff (on the other side Akanji got “rag-dolled” more than once)
Its too bad they have to meet in the quarters…this would have been an epic final. I think Real has the advantage today. They’re at home, all key players are healthy, and they had a week off. City, on the other hand, have lots of injuries, and have been paying lots of games in quick succession, without a break. I think Real needs a win today, and City should be happy with a draw. Gvardiol will start if he’s healthy enough. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kova with the start, depending on Pep’s tactics (possession vs attack). Modric will likely come on later in the game, as usual this season.
I’m have been following both clubs closely this season, and I hate to choose, but Luka always comes first for me. Whoever wins the 2 legs will 100% win the title.
Seems like we are C(r)oalescing into a great team for the euros. Kramaric, Mala Pasalic, Budimir, Modric, with Orsic, Perisic, Sucic on the rapid mend. Play aggressive but smart, get our sleep and god willing stay strong. We are on a tournament winning streak as the reigning Middle east champs.
The result I wish, for everyone staying healthy, and continually getting better with age, like Croatian vino.
Josko hurt, not likley to play. He did travel with the team.
Here comes the Joško will always be hurt comment….