Photo: Bayern Munich
The man that doesn’t stop running until the game is over reminded us all today that his career isn’t over either.
Mr. ‘right place, right time’ Ivica Olić scored two goals in the first half Tuesday night in a 2-0 second leg win over Marseille in the Champions League quarterfinals to put Bayern Munich through to the next round on a 4-0 aggregate score. Olić got the start in place off on-fire German striker Mario Gomez as Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes tries to guide his club to a ‘treble’ championship season: Bundesliga title, German Cup and most importantly, the UEFA Champions League crown.
The 32 year-old Olić scored two identical goals (13′, 37′) as both Franck Ribery and David Alaba put in low passes across the six-yard box where only Olić could reach them for tap-in goals. Olić showed that he still has a nose for where the ball will be, even after suffering a season-ending injury last year and riding the bench for the majority of this one.
The question now: Is Ivica Olić still starting XI material for Croatia this summer at Euro 2012? He scored an all-important goal versus Turkey back in November and it looks like the magic hasn’t run out quite yet.
Olić goal in 13′. Non-stop service from Frenchman Franck Ribery
Olić has a true love for the game. He came back from a knee injury in 2011 only to warm the bench the next season behind gunslingers Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller. Olić never complained publicly even though he did state that first-team football was on his mind, with a looming move to Wolfsburg in the works during the winter of 2012. The man got his chance Tuesday night, scored two goals and celebrated like a kid; high-fiving his manager and giving a big hug to fellow Croatian teammate Daniel Pranjić. Pranjić came off the bench for Bayern in the 67′ while Olić was subbed off to a mighty Bavarian cheer in the 75th.
It now looks as if only Real Madrid stands in the way of Bayern Munich playing in the Champions League Final—in their own home stadium on May 19th.
Olić doubles his fun vs. Marseille
top striker for hajduk. he’s like 19 or 20. good prospect. that’s about it.
I still have no idea who Vukusic other than the fact that he plays in an awful league.
goooooliiiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccc!!!!!!!! I was excited to see he got the start and my boy did not disappoint! too bad hes going to wolfsburg next season 🙁
Ante Vukusic to start I don’t think so but certainly should be getting called up soon@ Ivica ma sta se rugas vidiš da je bolestan. -U-
@Ziva
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ilA0UI5GY
@Dukic…….Vukusic????? really???
I would like to see Vukusic playing to.
ante vukusic for starter.
Olic has come a long way from having to hide and travel in a truck of a car to escape Croatia.
just a tid bit here______ olic just broke alen boksic champions league scoring record for a hrvat. poetic justice for somebody who has been called a ” lopata ” his whole life. brothers and sisters of our small tribe, ivica olic is a consumate professional , who has evolved every year into a better player, even after major surgery, he is still contributing
to one of the most powerful clubs in the history of nogomet.
@zivo blato,spain yes!! Ireland will not advance over cro and italy!! But miracles can happen…
Good weekend for coverage of our players. Bolton,Everton, Wolfsburg and HSV games will be on Fox,Fox+ and Gol.
@Denis:
As soon as you left NY, the weather became heavenly. Too bad we had some miserable weather while you were here.
@Golden Child
Perisic can play as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. He likes to run up that left side and he’s pretty effective there whether it’s creating chances for forwards or scoring goals himself (most notablty with his head). He proved it in Belgium by being both the leading scorer and assist man in the league. It may not be the best of leagues, but it’s still impressive for a 21-year old.
I mentioned that I wanted him to play big minutes, and it could be either as a second striker pairing with Jelavic OR on the left side of midfield as a LM winger. I like both Rakitic and Perisic, but I wouldn’t want to play one of of position just so both can start in the midfield. So, if Perisic isn’t going to play as a second striker with Jelavic up front, then I’d rather he share his time on the left midfield with Rakitic. Again, these types of combinations should be tried out in the friendlies to see what of chemistry a starting trio of Rakitic, Perisic, and Jelavic can do together on the field.
Bilic did play Perisic once as a second striker in that France friendly, and Perisic almost scored. If Hugo Lloris didn’t just barely get his fingers on that ball and divert it out of bounds, we’d probably be seeing more of Perisic in the starting lineup today. Perisic only played the first half of that game before being subbed out for Petric (which pretty much ended any more chances for Cro that game). I don’t think Bilic has tried Perisic in that second striker role since.
The Olic being a joker (a substitute striker to bring some spark off the bench) was just me thinking out loud of any different combinations that should be tried out. I’d like to try out a Perisic/Jelavic pairing up front first (as I believe they are our two most talented forwards) and have the ever-so-hardworking Olic come off the bench late in the game in case the game goes a bit stagnant. Both Olic and Klasnic have played well off the bench for Bayern and Bolton. Klasnic has done well off the bench for us before, and I’d call him up just so we could have him in that joker role too. If Perisic is not going to start as a forward, then I’m indifferent to whether Jelavic starts with Olic or Mandzo…so long as Jelavic starts.
Bilic is slow to adjust or make changes to a lineup that used to succeed…but the funny thing about him is when he finally does make a change to his lineup, he’s very quick to change it if it doesn’t bear any fruit right away. This is the reason why it’s taking so long to bid adieu to an HNLer like Simunic, and why we’ve rotated with 8 different strikers throughout the qualifiers.
@ ziva we will not advance i think ireland and spain will advance!
Ziva odakle i iz hrvatske ja sam iz Zadra
@ ziva bas si kreten ali jebi ga. http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/do-pocetka-ep-a-su-64-dana-u-kakvoj-su-formi-bilicevi-igraci-260808
you claim we are a limited team, but yet think we should advance out of the group stage.
Our previous results against Italy have no impact when we play them in the Euros.
@Zivo Blato…..If you want to call Srna “mujo Darijo” then go ahead. I prefer serb Subasic.
And also his starting 11 will never be something that people like because we are a limited team and dont expect much from us 3 and done. Bilic will fuck up our unbeaten run againt itlay and all tose little zabari will own our ass just like the greeks. On pranjic a left mid cant because thats reserved for kranjcar haha
@ Nizic we have a coach who has no idea what hes doing anymore lot the plot in 2008 and the govna hercegovacka banda cigan control the national team.
What I really want to see is Pranjic and Perisic on at the same time, I really think that combo can really be a legimate threat I like the way Pranjic carries and handles himself with the ball a real driving force in my opinion, along with Jelavic, Modric, Ilicivic Olic to come on later I think against the wops and Ireland we will be sucessfull -U-
@ ziva if you go by that then Bosnians Kapten Srna Corluka Lovren ilicevic rakitic petric jelavic simunic etc.
@ ziva you mean croatian Subasic dont be an asshole
@LikaJoey…….only the uninformed and blind ever considered Delac a future star. The kid has done nothing to warrant any thoughts of him being the croatian #1 GK any time soon. Chelsea purchased him like they purchase plenty of other tennagers. You pay a cheap price and hope he becomes something. Delac has not done anything in two years, except sit the bench. He will never play one game for Chelsea.
The reason he received any hype was because he was the starting GK at a very young age (16) for a crap HNL team.
As for life after Pletikosa???? It will probably be Keleva or serb Subasic. God help the repka when that happens. Serb Subasic will be a career journeyman while Keleva needs a GPS device to postion himself properly on set pieces. There are other options who are outside of the HNL, but none of them are studs.
Guy’s i’m curious…what happened to Matej Delac? he had some hype and talk going on…i heard future star chelsea etc..after Pletikosa what is our future?
@Ivica
Bravo. Well put.
Couple questions:
Where exactly would have have Perisic playing, and what would his role be throughout the game?
The Olic as a joker thing confused me a bit there. This is why I ask.
Perisic usually plays an attack midfield role. So I’m wondering if you have him actually up top with Jelavic or playing as an attacking mid.
lol
ante kvartuc…the baby faced assassin.
IvicA’s last paragraph totally destroys Ziva Istina’s whole post.
Hey Denis, how did you like Griffin’s dunk on Gasol? Go Clippers!
ziva – i agree and disagree…friendlies have always been the experimental part of the game…i dont think it works so well with a formation change…especially if its foreign to several of the players (because their club teams may play a totally different system) but tactic is where you can make the attempt to experiment…ie…players in different positions and set plays. even if the team isnt playing against full intensity it does allow for trial/experiment where a coach can definitely assess if the player can make somewhat of a difference or the team can utilize the talent the player brings to the new role.
Its pointless to try new formations or new tactics in a friendly because there is no pressure in a friendly. A certain player formation or tactic working in a friendly means zero when it comes time to the actual tournament. Different circumstances.
Would I have liked to see Bilic use more during the freindlies? Sure, but there are not enough friendlies to make a good judgement. One random friendly every few months is not an accurate indicator of what can work or not work in real game situations. Plus, Bilic had to use these friendlies to get some of his the guys that he will rely on minutes because they were not getting it at the club level.
Whether he starts or not, I want to see Perisic play some solid minutes this tournament.
He could start on the left side as a second striker, or in the left midfield (if Rakitic isn’t up to par). Even off the bench at the 60 minute mark he’d be good.
I want to see anybody but Simunic in the back.
Simunic is a steady defender against weaker competition during qualifying, but is bad against good teams when under pressure. He’s a walking red card, handball, or foul-in-the-box penalty this tournament.
Lovren isn’t much better, and should be benched as well, but at least with him he’s still young and there could be at least some long term benefit to him playing. I dunno. We’re pretty thin at the back. I’m comfortable with Corluka and Strinic, and to a slightly lesser extent Vida. Not too keen on Seinfeld as a starter. I’m not keen on Srna and Pranjic as defenders either, though I do want them to play key roles for us. Srna in the midfield, and Pranjic off the bench to add that spark when we need it. Whatever, hopefully they play over their heads this tournament.
Up front, Jela needs to start. Pair him up with Perisic would be interesting to see, and would be my first experiment (with Olic as joker). Starting Jelavic with any one of Mandzo or Olic should yield the same. Wouldn’t mind seeing Klasnic off the bench as a joker if Olic starts. I could care less if Kalinic or Eduardo are even called up. Personally, I think Eduardo is done. Injury or not, Brazilian strikers tend to have a short shelf life.
Unfortunately, Bilic hasn’t really tried many different combinations during our friendlies. This is where you experiment and where you allow your experiments to fail with no repercussions. Hopefully we see some of the above in the two friendlies against Norway and Estonia.
@ The Golden Child:
I like Kalinic better than Budan, but he seemed to have vanished at Dnipro. I am a fan, but he hasn’t shown me enough yet.
I suppose I am a hypocrite, because I like Pranjic regardless of playing time @ Bayern. Perhaps, it is because Pranjic was a consistent producer in the Dutch league and seems hungry for club and country playing time.
@Mali
Nope. Kalinic is always going to get first dibs. Age and a past with the national team makes him a front runner in that pairing.
@Ziva:
I don’t think most MLS DPs sell seats. Obviously Keane, Beckham and Henry do, but the stature of the remaining DPs drops quickly.
@The Golden Child:
Good for Budan, but I agree he will not be called up. Should he be called up before Kalinic?
Come on people. Why so much praise for Lovren? Do you watch the games??
I agree Budan has no chance!! Gloden child you took the words out of my mouth bro…
Budan WILL NOT MAKE THE TEAM. I know a lot of you guys have been talking about how great he’s doing at Palermo, but you’re just watching highlights. Budan is half the player then guys in the 3, 4, and 5th spot at our striker position. Not even in the picture.
homerism
@Toni…….How would having Klasnic or Petric in MLS be great for the sport in North America???? Those two are not big names and wouldn’t sell any additional tickets. They would be good additions to a few teams, but they would not have a great impact for the league.
The level of blind homersim knows no limits.
@Zivo Blato
“as for the back 4 putting srna at right back against big european team is a big no i laugh when people say play srna pranjic as left and right backs NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO it suicide your asking for it the other team we face will destroy us.”
It all depends on the formation & tactics, as for the left back position I would put Pranjic in over Strinic in most situations. Faster, quality crosses, better on the counter attack.
As for Srna in the right back position, not a fan of it though he regularly plays that position at club level week in week out for quite some time. So why throw a good player out of place when you can tweak the formation for Euros. Here are some examples:
4-1-3-2
GK: Pletikosa
RB: Srna
RCB: Vida
LCB: Lovren
LB: Pranjic
CDM: Corluka
or
GK: Pletikosa
RB: Srna
RCB: Vida
LCB: Lovren
LB: Corluka
Pranjic in the left midfield position.
Our defense to consistently work on the offense.
@ Slavonac – you beat me to the punch.
Everyone talks about Olic’s scoring ability but he does offer another element to his game in that he defends/hustles for 90 minutes. This may or may not make a difference but opposition defenders will always have “where is Olic?” in the back of their mind when they are in possession. This will make them rush (whether warranted or not) which may lead to counter-attacks starting at opposition or mid-field (where Croatia is at their best).
Take the goal Olic scored vs. Man U in the 90+ a couple of years ago in the CL. No defender would have ever thought Olic was there in a split second to pick the ball out of their feet when they stumble…. next time that same defender will rush even when there is no pressure.
Just my $0.02 but I think Olic has to play.
@Armada – “Fact of the matter is against Spain and Italy, we won’t have a lot of chances against them. Italy is known for their defending and Spain boasts a pretty nasty backline as well.”
sorry but I couldnt agree with your reasoning. Olic is the very reason several defenders cough up the ball…he is relentless and dangerous because of that. its not as easy for defenders to make good choices when they have a guy like Olic constantly pressuring them…he creates more havoc and more opportunity than he does miss them!
Left back is a big problem in world football but we are introuble we dont have an obrana and a defensive midfielder that people dont shit on when bilic play dujmovic all the vukojevic lovers are out when he play vukojevic we shit on bilic why didnt he play dujmovic, as for the back 4 putting srna at right back against big european team is a big no i laugh when people say play srna pranjic as left and right backs NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO it suicide your asking for it the other team we face will destroy us. I have no idea anymore about line ups players I AM JUST HAPPY WE QUALIFID THESE 3 GAME ARE BONUS FOR ME
Any MLS fans that were hoping Olic might cross the Atlantic can forget about that possibility. A story on Goal.com said he’s very close to signing with Wolfsburg this summer. Olic himself stated he won’t go to the U.S. as he wants to play in a “top league”.
Having Klasnic or Petric in MLS would be great for the sport in North America.
to whoever wrote the following: “Vida and Strinic have been really impressive defenders so the left side should be a brick wall.”
What have watched over the last year????? Plus, how often has Vide lined up on the left side???
I wasnt onilne yesterday RIP HRVOJE CUSTIC UVIJEK CES ZIVITI VJECNO Tornado Zadar! 3.4.2008-3.4.2012!
@ anoyn i am glad you agree well always say our striker thi that but its also the mid that need to support the attackers,
Zivo Blatno, you’re right. There have been games where the strikers have not been given any good chances at all because the midfielders turnover the ball to much and can’t distribute even between themselves. The big strikers Jelavic and Mandzukic can take the ball from the air and place it. I like that versatility. The midfielders need to lob the ball sometimes when the opposition has good defensive midfielders that double team and pressure too much.
On more thing about the euros I know id book it that in all 3 games we play will have 3 diffrent lineups
R.I.P Dubravko Pavlicic
Olic classic olic but will anyone give him a nice pass in the box our midfield has not supported our striker s thats the problem i see in alot of game all are strikers do is run and no service is given to them Dudu Mandzo Klasnic Jelavic Olic go to euro if i were the Izbornik DeBilic! Knowing Bilic he will call Kalinic instead of killer.
Lovren shouldn’t start for another 4 years. He’s been a liability.
4-3-3
Jelavic/Olic/Mandzukic
Perisic/Modric/Rakitic
Strinic/Corluka/Vida/Srna or Strinic/Vida/Corluka/Srna
If this formation is not used I will be disappointed.
Vida and Strinic have been really impressive defenders so the left side should be a brick wall. Corluka has the right side covered nicely with Srna.
For defensive times take off Jelavic and put in Dujmovic beside Modric. Modric doesn’t defend so well on the national team so Dujmovic can help out. Dujmovic is lethal at the counters too. Three in the midfield will make some space for better passing. The 4-4-2 causes too many turnovers. The defenders also have to support the midfielders and attackers on the offence since Vida, Strinic and even Srna have enough wheels for the counters against us.
I would also keep Pranjic warmed up for the left wing spot. The left and right backs need to wake up. We let alot of goals in from those sides. Examples: Georgia, Greece and England.
I’d call up Klasnic too and sub him in if nothing happens by half-time. Same with Eduardo. If Modric fucks up like last game I’d take him off for Eduardo. He should be held accountable for his lack of defense and spark regardless if he’s a 50 million pound player or not. Eduardo is versatile enough and still has amazing football smarts in passing forward and scoring.
It seems like all our forwards are starting to heat up. Budan is kicking butt in Palermo too. Its going to be a tough decision for Bilic in a couple months. I still like 4-5-1
plete
srna,lovren,corluka,strinic
rakitic,kranjcar,vida,modric,perisic
Jelavic
Take out kranjcar and replace him with olic, mandzo, budan or dudu.
RIP Dubravko Pavlicic! We are going to need someone like you at center back in a couple months.
Please no Srna at RB position.
Olic and Jelavic should start for cro at euro!
Bravo Ivica!! Olic should start over Mandzukic! If needed sub him out for Mandzukic!!Remember world cup 2002,last euro,england qualifying match..turkey etc…lucky right place at the right time WHAT EVER!! pivotal goals!! I love him all heart!! we all know to win big games you need a little luck and and a nice lucky bounce once in a while.Olic should start over Mandzukic.
As of right now starters up front should be Mandzukic and Jelavic.
I would like to see Bilic try out a 4-2-3-1 formation, not too far off from his typical 4-1-3-2.
GK: Pletikosa
RB: Srna
RCB: Vida
LCB: Lovren
LB: Corluka
RDM: Rakitic
LDM: Modric
RAM: Eduardo
CAM: Perisic
LAM: Illicevic
CF: Jelavic
As I see it now…..Olic and Jelavic should get the start up front in Euro’s. They both can be dangerous.
And sub either of them out for a Mandzukic, Eduardo.
He’s showing the same form as he did when he brought the team to the CL finals. Only he and Messi can score a hattrick in the CL semi finals. When he goes to Wolfsburg, he and Mandzukic will dominate.
Of course he should be starting on the national team.
I think Ivica is a Croatian legend, in his own right. A bit of a smotan and goofy, scoring a lot of memorable NT goals, becoming a fan favorite at almost club he’s been at and of course, running at defenses constantly.
With that being said, I wouldn’t start him at the Euro, unless Mandza or Jelavic are injured. Fact of the matter is against Spain and Italy, we won’t have a lot of chances against them. Italy is known for their defending and Spain boasts a pretty nasty backline as well. The few chances we have against them, we MUST capitalize. We need forwards who can finish, no questions asked. This is and always has been the one glaring hole in Ivica’s game. The dude has missed empty nets for club and country. We can’t have any of that. Not that Mandzukic or Jelavic are clinical or world class finishers, I just have more faith in them when the chance arises, they’ll bury the opportunity in the back of the net. Both Mandza and Jelavic are taller as well and would aide in set pieces, where we would be substantially taller than the Spaniards or Italians. Plus, I just think there games would complement our strengths.
I would however, use Ivica as a super sub and the first forward off the bench, with Dudu being next. If Jela/Mandza aren’t creating anything up top, I’d bring in Ivica to shake things up and get the opponents backline on their toes, hopefully freeing up other people on the attack. I think this would be his ideal role come this summer.
No big deal…he scored in a game that was pretty much locked up. Typical Olic goals….
And I agreee with JerseyCro ….Olic in form or not will start at Euros….
Olic likes to score against French teams. 🙂
Hate to drown the euphoria, but matches in March/April have little bearing on what will happen in June. It’s great to see three strikers on form, but Euros are still 2-3 months away, anything can happen
I think under Bilic though, Olic will get a start, even if he isn’t in form. It is now between Mandzukic and Jelavic to partner him. Eduardo will be the 4th striker, and the 5th can really be anyone, as they won’t play much anyway
Good to see Olic getting the start and bagging the brace. You have to appreciate the Bayern manager Heynckes as he trusts that Olic can deliver even in a crucial Champions League home game. I was surprised to see Olic starting but then realized its a very smart move. Bayern has depth on their team and is not afraid to use it. Gomez gets some rest as does Robben as they’ll be needed in the Real Madrid tie.
The match provided a great snapshot of the type of striker Olic is. After scoring 2 goals you can tell he was rejuvenated and brimming with confidence as he let rip a pretty terrible shot from about 20m that went sky-high. I don’t think Olic has scored a long range shot since his Hamburg days. Also he slotted a pretty simple pass intended for Ribery I believe right to the Marseille defender. The point is he got the goals when they counted. He’s done that for Croatia, he’s done that for Bayern and throughout his career which makes him a player you can rely on this summer.
Question to CSR nation: If you start Olic who do you play him up with?
Also: Does anyone recall if Jelavic/Olic ever started together during qualification or friendlies?
P.S.: Anyone else notice Pranjic looked damn good on the wing?
Gotta get in and out of this thread before the Olic-haters arrive. 😉
This is great to see. I can’t help but be happy for his success. Now whether it’ll translate into anything for the NT remains to be seen. He has traditionally been a big-game club guy. This is more of the same. Think I’ll bust out my Olic Bayern jersey again this week . . .
wow. it’s funny how quickly things change. only a couple weeks ago, it was pretty depressing reading croatians around europe as it looked like the whole team was either sitting on the bench, injured, or not playing well. in terms of strikers, jelavic had some sort of strange injury, mandzukic was getting benched and stopped scoring, and olic was still riding the pine. now we got three strikers in jelavic, mandzukic, and olic all suddenly showing some form, and leaving a serious question mark over who deserves the start. nice problem to have. let’s hope they can continue to show form
Bravo, Ivica! How could you not play him at least 45 min per game at Euro? The man is destined to do great things. He earns every one of his strikes through hard work and a burning desire to help his team win games. And contrary to what many on this site think, he is inching closer and closer to reaching Croatian “legend” status with each one of his big goals on the biggest stages. A money player if there ever was one…
@Toronto Croatia
“say what you want about “right place, right time” Olic….but the fact remains that opposing goalies need to fear him.”
As well as opposing defenses. Ivica is a machine!
I only saw the recap of this game on tv….and when they showed the highlights of the goals….and I saw that it was Olic who got both of them…guess how happy I was?
What more can you ask of a striker? Olic plays for a world class club…and he is scoring goals in big tournaments.
say what you want about “right place, right time” Olic….but the fact remains that opposing goalies need to fear him.