Okay. So here we go.
Croatia have two games to either qualify automatically for the 2018 World Cup in Russia or to force a November playoff by finishing second in the group. There’s also the possibility they completely sh*t the bed and finish third or worse to miss out on all of the above.
For sake of argument, let’s just talk about the Finland game on Friday in Rijeka. On paper, this has to be an automatic three points for the Vatreni. But as we know, Croatia hasn’t cared about paper and will drop points to anyone they damn well please these days: Iceland, Turkey and a mere 1-0 victory against Kosovo.
re: Finland
Manager Ante Cačić, no matter what starting lineup he deploys, has to tell the players to play an aggressive, goal-minded match. I don’t care if Croatia goes down 1-0, they should be aiming for three goals this game. 1) they need the win vs. Finland, who have already been eliminated and should be fielding some young blood 2) goal differential could very well come into play
So I ask you CroatianSports.com nation, who do you have in your starting XI vs. Finland?
Subašić is back from injury and should be between the pipes for Croatia. Lovren, Pivarić and Ćorluka are all out with injury which may let us see a Barišić – Vida – Mitrović – Vrsaljko backline. Mateo Kovačić is out another month and striker Nikola Kalinić injured himself this past weekend against Roma. He has also been ruled out.
Here’s mine:
Kramarić – Mandžukić
Perišić – Rakitić – Pašalić
Brozović – Modrić
Vida – Mitrović – Vrsaljko
Subašić
i dont think 4 points guarantees first, iceland would have to win in turkey though or beat kosovo 7-0 or something so, realistically, 4 points should be enough
So does 4 points guarantee us first or we still need help? It will at least get us 2nd?
I like the line up circulating
I would like to see rakitic further up hope he can make a spark up front. Surely someone will
I still say kramaric gonna make impact(I sure hope)
Prob vida will score and we win 1-0 again though lol
BLOODY OATH i would take 1-1 away lol, i would take that every day of the millennium away to ukraine and that’s what we need
we just have to match aussie’s result against syria last night, lel
I would take this result again – wish we still had a player like Boksic.
Ukraine – Croatia 1:1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRyr4qvhav8
We ok iggy. Don’t be scared we been here b4.ùb4.ù
Bold prediction was me.
im SO SCARED peoplpe!! lol
getting nervous just thinking about these games
if we draw with finland then we ahve to beat ukraine, and they would need a win which would make that an open game
Less likely for us to finish second than to finish first.
If we get 4 points, we finish first (unless Iceland pulls off the win in Turkey).
Losing in Ukraine pretty much guarantees us third.
I’ve got Turkey and Iceland tying. Let’s hope.
Shouldn’t be too hard to find a free stream seeing as it is on one of the Canadian Sportsnet channels (sportsnet360) for free.
I can’t find any listings for our Ukraine game which surprises me. Might have to go the Hrvatski Centar. Haven’t been there for a game since the Setanta days..
Only thing so far is Fox Sports Deportes having it on tape delay at 9:30 PM. Looks like I’m going with SAAN TV to watch on HRT2.
Two Croats in the top 60:
https://www.croatiaweek.com/2-croatians-on-the-guardians-60-best-young-talents-in-world-football/
As for the last two matches, with so many injuries, I can’t see Croatia getting a point in Ukraine. They are very strong at home.
I’ve got Croatia, Turkey and Ukraine winning tomorrow, meaning the only real chance we have if we don’t at least tie in Ukraine would be if Finland (at home) can at least tie Turkey on Monday.
Anyone know if the game will be broadcasted anywhere in the states? Can’t find shit
Ya agreed on that as well with Niks lineup.
@ Idemo
Mitrovic has been solid for the repka and was a beast for Rijeka.
Not sure what is going on at Besiktas?
He will come through and Vida has played so well these days that I feel even more confident in the D.
MANdzukic is due for a beast mode two games.
Needs a bit of service and will bang in a couple over the two games.
The line up is probably pretty clear
Mandzo kramar shit
Perisic modric rakitic bozo vic
Scrubic vida garbagevic vrsaljkiholic
Subasic
will karma be alongside Mario or under him?
Nik’s lineup above is the likeliest one that Čačić would play, but with Brozović and Rakitić switching places.
Mandžukić Kramarić
Perišić Brozović Rakitić
Modrić
Pivarić Vida Mitrović Vrsaljko
Subašić
Andrej & Cigan’s lineups are what we should see. No d-mid needed.
If Cacic goes with this lineup my Bold prediction-big win, Mandzukic scores & Rakitic shines.
Such a big win, Cacic will see the light & keep same lineup for Ukraine barring injuries.
ageing squad.. lack of pace on the attack….lack of confidence etc. hope they can turn it around!
when I was arguing with someone here a few weeks ago, I remember I mentioned teams that used the strategy of “prekid igre”…interrupting the play! well, today Modric mentions it in the press conference stating the Fins are “physically tough, especially in interrupting the play”…meaning, creating tons of stoppages to disrupt the flow of the game.
lets hope they don’t get the chance to do that to us!
Do we really go 3 in the back :0
Mandzukic
Kramaric Vlasic Rakitic Perisic
Modric Brozovic
Vida – Mitrović – Vrsaljko
Subasic
Hey soul, I’m Over here sky’s have been getting really dark past 2 days, they’ve been saying it’s supposed to rain/t storm since Wednesday but still nothing. Really humid today but nothing yet, hope it holds off.
These are two high pressure must perform games, what makes you think mitrovic is ready?
@maminjo
I’m thinking the same, HNS Twitter and website put out some special message to the fans BS talking about equality fair playa bad good behavior,
“Rijeka small temporary stadion should be supportive”
I don’t think so.
Armada has called for a boycott of the game due to HNS corruption, and blah blah blah.
Hopefully no idiots decide to throw flares onto the field.
Rijeka going to be dry and in the 50’s for game time tomorrow.
Need that field covered/drained over the next 24 hrs.
U21 with a big 90+ 2 goals for the win today!
T-24 hrs
I am feeling good about an offensive explosion tomorrow.
I once again call for Marko “Robo” Rog to provide the energetic smack down at CDM.
Milic and Mitrovic are good enough for Finland and Ukraine.
Like to see u21 pool evaluated on club form over the next 6 months.
Rijeka small temporary stadion should be supportive.
U boj …
All i know if the boys aren’t ready for the next 5 days. Heads are gonna roll. They have too!
i think Ukraine low key MUST beat us to go so no you do not prefer them there!!!
I’d prefer Ukraine there over Turkey or Iceland. Makes for a nice storyline.
We need to knock Ukraine out for their safety. Ukraine at a world cup in Russia, no bueno
Play him higher up and let’s press the shit out of em.
Yeah Brozo’s got a nice shot. He’s come up with big goals in the past. In a wet game we’re gonna need lots of shots and hopefully the keeper can spill one.
With regards to Brozo playing a CDM role, i think those days are gone for him. Much like the Canadian Slavonac said, he’s poor in transition. Inter played him with a true CDM last year and they still gave up shitty goals. He’s been CAM for most of this season and their results are much better this year. Obviously it has to do with many other factors as well. I just don’t see him playing CDM too much anymore but never say never.
Agreeed we just got to keep taking reasonable shots Nothing too cute. Mandzo is king at pouncing on trash everyone knows that
Ya we need someone to step up big
Kramaric is due. Really hasn’t much of a chance at more important game time for us if I’m not mistaken. Barely got on at euros
Let’s do this. It’s put up or shut up time
I agree with the why Milic over Strinic. However, Strinic is 30 yrs old and has lost his starting spot with the repka for quite some time. While Milic is 23 and can play both CB and LB. So maybe Cacic wanted to give Milic a chance with the squad. We must remember too that Cacic and Strinic aren’t necessarily on the best terms. I think Strinic was accused of not bleeding for the checkers.
Pasalic is getting better and better but he is not a winger. He is a clear CM/CDM/CAM. That said, Rog may have played less (on a much much better team) but he has way more skills and athleticism. I think Bradaric may even come in over Pasalic to help secure the win if we are up. Bradaric has been playing like a boss in that midfield. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s sold over the winter break. Reminds me of a weaker Igor Tudor.
Speaking of Tudor, maybe Fran can eventually try himself at that LB spot once he’s too old for the U21s.
Not worried about Mitrovic at CB.
He’s shown in every game that he’s played for us to be that steady CB that makes little to no mistakes. He’s pretty much a carbon copy of Schifo. Schifo also never played for big teams and was benched regularly, but was always consistently good for us.
Pivaric at LB is still a big problem. I was hoping we would try someone else there, but I don’t see Cacic as a risk-taker.
Hopefully we score a few goals and we can make a sub later in the game to try out a different LB or have Vida play there with a different back four combination for the last 20 minutes of the game.
Taking Brozovic off the wing is a good move. He’s only good in the central midfield. Hopefully he plays there.
Playing Kramaric a full 90 minutes will be very beneficial.
Kramaric, Brozovic, Perisic are really the only likely guys that can score for us.
Mandzo won’t score unless he gets a solid cross (and Vrsaljko has not been 100% lately), OR if he picks up some rebound scraps if Modric or Rakitic ever decide to shoot the ball. Brozovic might throw a couple on goal though, so Mandzo might be able to tap in something from that.
@AZ
apples and oranges, pivaric has played in all 8 qualifying games I think. we “have” a LB.
or are you suggesting strinic play in the middle…?
I dont get it..you can let an inexperienced mitrovic to play in starting 11..with no playing time in besiktas..and ignore strinic..who has performed well for past 3 games for sampdoria
Kvartuc,
I really haven’t seen enough of Pasalic, but I’d be ok with your lineup…and I do like the fact you put Broz in a defensive role although I think he’ll struggle in the transition game.
none of the big players wanted to interview they sent out the young boys..lol
all the news are reporting bad weather tomorrow. storms and rain. its been humid today for October day, hope for the best.
Pivaric is in. Barisic is out. Cacic is worried about Mitrovic’s lack of playing time but he has played with Vida so they will make up the partnership. Badelj is suspended due to cards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvpW8wIId10
Here is what Cacic was hinting at;
Vrsaljko – Mitrovic – Vida – Pivaric
———Modric- Rakitic —————
Kramaric— Brozovic—- Perisic
————Mandza
Put in Siminic and watch some Fins hit the St.John’s Ambulance track to the broken down Croatian hospital system.
Where’s the beef? Don’t see any combos that say “be scared” be very afraid. Wish we had that intimidator on D.
Oh well, we score first -it’s going to be a beat down for the checkers .
mandzukic kramaric
Perisic rakitic brozovic
Badelj modric
Vida caleta-car vrsaljko
subasic
Juatrnji and sportske novosti say they are both out! Fake news!
Pivaric out.Index saying Barisic is gong to play.
http://www.index.hr/SPORT/clanak/budite-i-vi-ante-cacic-koga-biste-stavili-u-momcad-protiv-finske/998775.aspx
MALO JAS JE AL NAS IMA
Did you just ridicule someone for including a injured player then you follow up by including an injured player of your own……oh man
Borna Barisic is also out due an injury.
Ante. I don’t like your lineup at all. Mitrovic barely played for Besiktas. Pasalic as right attacking midfielder? He plays as a Numbers 6 or 8.
I would go for:
Subasic
Vrsalko. Caleta-Car. Vida. Pivaric
Badelj. Modric
Brozovic. Rakitic (or Kramaric). Perisic
Mandzukic
no vlasic or rog? Brozo always seems a lil slow in the deep mid? i know luka can track back and is super underrated on defensive end unless u follow real.