Written by Allen “Outraged” Strk
It’s no secret that it was a tale of two performances that took place during the latest fixtures for Croatia. The lethargic play against Bulgaria was quickly washed away by the thrilling play against Azerbaijan. It’s odd to see a team drastically change in performance in a matter of a few days against a fairly equal opponent. Azerbaijan had only lost 2-1 to Bulgaria in September. It was a fairly even matchup according to UEFA’s website. Both teams were split in possession and created an even number of chances.
Was the daunting atmosphere in Sofia effective in limiting Croatia’s attacking style? We saw them struggle against Serbia in the last qualifiers in front of a hostile environment. Did the incredible crowd in Osijek give them an extra spark in playing with more pace? Crowds can play a factor into game, but the players and coaching tactics are still the main factors in deciding a result.
The lineup changes from the 1-0 win against Bulgaria were from the wings as expected. Ivica Olić was largely ineffective and failed to influence the game in any way. Ivan Perišić was rusty in missing two clear chances on goal. The duo that was influential for many of Croatia’s goals in the World Cup were the most disappointing players from Friday. How does that exactly happen, after their performances against Brazil and Cameroon?
It was evident that neither of those teams are great defensively. Brazil was caught on the counter attack on many occasions against Croatia allowing too much space on the outside. Marcelo allowed Perišić to cross the ball without much pressure. Dani Alves was caught out of position on numerous occasions on the other side in attempting to mark Olić. It was clear that Brazil didn’t have much respect for Croatia and were looking to score as many goals as possible. If only they had a competent central forward playing in that game, Croatia could have done far more damage. Unfortunately, we know Nikica Jelavić was forced to start and was largely ineffective. Hopefully that will be the last time that I ever mention him.
Next, if you look at the Cameroon game, it was clear that team wasn’t organized at all. Perišić had all the room to roam free on both wings while Olić found openings as well. Bulgaria wasn’t going to allow Croatia to beat them on the counter attack nor on crosses. Similar to how Mexico played in the first half, they would have been content with a tie. Eventually we saw Bulgaria open up and look to create opportunities after allowing a goal, but you rarely saw their backs push up to help in attack. They were content on staying disciplined in defense.
Olic isn’t good enough at this point to find openings against disciplined defensive teams. His touch has always been below average and is notorious for losing possession far too often. We can all praise his relentless work ethic, but at 35 years old, that begins to deteriorate. Why he started and actually played the full 90 minutes baffled me. I’ve backed Niko Kovač during his unsteady tenure as manager. His usage of Olić made no sense, when players like Mateo Kovačić, Andrej Kramarić or even Alen Halilović could have provided the spark that they needed to score a much needed second goal.
Now enter Kovačić and Kramarić for Monday’s game. You can see the ball movement being more fluid and players finding space to operate. On one occasion, Kramarić chested down a goal kick and turned a defender in effortless fashion. His shot went well wide, but you can see how technically sound he is. You wouldn’t get that from someone like Olić. He made a strong run towards his goal and clicked well with the midfield. You never saw him hesitate either, as he was looking to score whenever possible. It’s only a matter of time before some major club decides to invest in him.
Another positive change was utilizing Ivan Rakitić as an attacking midfielder. Many people have been pleading Kovač to use him in that role. While he wasted two very good chances, he was still influential throughout the game. He found openings to Darijo Srna and Danijel Pranjić consistently on the wings. His set piece delivery was outstanding once again. The upgrade of using Rakitić over Srna on free kicks couldn’t be more evident. According to Aleksandar Holiga on Twitter, Kovač actually used a diamond formation in the midfield. When you have so many talented central midfielders that is the perfect formation to utilize. What’s the point of forcing players into wingers, when Srna and Pranjić push up on numerous occasions?
Now many of you are probably rolling your eyes about Pranjić being mentioned as a full-time starter. I’m not clamoring for it, but it’s clear that Kovač prefers him. Regardless if he starts or Ivan Strinić, Croatian left backs are notorious for pushing up to get involved. Some tend to forget Strinić was the one who delivered that looping cross over Giorgio Chiellini to find Mario Mandžukić for the crucial tying goal in their matchup at Euro 2012. He’s capable of pushing up as well; besides being a more composed left back.
Why does it have to be an objective to include wingers in the starting lineup? Now I may be contradicting myself, since I advocated Perišić and Halilović as a duo on the wings last week. It has become apparent that Kovač isn’t going to include Halilović in a competitive manner any longer. He didn’t come on against Bulgaria or start against Azerbaijan. If Halilović isn’t ready to start, then it may be time to include a diamond formation similar to how they did it in Euro 2012. Mandžukić and Kramarić (or Ante Rebić) may be the duo that can be effective by receiving service from a diamond midfield and attacking backs. A diamond midfield could allow Croatia to not have to use a true holding midfielder, while still being able to efficiently track back defensively.
The jury is still out on what Croatia can do with their actual set lineup. Many of the top European teams are figuring out how to utilize their personnel. It has led to the likes of Spain, Germany and Holland suffering losses early on in qualifying. We should feel somewhat fortunate that Croatia hasn’t conceded a goal yet and have managed to earn all nine points. The obvious big test will clearly come next month in Milan. What is promising is that players like Kramarić are starting to develop into key figures on the national team. It will be up to him, Rebić and others to continue to develop to help the national team evolve rather than continue to rely on players like Olić to play in major games. From this past weekend of seeing what has transpired, which includes Rebić’s outstanding performance against England’s under-21 team, the youth in Croatia’s attack force seems ready to play in a more prominent role.
Twitter: @Allen_Strk
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Slavonac i Allen Outraged
“I don’t like to offend people over this and Allen means well, he just had tunnel vision!”
I never meant to offend anyone Slavonac, but if that is what happened here I want to come out and apologize to Allen because at the end of the day whether he loves or hates Olic, it does not matter and it is irrelevant because we all cheer for the same team and we wear the same jersey here!! This conversation we are having is not worth making anyone feel like shit and if this is what happened once again I am very sorry. I get carried away in sports discussions because I absolutely love them and I will admit to that. Also, I used to free-lance as a sports writer.
I have had the pleasure of reading some of Allan’s NFL and UFC articles and they are in one word, stellar!!!! He knows his shit to put it mildly and he understands both sports to its highest level!!!! He has the potential, and he knows that, and if he doesn’t, he should know that.
Thank you Slavonac for setting me straight and thank you Allan for the enticing sports discussion. I really hope that there is no hard feelings as I truly meant no harm. I am passionate about football but mostly passionate about our national team. Maybe if I gave our team some of this passion last June we would have beaten Mexico. 🙂
Laku noc.
George- very articulate dude…great points and detailed facts!
I find it strange when people speak from a position of little knowledge/education. I could easily write about a basketball player or football but I have absolutely no education in those sports other than what I’ve seen on TV. Some guys think they understand soccer because they watched it…little do they understand how much development and knowledge is involved in that sport. It’s like anything else, you must have the opportunity to learn and be taught before you can become somewhat of a knowledgeable person…most have played at a junior or low level and yet believe they know something. It’s a shame but true!
I don’t like to offend people over this and Allen means well, he just had tunnel vision!
“All those goals you list off were pretty routine. Now granted it came off of runs, but those huge goals were all sitters. Germany and England goals were in front of net. Eduardo set him up perfectly for that goal. The penalty against Austria was from poor defending. Turkey goal was from a Manzo deflection.”
Ok, I will try my best to do my part and answer your questions with due diligence and prosperity for all.
You were quite self-assured when you had asked, “When has he scored in big games?” and the question was answered. I did not realize that we were giving out grades to the beauty of the goals that were scored. If that were the case Mandzukic would not be doing very well either. As long as the ball goes in the net that is fine by us. However, Olic does have the speed, skill and footballing acumen to put himself into positions to score where other people are not able to. This is a positive rather than a negative and this is what makes him a good player.
“Now the Bulgaria and Cameroon goals were well taken. You can get personal and say I have little knowledge. I’m not going to be a douche and question someone’s knowledge of the overall game. It’s pretty comical for people to get so emotionally wrapped into defending one player. I’m sure center backs rate Olic highly because of his work rate and constantly being a pain. That’s fine and like I’ve said, Olic has value as a sub.”
You’re being shown up as bias and bitter rather than objective. A little while ago when you were told that Olic had the most tackles at World Cup 2014 you replied saying that you were naïve about Olic, and now you do a complete 180 and make comments such as, “Trying to make Olic a sympathetic figure is hilarious” and “given how terrible he’s been for years.” Wow, so much for your honesty and integrity and your attention to detail.
“That doesn’t take away from all his missed opportunities and lack of skill.”
Self-proclamation alert!! He has done more good than bad in his career without any doubt, and the numbers back that up and you don’t get as far as he has without skill. That would be impossible.
“Maybe I’m too harsh on him, that’s a fair argument.”
What argument? Your hatred for him creates a lack of objectivity. Most if not all Olic haters fall into this category. Not to worry though he will be done soon and you can have your party.
“For someone to question my knowledge of the sport because I think he’s not very good is laughable.”
I’m not so sure about that. You have said a million times that he brings absolutely nothing to the table, and when the evidence is given to refute that claim, and the statement is questioned, you cannot deal with it, and yet you continue to self-proclaim. What is laughable is when you use your hatred for a player to convince yourself that he is not noteworthy and to write an article which created such a disturbing feeling after reading it knowing that I will never get the time back that I lost from reading it.
“German being the best league is beyond laughable.”
The actual quote was “The guy still plays in arguably the best league in the world and is still delivering at his age. Which is a testament onto itself.” and anyone that knows anything about the sport would agree that the Bundesliga is arguably one of the best/top league’s in the world.
“They’ve made a lot of Croatians look better than what they truly are (Petric and Lakic are prime examples). We can argue you about this on and on.”
Based on what? Germany just won the World Cup, which was no accident and was not inconsequential, and their league represents Europe in the Champions League and Europa at the top or near the top more than any country as far as winning percentage is concerned and their football development is simply tremendous!
“I’ve admitted to being harsh on Olic and he’s made an impact. Some of it has been routine like his pass to Jelavic that was put in Marcelo.”
Hey it’s déjà vu all over again. Did not know we were grading assists as well? Last time I checked an assist is an assist and a goal is a goal.
“I just find it silly that people forget about his misses (Turkey-Euro 2008 or his clear header in front of goal against Brazil with Dani Alves failing to track back).”
Nobody forgot about Olic in the Turkey 08 game, but such is life and we move on. Olic was off that day against the Turks in 08 and nobody is debating that, however, Olic was not on the field when the Turks tied the game late, and he is not the reason we lost that game. If Rakitic kicks that ball anywhere else in the dying seconds of that game instead of up the field we win that game and that is not even remotely debatable. That being said, I do not hold anything against Rakitic for that game with the same anger and distain that you have for the performance of Olic in that game. By the way, how did Olic play the next time we played against the Turks? He made up for his bad game against the Turks in 08 on 11-11-11! Why is it that when Olic had his fantastic game against the Serbs in Zagreb there was not one little peep from you in this regard? That is a testament to the hatred you have for him as a player. Which is fine, but what it shows is that you will not allow yourself the opportunity to give him credit when the credit is due which translates and shows bias. People also forget he was ripped off for an assist that would have tied the game against Brazil. Although, I find it even funnier that in your hatred for the guy you are missing the best point of all. At World Cup 2014 he was playing out of position. Now if that was anyone else, and I mean it literally, you would have brought that up already and gave that particular player credit for it.
“I just don’t rate him anymore.”
You never did and that is fine and that is your opinion, but the self-proclaiming comments and flat out trajectory of lies are quite disturbing at times.
Allen- fair enough, I didn’t mean to be insulting but I do find you are harsh and haven’t mentioned his major contributions that have directly resulted in much of the success Croatia has had.
You give the captaincy to someone else, he doesn’t have to retire a captain, you do what is best for him and us. What sort of fantasy world do you live in where the captain cant pass on the baton and continue to play and contribute with possibly a new lease on his NT career. He wouldn’t be the first player to be unburdened by relinquishing the captaincy role and concentrating on giving the best he can in a new capacity
All those goals you list off were pretty routine. Now granted it came off of runs, but those huge goals were all sitters. Germany and England goals were in front of net. Eduardo set him up perfectly for that goal. The penalty against Austria was from poor defending. Turkey goal was from a Manzo deflection.
Now the Bulgaria and Cameroon goals were well taken. You can get personal and say I have little knowledge. I’m not going to be a douche and question someone’s knowledge of the overall game. It’s pretty comical for people to get so emotionally wrapped into defending one player. I’m sure center backs rate Olic highly because of his work rate and constantly being a pain. That’s fine and like I’ve said, Olic has value as a sub.
That doesn’t take away from all his missed opportunities and lack of skill. Maybe I’m too harsh on him, that’s a fair argument. For someone to question my knowledge of the sport because I think he’s not very good is laughable.
German being the best league is beyond laughable. They’ve made a lot of Croatians look better than what they truly are (Petric and Lakic are prime examples). We can argue you about this on and on. I’ve admitted to being harsh on Olic and he’s made an impact. Some of it has been routine like his pass to Jelavic that was put in Marcelo. I just find it silly that people forget about his misses (Turkey-Euro 2008 or his clear header in front of goal against Brazil with Dani Alves failing to track back). Agree to disagree I guess. I just don’t rate him anymore.
Srna cannot be on the Bench he is the Captain Captains play in 11 or retire you dont bench your captain?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
uff… I mean Ivica is goofy looking, does silly stepovers on the flank and just when we are set to write him off or try to pass the baton to someone else, he ALWAYS comes through with a clutch goal….. i’m guilty of trying to write him off a few times and he’s made me eat my words on a few occasions
“When has he scored in big games? He made some nice runs against Turkey ( in the playoff) and Cameroon. but seriously when was the last time you seriously rated him? When did he ever create that big chance or do something monumental. I sure can’t.”
2002 WC 2002 against the Italians
2003 Game winner against Bulgaria to get us into the playoffs against Slovenia for Euro 2004
2007 Scored against England at Wembley
2008 Game winner against Germany and drew the penalty in order for Modric to convert against Austria in our first game of the tournament.
2011 First goal against Turks in playoff game to set us on our way.
2013 Our first half MVP by setting up Mario with a goal, and scoring one himself against the Serbs in Zagreb
2014 Our first goal against Cameroon
Ask any player that has played against him how they rate him. Ask Ferdinand, Vidic, Subotic, Metzelder, or any other defenders in Germany how they rate Olic. What they say about his play is what matters and trust me the words they use are quite profound and complimentary.
The guy still plays in arguably the best league in the world and is still delivering at his age. Which is a testament onto itself.
Keep up the good work Slavonac!
Allen- I’m not going to start offering you an education for soccer, you’ve either learned or you haven’t…don’t pretend to know something and expect people that know more than you to accept your primitive examples as some sort of fact/truth.
a simple simple example…there were 2 goals scored against Brazil…1 was allowed and the other was not…who was involved in both? Olic scored the most important 1st goal vs Cameroon…the next 3 goals we scored were all after the Cameroon red card…
being a goal scorer is a very particular thing…the majority of players are not great in front of the goal…so we can call few players natural goal scorers. then there are those that create by their skill…and those that create by work rate…Olic has done both and done them well…he has averaged a goal 42% of the times he’s played…215 goals in 512 games and Wolfsburg is having a hard time putting him on the bench!
Olic is not what he was, but he still has a value which is much higher than what you give him…which is why I can say you have little knowledge about the details of the game.
His role is to be a forward (or now play on the wing) and essentially score goals. When has he scored in big games? He made some nice runs against Turkey ( in the playoff) and Cameroon. Sure we can compliment him for always giving 110 percent, but seriously when was the last time you seriously rated him? When did he ever create that big chance or do something monumental. I sure can’t. What I remember is mostly all the wasted opportunities. For a player starting on what is supposed to be one of the better teams in Europe, he’s not very good. Believe what you want to believe.
Slavonac from Canada
Not to worry Slavonac as it is just more self-proclaiming at it’s finest. Please keep up the good work!
Allen- I’ve always thought you’re a good guy and you do contribute a lot here but you are wayyyyy off in this comment!
“given how terrible he’s been for years”
quite honestly, this is why I sometimes stop commenting for several days, many people know very little about the game and more importantly, few understand each players roles and contributions…terrible assessment!
You make this way too easy Mr. Strychnine. 🙂
Laku noc.
Trying to make Olic a sympathetic figure is hilarious, given how terrible he’s been for years. Who can forget the four missed chances against Turkey in the quarterfinals? How about all the missed chances in the WC qualifying stage that Croatia didn’t qualify in? Is it somewhat fitting that Croatia’s best tournament (besides 2008) was in 2012 when Olic was sidelined.
This argument is silly and no worries. Olic’s retirement will be a memorable one. Thanks for the years of working hard and coming up with a few timely goals. In the end, he’s left me disappointed far too many times than made me jump for joy.
Alan Brown Strychnine
It is quite difficult to keep track of all your outlandish Olic self-proclamations because there are just so many. However, you made the “He contributes nothing” comment quite recently and I would post it here but unlike yourself I have empathy. Whether Olic starts or not is immaterial because your article or whatever that was is an excuse to Olic bash when you read between the lines and I just like pointing that out and making it abundantly clear. Not to worry Mr. Strychnine, your good friend Olic will retire from the national team very soon and you can have a party with all your friends and have soda and pie.
In regards to my retirement:
LOL!! Well of course the welterweight division is much more exciting without me being around, but it is massively less talented. The NHL would be a much more competitive league without Crosby and Ovechkin, but it would not be better league as a result. Once again your subjectivity, bias and self-proclamations shine through.
this fruitcake watch ONE u21 game and then gets to write piece for the site?????? hahahaha
ey Alen, ti si BROJ JEDAN peder
translation
you are the #1 FAGGOT!!!! HAHAH HAHAHAHAHA
SVAKA TI cast GLUPANEEEEEE ! !!!!1!
As usual I went back and re watched the match, paying particular attention to pranjic’s games just to make sure my bashing him wasn’t unfounded, saying he was solid would be generous. He didn’t have much to do defensively but on the few occasions he did he was out of pocket or making a mess of it, they dude guards space or even goes to double team and “help” our central defenders, leaving his man free for the release pass. On the odd occasion he does actually try to attack the man he gets easily spun around sometimes multiple times in one play, add to that he isnt very good on the ball especially in defence.
Now for his much lauded attacking prowess (I use that term loosely) the occasional decent pass and run, the odd cross and not much else. His ball retention is terrible, obviously in football most attacks end in a lost ball thats the nature of the beast, but you look at the way it is lost. With pranja he loses the ball due to poor control, terrible low to no percentage passes or his favourite play when he tries to take on the defender and loses it usually on an attempted nutmeg, I guess he sees how easily attackers make an ass of him and get passed and thinks he can do the same. More than anything he is scared whether he has the ball or not, maybe thats the fault of the coaches that play him out of position or he just simply plays with fear, either way he should never be starting 11.
I would like to see strinic get a chance at LB but in the current climate I doubt he will so vrsaljko is my pick with jedvaj starting right and have the option of srna off the bench.
My preference for srna would be to play him off the bench, he has done enough running, put him in on the wing for his defensive tact and without less game time and running we would surely see an improvement in his crossing.
Brozovic is a necessary evil and he has done enough to justify his spot so far, would prefer badelj but the politics around that will see him on the outer for a while yet. Brozovic isn’t a destroyer he doesn’t have the build or skill set currently, thats not to say he cant learn but as we see from his tackle he doesn’t have the right skills to be effective.
Olic should remain off the bench and let a kid get a chance to run around, ola is useful off the bench in the last 30 of a match depending on the circumstances of course
When I posted Olic doesn’t contribute anything to the team, I was probably super naive and it was a few years ago. He does have some left to contribute in a backup role. Nobody can deny his work ethic and did contribute greatly against Brazil. Still doesn’t mean he should be starting against teams like Bulgaria, where Croatia doesn’t need to counter attack.
Thanks GSP, please stay retired. The welterweight division is a lot more exciting with you not around.
Alan Brown Strychnine
Well what do ya know, some more self-proclaiming drivel and Olic bashing from Alan Brown Strychnine.
You have mentioned many times, and I quote, that “Olic does not contribute anything to our team.” What you failed to put in your, I don’t have a word to describe what I just read by the way, was that Olic had our most tackles at World Cup 2014. You do realize that in nogomet players not only play offense but need to play defense as well right?
Keep up the good work Slavonac!
http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/lajme/2630-fshf-reagon-per-ndeshjen-me-serbise
google translate on the Albanian press release:
AFF provides to the public, the media and the fans, its position in relation to the match Serbia – Albania, interrupted without closing the first part of the game.
It hit the way to the stadium, the national bus. Moving vehicle, you threw three stones thrown by Serbian fans.
Before starting nxjemjes by our team, a part of the official Albanian delegation headed by president Armand Duka was hit with a piece of concrete, which was taken over by the UEFA delegate.
In every exit Albanian team or its individual, everything in the game was aggressive and extremely irritating by the fans home.
After completing nxjemjes, players are hit with a barrage of coins, lighters and other items before entering the tunnel entrance to the stadium.
For the entire period that took place before the match official nxjemja, offensive choirs of nearly 30,000 voices with the words “kill Albanians” or “dead Albanians” were predominant.
In tribubës siege left side, over the railing were dozens of fans, who in the eyes of the police, continued stood intact until the end of the minutes that were played.
Before starting the execution of himnve, brass bands, struck a nationalist march, which was not included in the official program and create an extraordinary nationalist emotion in the stadium.
The national anthem of Albania, is massively backs and whistle something, so that was inaudible to the participants in debates and TV.
In the field are throwing stones, hard objects, lighters and fireworks, which adversely affected the atmosphere of the game and the video images were recorded. Three players who took the nxjemje, after the match was struck with a hard object such as game officials were forced to change the position of its development.
In the field, entered civilians and Albanian players hit with fists and chairs. For more, our players were hit by security personnel.
During the tunnel that leads to the locker rooms, Albanian footballers are constantly hit by the fans, stadium security forces and police.
Also, before Albanian footballers be allowed to emerge from the stadium, the Belgrade prosecutor orders (according to a police statement) all staff and national team players were physically searched one by one, along with personal items.
FA, is of the opinion that all actions listed above have not served mbarëvatjes and normal development of the game, which did not make it.
For a small nation croatia are full of talent its a shame we wasted 2014 but idemo 2016 and forward. Lets see what mr Kovac does for Italy most likely Bulgaria Lineup minus Vida add Lovren.
Chupe- exactly…the right players have to know how to play the positions in order for it to work.
Olic and Pranjic should not be in starting 11 in year 2014 and beyond please i hope Mr Kovac sees that 4-2-3-1 works if the right players play playing those 2 your automatically 2 men down. olic is CF not a LW. and the 4-1-2-1-2 Formations work if right players play.
Allen- you said “I’m just saying that Croatia has been effective in the past playing a 4-3-1-2 diamond style”…that was without the players we are now utilizing and in my opinion, we are better now except have had a hard time solving the defensive midfield issue. it wasn’t Vuki or Schifo’s fault…we often played that way against stronger opponents, Vuki can’t be faulted for them pressuring us.
I think, if we are the aggressors, the 4-4-2 formation will be ok, if not…we’re royally fucked! playing in Milan makes me feel unsure of trying it but I do agree, it looked very very good.
as Svircic said, don’t use Cameroon as any example of anything…but I don’t say this accusing the game of being fixed, I say this watching them implode on National TV…they were irresponsible and just horrible to watch…they killed themselves.
I said this the other day…Olic should, in my opinion, be used as a senior mentor/sub/team unity type of guy…if he could accept that role I believe he could play 15-30 minutes when needed, not necessarily every game!
@ Nepoznat forgot thanks watched him in HNl live looks good Future A material.
@Chupe I would also give a nod to the GK Livaković
http://www.jutarnji.hr/novi-stil-vatrenih-kovac-je–uspjesno-kopirao-ancelottijev–romb–no-je-li-to-pravi-recept-/1228116/
Only under 21 players that played v England i was impressed by Game one Rebic Coric Pavicic Pjaca Bradaric. game 2 i was impressed with Halilovic Bradaric Pjaca! Livaja needs to grow in his head and as a player. The Defense was suspect on occasions Mitrovic looked good Milic is not a LB he is a cb and agian the under 21s dont have left back. Add Jedvaj Vrsaljko Brozovic Kovacic the 1992-1995 generations looks good
Slavonac from Canada
Valid points. Italy do play in a more possessive way. I’m just saying that Croatia has been effective in the past playing a 4-3-1-2 diamond style in the past. If you remember in the Euros, I’m pretty sure they played that way against Ireland and Italy. Now you can argue that the first half of the Italy game was completely one-sided. Croatia failed to keep possession and shots were being fired at Pleti on a consistent basis.
I blame that more on Vuki not being much of a presence. Also Schifo was shaky throughout that game (only game in the Euros he struggled). At the end of the day, Kovac needs to figure out ways to utilize his two biggest playmakers in Rakitic and Modric. He can’t reduce them to playing so defensively, while having Olic as one of the main attackers. That’s just not going to work anymore given that Croatia is going to play most teams that will give them full respect unlike Brazil. Those teams will also be disciplined unlike Cameroon.
Will see. I appreciate the debate, you are one of the best posters on the site. Really looking forward to see what happens against Italy, if the diamond formation stays and Kramaric starts.
Luka Modric nominated for ‘Best Liga BBVA Midfielder for 2013-2014’ award
http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/10/luka-modric-nominated-for-best-liga-bbva-midfielder-for-2013-2014-award
seems like the 2 charges against Albania are rather easily defended:
#1 it was not safe, our players were attacked, spectators rushed the field and even the steward(s) attacked our players. player safety is tantamount and without it we had to refuse to play. no evidence that it was safe, plenty that it was not safe
#2 there were no Albanian fans allowed in the stadium and the drone was not flown by our FA – no evidence to tie FA to drone and obviously it’s none Albanian fans were not allowed in
not so easy for the Serbian charges:
#1 setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (Article 16 (2) (b) & (c) – clearly happened, and repeatedly. game was stopped even BEFORE the drone due to this. clear video & photographic evidence of this violation
#2 crowd disturbance (Art. 16 (2) (h) DR) – clearly happened, repeatedly. and again the game was stopped for this even BEFORE the drone arrived. clear video & photographic evidence of this violation
#3 field invasion by supporters (Art. 16 (2) (a) DR) – clearly happened, got so far as physically attacking Albanian players even! clear video & photographic evidence of this violation
#4 insufficient organisation (Art. 16 (1) DR) – clearly happened, got so far as at least one steward attacking Albanian players even! clear video & photographic evidence of this violation
#5 Use of a laser pointer (Art. 16 (2) (d) DR) – more minor compared to the other 4 and unneeded because they will be found guilty of the other 4 violations as it is
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/qualifiers/news/newsid=2166339.html
Proceedings opened against Serbia and Albania
Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) for the setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (Article 16(2b & c) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), crowd disturbance (Art. 16(2h) DR), field invasion by supporters (Art. 16(2a) DR), insufficient organisation (Art. 16(1) DR) and use of a laser pointer (Art. 16(2d) DR).
Proceedings have also been opened against the Football Association of Albania (FShF) for refusing to play (Art. 27(1) UEFA Competition Regulations) and the display of an illicit banner (Art. 16(2e) DR).
The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 23 October.
@Sude Mi my apologies, I take that back I posted the non-translated version so only kinda the same thing, but in either language it’s ridiculous/funny
@Sude Mi I only posted that 2.5+ hours before you did :-p
Comic gold last night in Beograd.
1. The ubi ubi ubi chants; booing of anthem, throwing projectiles at players, etc.
2. The drone with the greater Albania flag.
3. The Albanian players getting worked up over the handling of the stupid flag.
4. Serbian fan hitting Albanian players with a wooden stool.
5. The infamous Ivan Bogdanov making an appearance on the pitch (he of the Italy fame and banned for life). Not only does he get inside the stadium, but is able to make it on the pitch!
6. The brother of the Albania PM getting arrested.
7. LOL statement issued by the Serbian FA.
You can’t make this shit up.
I’d like to see UEFA schedule more of these matches. Bring back Armenia/Azerberjian; Georgia/Russia. Recognize Kosovo and start Serbia/Kosovo matches. Force Serbia to play at least 2 Balkan nations each qualifying cycle.
As to regards last night, both sides at fault. They should either replay with empty stadium, or better yet, give both teams a loss and zero points.
Here’s some Wednesday humor from the u21 qualifiers
http://screamer.deadspin.com/french-players-premature-salute-celebration-backfires-1646656935
Holiga: How Croatia Used Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in a Midfield Diamond
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2232574-how-croatia-used-luka-modric-and-ivan-rakitic-in-a-midfield-diamond?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-UK
Laugh of the Day from the Serbian Football Association!
You would think that if they are going to issue a press release in English they could find someone who could actually write the language coherently? LOL
http://www.fss.rs/index.php?id=3021&aid=6227
@ivica
I was impressed with the albanians, the serbs threw the first couple of shots and the albanians did not back down, instead they gave it back in a packed crazy ass stadium, fans chasing them as well, just crazy stuff to watch and an English ref to top it off, too funny
Allen,
Good stuff buddy!
Don’t include the Cameroon-Croatia game in any of your future articles because it was fixed 🙂
Allen- the positives were very good, I agree and the formation may work but you can’t use this sample as a true indicator of how it will work going forward. you mentioned “Italy struggled to score against Azerbaijan”…Italy vs Azerbaijan is not the same as Croatia vs Azerbaijan…if you recall, we are all saying we have the most gifted offensive players we’ve seen in many generations, right? Italy does not have those same types of players…AND…they play differently than we do with a different strategy, thats why we can’t compare. with that said, Italy makes every single tournament…where we do not…Italy know how to get results, they can won 1-0 against Vancouver Croatia and yet beat Brazil or Spain…but they get the result!
I like our players and the fact we have good options, it was great to see.
Pranjic looked good because he had no defensive duties whatsoever…you’d have looked good playing there as long as you could cross the ball!
@Denis
Yea. I was shocked at how the Albanian players were actually kicking some ass out there, while the Serbs were just taking it. Surprised to see some Grobari actually bring knocked to the ground by the players, while the rest just whistled in the stands.
Even when things calmed down, there was that one Albanian dude yelling and kicking the chair all angry as he’s being escorted to the tunnel by the accommodating Serb players. Dude’s lucky that no one rushed him for that.
Those Albanci could’ve been killed out there if it escalated.
Awesome prank though, lol. Toy helicopter causing this much ruckus.
I’d like to try this same lineup, but with Jedvaj and Vrsaljko as the two wing backs. See how their skill and youth can manage playing both offence and defence for us.
Also, I’d replace Vida with one of Lovren or Schifo. I’d give Brozović another chance where he was for now. He didn’t seem too bad. I’d love to have Gregory Sertić there though. That would’ve been awesome.
Some good pictures from last night in Beograd.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2792953/serbia-vs-albania-suspended-martin-atkinson-banned-fans-use-drone-fly-flag-pitch-leading-violet-scenes-belgrade.html
Uefa will give both sides a week to come up with a final statement.
Both sides are at fault.
Serbian players wanted no part of anything. I was surprised that no one jumped in to help that serb fan that was beat down. I guess he got what he deserved.
By the way what’s the deal with Gregory Sertic? Is he going to get called up or what? Is there paper issues?
Good article Alen,
I think the main change was playing these younger guys. You can see that they want to play on the floor and do a little “tika taka” and actually enjoy playing the game. Srna always wants to cross the ball and especially we saw our style of play go down when Olic went in.
I believe if we play these younger guys and keep the ball on the ground we will have success. Mandzo played his heart out but was visibly frustrated from not getting much service, but you need to sacrifice that if you want to be successful.
That was me on top. Forgot to put my name in there. Sorry^^
Slavonac from Canada
If Croatia takes Brozovic out and replaces him with a true defensive midfielder, why can’t this formation work? How was the game so different when some top-level team like Italy struggled to score against Azerbaijan? Those games can be compared. I’m sure Pranjic will track more defensively against an respectable opponent. Just saying what we saw was positive and hopefully an indication that Kovac needs to use youth more rather than the likes of Olic.
IvicA- this is my point exactly!
Azerbaijan didn’t threaten us to the point where we had to concentrate on defence, they evidently collapsed, which allowed us to play as we wished without any worries. Kovac’s game plan was good but what if we didn’t score in the first half…everything would have been different and all the scenario’s Allen put forward would have been mute…which is why I felt this write-up is hypothetical…especially when comparing Brazil to Bulgaria and comparing the use of Olic to Kramaric…the game the other day was so far different from any other under Kovac, you just can’t compare!
I liked the midfield & forward lineup (Esp after Perišić came on), but we were essentially playing Pranjić and Srna in the midfield as well. Pranjić was so far up, I forgot he was playing in defence lol.
A team like Italy will destroy us if we leave Vida and Ćorluka alone like that I’m the back, even with Modrić or Brozović tracking back.
I think Jedvaj has the ability to give us this kind of offence on the wing, while still being defensively responsible. Not sure if we gave anyone on the left side that can do that yet.
*fans
@Nepoznat
Amazing article. Were they even at the game. Loved the part about how well behaved the serbian fans were.
They have to be fined and points deducted in my opinion as they have a history of crowd trouble. The host nation has to protect opposing players something they failed miserable. YOu can’t have funs running on the pitch throwing chairs, punching and kicking opposing players.
Hopefully uefa has the balls to do something.
this analysis that I just couldn’t get through reading entirely is far too hypothetical and yet, it appears as if Allen has used this one game as some type of example for going forward.
every game is different and so was this one. the one key thing that was omitted from this write-up is that this was Azerbaijan, a team that had the ability to frustrate their opponents, unless you quickly score on them…which is what the game plan was. Kovac said it before the game, they were looking for a quick goal….and the rest was a matter of common sense!
Most teams nowadays can plan a strategy to defend, another thing is to attack. when you are tied there are always opportunities for a counter attack and creating a scoring chance, when you are down you have to choose what you want…to tie it up and therefore affording more scoring chances on your goal or trying to preserve the amount you lose by.
there was no magic in this last game, all the pieces of the puzzle were set out nicely and almost every person that commented before the game started said they were happy with the line-up! does this mean we can lineup the same against Italy or France or Germany…Belgium? NO WAY!
we looked great, I was super happy to see creativity, ball movement, chances…but I also knew it may not have been possible if Azerbaijan had a better plan to defend…it wouldn’t have been 6-0, thats for sure!
The formation suited the opponents…thats a fact…its also a fact that it won’t work against most good teams so we are back to figuring out who plays where and what formation we use along with what strategy should be utilized?
funniest shit you will read today about the Serbia – Albania match:
http://fss.rs/index.php?id=21&aid=6225
Very good : I agree with you as for Rakitic than for Strinic.
Good article Allen.
Svaka ti cast Kovac, doing a great job.