Written by Allen “Outraged” Strk
After a lackluster 2-0 victory over Malta in September, Croatia are back in action for two European qualifiers in a 4-day span starting Friday. A trip to Bulgaria and a home game against Azerbaijan awaits Croatia, as they look to continue to gel under manager Niko Kovač. The lingering questions at the holding midfielder and left back position are still prevalent. Nobody knows what Kovač’s plan is for those two areas of concern. There isn’t one tested defensive midfielder on the roster, while the left back selection between Ivan Strinić and Hrvoje Millć is unclear at this point.
You can only speculate for so long before giving up on formulating a realistic opinion. No information has leaked out on what Kovač favors in those areas. What we can speculate on is the return of Ivan Perišić and how it affects the starting lineup. Perišić is back from a long layoff, after separating his shoulder in a friendly, and will be a vital piece to this Croatia squad after solidifying his position in the starting XI at the World Cup. Although he hasn’t completely lived up to expectations for the Vatreni in his short 3-year tenure with the team, his time to shine is now.
Some may blame Igor Štimac for failing to utilize him properly. There were times that Perišić was in the center of the midfield trying to create, which isn’t his forte. Who can forget his infamous back pass to Romelu Lukaku that set up the first goal for Belgium in their 2-1 victory over Croatia last October? Why was he playing so deep in central midfield? Nobody will ever know those questionable tactics. Kovač seemed to get the best out of Perišić, playing him on the right wing throughout the tournament. Besides the second half of the Cameroon game, he became comfortable on the right side and delivered quality passes throughout the tournament. When all the pundits were talking about star midfielders Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić, it was Perišić who had the best game against Brazil, delivering dangerous crosses into the box.
He has dealt with inconsistencies throughout his career in fading out of games or having his shots end up in the 12th row. In his three games at the World Cup, he seemed comfortable in playing on the wing and threatening opposing backs with pace. Now the major question for Perišić, besides remaining on form, is how does he fit into the starting lineup? Kovač seems adamant on continuing to start Alen Halilović to give him more experience. I’m not exactly opposed to that for now, although I’d keep him on the bench against a top-level team like Italy. The issue is that he plays at the right attacking wing position, which is where Perišić became comfortable playing at.
I’m sure that he wouldn’t have any issues moving back to the left side. It’s just harsh to move a player to a different position after being the top player for the national team at a major tournament. Now he’s essentially forced to the other side because the new “golden boy” is more comfortable in playing on the right wing. I may be overreacting to the switch, although it does seem silly. We could question Kovač for potentially making that decision, but something enthralling could be emerging in Croatia.
If Halilović continues to evolve and becomes more comfortable playing for the national team, it’ll give Croatia two legitimate wingers with pace. You can’t convince me that Ivica Olić is a legitimate winger. He fit in that slot simply from his relentless work ethic. With two actual wingers, they won’t have to be so reliant on Darijo Srna having to deliver eight to ten crosses a game. Croatia looks to have two capable wingers that can change the game in an instant. You can make the argument that Croatia hasn’t had that since Marko Babić and Srna in the 2006 World Cup. Perišić and Halilović are clearly bigger talents, as they play for big clubs and haven’t hit their prime yet.
It’s an exciting visualization to see Croatia play with more pace. In past qualification stages, we’d see Croatia having to rely on ball movement and precise runs to create chances. Besides Eduardo and Modrić, on occasion, you’d rarely see any other players take on defenders. Now Croatia has two players in the starting lineup that are willing and capable in doing so. Mateo Kovačić has also shown he’s willing to take on defenders, although he’s been underwhelming for the national team so far in his career.
Despite the lack of confidence in Niko Kovac and some resentment towards Niko Kranjčar not being called up (I’m outraged!), there are still plenty of things to look forward to in the upcoming qualifiers. Will we see a Croatian team that is focused and can win games definitively against lower teams? Will it be similar to the last two qualification stages, where Croatia struggles to put away teams with lesser talent? The lackluster performance against Malta gives an indication that it may be the latter. We’ll find out within the next couple of days. Regardless of your bitterness towards how the World Cup ended, it’s time to look ahead and see this team gel before the showdown with Italy in Milan.
If you want to see what would have happened if Rakitic headed the ball downwards against Spain in Euro2012, check out the Slovakian goal in the 88th minute today to give them a 2-1 win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx3cTN5btyU
Another mild upset – Slovenia beat Switzerland today 1-0.
Still, the biggest shock so far was Albania beating Portugal in Lisbon 1-0 last month.
@ Denis, yeah maybe a little bit harsh, but you have to admit it might actually act as a deterrent for anyone else who wants to go against “their” own people. I was going to say those without sin may cast stones, ali jebi ga no stones would be thrown 😀
Croatia U-19 beat Iceland 4-1 today – now 2-0 in Euro2015 group play. Turkey is up next on Sunday.
I’m going with a 9 on the disappointment scale.
And I’d take Charlie’s sloppy seconds in a heartbeat!
Friends,
Lets say we lose tomorrow or look very bad in a tie. How disappointed would you be on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being: not too disappointed, I will go be like Kranjcar and cheat on my wife and eat burgers kind of disappointed. And 10 being: oh my God this is a disaster, it’s like finding out you have STDs after a night with Corluka or having his sloppy seconds.
@Ziva
Who knows. Maybe Schifo impresses during the training sessions and wins the starting spot.
But if you look at the defenders that were called up, Kovac only called up TWO real CBs. Lovren and Corluka. That’s it.
Vida is not a CB. He’s been playing as a RB for Dynamo Kiev all season, and even at RB for us (when he actually played for us). Srna and Vrsaljko are also RBs. Strinic and Milic are LBs. One of the surprise Rijeka picks (Tomecak) is a RB as well (well, more of a right winger, but whatever, he’s not a CB). Also, Tin Jedvaj (who can actually play some CB) was sent down to the U21s.
So, the only other CB on the team that was called up (aside from Corluka and the injured Lovren) is Marko Leskovic, lol. This is Leskovic’s first callup and it would be insane to start him.
Of course, Kovac is no stranger to playing players in their not-so-ideal positions, so we’re probably going to either see Vida play as a CB (for the first time in God knows when) OR we’ll see Schifo get the start.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Kovac sees the obviousness of Schifo needing to start. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Schifo’s name in the starting 11 tomorrow.
Yeah, now I know why he usually never posts lineups.
^^^^^^^^^^
9 guys – well, at least that is different than other people usually post. Tough to beat Bulgaria with that lineup.
I dont usually do this infact this is the first time I line up players…but this is how Kovac will play the team with Lovren Injuried
Mandzukic Kramaric
Kovacic
Perisic Modric Rakitic
Pranjic ( No one) Corluka Srna
This all goes back to what my Uncle Josip told me last year – and he was spot on.
There is not enough talent between the ages of 21-25 in our system.
This is the age group that the majority of our starting lineup should be.
People on this site have tried several half-ass attempts to name a few players, but, in the end, there aren’t enough of them. They are just names – not real talent.
A lost 5 year gap.
So, Kovac stays with the older players because the teenagers aren’t ready.
Question………I see a lot of people have Schifo in the lineup (has usually played well when called upon), but what makes anyone think Kum Kovac will start him. He got called up because of an injury. If he was the backup option to start, wouldn’t he have been called up in the first place.
The only place I’d ever play Brozovic is in the spot currently occupied by Kramaric. So, in that case, Brozo should be benched.
He’s not an effective DM. Not sure why they keep pushing that. He is a capable attacking mid or second striker, but we have too many players better than him that should start.
Not sure why ok vac is in love with brozovic. Bulgaria will be a tougher match than most think. I don’t have the most confidence in his line up.
Subasic
Srna corluka shifo pranjic
Modric rakitic kovacic
Perisic kramaric
Mandzukic
May God help us if pranjic starts…..even plays 2 minutes.
And what’s up with Hrgota? He still hasn’t been capped. I would hope the savez is in contact or trying to get him to switch while there’s a chance.
I don’t need to attack his character, he does that himself every time he decides to blow mamic. A true patriotic croat would fuck his own people. Unfortunately its always the assholes that get into those position be it coach, prez of the country, prime minister they all fuck their own
I think its time to bring in new blood. Out with Olic and Pranjic. In with Kramaric and Kovacic.
Subasic
Srna Schifo Corluka Strinic
——–Kovacic—————
—–Modric —Rakitic
Kramaric ————–Perisic
———-Mandza
Vida had his chance and did nothing. Dude needs to stop hitting the bottle.
I doubt that Kovac will start Schifo and Modric/RAkitic will be too far back to give service to Mandza and Kramaric/Olic. Also, I doubt he starts kramaric.
Brozović to start isnt a bad idea. However, the kid is not ready and we have better options in midfield. Mamic looking to sell?
I wonder if the players see all the mafia stuff going on and just don’t care.
Petr Cech wants playing time so he can be ready for the Czech Republic. How many of our players think the same? I dont recall any of our players talking about the national team like that.
@DalmoAnte,
“and let everyone throw stones”
Wow, a little harsh no?
@IvicA,
I met Niko Kovac during the Croatia-Ukraine playoff. I wouldn’t say that he’s macho, maybe a little arrogant but nothing close to a Mourinho.
pranjic shouldn’t start. proved that in the wc
brozovic hasn’t looked good either. is he here just cause dinamo has to sell him?
olic vs kramaric is tough. kramaric is crushing it, but in the hnl. olic just won’t age is putting up yet another high class season in the bundeslig. kramaric must get at least 30 min
tough cause jelavic also is scoring goals against world class competition
we face the rakitic-modric-kranjcar problem again. forever we tried to play them together but it didn’t work. maybe a midfield of modric, raktiic, kovacic just doesn’t work for 70 minutes even if they’re the most talented?
not calling up schifo and instead calling up antolic. DUMB DUMB DUMB!
How is NK better than Štimac based on what. Štimac would have beat island and lost to brazi and mexico and play like shit vs malta come on lets be real based on form for repka and key performances and future players based on that the players that should get choosen imo is Subasic Kalinic Vargic Srna Corluka Sifo Lovren Strinic Vrsaljko Jedvaj Modric Rakitic Kovacic Perisic Kranjcar Sertic(i know but hes a dm and second choice shoukd be forgiven good player.) Halilovic Mandzo Kramaric Jelavic Rebic Perica the maybes Badelj Brozovic Males Mocinic Santini Pasaoic tomecak Leskovic Mitrovic .
If he puts out Schifo then he would look like and idiot because he didn’t call up his own back to the CB. Doubt he will start. If he does then Kovac clearly has no strategy and is just guessing.
The only thing I see with Pranjic is that he is our most attacking LB which may be good in games where we have most of the possession but again why call up 3 LB.
I’m not a fan of Kovac as a coach either, but let’s not attack his character.
I think he does feel like he’s a big Croat, and is likely very patriotic. I’m sure if any of us met him in person, he’d be a solid guy. A bit macho and arrogant, sure, like many of us on here, but still probably a very good guy.
However, he is thinking about his long term career here, and is ‘playing ball’ in exchange for getting very good experience on his coaching resume. If he simply just qualifies for tournaments, dresses all pretty for the cameras, he’ll get enough exposure and notoriety to get some sort of coaching gig later on.
He knows this is better than he deserves right now (as he had no experience going in), and that’s why he lashes out so quickly when criticized in the media. However, he’s probably convinced that his lineups are the best for the team right now, but they’re obviously not.
If he rolls out a back four of Pranjic, Vida, Corluka, and Srna…we won’t be able to score because Modric and Rakitic will be spending the entire game covering holes.
I’m still not 100% believing that this lineup the media is publishing is true. I would be very, very surprised to see Pranjic in the starting LB position again. I really, really hope this is not true and that we see both Strinic and Schifo in the starting lineup.
I understand Kovac calling up younger guys instead of some vets early on in the campaign but I hope that changes by the time we get to the Italy match. Even they dropped Balotelli for a younger crop of players.
I even understand when he calls on the vets like Pranjic and Olic to start but why is Brozovic there then right?? Lets hope that article was just blowing smoke. I guess we’ll see what the line up is tomorrow.
All I am and I think all Croatians are hoping for is a little consistency especially after the erratic selections made by Stimac. I’ll make my decisions on Kovac after 6 games into the qualifying.
For me the line up is simple, choose the players that are actually getting mins at big clubs (exception for Kramaric);
Suba
Srna Vida Cor Strin
Mod Rak
Kovacic Kramaric Peri
Mand
Olic as super sub to give energy.
Halilovic and Brozovic play 2nd tier football (bright future tho)
Pranjic is past his prime and poor defender.
Schidenfeld never made any mistakes for the repka but you can’t have him and Corluka back there; too slow of a back line
Kinda sad that Illicevic has injury problems because he is great option on the wing and really looks to take on defenders.
Time to quit with this foreign coach experiment, we have a german born bosanac parading as a croat luving in austria, dudu was right this prick does a great job of creating the image of the ultimate domoljub, but is just a fraud. I mean no offence to the real croats born in BiH, purely about Niko.
But niko isn’t the biggest problem, we need to remove bandic, mamic, suker and all the other turds. If you get rid bandic mamic has to actually use his ill gotten gains and not the city’s, suker and kovac are mamic’s soldiers. FUCK EM ALL.
Chain them all to the stup sramote in Zadar including pranjic and let everyone throw stones
Vs Bulgaria
————-Mandzukic—————
-Perisic—-Kramaric—-Halilovic-
———–Modric-Rakitic————-
-Strinic—Vida-Corluka—-Srna–
————–Subasic——————
Kovac still doesn’t trust the youth or is giving his long-time buddies endless amount of chances to hang around.
Kramaric is our most in-form striker, yet he’s playing Olic.
Halilovic and Kovacic are among our top 4 midfielders, yet, Kovac insists on Perisic, who admits he’s not 100%
Just read that Vida has never played in the middle with Corluka before – great time to see if it will work.
Pranjic? Somebody please send Kovac a tape of the Brazil and Mexico games…and what he himself said about Pranjic in that position.
Line-up looks fine to me.
Time to hold these players accountable.
I know some of you want to see Kovacic, Halilovic, Modric, Rakitic, and Perisic always in the lineup but it’s not really possible…
I think Brozovic could become a decent player in the near future, however, he’s not good enough to start now.
Kovacic is far better than him.
I can’t believe Pranjic is a potential start.
It’s bad enough that Kovac made such bad decisions during the World Cup. But you would hope the guy would have learned.
If Pranjic starts as a left back any of these games I would fire him if I had the authority to.
Pranjic and Olic in the starting lineup? It’s like the World Cup never happened…
JSZ,
Poslusaj ovu od BBB
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WvL0WqIY5Ow
Mafija izmislja zakon kako nama stati na kraj,
I muriju salju i tisuce zabrana,
Nasa borba jos traje, sve se jace cuje nas glas,
MI SMO OTPOR SISTEMU
DO POSLJEDNJEG COVJEKA!
Spoke too soon, looks like Olic and Pranjic are starting. Don’t mind the Olic pick but still not sure why we needed 3 LB.
http://www.goal.com/hr/news/7081/hrvatska-reprezentacija/2014/10/09/5170767/po%C4%8Dinju-pranji%C4%87-peri%C5%A1i%C4%87-i-oli%C4%87-kova%C4%8Di%C4%87-i-kramari%C4%87-na-klupi?ICID=HP_HN_1
The only reason I see Brozovic in the line up is because Rakitic and Modric can’t cut it defensively and we need someone to protect the back four. But if he gave up on Modric and Rakitic protecting the back four then he can easily put Modric and Brozovic in the middle with Rakitic on the right where he has been successful for years. Hopefully, with consistent form and health Badelj will fix our DMF problem that we’ve had since Kovac retired because Brozovic isn’t even close to Badelj’s level.
I love Halilovic but he is not ready for important games. Too many other options then a guy who doesn’t even shave yet.
Strinic is a lock at LB, Milic is his back up. No other options and nothing else to say about it. Not sure why Pranjic is still on the list if Milic is there. Schildenfeld should be there instead of 3 LB.
Vrsaljko or Jedvaj will take over for Srna by next fall.
In terms of Kranjcar, I watched him play last week and it was a sad sight. Touch and passing seem to be gone not to mention poor fitness. I’m sure we all thought that he would be where Rakitic and Modric are but looks like a Kalinic to me. Still can take set pieces but so can several of our players.
Word around the camp fire is that Kovac may revert to 433;
Srna Vida Corluka Strinic
Modric Brozovic Rakitic
Kramaric/Halilovic Mandzukic Perisic
ARMADA87
Lovern has been disappointing, but hasn’t been a complete disaster. The reason that it’s on his shoulders is because of his fat contract. When you get paid, everything is on you. They forget that Sahko is a major liability and Manquillo isn’t very good defensively. They also forget that many of the goals that Liverpool has conceded this year have been from set pieces and flukey blasts (Jagielka’s goal was an example).
Lovern has been a bit shaky, but seeing the likes of Immobile and Cerci against Corluka and Schifo concerns me. Both players have tons of pace and can score at any time. At least Lovern can move and make tackles efficiently. Will see when the time comes I guess.
Bravo Slovacka!
HAHAHAHA Spain lost to Slovakia 2-1
Mamić i HNS mafia,
To je obična lakrdija,
Sve,a sve baš prolazi,
Radujemo se KAPITULACIJI!
SUKERU
Oni bi tili da se ne čuje naš glas
i novim zakonima udaraju nas,
al svaki udarac nas jača to poručujemo mi
sve do kraja mi ćemo se boriti,
Kontra zakona,kontra zabrana,
njima u dišpet neka gori bengalka
jer u njoj gori naša želja to poručujemo mi,
sve do kraja mi ćemo se boriti!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poyx95zDHyU
For all Hrvatska fans not just Hajduk
Jebem mater svima redom u hns ako izgubimo sutra od ovi poluamatera.
Nažalost ne važi kvaliteta nego tko koga puši. Samo pitajte Pranjića on je stvorija karijeru na taj način
@ Ernest Jer Mamic sto kaze tako je!
Po cemu je ovaj Brozovic zasluzio mjesto u prvi 11? That guy would never play in my starting line up. What for?
I mean Perisic btw hahaha don’t know where Petric came from
Petric is probably the best half time shooter we have outside the 13 yard box!!!
What puzzles me is why Sifo didnt get called up in first place he never fucked up in key games he played 5 big games 2012 did fine he is only 29 and is a true professional yet id take him over Vida any-day. so instead od the Carli Sifo partnership we will see in a away game key away game Vida Carli cb partnership that never played together BRavo NK and from reports on various news stations the 11 looks like this LOL
Subasic-Srna Corluka Vida Pranjic-Brozovic Modric-Rakitic Perisic Olic-Mandzukic.
LOL Petric^^^
Suba
Srna Corluka Vida Strinic
Modric Rakitic
Halilovic Kovacic Petric
Mandzukic
Suba
Srna— Carli— Schifo— Strina
————–Modrinjo———-
Kova———-Raketa———–Perisic
———–Krama——–Mandza
Lovren isn’t a big loss (assuming that Schifo is taking his place).
Hopefully we go with Schifo as the starter, and not try and play Pranjić in the back in some attempt to shuffle things around for the Lovren loss.
@ Allen
you talk up Lovren, but have you seen him for Liverpool? I haven’t caught too much of him at LFC, but from what I’ve been reading, a lot of blame is falling on his shoulders for the defense looking like dog shit – and it’s not so much about his athleticism, but more about poor positioning and decision making….
hvala Allen, good analysis!
@ allen
I don’t think Stimac was a wizard at getting the most of his players
At the same time, I’m not sure if Kovac is what has made the difference
My reason for saying that, is that Perisic really came on very hard for his club team in the latter half of the year
It seems more like he just finally found his form or he finally had a consistent spree of playing where he wasn’t injured
so much for that now
Forgot to plug this, but I’m on twitter at @Allen_Strk. Unlike Ziva, I embrace twitter and quite active on it. Will post below on future articles for sure.
Bobby V
Thanks for the heads up. Didn’t hear about that, I assume he’ll play against Bulgaria at least.
Saw the highlights from that game. Srna is declining, but will start for the national team until he steps down from captain. The federation loves him. I don’t get caught up in Srna’s league performances because you know what you’ll get from him at this point. A lot of pace, hopefully two good crosses out of ten, and some entertainment with his flops.
Lovern is a BIG loss, if he can’t play against Italy. The sight of Immobile running at Corluka and Schifo scares me. I saw Dortmund against Arsenal about a month ago. Don’t be fooled by the name. Immobile is dangerous and can cause serious problems against slow center backs. Say what you want about Lovern, but he’s the only center back that is somewhat athletic and isn’t a liability like Vida.
Soul Champ
Thank you. Nothing too optimistic about predicting Kovacic to have a good game. He’s a highly rated player. It’s just besides the Iceland game, he hasn’t done much for the national team.
@ Allen
Svaka cast Homie, well written.
Perišić didn’t injure is legs so I expect his burst in spots, even in form his timing his limited.
Call it optimistic October but I feel Kovacic is ready to rip off a couple of slalom runs like he did against iceland to put us in Brazil.
Looking for a Powerful Petak!
In other news: Lovren is out of the game against Bulgaria. Shifo called up in his stead.
http://www.jutarnji.hr/povratak-u-reprezentaciju-lovren-vjerojatno-otpada-za-sofiju–pozvan-gordon-schildenfeld/1226076/
Thanks for the article Allen.
@Bobby V:
I agree. The situation in Donetsk will not bode well for Srna.
Perisic admitted to the Croatian press yesterday that he is not at 100% yet, but, will play as much as Kovac wants him to.
Also, watched the Shakhtar – Porto Champions League match a few days ago.
Dario Srna played very poorly and was responsible for Porto’s tying goal in the dying seconds – not a good sign.