Croatia lineup vs. Portugal: Kalinić – Vrsaljko, Vida, Mitrović, Barišić – Modrić, Badelj, Kovačić – Pjaca, Livaja, Perišić
Perišić Goal
Croatia-Portugal Postgame Report
A new chapter in Croatian football is upon us.
Mandžukić, Subašić and Ćorluka have officially retired from the national side; and for the time being, left-back Ivan Strinić is out indefinitely with a heart condition.
On Thursday, the Vatreni will take on Euro 2016 champions Portugal in a friendly before the UEFA Nations League kicks off its inaugural year September 11th, when Croatia face Spain in Elche. Portugal will be without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, as he decided not to report to his national side due to his recent move to Juventus.
Although the heart of the Croatian midfield is still intact – Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić – it is now time for the younger generation to step up and claim their spots at the senior level.
With Subašić now gone, 28 year-old Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinić will have the pipes all to himself as Croatia’s #1. Although Subašić carried Croatia at times in Russia and is only the second goalie in World Cup history to win two penalty shootouts, Kalinić will be better for the team in the long-run. He is more athletic and his monstrous wingspan will come to save the day for the Vatreni on more than one occasion.
Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren is far from retirement, but he will not be available for Portugal and Spain due to injury. With Strinić also out, this opens the door for Josip Pivarić and Tin Jedvaj to break into the Starting XI with Mitrović and Barišić right behind them in the depth chart.
The Croatian midfield looks to go unchanged for the rest of the year as Modrić, Rakitić, Brozović and Perišić are still on top of their respective games. Right winger Ante Rebić is currently out due to injury which can open up a spot for Fiorentina’s Marko Pjaca to break though and impress against the Iberians. Pjaca still hasn’t mentally recovered, it seems like, from a serious ACL knee injury he picked up 18 months ago. If he can be confident on either flank, that would potentially push Rebić forward in the formation alongside Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramarić. With Mandza retiring, and Santini yet to prove himself on the international level, Croatia is thin in the strike force. Dalić will need to become more creative regarding striker selection due to depth.
Boy, I wonder what Nikola Kalinić is doing at home right now?
Well Dalić didn’t know what you knew.
So, this game was useful for Dalić to get to your level of knowledge.
Shame he doesn’t read/post here.
@Maminjo- Exactly, I learned nothing and just confirmed everything I already knew. No revelations.
They wont as hungry now and different energy that the World Cup is over hard to reset.
Some of the players who played yesterday will not be on the squad at a major tournament. Cop, Pasalic, Milic, Santini, and Livaja are unlikely to make the cut after the U-21 players rejoin the contention. They were there to eat up minutes on an injury-depleted squad trying to save energy ahead of a competitive match.
Borna Barisic made a legitimate claim to the left-back position. Pivaric is much better on offense, but he is a weak defender. Barisic might be what we have missed. Matej Mitrovic is an excellent defender, and he even played a couple of dangerous balls directly up to Pjaca in the box. Jedvaj is better as a center back than as a right back. Pjaca still can dribble anybody, including groups of three defenders. As I said before, he could be the one to fill that vacated striker position. Badelj and Kovacic are good, but with midfield play being all about combination, much of what they do will depend on the way they work together. For the moment, the best midfield is Modric, Rakitic, Brozovic. Vida and Kalinic need to communicate! Vida is used to saving Subasic from immobility, but Kalinic is much more alert and flexible.
Yesterday’s game confirmed that Mitrović and Barišić belong on the team.
It also showed that Kovačić is serious about wanting to start, and that Pjaca may be on his way to a possible recovery. These are all good things.
It also confirmed that guys like Milić, Livaja, Santini and Čop are not good enough and (due to their age) there is no real benefit in calling them up any more as you can just call up a younger player who is trending upward in their development.
Toronto- Some of these guys are riding the bench at club level, and not regulars on the NT. It is in their best interest to show effort and display their talents, even during a friendly.
When I borrowed the term “hungry”, it was almost sarcastic. I simply don’t think some of these guys are good enough to be on our NT, regardless of how hungry they are.
Watch Rebic v Mexico in Dallas, that is how you take advantage of an opportunity.
I learned nothing from the game yesterday.
As fans we want to see Croatia WIN every single game they play until the end of time… but is that realistic? No
So do we really care if they draw Portugal in a friendly and didnt look very ‘hungry’ … I don’t.
There were some positives to be taken from the game and that’s good enough for a friendly.
Boksic was also injured in 1998 but if he played maybe Suker wouldnt have won Golden Boot.
@ Maminjo
Damn .. you had to say it .. L Kalinic would have beaten France for us!
Injured Boban – healthy Prosinečki ‘98.
Injured Subasic – healthy L. Kalinic ‘18.
Kalinic is athletic .. 2 meters .. quick and agile.
He also seems to have a presence about him.
He looks like a Classic Splićanin .. could have played basketball, water polo and definitely rukamet, even tennis with a big lefty service game.
Could you imagine having a World Class keeper going into Euro 2020?
There will be a big club transfer for him next summer.
@ Ivan Perišić
It’s your time to become a super star.
Set pieces continue to plague us.
what a crap game during time when the supposed “hungry” youth entered. Here are some quick notes:
Perisic solid
Vida solid, before injury
Kova solid
Kalinic solid
Mitrovic solid, as he was during WC qualifying.
Vrsaljko ok
Badelj shows us why Brozo easily took over his position.
Pjaca had 2 good possessions, both while receiving in or near the box. Would be better Striker than Cop, Santini or Livaja, but not the same RW he used to be.
Livaja surprisingly lethargic for someone trying to win a starting spot. Bad positioning offensively and defensively, and I thought he would play better.
Jedvaj blah as usual
Milic blah, lucky too
Cop sucked, and thought he would play better.
Santini the average-blah, but better than Livaja
Rog-did as much as he does at Napoli, which isn’t saying much
Pasalic- blah
Given we have no suitable striker available, we need to get Kova, Rakitic, Modric, and Brozo all starting.
—Santini—
Perisic—–Pjaca
–Modric—Rakitic–
—Brozo–Kovacic
Vida–Mitrovic–Vrsaljko
—Kalinic—
Again…You picked a fine time to leave us Mandzu!
With no hungry youngsters, and crap on the field.
Is Kvartuc wearing a 76ers hat? Man you’re from LA rep your home city
Kovacic looks like hes been growing some ballz since the World Cup. Move to Chelsea and his confidence has been up
Yeah but doesnt he have a man-bun?
Everyone should have to mention Livaja because he gives all (composure, stability, technique) that needed in front line.. He can dribble with a high agility and pass accurately. He gave a nice pass to pjaca before convert a goal by Perisic
Mitrović was excellent.
Modrić wasn’t trying. He was playing it safe, you could tell.
Pjaca showed flashes of what he used to be. Hopefully this means he’s recovering.
Kovačić was good, but I don’t know if I start him over Rakitić or Brozović yet.
Lovre Kalinić would have won us the World Cup.
Kinda surprised its tumbleweeds and crickets here, fellas. It’s our first game since our WC silver and no one watched it or if they did didn’t comment on the site? Kinda disappointing!
I didn’t watch as closely as usual, but here are my observations…
Modric looked rusty, obviously still class, but not yet 100% again.
I thought Kovacic was our best player today. He’s playing with much more confidence and taking a leadership role out there. Forcing that move to Chelsea was the best thing for him and HNS.
Pjaca had some promising moments. Hoping he’s on his way back.
I may be the only one, but I think Jedvaj could be really good for us… needs to mature a bit more, but I like him… still needs to cut the rest of his hair off though.
Kalinic was very confident back there and was not at fault for the goal..
Turkey go to Middle Eastern sports.com. Great site. You won the rock throwing championship congrats.
You did well in sand diving as well. Check the link below.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yJNvkl0Z8Rg
Pjaca just needs more minutes to tune up his engine, hopefully he gets that at Fiorentina. So far he hasn’t been a starter for his club.
Rog too, another guy that needs to get some time on the pitch, he might have to head for greener pastures to get it.
When Krovrinovic come back from injury it will bolster our midfield adding more depth. Benifica named him to their CL Squad list.
CSKA’s Bistrovic is also one to watch, he might be the new midfield revelation of this season (Just like Krovrinovic was last year).
I’m stoked for this League of Nations, hopefully we win the inaugural event.
It’s kinda nice to have the UNL, it provides a great filler in the gap year between the Euros and WC.
Lovre Kalinic is more mobile then I thought !!
No need to kick Vida to prove you are the boss back there.
That dude looks like stud in goal and he is a left.
@ Svima
Is it harder to produce another Dražen Petrović lead guard or a Robert Jarni dynamic LB?
Barišić is tough but he makes Pivaric look like Marcelo.
Man Santini had his moment at the death to account for himself.
That’s his ball to finish!!
Pjaca looks agile but not quite with the explosive speed.
He needs regular minutes.
All good.
Spain will be a whole different crew with a whole different intensity.
Rebić is definitely missed.
Finishes 1-1, good result for us away from home with a number of guys out vs Euro champs
In a meeting. How are we playing!
Pasalic was in for what 3 minutes?
Bad news is Vida came off injured already
I can’t fucking believe it, even in friendlies the refs continue to fuck us!. Every time we steal the ball a foul is called, and a free k
ick, but we’re never awarded a free kick, I’m actually shutting this off, I can’t watch this shit
How are we playing.. my company network is blocking that site
Gosh Pepe is a massive cunt
1-0 GOOD GUYS
ONYA PERISIC !
best i could find:
http://goalspot.net/portugal-vs-croatia/
links?
Borna Barisic was previously called up. Mid 20s LB, former captain of Osijek (up and coming HNL side). Now plays for Rangers after a good Europa League showing in the summer. Rangers fans love him and he’s doing well. Not world class but neither was Strinic.
Who is this Barisic kid?
Turkey, world cup finals…world recognition…golden ball…Uefa player of the year.. Not a bad summer.
Turkey, your mom was taken by me!
Lika Joey, your land lika was taken by Turkey.
Anyone with a stream for the game?
Turkey after the world cup…we just might not give a fuck at the moment. We made our point! Turkey how is your mom? She felt a little soft last time she slept over.
Signed up for the espn+ free 7 day trial. Gonna cancel before getting charged, cause this left wing sports network is indoctrinating youth throughout the world to be a bunch of entitled whining socialists.
@Turkey
Go back to Mongolia.
Time for Croatia to embarrass themselves again with two losses!. The Iberian peninsula was conquered and populated by the Turkish people so this will really be yet another victory for Turkey!!
Vuki thanks!
Yes, the game is being shown on ESPN+ and the Spain game on Tuesday will be on ESPN2
Is this game being shown in espn+?
ESPN+ has been manifested!!
Ready to see some hungry Hrvati looking to step up to a world class level today.
We are due to give Portugal a lesson in Croatian football.
They lucked out with stric Čačić last time round.
Also ESPN+ will allow me to do my due diligence in Serie A for all of our boys ballin out there.
Love how the fresh faces will bring an intensity to proceedings.
L. Kalinic
Kovačić
Barišić
Pjaca
Livaja
Mitrovic
Who will shine ?
@george Meatspin.com
If Stanišić chooses to represent Croatia, then Bayern will drop him.
Bayern is known for pressuring their youth players to choose Germany, or else.
Tough spot, because at age 18 your career can go sideways very quickly. It’s not like he can just go to Croatia and develop into some awesome CB either.
What channel or website can I find the game tomorrow
Stanisic and Pongracic can both switch national teams since neither have actually played for the senior squad. Unlike Halilovic. Unless those rules have changes? Let them play for whatever youth squad they want! Hopefully they earn a good contract.
Re Stanisic; we got Pongracic – German born playing for the U21s = winning!
BTW Dalic already named the starting line up;
Vrsaljko – Vida – Mitrovic – Barisic
– Modric – Badelj – Kovacic
Pjaca – Livaja – Perisic
He said that Santini and Livaja will both get 45 min. He also plans on making all 6 subs
Ref;
https://www.transfermarkt.com/marin-pongracic/nationalmannschaft/spieler/282144
https://vijesti.rtl.hr/sport/nogomet/3251209/dalic-otkrio-karte-za-portugal-promjena-na-bolnoj-poziciji-reprezentacije-od-prve-minute-starta-i-jedan-debitant/
cilic should change his name to cokic, he’s too amorous of that rio jesus garbage shit instead of playing tennis.
How do you not let Perica play over Cop? Even if he isn’t doing the greatest in Italy, let him get some time and excitement
https://www.croatiaweek.com/nk-rijeka-sign-talented-australian-croatian-teen/
I never said tennis was for women. I said WOG fags.
Iggy, you crack head! No wonder you posted that picture with your face smashed a while back. My point was Modric is on the cusp of winning the holy grail in sports…the single most prestigious prize for a single athlete. You keeping talking about let down Cilic. How did Cilic do today? Cilic in the Davis cup was the biggest flop in Cro sports. It’s like the vatreni blowing a 5 goal lead in a final.
Cilic….lost! What a surprise.
Cilic blew that lead in the Davis cup….Croatia’s biggest sporting flop ever.
Iggy, stop arguing with clueless people. Anyone who says tennis is for women is a know nothing. It takes skill, hard work and mental toughness to make it into the top 10 players on the world. And you can’t take a night off, otherwise you’re out of the tournament. And it’s all you, no coach, just you. And you have to figure it out on your own. Tennis is one of the toughest sports to play. Period.
-LAknat for the Manager-
No More Subasic on this team>
He took his image of his friend on his shirt but didn’t see clearly for the meaning. It means his friend will fight alongside you! Finally made it to the world cup final, and continue without being beaten by the pressure, have the guts to push toward your limits and anyone who has gone against you knows it.
If he had hit that post, He would’ve gotten seriously injured!
The man also forgot about his body and everything else when it came to soccer you could tell that He loves soccer through
Give Motivation to Players …
-Try and take the ball, keep your eye on the ball! Don’t get distracted by opponent’s moves!
– Whatever happens, don’t give up till the very end.
– Do you love soccer? stand up and run till the very end!
That’s an order from your manager!
keep your promise with me!
And going to win the world cup!
We have two control towers (Modric&Rakitic), and even they are both in the main line, they both give accurate commands. Controlling on offense and defense. It’s as if they are really intertwined with each other.
Even thought Rebic is moved up as a forward, he still playing in the same old wing position and will swift both with Perisic on the left as Perisic could only stay forward.
—LAknat for The Manager—
> Euro 2020 winning team <
……………..Rebic………Kramaric…………….
..Perisic………….Modric…………..Halilovic..
………….Kovacic………….Rakitic……………..
……………Vida…Lovren…Jedvaj……………..
…………………Lovre Kalinic…………………….
– Rakitic gives the orders to the defenders and Modric directs the play when it's passed into midfield!
– While Rakitic is controlling the defensive line and holding off the opponent's attack, Modric prepares for an attack, working as the offense's control tower
– They do say that in football when you're under attack is also when you have the greatest chance to score.
—LAknat for The Manager—
> Euro 2020 winning team Zone Press…
We completely control a certain zone and attack as we defend. The defenders position themselves further forward than they normally would, and the forwards position themselves further back. They compress the control zone with this formation. some players cover this small area and they control the ball as it enters. So that’s how we able to place marks on a single player.
– That’s what Dalic deficiency in his tactic –
Alongside with Subasic (stupid GK), Rebic had been useless in that Final WC, but this is because Dalic couldn’t utilize him into Maximum –
Conclusion:
This is good at switching from defense to offense
something good about having two leaders!
I mean, by that logic, Mr Lick-a-cocky, the Vatreni are massive let downs too. Never even won a major tourney, not once!! WTF! Fucking Losers!
LOL do you see what a bunch of cuntery that is; that’s what you just said about Cilic, except he DID reach the highest heights and win a GS.
Let down? He’s a grand slam champ, do you know how fucking rare that is in the era of Fed, Nadal, Djokovic? And he’s been a F at Wimbledon and the Aussie open. He’s one of our most successful athletes of all time and you’re sitting in your basement saying he’s a let down?
Get the fuck out of here YA CUNTING CUNT
Who cares about Cilic…he is a Croatian let down. The guy is a decent person but he just fails regularly. Tennis is for women.
@ The Great Anonymous Doom
“Once he gets the chance to bang in a few goals, he will get that dynamite energy back.”
Great Anonymous PROPHECY!
Ya Iggy. Deep is correct. Hopefully gas left in the tank for Marin.
Cilic in a deep struggle to make the semis, could be another 5-setter
Zee exactly brother!!
Gavranovic has hit rock bottom he was at Schalke now Dinamo Zagreb.
Hi need to get upse5 about these kids not playing for us. I recall the Homers jumping up and down when we did not pick Drmic. He has done nothing. All will be good
When was Cop called up?
Also, he has scored a few goals for us, though I agree that he is not on the level of the rest of the team. After all the weight he gained while injured, Pjaca definitely seems like he could play as a striker. Once he gets the chance to bang in a few goals, he will get that dynamite energy back.
I understand Pussich is a Hershey Park PA homo.
Its just we are a small nation and need to hold our DIsapora close to the heart. I really hope USA bombs out again.
Pulisic is a piece of crap. Used his name to get a passport that’s all. Goof of all goofs.
Klinsman was was a World class finisher and he capped that boy before you can blink.
At this point many young players will simply be not good enough to make the cut.
You have to fill a need like attack RW, LB or be World Class.
Fact is Hrvati get better in their 30’s.
Actually extraordinary trait.
Pulisic doesn’t give a shit about Croatia…Pulisic is a croat with his name only. We cried about Drmic…Gavranovic…now this kid playing for Germany fuck him.
I wouldn’t make any conclusions too early on stanisic
As a u20 he probably continues to receive a lot of pressure that it’s in his best interest to stick with Germany
This is similar to how fabian benko of Bayern was going to play for Croatia but then backed down. And then later agreed to play for them
The same could happen. If not, whatevs
Niko is the asshole that helped Pusilic leave
Maybe Niko Kolac will speak to him and change his mind. Germans most likely get paid more than Croat national team.
Rakitic and his father took some abuse from the Swiss and I think his fathers business suffered. Gotta respect Ivan for making the right decision.
Dare I say we lost Pulisic too? Two young beasts dont choose Hrvayska?
@Soul
It has been reported. He can stay there don’t want to see him ever visit Croatia again.
@ iVO
Say it ain’t so ..
Stud CB selling out Croatia for Germany?
Peasant !!
Is it possible for him to shift back before senior call up?
All these years we took a crap on Rakitić.
Full respect to Ivan Rakitic both his heart and his world class play.
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2018/9/4/17819900/bayern-munich-josip-stanisic-germany-croatia-international-youth-u19
Stanisic is an asshole. Fuck him. Where is he from Zaton?
Santini is of Italian heritage I wouldnt play him hes a spag.
Santini and barisic
Ćop is GREAT ! What are you smoking Maminjo ?
Ćop and Livaja should be nowhere near this team.
Pretty surprised at Dalić for calling them up. Ćop has never been good. Never scores goals for any club he’s played for.
Livaja is pretty much the anti-Dalić.
This guy will play some minutes for us, and will immediately think that he should be starting ahead of guys like Kramarić or Pjaca.
He’s a huge locker room cancer, which has been a problem for every team he’s played for. He’s not even that good, nor is he young either.
Pointless callup. Not as bad a callup as Ćop though. I still can’t wrap my head around the Ćop callups. This guy’s callups transcend all coaches.
what did vrsaljko say to atletico?
Just watched Santini’s 7 goal torrid start, just to see if I am missing anything. I haven’t been buying the hype on him, and am still not. Here are my criticisms:
No endless engine
Low D effort
Not really good at link up play
Slow
Doesn’t create anything offthe dribble.
Positives:
Flick on header looks consistent
In position for tap ins
Given Cop, Livaja, and Santini…I might choose Pjaca. His speed is down since the injury so the wing might not be a good spot. His shot looks solid, at least from what I saw at Schalke.
Hopefully Kramaric pulls a Vrsaljko and tells his club team to suck it. Vrsaljko deserves some credit for telling Atletico to pound sand during the World Cup.
If Kramarić can play for Hoffenheim, then he can play for us.
Dalić is probably just pandering to Hoffenheim by choosing not to play him.
You picked a fine time to leave us Mandzu,
With no healthy backups and crap on the field!
So I’m genuinely curious as to who everyone thinks should play at Left-back and at Striker with the recent injuries and retirements.
Kramaric is our obvious first choice ST now, but he is unavailable for these games I guess so it’s either Ivan Santini, Marko Livaja, or Duje Cop. I would personally try Santini and Livaja out against Portugal and then whichever does better start them against Spain. Then, LB is between Pivaric, Barisic, or Antonio Milic. I’m assuming it’s really between the first two. This would be my lineup vs. Portugal:
Santini
Perisic Pasalic Pjaca
Kovacic Badelj
Barisic Vida Caleta-Car Vrsaljko
Kalinic
I need to see Kovačić on that field.
Put him on the wing.
Pjaca at this point is coming off the bench until he is 100%.
Ante “the great” Santini needs to get a look against Portugal.
Nikola Kalinic ?? What in God’s green earth was this dude smoking?
Forgive me .. but is that a Splićanin/Hajduk thing?
Dude could have provided depth in our World Cup run and been instrumental these next two years?
He was great against Spain in 2016.
Not world class so no need to get too upset .. but it’s bizarre?
Hopefully every kid learns something from his poor life choice.
Dalić has got to learn from this.
I want to see Barišić get a look as well.
LB depth is needed.
Thiem looks like he’s in the process of inserting his cock up Nadal’s arse so be good if he can finish that off.
Just need Millman to fuck Djokovic off now and Cilic has a clear run to his second grand slam!
I was gonna say we will prolly lose this but that was with cronaldo playing so obv prospectsa re better now.
Im not too fussed with this or nations league cup thingy tbh; but we should use this opportunity to give youngsters a go and then add them to complement the existing team.
i was a little concerned when dalic named a full strength team for these games so kinda glad it worked out it’s not full strength after all
Mandzukic never gets the credit he deserves. He gave his all and scored in the most clutch games.
Kalinic the bench warmer.
Pivaric can also stay on the bench