HAPPY BIRTHDAY IVAN RAKITIĆ!!!
We sometimes forget that Ivan Rakitić was only 20 and 21 years old when we criticized the Swiss-born Croatian about his training discipline at Schalke and future at midfield for Croatia. He has been on thin ice at German club Schalke numerous times regarding his work ethic with countless rumors seeing him transferred to European giants Juventus and Inter Milan to name a few. Since his last run in with Schalke management in late 2009, Rakitić has completely flipped a 180.
Rakitić has decided to compete with the U-21 Croatia side in a thus far successful run to the U-21 Euro Championships, has given Schalke a considerable boost as he plays full matches for Germany’s current second placed team while rescuing Croatia against Belarus with the game’s lone goal. Sure the kid has been a brat at times during his short career, but have we been a bit too harsh on him? I think the potential overshadows the problematic past. For argument sake, even some Prva Generacija members have called Rakitić to replace current captain Darijo Srna at right wing. That should be an indication right there of how far Rakitić has come in his young footballing career.
Galinovic and Rukavina get the start
I like Rakitic. He's going to get better and better. But I think he's overall heart and effort on defense is overlooked. Thats something we need in our teams these days. Hopefully he'll be starting for the qualifiers or at least try it out in the next friendly.
I root for two countires….Hrvatska and whoever is playing the serbs.
Has anyone seen where FC Nantes have dropped to in Ligue 2. Klasnic must be stunned. They've got no chance of promotion. I think he can rule out going back there for next season. I thought they would go straight back up not be 20 points off top and in midtable.
I'd prob say that Eduardo issue has more to do with someone trying to attract interest to their media site rather than anything else. I doubt Eduardo is really that fussed about who does well in World Cup. Firstly am sure he'd wished he was there with Croatia and secondly that he has a few months break to spend with family and really am sure that's all Eduardo is interested in. The people that are writing this are prob the same ones who try to pick on Dinamo's foriegn players with no proper reason.
With Serbia i'm sure nearly everyone is intrigued by Serbia's games even if its to see them get thrashed. Its just natural that Serbia's matches would be of interest due to their proximity to Croatia in terms of distance. I'm not a Serbia fan, but i'd still be watching their matches prob ahead of any other team. Its a Balkan side and that's the only reason.
With Rakitic i think theres nothing wrong with him playing a game or two ahead of Srna. Srna's captaincy should be irrelevant. Its not like he's a commanding captain and if captain's don't play well they have to be dropped. Srna definitely contributes to Croatia recent disjointed style of play by dropping to the floor too easy. It completely stops the fluency. Srna has also been caught up in the position he plays at club level which over time is bound to have an effect. Actually if someone signed Srna are people really sure the new club would play him right wing?? i'd question they would. All people see of Srna at club level is this raiding full back.
Over time i think Srna has become confused by his position at club level and national team level and Bilic really needs to openly discuss his game with him. If Srna is gonna play right wing for Croatia, he's got to be getting around the box more. Often you also see him trying to play Corluka in when it should be the other way around. What we know about Rakitic however is that he will be trying to influence things himself and does not know anything other than to go forward, that's the main benefit of Rakitic over Srna. Srna needs to raise his game its just simple as that as he can't keep out Rakitic by playing poorly.
Rakitic is redeeming himself with every performance he has made in 2010. Ante is right: he is only 22! He has got his best years well ahead of him, so we can't worry about past disagreements and poor performances he has had at the club and NT level.
I hear this a lot in soccer: You're only as good as your last game
C'mon guys, this is Eduardo, Eduardo Alves da Silva we are talking about……
I would be more worried if a Luka Modric or a Josip Simunic said they were going to cheer on our neighbors to the east.
I call your article and raise you this one:
http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/index.php?cmd=show_clanak&clanak_id=18945
Check this out: http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Sports/2010-03-10/9513/%B4I_will_support_Brazil_and_Serbia_at_World_Cup%2C%B4_Eduardo_says
What a hell is wrong with him?