Photo: Shakhtar
Shakhtar Donetsk captain Darijo Srna gave his side an early 1-0 lead in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie versus Borussia Dortmund Wednesday night with a 31st minute free kick goal from 24 yards out. “That free kick has been made to count by Dario Srna who curls it up and over the wall and beats the flat footed Weidenfeller for pace.” -Soccernet
Darijo Srna GOL Shakhtar VS Borussia D 1-0… by dm_51179a82305b7
However, the reigning German champions equalized not once, but twice to force a 2-2 draw in Ukraine. With the return leg back in Germany in three weeks, Shakhtar surely needs a win on the road to progress to the quarterfinals. Eduardo was introduced in the 84th minute but didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
With Real Madrid and Manchester United tied at one, Luka Modrić was introduced in the 75th minute for Angel Di Maria, but didn’t have a chance to contribute offensively until injury time. Modric took the ball on the goal line and chipped a perfect pass to Cristiano Ronaldo in front of net but the Portugal man couldn’t find his bearings for a proper shot on goal. The game would end 1-1 with the return leg at Old Trafford in three week’s time.
whatever thoughts are on mario, he still has to put the ball in period. he has shown he can and will do it again for NT. we have enough talented passers to give him the opportunities he needs…
ya we aren’t the most talented team in the world but i think if everyone plays their positions well we have enough to make some serious noise in brazil
ahh.. the Raki vids keep being removed.. are any still up someone can linky me too ?
Yeah i will admit altho Mandzo scores a lot of goals i have never really thought of him as a top tier forward.. just because they were all either headers / tap-ins. Mind you he is prolly the best header of the ball going round atm and im glad we have him. Maybe you tend to undervalue forwards when you used to have Suker & Boksic ?
And lookie, lookie here……….Rakitic finally learned how to head the ball properly. Maybe there is hope for him afterall. Now, only if he would get rid of the turbo serbo music that he likes.
Nobody here is aMandza hater. Put there are some of us who think he is a product of the bayern system and if you replace him with another forward they would be getting the same results thanks to the playmakers on the Bayern roster.
Rakitic goal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6NvywE54R0
Nice goal mandzo all the hater of mandzo pusite kurac i jedi te govna
Mandzukic goal
youtube.com/watch?v=sj0iA-jc478&feature=youtube_gdata_player
@ Koza(Jarac) ZIVIJA BALKAN!
ONGGGG Rakitic scores a header
@Croatia vs Antwerp
Fair enough letting Radosevic back you up in a bar fight but i would let Luka shout me drinks all night, i heard he can afford it!
Thanks, didnt realize that. Looks like he’s started his first 3 games
@ IvicA
He’s listed at 74kg. But it’s all muscle. He’s got thighs like tree trunks and looks like he can squat 300lbs. He’s a bulldog. If only all of our players were as physically strong.
No offense to Modric, but man, if I ever need back up in a bar fight–I’ll go with Radosevic over Modric anyday!
@ Zach
Schifo just got loaned to Greek side PAOK. And has made two appearances. I’m not sure if he is a starter though.
Didn’t catch the Inter game but heard good things about Kovacic, Whoscored gave him man of the match. Good to see him slotting in so quickly.
I watched the Tottenham game and Lovren was pretty good up against Adebayor. Made a couple risky challenges but overall a good game. Its tough to say what the pecking order should be for cbs but Schildy literally has not played for Dinamo Moscow since October. 2nd spot between him and Lovren
Radosevice weighs 162. He is fine.
@Croatia vs Antwerp
Radosevic is 5’11” and looks like he weighs 185lbs. That’s pretty big for a soccer player, let alone an 18-year old one.
Hopefully he doesn’t get too big when he enters his 20s. But it’s good to see that he has some deadball skills. You can never have enough players who can take a free kick.
1994 no more…….he extended his deal with Spurs in 2011 because he got more money for extending. Contract extensions in soccer are meaningless, they can be broken with a transfer. He is not a BITCH, as some of you claim because he wanted out. Its called real life. I doubt any of you have worked with the same company/organization for your entire life.
@chumpe
Fuck the western world, haha tell me what its like in the eastern world
Radosevic scored his 2 goals with free kicks for Napoli U-20. Both really well taken too. He will be an amazing set piece specialist for Napoli and Hrvatska.
Also, the Napoli coaching staff are impressed with Radosevic’s physical prowess. One coach even said that Josip is much stronger than Gattuso, when Gattuso was the same age.
Radosevic strength, hard shot, and set piece capability will make him one to watch in the future.
Radosevic played in Napoli’s U19 team overnight and he scored 2 goals. From the report i read, they said he was the best player on the park. And with Napoli seniors losing 3 nil he might get a chance to be called up to the senior team if he keeps performing well with the juniors.
Also Ukraine side Dprino. Lost 2-0 against Basel. Kalinic played 53 minutes in the loss while Strinic played the full 90 minutes.
Okay some real news about Croatian football players today.
Inter Milan-Cluj(Romanian team). Inter won 2-0. Kovacic played 88 minutes. The guy is getting closer to a place in the starting 11 of the Vatreni.
Bjelanović played 6 minutes in the loss of Cluj. By the way, the guy is already 33.
Napoli loses 0-3 against Cechz side Pilzen. Radosevic didn’t play. He wasn’t even on the bench.
Dejan Lovren played 90′ in their game against Tottenham. They won 2-1.
Sparta Prague loses 0-1 to Chelsea. Manuel Pamic did only play the last 9 minutes.
Dinamo Kiev- Bordeaux 1-1. For Kieve : Vida playes 90 minutes. Krancjar played 61 minutes while Vukojevic remained on the bench. Gregory Sertic played 90 minutes for Bordeaux.
That all folks.
I only watched the first half of the Lyon game, Lovran looked real solid.
I haven’t watched much of Lovran but he looked cool, calculated and he reed the play really well. If he keeps perfoprming similiar to that level, he would have to be our number 1 center back.
I enjoy watching Modric play with RM, and I usually have no problems with his playing style. Even with his limited playing time, one Youtube account posted Modric’s passes, assist, and that one goal in an end of 2012- beginning of 2013 video. Superb play.
The CL game between Real Madrid and Manchester City (second game) showed how Luka did not fit in that team. And of course, the result showed: 1-1. Many players of RM were the culprits, to take away the burden of the blame from Luka. It is not an accident that within La Liga, RM were struggling, and it is ridiculous to suggest that it was Luka’s fault for the weakened team. Manchester City was decaying in performance in the CL, yet they were able to hold on against a chance-lacking RM side.
I saw throughout that game that RM players worked as if Modric WEREN’T there. Modric’s positioning was a-ok, but RM players were working around Modric, not with him, which supports what MatesicMethod is saying. Modric just sat as if he were a CDM, but Modric’s only piece of action (besides limited possession) was to head the balls in the air, but when Modric is challenging Dzeko for the ball… guess who wins the aerial battle…
Did he always play like that after that CL game?
Croatia and Tottenham included Modric into their plans, but that one Man.City/RM CL game that I saw pretty much presented a Battle Royale for who gets the ball. How can Modric “step it up”??? At this present condition of the team, he can’t, and that’s not all his fault. He needs to get comfortable with the team, and then we’ll see.
Modric, just keep playing how you’ve always been playing.
@ziva
Ronaldo at a higher level, yes..but I disagree on you with Di Maria. It’s only this year that the guy started showing promise. He was an absolute fucking mess last year, and he still has those spouts where he thinks he’s CR7.
Just like anything else in the world, Hrvati have their own brand of soccer that most of us were all raised up on. Our ball control and field awareness is amazing, but you don’t see guys doing anything fancy out there. (we look down upon that stuff as some type of circus act) We can talk about the advantages and disadvantages till the cows come home, but this argument is just gonna go back and forth because there is never a right answer.
I agree that Luka should try to fit in a little better, but you can’t stick a square peg into a round hole(or however it goes).
Why did he sign a contract extention with spurs 2011 why? he is a bitch and sve se vraca sve se placa going to a club that expects results and you dont deliver all that money id give it to cancer charity sram bi me bilo, hes worse than jason Bay of NY mets 40 mill hahahaha.
we care in croatia we care it gives you a bad reputation something i think you should know about on thes message boards, our best player a flop that doesnt sound too pleasing, in the end of the day its his life im just a loser living in the real world of no millions just thousands!
Just looked at it again chelsea offered 40mPounds it was rejected last year at winter, in the summer levy final offerd to sell him man united offerd 25 million pounds and then real at the last minute offered 33 over paying for him. other rumors has it that he will leave madrid for Chlesea or Man united at the summer once the special one gets fired or resigns!
And quite honestly, who cares if he gets labeled as a flop.
Why is he a bitch????? He didn’t want to play at Spurs anymore because he knew a bigger, better club wanted him. The same holds true in the real world. I used to work for a company where I had it pretty good. But, a new opportunity presented itself and I wanted to leave. I’m sure many of you have been in the same situation. No difference here with Modric.
Now, if he flops, he flops. But, that money from Real Madrid is gaurenteed.
Im not a homer and he is making money but his reputation will be a flop and he deserves that becsue he was a little bitch towars tottenham maybe RM should buy som ex jugo player so modric doesnt feel alone remeber he started to play great for spurs when Carli and Niko came hahah
I was impressed with Kovacic today. The kid played well today, made a few mistakes but overall he was good considering he just came back from an injury.
@Ziva
I was gonna say something about that being my “homer” rant when i posted it… Im an Arsenal fan, and the Arsenal under Wenger that I know have always been know to over-pass or over-possess in the final third and I guess thats the team football that i appreciate. I don’t like seeing players wasting possession with selfishness like Madrid do.
@Timmo
what are you showing me that for? Obviously that’s fucked up. Just another reason why I would never live in Colorado.
Modric is making more $$$$$ at Real this season that he would have made in England with Man U. So, how is he an idiot. Easy for fans to say where a player should go when its not their money/salary at stake.
I always said since day 1 Lukica should have went to United look at how united play its so modric hed fit in perfectly but modric is an idiot mountain man
“bitches like Ronaldo and Di Maria”…………..um, remind when Modric joined the ranks of playing at or near Ronaldo’s level for a long time?????. Some of you guys are so blinded by your homerism.
Here is a concept. How about Modric stepping us his game??????
Ronaldo, Di Maria and company won La Liga last year while Modric couldn’t get his team into a Champions League spot. Modric was brought in to be the extra class they needed to win a CL crown.
Also how did Lovren play against tottenham, so cs nation whats your ideal cb croatian pair
a) Carli Joe
b)Carli Lovren
c)Joe Lovren
d)Carli Sifo
e)Joe Sifo
Also how did Lovren play against tottenham, so cs nation whats your ideal cb croatian pair
a) Carli Joe
b)Carli Lovren
c)Joe Lovren
d)Carli Sifo
e)Joe Sifo
Jebes RM we Hrvati know how Modric can change a game and help us win at the 2 euros hes played hes been super fuck the western world and mourihos tactics
@ Poglavnik again you summed it up best with your quote”Luka’s looking to play chess and bitches like Ronaldo and Di Maria are trying to play checkers. Madrid’s attacking players have no team concept. They just shoot from anywhere. I love Luka, but I’m starting to hate Madid.” Super!
Kovacic played deep dm today then switched to his attacking position and got an assist nice player
Anonymous = poremećen
@ Poglavnik
“Chess v checkers.”
Istina!
My man you broke it down with that quote.
Jebi ga. If they do not play Modric they will lose at Old Trafford.
You cannot win there playing “checkers.”
Plus Van Persie is due for a breakthrough goal.
I see Luka getting sharper and sharper for the real job on March 22nd!
Yes Zach you are the pride of Jamacia.
Two players cant have the same number in the europa league…since wesley sneijder already wore the #10, no one else can wear it for the rest of the tourney
@Poglavnik
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/02/13/parents-complain-about-school-ad-for-colored-only-tutoring-program/
Zach Gilifix,
I want to thank you for all the work you put in for writing articles. It keeps everyone up to date on what’s going and it’s greatly appreciated. And rewarding for us all. Thank You.
Anybody have any idea why Kovacic is wearing the #29 tonight in Europa league?
One shot on goal, but gave two bad fouls that led to good opportunities right outside of the box
@Poglavnik……actually, a tie against the Serbs is OK. We still maintain a 6 point lead against them (I still think they are the most likely to finish in 3rd place) and they have one less game to make up that difference. We all want the win, but if the game ends in a tie its not a disaster.
Chupe….no surprise that visitng fans are not allowed to come in as an organized unit. That is why it makes no sense to ever have a joint leageu that features a serb team. There is no point in playing a match if your won supporters are not allowed to attend it.
Zach’s the man!
At least he doesnt come across like a miserable little bitch like Wallace/Anonymous.
Wallace do you live every minute of your life full of hate?…
Idemo bre na srbiju hrvatsku 40,000 packed stadion since no traveling fans allowed cannot wait for the game
Long live my good friend Mr Zachary Gilfix!
why was my comment deleted?! come on moderators!
Luka plays solidly and tidy’s things up. He is good for ball possession. Just like Xavi and Iniesta.
But Xavi and Iniesta also provide defense splitting passes, dribble past players, and score goals. This is what Madrid was expecting from Modric.
Not someone that just keeps the ball, and spreads it around.
Bravo Poglavnik first one to say that right on the money about madrid and luka
The (counter)intelligence war is in full bloom.
Mihajlovic speaks the truth. Anything less than 3 points for us would be gutting, and not just because we have a better football team.
Luka’s looking to play chess and bitches like Ronaldo and Di Maria are trying to play checkers. Madrid’s attacking players have no team concept. They just shoot from anywhere. I love Luka, but I’m starting to hate Madid.
Who cares about the commentators on Fox Soccer. Modric is not the first person who will have name mispronounced and he wont be the last.
But the comments by the color guy are not that far off about Modric, at times slowing down the game.
Let me ask you this?????? Has Spurs missed Modric this season. Looking at their place in the standings, I would say no.
http://www.24sata.hr/nogomet/radosevic-debitirao-za-mladu-momcad-s-dva-fantasticna-gola-302072
Zabio ‘ajduku za rodendan. no big deal.
Commentators on Fox Soccer for the Real Madrid – Manchester United game replay last night with huge disrespect for Luka. First, the lead announcer mispronouncing his last name – Mahdrich – and then the color guy commenting that Luka slows the game down too much with his constant extra touches.
How the fuck do you get and keep a national tv job like that without bothering to find out how to pronounce a players name and then give horseshit commentary like that?
Interesting shit happens when the shoe is on the other foot. Back in his day, Puppet Suker was the biggest pain in the ass to the savez when it came time for the savez and the players on the repka to work out ticket arrangements and how much money the players would receive in making the Euros and World Cup. Puppet Suker always cried the players were not getting enough of the “pie”.
I’m sure this will be worked out in advance of the Serbia game. But, if the savez wants to keep the players happy they should use the same quota for ticket allocations as they have used in the past. I have a strong feeling that some in the savez are keeping the tickets (especially the VIP seating) and trying to sell them on the second market.
By the way, I love what Mihajlovic is doing with all his comments over the last few weeks. He is clearly putting all of the pressure on our guys. Serbs have nothing to lose, already 6 points behind us, young team, etc. Those of you in the USA who follow college sports know this is what college coaches do all the time. Build up the opponent and then turn around in your own locker room and cry to your own team how nobody is giving you respect…..He is trying to build us a big favorite and anything but a win will be considered a huge dissapointment.
@MatesicMethod……I believe Modric can flourish in any system and that is why I dont understand why he has underperformed so far. You don’t get any bigger than Real Madrid and with that comes high expectations. If Modric was at Spurs or almost any other club he would get a consistent chance at playing 6-7 consecutive matches and would get into a rythm. But, that doesn’t fly at Real unless you win all those 6-7 games and ensure you stay in the line up. Real’s biggest problem is that they are chasing Barca. No matter what they do it will be compared to Barca. Real has been dropping points and games this season (many with Modric in them) and when that happens the fans, media, coaches want changes with the line up.
Suker may be forced to play?
http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Sports/2013-02-14/32136/Dispute_over_tickets_between_Srna_and_Suker
sorry americans theres no translation.
http://www.vecernji.hr/sport/vijesti/na-utakmicama-hrvatske-srbije-bez-gostujucih-navijaca-clanak-510161
@ Ziva
Do you feel that the system supports his game flourishing at Madrid?
When spurs were on they ALWAYS played through Modric and their athletic wingers were blessed by his creativity.
He can do the same at Real Madrid if they play him with one less smotan!
Well, if Luka wants to start at Man U, maybe he should excel when given the chance to play. Based on his play this season, he didn’t deserve a start yesterday. I think he makes Madrid a better team, when he is on, but that has been rare this season.
Srna with the Yugo Flavor Saver…..YFS!!
Statistički usporedili Gomeza, Mandžukića i Lewandowskog
http://is.gd/C5qYU0
Srna looks very distinguished as a beardzilla !
Not that give a %*#+} about Madrid. But in the interest in seeing Modric on the world stage.
Benzema
Ronaldo, Modric, Ozil
Khedira, Alonso
Back four
Bring in the pollo locos off the bench if things don’t go well.
But you need to create some flow from the beginning at Old Tratford.
Credit to Modric as he looked sharp when he came on.
“Form is temporary, class is eternal.”
@Kreso:
I remember a Carling Cup game against Ronaldo and MU that Modric did quite well in.
@Matesic Method:
I agree.
Luka has plenty of experience in england and has done well at old trafford in the past, would make sense to play him, i remember him doing well there a few times anyway.
@MatesicMethod,I like it.
@MatesicMethod
Good post!
http://is.gd/KG8FIs
Master class by Srna today. His skill keeps him relevant on any pitch.
Modric looked good.
Madrid need him at Old Tratford for the full 90.
Too many runs into no where.
If Man U had Modric this tie would be over.
I think Modric is fed up with the BS.
I wonder if Madrid realize that nogomet is a team sport ?
Boban did play and still lives in Italy.
I give Pirlo a Zoolander Slashy Award for best hair (slash) beard combo.
His hair is almost in the class of Tom Cruise’s in Mission Impossible II 🙂
*Rijeka
Armada your from rijek you should be used to serbs and mustafas with beard as 90% of rijeka are serbs and muslims
@ Plavac
I always though Boban had a nice beard going on
I guess if I had to live in the Ukraine or Russia I might grow a beard for the winter.
@Armada:
You probably like Pirlo’s beard better.
It suits him well!
The whole team should grow “qualifying beards”
I have a beard too, but when your daddy is a mujo and you grow a beard like that, you end up looking like a terrorist
I have a beard come on i dont look muslim ahah! Carli Joe should alsl grow beards
yeah, really great – looks like he’s part of the Mujaheddin
Come on that beard is great looks like baka Sliskovic Blazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
whoa Srna really is shooting for that ‘dirty mujo’ look with that beard…
Srna je lav!
BRAVO SRNA!!!
Luka a good 15 mins IMO very raspolozen why cannot he always play like that
Luka comes on in the 75th min.
You don’t consider Bayern a top European Club? See Mandzo…….
Srna and Rakitic are the only Croats who starts regularly for a top European club.
man u real stream???
Srna opens scoring for Shaktar! Yeah baby….
Have a feeling United will advance even if they don’t win in Madrid. Dortmund over Shakhtar, Dortmund putting all their focus on the CL rather than the Bundesliga
As expected, Ozil, Khedira, and Xabi Alonso start. Modric on the bench.
Srna starts for Shakhtar, Eduardo on the bench
Dortmund’s recent form has not been good. I expect Shakhtar to advance from this tie.