It’s seems like an eternity since we last watched our beloved Vatreni don the checkers in front of a packed (and rain logged) Poljud to book a ticket to the 2022 World Cup by way of Russian own goal. But guess what? Russia played for the draw and that’s what they get. C’est la vie.
Although Croatia have two friendlies this this week in Qatar, versus Slovenia on Saturday (3/26) and versus Bulgaria on Tuesday (3/29), this week should be used as celebration for the national team as well as their fans across the world. While Italy, Portugal, and Sweden have to claw their way through two matches this week to get into the World Cup, Croatia gets to scope out the grounds in Qatar, try out some new formations, and kick their feet up while Modrić, Perišić and the veterans play minimal minutes.
Yes, I get it, Croatia needs FIFA points from these two matches to potentially lock up a spot in Pot 2 for the World Cup; which would create an easier group path in November when the World Cup kicks off. But friendlies are dangerous. I’ve always hated mid-season friendlies and I will continue to do so. All of our players are at the tail end of a long domestic season and nothing games in the Middle East are not going to get their blood flowing. I can guarantee that.
Mid-season friendlies can only do more harm than good. Ask Marko Pjaca.
The #1 rule in friendlies regardless of result: DO NOT GET HURT!
Imagine if Luka Modrić picked up a ruptured Achilles or torn ACL eight months before his last World Cup because of a stupid friendly against Bulgaria in Qatar. Veterans such as Modrić and Perišić should only play 45 minutes (max) in each game while Zlatko Dalić experiments with a 3-in-the-back formation. I’m looking for big games from Borna Sosa, Josip Juranović, and Mario Pašalić; if he plays up top as striker.
As of right now, Croatia does not have a #1 locked in goalkeeper, so let the completion begin! Livaković has lost all trust with me and Ivo Grbić is currently riding the bench in France at Lille. Osijek keeper Ivica Ivušić came up big in 2021 with two World Cup qualifying clean sheets. Will he be our guy? Your guess is as good as mine to who will be standing between the pipes for Croatia in November.
All I know is we all get to relax this week while Italian and Portuguese fans pull out their hair. Only one of those teams is going to the World Cup in Qatar. What a crazy thought that only one of the last two European champions is going to the World Cup finals before the playoff round even begins.
Enjoy your week off! We deserve it after that Russia game.
From what I can tell the two friendly matches will be broadcast on DOMA TV in Croatia. Doma TV is part of NOVA TV – it is like their second channel.
Not sure about streaming links ? but for US $250 you can subscribe to EON streaming service and it has all the channels from Croatia (HRT, RTL, Nova TV, HNTV) plus hundred others from Europe. It also has 10 SportKlub channels which cover EPL and all the WC qualifiers ( every match LIVE) around the globe.
If you subscribe they give you a month on FREE trial after which you can quit.
You can subscribe watch the two matches and after a month quit.
With the above you also get a lot of other LIVE sports like Tennis, Handball, Basketball and oval ball shaped sports.
Let’s go Croatia 🇭🇷 🔥 💪 !!!! Any decent streaming sites??? Would like to watch somehow. Thanks in advance 👍
Just re watched (from pvr) last 5 mins of regular time from Croatia Spain game when comeback kids tied it with 2 goals in about 5 mins…
Brekalo was great on attack but I suppose it means nothing as his lack of coverage/man marking cost us. Our tying goal came from modric pass to brozo who controlled it great and off loaded it to pasalic who then fed orsic on the wing while pasalic charged the net and the rest was history.
I’m sure we all weren’t expecting (but hoping) a far run at the euros as Dalic seemed lost with lineup and formation like Kovac in Brazil 2014 (Mexico most specifically) .
Pasalic scored that goal cause he was the most hungry man on the pitch at that moment. You can see by his desire and movement that he has the eye of the tiger !
I hope the whole team starts playing like that again.2018 style … Love the high press – klopp German system (there’s a German name for his system, can’t remember)…problem is no one’s close to mandZo’s work ethic and constant pressure… rebic with the pace and pressure also to cause disruptions…just ask Willy cabarero lol) like olic back in the day !
We need more pressure up top as we all know.
FuckKk Kramaric ain’t no mandZo or rebic – skilled in other (possibly better) various multiple ways though a nice addition/variety nonetheless. Gotta be fit enough to constantly chase opponents down applying more pressure
Does anyone have a stream link for the 2 x international matches coming up?Optus sport usually cover in Australia but aren’t doing these for some reason.
FT 2 – 1 in U19, should have been more. Terrible playing field in Karlovac.
Next match on Saturday 26 v Romania and final match v Georgia on Tuesday 29.
Both matches to be played in Karlovac.
U19 Croatia 2 – 1 v Iceland after 74 min. We missed a penalty in the 72 min.
Watching Gabriel Vidovic for the first time, looks a good prospect.
Watching our U19 v Iceland in Karlovac, Elite Round EURO qualifier. HT 1 -1.
Other countries in our group Romania and Georgia with all the matches played in Croatia over the next week. Had some good chances and should be leading. The field is a shocker, hard as concrete and not a blade of green grass which suits Iceland and their style of play. Cannot believe that HNS and Joe Simunic as the coach could not find a better field/town to host these matches.
I guess that’s what happens when you hire friends over qualified people
Dalic said he’s looking forward to giving everyone a shot if possible so it would make sense to play a strong squad in the first match and vice versa. He did mention his intent on playing players who get playing time but are also in form. Special mention of Petkovic when he’s actually playing at his best. But I guess you can say that about a lot of pros. He said he would let Ivusic and Livakovic play so we should get to see both. I’m looking forward to seeing the Moro and Majer midfield connection. Also I’m still confused as to why Skoric gets called up over Erlic, Jedvaj and Uremovic but what the fuck do I know. Too bad for Vrsaljko, dude just can’t get healthy for extended periods.
Dalic interview; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgwaINrfbYc
Skoric is the modern day schildenfeld without the same repka time
He is fine for a replacement but ya why not bring someone with more of an upside
He’s on the down side of 30….
Maybe other guys like him or something
Ya good comparison with Schildenfeld. Must be a good vet that Dalic likes to have around. Feel like he relies on the vets more often. Too bad Benkovic isn’t getting any minutes at Udinese. Feel like there will be a defensive overhaul after the world cup. But Dalic did mention that he envisions Sucic and Stanisic to be back with the senior squad inn the near future.
Stanisic getting some game time at Bayern
Maybe he can slot into a cb down the road for us as well
They say he can play across teh whole back line and even midfield if I’m not mistaken?
Those of us who watch Skorić play with Osijek can attest that the guy is a good player and evidently an anchor for the team. Age shouldn’t be prioritized over quality. Skorić is remarkably fast at getting up and down the field, provides solid defending and great offensive positioning in the box on set pieces, so he deserves the call-up to the repka. Dalić has also stated before that he likes Skorić’s attitude: Mile knows that he is just a worst-case scenario reserve, and he respects that role, whereas more ambitious players might complain about having to watch the tournament from the stands. And remember: the one time Skorić was given a prime role on the repka, he completely neutralized Cristiano Ronaldo! I say good call by Dalić sticking with Skorić as the extra defender.
I do agree
He is now Ronaldo’s worst nightmare;)
He must add the stability like a schildenfeld type
Can help hold the Fort, nothing sexy but could be a reliable guy if ever needed to be called
It’s just that with these friendlies now why not bring in more youth for experience
But I guess you can argue dalic wants to solidify the squad for this year
I’m totally ok with it too but just like to see guys mentioned like erlic
According to the media we need one draw to be assured of a spot in POT 2 for the WC draw. First match is against Slovenia and according to the media again, Dalic will play our strongest squad against them. Second match against Bulgaria he will use all the other players that did not get a run against Slovenia.
Wild guess at what Dalic does (hope…)
Game 1
———— Kramaric
——–Pasalic—-Vlasic
Sosa – Kova – Modric – Perisic
—-Gvardiol-DCC-Lovren
—————Ivusic
.
Game 2
————– Livaja
——–Orsic—- Majer
Barisic-Jakic-Moro-Juranovic
—-Vida-Skoric-Pongracic
—————Livakovic
Dalić should give Ivušić another shot. As mentioned, Grbić is currently riding the pine, and we already know what to expect from Livaković. If Ivušić does well, then we may have a solution. If he screws up, then its back to the “devil we know”.
Good call , Eric. not much confidence in goal .
Getting our keeper sorted should be one of the main priorities. Grbic falling out of favor is a big blow.
Unfortunately I can see Dalic going back to Livakovic. He’s a nightmare for me. I haven’t been paying that much attention to HNL. For folks that have; do you think his stock has risen or fallen this season?
How’s Ivusic looking since returning from injury? Small sample size, but he looked good for us in the fall before his injury.
OMG, Vuk. Please no !! Not Livakovic,
I agree ivusic should get another shot
I swear I would almost give kalinic another shot right now
The fact livakovic hasnt actually moved is a cause for concern
Maybe he wants to stay in Zagreb but at his peak time he didn’t make a move makes me wonder
Ivusic is no spring chicken to be still in the HNL either but he is not old for a keeper and has proved himself again with a small sample size but not only did he make a couple quality saves, he looked confident with the ball and looked overall in command. That in itself is something
We have all seen livakovic indecision enough to know it doesn’t inspire confidence in the others around you
They will all let in a soft goal here or there but it’s coming back from it that makes the difference
Livakovic has had plenty of opportunities to prove himself now at higher levels and more often than not we have seen the holes
I wish he would make me eat my words but doesn’t seem so likely these days
I wonder who suba and pletikosa rate where in our hierarchy now
I’m sure dalic talks to them about it
But I’m personally down to give Ivusic another go
Dalić has stated that Grbić will only be kept on the team if he gets playing time on a weekly basis. So I suppose they will evaluate his form in training to see whether he or Kalinić stays as the third keeper. Ivusić is still the same keeper post-injury. What I like about him is that he keeps it simple and times his movements well. Livaković has amazing range of motion, but he doesn’t have good timing. Kalinić has been having an excellent season for Hajduk and still offers the size advantage for stopping shots and seems to have great hands, catching high velocity shots with relative ease. Grbić is the most talented of the four of them, but he may have to wait.
Play the kids in friendlies and let them compete – we still don’t really have the team locked down for Qatar. It’s a good mix of veterans and kids pushing for spots so let them battle . In goal, God help us . None of these guys look good but I’d say Livakovic is the worst one. Too bad, he seems like a nice kid but in need of confidence and can’t get it by playing because he usually plays below par.
Fortunately, the field conditions in Qatar are likely to be better than they were in Estonia…
Loving it
Yes no injuries
Let’s see what some of the youth and new formations can bring
And yes someone step up as keeper
Watched a bit of that Madrid game on Sunday before they were getting thumped
I wish we had a courtois in the pipes