The new era of Croatian football under manager Slaven Bilić begins Saturday, September 26th, in the Nations League opener against Czechia. It’s an exciting time with many changes: our beautiful new Adidas kits, a revamped coaching staff (with a set-piece coach!), and a blank slate ready for a fresh footballing identity under Bilić. It’s no secret that a real challenge lies ahead for Bilić. After the Czechia match, he faces World Cup champions Spain twice, with bronze medallists England sandwiched in between. This means six points are crucial against Czechia. That being said, how should our new gaffer line up on Saturday?
Defence
Media outlets have already leaked Bilić rumoured backline to consist of Ivan Perišić, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Vušković and Josip Stanišić. With no quality left-back, slotting in reliable Perišić is no issue for me. Gvardiol and Vušković are enjoying monster starts to their Premier League seasons, already looking both like top 5 center-backs in the best league in the world. Josip Stanišić is on the outside looking in at Bayern, but we know the quality and reliability he gives us in defence.
Hopefully, bringing in a set-piece expert will help both on the defensive end, as well as on corners and attacking free kicks with a mobile Gvardiol and Vušković’s towering presence. The Czechs will be a great test on this front, as they heavily rely on set-piece play.
Midfield
Mateo Kovačić is struggling for playtime at Manchester City, with new signings Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandes leapfrogging him in the pecking order. However, we saw the quality he brings us against Portugal, and a pivot with Modrić for the first 60 minutes should be fine against the Czechs. It is absolutely baffling that Petar Sučić is currently a rotation piece at Inter. Coach Christian Chivu seems to prefer Curtis Jones for now, despite Sučić providing much more dynamic and quality performances in far fewer minutes. Hopefully he sees his role increase as the season progresses. Regardless, for Croatia, the kid is an absolute stud and should be playing 90 minutes.
Attack
Martin Baturina is slowly becoming a world star. That left-wing spot is his, no debate. On the right, let’s play the hot hand. Marco Pašalić has been riding the pine a bit too much in the MLS, and Luka Sučić looks to be confident and in good form. Look for maybe Vlašić or Marco P to slot in here as well.
As for the striker position, I could genuinely see any of the five in-form options starting. Igor Matanović has been the most impressive thus far with 6 goals and 3 assists in 7 matches, so I’d go with him. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to see what Beljo, Musa, Ivanović and Budimir can do as well.
How do you think Slaven Bilić will line up for his first match back as the Croatian National Team Head Coach?
Man City 115 charges
GUILTY
Josko going to join Sege in the Championship?????
Anonymous has a practical (not political) question
Re: the famous Gotovina war plan meeting on 6.8.1995 – the one ahead of Operation Storm – where he says Anonymoua favourite line of all time “Every day is a new day, and every day a warrior must fight”
Why did Gotovina allow cameras to film this gathering? Wasn’t that adding risk that the plan/tactics get leaked? I mean all it would take is one double-agent to link the feed in real time (or send a copy of the tape) to the Serbs. It’s actually crazy that it was filmed. Sure it worked out perfectly / flawlessly in the end but it seems like an unnecessary risk from a military perspective.
Of course one of the people in the room could still been a double-agent and called afterwards, etc but not the same as seeing the who thing from Gotovina’s mouth
Welcome an explanation
No Internet, no smart phones and no social media back then.
The person who filmed it, has to get out of there alive with a physical VHS tape and actually drive or fly themselves to the enemy. Not a simple task to simply ‘release’ it.
Whoever was in that room, had full approval to film, and that tape stays with the army until they give approval to broadcast it.
That’s true
I guess someone could have had one of those old flip phone in the room and dialled a Serb # to broadcast it (or Serbs could have planted a bug in room) – maybe they had a no phones in the room policy like the kids at school today (ha!)
But I actually looked into it more (and asked AI which provided some helpful articles to read more)
And – I’m actually being a complete moron here – Storm started morning of the 4th and by the 5th they had recaptured Knin/taken it over – so this was filmed on the 6th in Knin (after they took it over) – can’t believe I didn’t pick up on that before (duh – how could you film in Knin before Storm)
It was filmed by Petar Malbasa (Croatian wartime cameraman) – and actually Gotovina was GENIUS in having it recorded (as this tape was used by his defence lawyers at his trial as evidence) – that Gotovina went on record to scold his commanders for losing “military discipline” after Knin fell such as operational chaos (whatever that means), burning, looting and general lack of organization in the city – so recording it provided a video trail of Gotovina covering his butt given his commanders orders to shape up and demanding professionalism
Pretty smart stuff actually – AI says because Knin and Krajina (BARF AI – there is no such thing as Serb Krajina!) were already recaptured by the time of him filming it – where was no longer risk that the info could be leaked back to Serbian forces to compromise operational security – not sure if AI says this because of technology constraints (e.g. a bug could only transmit a few hundred metres to an outpost) – because Storm lasted until the 7th (and follow-up operations from 8th to 14th)
There used to be a version on YT with English subtitles (can’t find it anymore) – I remember more of the speech being about telling this commander he needs to send his troops to this place next (the commander making excuses and Gotovina telling him to get it done lol) – than scolding them for looting and stuff – maybe there are unedited vs. edited (shorter) versions – not sure
Erlic Posted picture of his Croatia silhouette tattoo on his leg with a mosquito bite where Karlovac is
The caption ?
Where does a mosquito bite you? U Karlovac!
Tbh looks more like a pimple than a mosquito bite but that’s neither here nor there I guess
Skafar Zuzic joins Filip Pavic with the U18s
4 game friendly tournament this window
See @HNS.Youth for full list
Also the U17s play some Istra Youth Cup first match 30th – apparently all matches will be shown on their YouTube channel for free
Italy currently being raped 2-0 by belgium
I feel sorry for them.
You have players like Esposito and Kean who are forwards, and both are rated around €50m a piece…but they both suck.
Imagine being a coach for Italy and the expectations are inflated because you (allegedly) have 50 million Euro players to choose from.
Like, how are Baturina and Petar Sucic considered lower value than two bums like this?
Esposito is good. Kean not so much
Croatia have conceded 17 goals in their last 10 matches. Something has to change defensively, especially with Spain and England coming up twice each in the Nations League.
I wish we had Vedran Ćorluka still with us to solve this issue
http://Www.croatianmorons.com
So
Apparently Boban’s nephew works for the architecture firm that won
LMAO
USKOK: go!
Nikola Andelic
Boban’s sister kid
U can’t make this up!!!
Krivo si skuzio ali na dobrom tragu si, reci cu ti ja istinu evo javno, nikola andjelic nije sin sestre bobana nego je on boban, dok je ovaj boban na celu dinama mama od andjeliceve sestricne prabaka, u biti mos rec da su bratici po stricevoj strani baka od njegovih sestricni
🤣
Igor, Modric, Baturina, 4th player all have virus/illness – started with Igor and now spreading across the team – sick players miss game
Igor is back and starting tomorrow.
He was sick on Tuesday, but was training since Wednesday.
Baturina felt tired, but he doesn’t have a fever. He might not have a virus.
I just thought of something. it would be cool if there was a platform like there is on X where we could sign in and discuss our pre-game and post game thoughts talking. On X there is “Space” where one person sets up the call and then everyone else can join for free. soo many of us like to hear opinions and talk about their opinions.
thoughts?
We would just be a bunch of seljaci taking over each other and yelling over one another. 😅
the organizer can give the mic to different people and also mute them.
Great idea!
Ante/CS.com can host
X spaces max 11 speakers
So we’ll have a starting 11 just like the NT!
Ante in the Modric role
Anonymous first name on team sheet as the GOAT Ballon D’Or winner !!!!!
No, you host
Great idea, Slavonac!
I would like to be able to listen to what you and the others have to say before the NT games (sort of a pre-game show/discussion) and after a game (call it a post-game show/discussion). . .
If Ante could get in touch with Slavonac and set this all up on CroatianSports, so we could call in, that would be fantastic. I would like to hear people who post on this board have to say and perhaps they would be joined by some others like, e.g., Pete Novakovic who is always so insightful, . . .there are a number of different ways of doing it.
My further suggestion, for what it is worth, is that perhaps the show be recorded, and it could be posted by Ante and available on CroatianSsports.com or somewhere, for at least a week, so those of us who miss the pre-game or post-game show can listen later.
now all we need is for Ante to read this or I could message him!
The new stadium in Zagreb is atrocious. Maybe it was to be expected.
I say this because I love the league; the state of the HNL overall is borderline depressing. Awful stadiums, first-tier clubs not having their own stadiums to play in, and no fans.
For what it’s worth, I really do like Opus arena.
I really like this lineup, could very well be what Bilic ends up going with (however, the news is that Modric is sick and may not play).
Hey Boban –
Have you ever heard of Highbury ? The pitch that you’re buddy Suker played at ?
In 2006, before moving to Emirates, they too sold pieces of grass + held an auction for 600 items (even the toilet signs) and everything sold for crazy $$$
In would be a TRAVESTY if you didn’t do the same for Maksimir – every Croatian in the World would want to buy something as a memory – as once it’s gone it’s gone
Here is news back then with some tidbits (I’m sure you can find the 600 lot list from the auction to get the full is of what was sold)
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5118552.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5216894.stm
P.S. they wanted to sell the seats from 20 quid each (770,000 quid for 38.5k capacity) – but after testing found they contained trace amounts of the toxic metal cadmium in the paint so were prevented from doing so
Hey Boban –
Have you ever heard of Highbury ? The pitch that you’re buddy Suker played at ?
In 2006, before moving to Emirates, they too sold pieces of grass + held an auction for 600 items (even the toilet signs) and everything sold for crazy $$$
In would be a TRAVESTY if you didn’t do the same for Maksimir – every Croatian in the World would want to buy something as a memory – as once it’s gone it’s gone
Here is news back then with some tidbits (I’m sure you can find the 600 lot list from the auction to get the full is of what was sold)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5118552.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5216894.stm
I like the lineup. I have been an advocate for both Sucic to play, and I hope this is what Bilic will go with. I say we come out firing and ready to go.
***.24sata.hr/sport/mladi-vatreni-love-euro-evo-sto-im-treba-za-plasman-i-gdje-gledati-utakmicu-s-madarskom-1156795
Olic already making excuses
Says Hungary changed their manager and the team has only played 2 games under the new guy – coupled with they have called up 9 new players (which Olic claims he has been following all 9 for some time – BULL SHIT!) and as such don’t know the line-up Hungary will field nor how they will play
U can’t make this up
Oh yeah btw Hungary A team has SIX OF THE BEST U21 with them in this cycle pasted in below
The only one taking it seriously is Olic and no doubt he’ll f it up
21 MF Alex Tóth 23 October 2005 (age 20) 13 0 The Football Association Bournemouth
5 DF Ákos Markgráf 30 June 2005 (age 21) 1 0 Danish Football Association Copenhagen
1 GK Ármin Pécsi 24 February 2005 (age 21) 1 0 Austrian Football Association Hartberg
7 MF Tamás Szűcs 16 January 2005 (age 21) 4 0 Portuguese Football Federation Famalicão
17 FW Gábor Jurek 4 June 2004 (age 22) 0 0 Hungarian Football Federation MTK Budapest
19 MF Rajmund Tóth 9 April 2004 (age 22) 1 1 Turkish Football Federation Konyaspor
Boban listens to Anonymous’ World Class Eye Tests
He in particular the “Yugo communist brutalist crap” hit home (and a nerve)
Completely new version coming up
You’re welcome!
Croatian Football
@CroatiaFooty
🚨🏟️ 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: Zvonimir Boban says the design of the new Maksimir Stadium will undergo some changes following criticism of the winning project.
“This is just the first idea for the stadium. It will undergo some corrections, which we believe will be for the better.”
[HRT]
The proposed new stadium is a shocker and if it goes ahead would be the ugliest new stadium in Europe. However apart from being ugly it is also exposed to the elements at each corner of the ground.
Plenkovic needs to step in and stop this lunacy and withdraw the government funding which I think is 50%.
You don’t like Stadion Propuh?
@Mart
Is the Request for Proposal that the architecture firms received public (can we read it) and if so did it stipulate the budget for the project ?
The winner is terrible but 200M
Some of these other designs are much better but probably 400-600M
Suspect they didn’t say the budget which is why we are seeing such a variance between good vs bad
Interesting re: change in the way Croatia plays (although vs. England Croatia did the intense pressing part – but didn’t do the build-up via #6 part they are mentioning – if Modric doesn’t play the #6 not sure there is room for him higher up the pitch as the article mentions…)
Misic in the #6 for now – but as those that have mentioned Vrbancic has been better than Misic this year in the HNL – so he best dominate in upcoming U21 matches as the pathway to the NT is wide open for him (even more reason to watch the U21s) – we also have Sergej Levak and Vozar kids but they are at least 1+ years away from even being considered
***.jutarnji.hr/sportske/nogomet/bilic-ubrzava-hrvatsku-visi-presing-okomitiji-napad-i-veca-uloga-sestice-15749722
lol
It only took SN a week to figure out what Anonymous told u a WEEK AGO
Slaven Bilić je vjerojatno na Modrića računao u početnoj postavi, a vidjet ćemo hoće li viroza što promijeniti ili će igrati od prve minute. Izbornik za utakmicu ima pravo prijaviti samo 20 igrača (plus tri golmana), to je loša strana velikih popisa jer nitko ne voli ostaviti dobar dio ekipe na tribini, a rok dokad Bilić to mora napraviti je petak u 23.59. To vrijedi za svaki susret, ponoć prije utakmice je zadnji termin za prijavu ekipe. Bilić, dakle, mora otpisati četiri igrača za ogled s Češkom kako bi zadovoljio kvotu.
Croatia conceded 7 goals in the last 4 matches. Now we have England and Spain coming up. This could be our worst run of games ever coming up
You have to keep in mind that Dalic made some questionable decisions in defense and that this could be the reason we conceded so many. We also had a string of injuries that didn’t help either. Having Gvardiol and Vuskovic in the middle could prove to make a difference.
I actually don’t mind seeing Perisic play in defense.
I would like to see how these Nations League fixtures play out to have a sense of everything.
We conceded 4 goals against England because Gvardiol was not game-ready and we chose to blame Vuskovic instead of calling an appropriate backup.
We conceded two on Portugal because we had no aerial presence in our backline (due to Vuskovic being on the bench, and Duje being injured) so the short-king Portuguese had no problems getting headers on goal all game long (eventually scoring a winner on us).
Bilic is still new, so I doubt he will be as stubborn as Dalic right away.
Maybe in a few years he may have his favorites and fall into some bad habits…but it looks like we are NOT going to be playing sick/injured players (regardless of status), we’re starting Vuskovic for the aerial issues in our box, and we hired a coach specifically for deadball plays.
Saturday 11am Croatia U21 vs. Hungary
For those in Budapest – you can watch the above live on:
https://m4sport.hu/elo
TBH more interested in watching Jaga, Vrbancic, Segecic, Sepic, Soticek, etc etc rather than the Czech match
Crnkovic
Did you check out Yalcouye yet per Anonymous eye test ?
First cap today for Ivory Coast and scores a BANGER
Anonymous eye tests never never fail – best the World has ever seen!!!!
https://x.com/donsummerone/status/2103210447025692899?s=20
Yeah I been keeping an eye on him 👍🏽
Niko turning 16 in a month
Sounds like he’ll debut vs HSV Nov 1st
Pletisoka – u got this bro?
The Plan with Ilicevic:
• Niko #Ilicevic stands out in training with the @Eintracht pros
• Jürgen Klopp has already taken notice
• The @FCBayern wanted to sign him
• FC Barcelona was also in the mix
• Ilicevic signed his development contract in July
• A pro contract starting from his 18th birthday has already been negotiated (duration unknown)
• Thus clear: The player is tied to the club for now
• Family and circle are considered low-key, he himself is very down-to-earth
• Mario Götze is a big help for him as a kind of mentor
• Markus Krösche opted against signing Ben Farhat because of Ilicevic
• The 15-year-old is set to become the direct successor to Can Uzun
• With Uzun, everyone expects a departure in 2027
🗞️ BILD
#SGE 🦅
Give Plete a break.
The guy is probably at Luca Vozar’s house right now, presenting his National Team callup path.
He’ll probably take the next EasyJet flight to Hamburg for a meeting with the Iličevići.
Pletikosa has been putting in work.
Give the man some of that Adidas šverc money.
😂 We have stepped up our game in securing diaspora talent.
Me thinks that there is also a strategy of letting the Germans develop our youth with high competition in their youth squads before we take the cream of the crop.
They’re like a feeder club for us as we reap the benefits from them while we still sow the seeds at home. Then we swoop in before the age restriction and get ourselves the next Stanisic.
Pletikosa and Krpan have met with the kid. My guess he chooses Croatia.
Krpan has a lot more making up to do, after failing to score point blank on Romania at the ’98 World Cup.
Stojko
This could have been you.
All you had to do is listen and follow Anonymous’ World Class instructions
🤷♂️
🎙️ Lovro Majer on Slaven Bilić’s famous phone call:
“The conversation went really well. I just said that I was happy, that I had changed clubs, and of course, one of the most important things in my career personally is, and this is not a cliché, playing for the national team.”
Guys –
Anyone actually following what’s happening with Czechia ?
Our U21 team should be able to beat them
To recap:
RETIRED POST WC: Patrik Schick, Tomáš Holeš , Vladimír Darida and Petr Ševčík
Since Czechia 🇨🇿 squad for Nations League announced – there have been SEVEN PLAYERS SO FAR that have withdrawn lol
Out: Matěj Ryneš, David Jurásek, Tomáš Vlček, David Zima, Lukáš Provod, Denis Višinský, Tomáš Chorý
🆕 Jiří Sláma (Jablonec 🇨🇿)
🆕 Lukáš Ambros (Anderlecht 🇧🇪)
🆕 Roman Macek (Sparta Prague 🇨🇿)
🆕 Matěj Radosta (FK Teplice 🇨🇿)
🆕 Ondřej Kričfaluši (Union SG 🇧🇪)
🆕 Martin Šubert (Mlada Boleslav 🇨🇿)
🆕 Daniel Vašulín (Zbrojovka Brno 🇨🇿)
🔙 Antonín Kinský (Tottenham 🏴, last: Nov 2024), Michal Sáček (Górnik Zabrze 🇵🇱, last: Sep 2021), Ondřej Zmrzlý (Górnik Zabrze 🇵🇱, last: Oct 2024), Martin Vitík (Bologna 🇮🇹, last: March), Pavel Bucha (FC Cincinnati 🇺🇸, last: WC 2026 pre), Adam Karabec (Sparta Prague 🇨🇿, last: March), Alex Král (FC Copenhagen 🇩🇰, last: Oct 2025), Ondřej Lingr (Korona Kielce 🇵🇱, last: Oct 2025), Václav Sejk (Sigma Olomouc 🇨🇿)
First squad under new head coach Santi Denia off to a bit of a rough start…
https://x.com/windowintlpod/status/2102900650010919142
If our set pieces improve by like even 20 percent, that’s a real threat we haven’t had for a while
Heck if only the defending improves ….
You don’t take Pong/Duje over Gvardiol/Vušković?!?
Good looking lineup although I’d probably slot Modric higher up and bring P Sucic back.
I like Matanovic and I hope he begins to solidify his starting role by scoring some goals.
I think Vlasic is struggling this season. Last week I saw an article that stated he hasn’t been the same guy from last season and I think I saw them mentioning he hasn’t been involved in a goal yet this season.
Is Luka Sucic suitable for the right attacking side? I admit I rarely watch him so I don’t really know his value.
Luka Sucic on the right isn’t really a great option, but I guess we don’t have many good options on the right. Luka Sucic primary position is the #10 behind striker. He’s played that 90% of time this season.
I’d like to see Modric retire P sucic where modric plays and Luka S behind Matanović. On the right we need to start looking for a player, vlasic pasalic aren’t great options either will see what happens but this his where Bilić needs to be more aggressive.
I agree with your sentiment, but Petar Sučić does (technically) start on that right side for Sociedad.
But, yes, he does gravitate centrally.
Not Petar. I meant to say Luka Sučić.
I’ve watched almost every Real game and he never plays on the right.
Only time sucic is on the right is if oyarzbal and oskarsson are on the field at the same time with sucic. Typically sucic supports in the ten role one of the two above. If all three are in the field then oyarzbal plays behind oskarsson and sucic plays in the right. But truly I think this has only happened once.
Sucic plays the #10 and sometimes late in game depending on situation he’s played on right and also played in the # 8 if there chasing a goal they move sucic as other players come on if down a goal.
I’ve watched L sucic more than any other player this season and I’m am truly impressed with his overall play. The guy is a special player, he had one pass on the run the other day that was class, his work rate is high and track backs very well.
He’s not as tricky in tight spaces like Baturina which is why I don’t like him on wing and he’s not as good defensively as P sucic but he is def at the moment a starter to me in the #10.
Like I said to Kova, P. Sucic in the pivot, Baturina on left in his como position L sucic In the #10 position.
That leaves the right and this is where Bilić need to find someone to compliment the other players. This player doesn’t need to be an all start but just cant be the same as the other players needs to be a more traditional winger.
I forgot which game I watched him play, but he was a little responsible for one goal against (he could have done better to help defend).
But, it’s good to hear that he’s actually running and playing defense.
This was my only worry with him because, offensively, he’s exactly what we need.
Vlad,
A great, detailed update on Luka Sucic. Your assessment that he is a special player, and definitely a starter, says a great deal.
Thank you for these reports.
I think you also answer one of Maminjo’s questions which is, if I recall right, whether L Sucic works hard enough defensively. Your comment that his work rate is high and he tracks back well helps address at least some of that outstanding concern.
I am hopeful L Sucic has a great season, and is back on track to becoming the star footballer who many here thought he would be . . .
That line up if it’s hot can win euro
Over and under on Luka staying for it
The irony if he leaves and we did it the next tourney
Oh the humanity
That’s what happened to Darijo Srna in 2016 🙁
Darijo Srna was a massive defensive liability in his latter years for us, and he stopped scoring goals (and couldn’t put in a cross for us) after 2010.
He had a strong showing in his final appearances in 2016, but Vrsaljko was the much better defensive player in 2018.
Win the euro?
We have a 42 y/o exchanging pleasantries with our opponents captain.
We were 23rd and 26th in the last 2 tourneys.
Worst to first scenario is possible I suppose but highly unlikely
Euros are two years away and a lot could happen.
Modric could very easily end up playing limited minutes at Milan, which would then likely mean he plays off the bench for us (which is fine). Having guys like Modric and Majer coming off the bench late is a plus.
Our young core (Baturina, Vuskovic, P.Sucic) have made HUGE strides in these past two years.
Add in Gvardiol, L.Sucic, Stanisic, and Matanovic taking further steps and…who knows.
The prior results won’t matter as guys like Krama, Pongracic, Duje won’t be on the team anymore and Modric will be used accordingly (hopefully).