Croatia stand on the brink of qualification. On Friday, November 14th at 2:45 pm EST, the Vatreni host the Faroe Islands in Rijeka, needing just one single point to mathematically secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In truth, Croatia are already 99% through, but a statement win on home soil would wrap up what was a calm (for once) qualification campaign.
The reverse fixture in the Faroe Islands was no walkover… a gritty 1-0 win where Croatia struggled to break through a resilient defence and let slip one too many counter-attacking chances.
Reportedly, Luka Vušković is finally set to make his first senior start. It only took him becoming one of the Bundesliga’s top defenders for HSV to obtain this. The 18-year-old prodigy has been nothing short of sensational in Germany, breaking records for his aerial play and orchestrating the defensive stability of an HSV side trying to avoid relegation (and doing so well).
Above is how we want Dalić to line up in Rijeka.
With Ćaleta-Car in poor club form, starting Vušković is the logical move. Stanišić’s return is a huge boost on the right side, despite Jakić having done quite well. In midfield, Modrić and Petar Sučić will continue to run the show.
And then there’s Marco Pašalić, who was finally given his chance versus Gibraltar, and boy did he look good. Direct, creative, and dynamic. He brings an element to the Croatian attack that no player does, as one of only two natural wingers on the entire squad.
Now, the harsh reality. Rumours continue to swirl that Dalić is experimenting with a 3-back system. For what reason? We don’t know. Perhaps he doesn’t fully trust Vušković in a back four yet, or his aversion to giving Marco Pašalić a start in meaningful games continues. Either way, this late in qualifying and this close to the tournament, it feels like needless experimentation.
If Dalić insists on the 3-4-2-1, here’s the expected lineup:
Livaković; Gvardiol – Vušković – Šutalo; Perišić – P. Sučić – Modrić – Stanišić; Kramarić – Mario Pašalić; Ivanović
The biggest question with this setup is in defence. Does DCC slot in at central-center back, pushing Vušković to the right? Or will Dalić keep Šutalo wide and trust our wonderkid centrally? We’re optimistic and think he would start Šutalo at RCB… but who knows.
Whether it’s a 4-2-3-1 or another back three experiment, the goal remains the same. 1 point, and Croatia are through. But who wants to qualify on a draw? Croatiansports.com predict a 2-0 win will send the Vatreni flying through to next summer, and the celebrations (and booking plane tickets) can begin!
Drop your score predictions below and let us know: back four or back three?
A ton of corners, but we haven’t done anything with them in over 15 years.
The runs off the ball leave a lot to be desired whenever we play a team who plays 11 men behind the ball.
Has Musa touched the ball yet? lol
If anyone has a streaming link, it would be much appreciated.
No one saw Musa starting. It’s about time that he gave him another shot.
Hopefully, he’ll get better service this time.
I like this lineup! Credit to Dalic. Mario P has had a good season and deserves a start in his natural position as a ACM.
HRVATSKA*: Livaković – Stanišić, Vušković, Gvardiol – Marco Pašalić, Modrić, Mario Pašalić, Perišić – Sučić, Kramarić – Musa
Musa is gonna be this generations Prso.
I too think Musa has something to offer.
All we need is our defence and midfield to hold its own
A striker to go liva 2022
And liva to go liva 2022
And we are the champs
Big asks yes, but not impossible
Hope not.
Prso: 32 caps, 9 goals. ****(Cool Hair)
Suker : 70 caps 45 goals.
Need someone to take the bull by the horns with Mandzukic spirit like fighting domination, and pronounce they want to own the striker position.
Don’t get @Anonymous riled up about Miladin Pršo!
Popis pozvanih igrača
Vratari: Dominik Livaković, Ivica Ivušić, Ivor Pandur
Obrambeni: Joško Gvardiol, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Josip Stanišić, Marin Pongračić, Martin Erlić, Luka Vušković
Vezni: Luka Modrić, , Mario Pašalić, Nikola Vlašić, Kristijan Jakić, Petar Sučić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
Napadači: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Petar Musa, Marco Pašalić, Mislav Oršić, Franjo Ivanović, Igor Matanović
Pretpozivi: Lovro Majer, Luka Sučić, Martin Baturina, Domagoj Bradarić, Ivan Smolčić, Adriano Jagušić, Franko Kovačević, Karlo Letica
3-5-2
—————————Livakovic—————————
—————————(Pandur)—————————
———Sutalo——Vuskovic——Gvardiol———
———(DCC)———(Erlic)——(Pograncic)——
———————————————————————
Stan.—Modric(Jakic/Moro)Sucic—Perisic
(Marco.P.)———Kramaric————(Orsic)—
————————————————————— —
——Ivanovic—(Fruk/Vlasic)—Matanovic—
——(Pasalic)—————————(Musa)———
Would like to see Jagusic here as well…seems interesting.. young upcoming kid decides not go to Dinamo… stays a star in Slaven Belupo and enforces development by staying in and proving his form producing in a team with almost no stars… Smart kid if he stays healthy will play in a big team sooner then later.
Didn’t know italy was in such dire straits..400 hundred of their own fans turned on them..the game meant nothing.couldnt score on moldova.2 minutes left.to a team ranked 156th..This article says..Azzurri are “surprisingly ranked 9th”on top of them saying..they are just a functioning team..I’m thinking they should be ranked at 20 to 25 if not 30 or less..
“Italy’s quest to the World Cup is yet again, through a playoff – ESPN” https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46957645/italys-quest-fifa-world-cup-yet-again-playoff
There have been like one or two goals this whole tourney on Livaković. His 2022 performance was historical good. If it is not broken don’t fix it.
Hundo!
Hope Dalic agrees as well, with his increased concern regarding lack of game time, outside of national competition.
Not a prediction
But wouldn’t be shocked to see Pandur start
His distribution stats (short and long-balls) is horrendous – like really horrendous – 20-30% accuracy
So starting Luka at CCB – Pandur doesn’t need to take any kicks – he can just give the ball to Luka to distribute
Also think Dalic is getting sick and tired of Liva not playing at club – his statements are more and more aggressive about Liva not playing every time he speaks about it
It really sounded like he wouldn’t have called Liva up if he didn’t have all the goodwill from the history – but that it’s almost run out
Dalić is so inconsistent.
Moro barely plays at Bologna and he gets unlimited callups.
We’ve had young guys play out of their minds, yet it takes forever to get them into the lineup.
Now we have Livaković (who lost his starting spot) and we don’t have a proven backup, yet Dalić is firing warning shots at him almost immediately?
There is quite a bit of rotation at Bologna and Moro actually plays every second match from what I have seen.
Livakovic come January, I think will be going back to Dinamo to save his career and number 1 spot for the national team.
I like Semper of Pisa who in my opinion is a better goalkeeper than Pandur. Semper is 1.93 meters tall and is better equipped at dealing with crosses and shot saving.
Is the SN article saying Boban crashed out at the journalist today true ???
That he’s not happy that they wrote he stole 14m from Dinamo/Croatia and said he’s a homo
He didn’t really crash out like that did he ???
Can’t say I’ve seen articles about either written about him – what publication is writing this ???
Nah. He was just being funny and casual.
Making jokes about Bennacer having two wives because of his religion and Cardoso Varela playing video games too late at night.
After the 4-0 U21
Dalic can tell Olic Prpic and Mlacic gave you a clean sheet – you can live w them – we’re keeping Luka
The real q is if Dalic can say – you’re doing well in qualifications – we want to bring Jagusic to play bs Crna Gora after another good performance today (Man City scouts watched the game…) – he can’t play vs Faroe as need 48 hours b/w matches as we learnt last window
Separate – nobody talking about Fruk – shouldn’t he get some minutes in the Krama position (2nd striker) – maybe at least as a sub (he shouldn’t play much though as he’s already logged crazy minutes so far this year)
All indications are that Dalic will start with 3 – 5 – 2 formation.
Vuskovic will start in the middle of the defence.
With Budimir injured I would start with Matanovic up front with either Kramaric or Ivanovic to partner him.
Some interesting results tonight. I mostly watched Albania struggle to beat Andorra 1 – 0 and effectively eliminate Serbia from the WC.
Italy unfortunately for us with two late goals away to Moldova. We need to hope that Norway can draw or beat them in three day’s time.
Surprise of the night was probably Portugal losing 2 – 0 away to Ireland with Ronaldo getting a red card in the second half for elbowing an opponent in the back.
Serbia still has an outside chance to make it into the four UNL slots reserved for the playoffs.
If all of Romania, Sweden and Northern Ireland manage to finish second in their group, then their UNL spots will be given to Moldova, Sa Marino, and Serbia (in that order).
😂
Yes I know, that’s why I said effectively.
Romania and Northern Ireland have a chance to come second but have next tough away matches to main rivals BH and Slovakia respectively. Both need at least a draw to have any chance.
Sweden will need a minor miracle playing away to Swiss and home to Slovenia. Kosovo are six points ahead of Sweden with matches against Slovenia away and finishing home against the Swiss.
Anything is possible but it will be a shock if Sweden come second?
It will be tough, but it would be nice to see a few of these minnow team (Moldova, San Marino, and Serbia) make it to the playoffs.
It would mean the World to their fans.
Serbs officially eliminated from the World Cup
2-1 Croatia
@Mart
You weren’t exaggerating lol
***.youtube.com/watch?v=NAz5MfnzgBs
What happened to Anthony Pavlesic ?
Olic made a big hoopla that he “chose” Croatia over Australia
Played one match for U21 in September – not even called up now (neither in October)
Hasn’t been in Rudes squad for last [10] matches either
Injury or other ?
I read somewhere that he is injured.
@Bartolec
Anonymous Kotarski scouting also helped Vicario
He’s playing vs. Moldova now (still 0-0 at 54′) – his 5th cap (Donna on bench)
Kotarski is a moron for snubbing an Italy NT starting keeper
Stupid is, as stupid does
Hope he’s enjoying the international break – either he’s removing all his Neck Tattoos per Dalic request, or he’s doubling-down and next time we see him he’ll have Face Tattoos to the collection – could go either way
Weird – the ref Mykola Balakin (Ukrainian) gave his hand to fouled Moldova player – to help him back up
Can’t say I’ve ever seen a ref do that better
Hmmmmmm
Darn
88′ Mancini header from Di Marco cross
Moldova were playing really well – hard working, organized and compact – they don’t have enough quality going forward though to be a real risk
We were 2 minutes away Italy dropping major FIFA points
Croatia 2- Farris Buller Island 0 – Sucic and Gvardi goal scorers- Festa in Rijeka!!!
I like 3-5-2 I believe that is the best system at the moment for players we have old and young.
1- we have depth at the CB role.
2- We have 3 fast young and one old player as your 4 core wingers. Stanisic, valincic, Marco pasalic and perisic. 2 of them start 2 of them are ready for backup.
3- It solves our striker issue as we currently don’t have a striker good enough to play alone and if we have to play kramaric which we know dalic will, better as a supporting striker than winger or midfielder.
4 – I just genuinely feel we can’t play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with the old guys and no real wingers it just won’t work.
……..Sutalo……..Vuskovic………….Gvardiol…………
…………….….… Modric. P.Sucic ……………
Pasalic. Kovacic Stanisic
Kramaric Budimir
If L. Sucic and baturina don’t turn it around after Christmas then Jagusic has to be in the team as we need real players off the bench not just role players.
The U21 match has kicked off, what a joke. When the main camera is used you cannot see the ball on the far side.
Never seen anything like this before.
Budimir is unavailable due to injury.
10 minutes to KO for U21 match v Lithuania in Nova Gorica.
Thick fog has rolled in and if they were using VAR the match would be called off.
Big mistake Kicking off at 5pm.
Visibility at best 50 metres? I doubt that Maxsport will be able to use the main camera from the stand ? it’s going to be ground cameras if we are to see anything? TV commentator saying I cannot see a thing.