The CroatianSports team is working on a new series entitled “The Next Generation”, focused on bringing your attention to all of the talented youth Croatia has for the future. We will be publishing lists for every different position this week.
Monday: Goalkeepers
Tuesday: Defenders
Wednesday: Midfielders
Thursday: Wingers
Friday: Strikers
The criteria a player must meet to make our list is as follows:
- The player must be between the age of 16 and 25
- The player cannot be a cemented starter in the senior national team
- The player must be eligible to play for Croatia
This article will focus on the top 8 goalkeeping talents. As we know, many of you are eager to know if there will finally be an elite Croatian goalkeeper coming up the ranks. A description will come with each player, as well as a rating on their forecasted potential. Keep in mind, the potential rating is based on their highest ceiling achievable, in our opinion. This does not mean in any way that they are guaranteed to reach that level.
Honorable mentions:
- Ivica Ivušić (26) (too old for list)
- Karlo Žiger (19)
- Ivan Križanović (19)
- Jan Hlapčić (15) (too young for list)
8. Dinko Horkaš, 22, 189 cm, Varazdin ($660k)
Strengths: quick reflexes, commanding in the box, very vocal
Weaknesses: goalkeeping fundamentals, mistake prone
Next step: Horkaš needs to prove himself at a high level. 20 appearances in the 1. HNL won’t cut it as it is too small a sample size to judge his talent. He is 22 and has yet to truly impress in a strong league. A starting position at a 1. HNL club by next season should be his next step.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19: 12 appearances, 15 goals conceded, 3 clean sheets
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 68 appearances, 57 goals conceded, 30 clean sheets
- Zrinjski Mostar: 9 appearances, 5 goals conceded, 5 clean sheets
- Varaždin: 22 appearances, 33 goals conceded, 3 clean sheets
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league keeper
7. Nikola Čavlina, 19, 193 cm, Dinamo Zagreb II ($330k)
Strengths: goalkeeping fundamentals, height, long range shot stopping
Weaknesses: reflexes, commanding the box (still very young, could mature)
Next step: Taking over at the end of the season, Čavlina has impressed in his short time in the 2. HNL for a weak Dinamo II squad. His next step is to continue starting this upcoming season and prepare himself for a 1. HNL team. Fun fact, his father is Osijek’s goalkeeping coach.
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb U19 (UEFA Youth League): 1 appearance, 0 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 12 appearances, 16 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league keeper
6. Ivor Pandur, 21, 186 cm, Hellas Verona ($1.1m)
Strengths: natural instincts, agility
Weaknesses: height, punches too often
Next step: Pandur needs to get regular minutes as a starter. He just isn’t getting that in Verona. Good performance in the 1. HNL earned him a premature move to Serie A. His next step should be returning to the 1. HNL to continue his growth, and only leave when he is guaranteed a starting spot at the next club.
Stats:
- Rijeka U19: 5 appearances, 4 goals conceded, 2 clean sheets
- Rijeka: 24 appearances, 23 goals conceded, 10 clean sheets
- Hellas Verona: 6 appearances, 11 goals conceded, 0 clean sheets
Potential: 7/10 – Top 5 league keeper
5. Ivan Nevistić, 23, 196 cm, Dinamo Zagreb ($3.3m)
Strengths: height, diving, commanding the box
Weaknesses: reflexes, consistency
Next step: Nevistić’s next step to cementing himself as a genuine repka talent is to start at Dinamo. This season, he will be loaned out as Livaković is still the starter, however, with the inevitable move coming for Dominik, Ivan should be the next in line to start for the Modri. This should put him in line to potentially become our next goalkeeper. Something Ivan really needs to work on is his consistency day in and day out, as excelling in a short major tournament requires consistency throughout all games, and Nevistić just doesn’t have that right now.
Stats:
- Rijeka U19: 3 appearances, 2 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet
- Varaždin: 85 appearances, 101 goals conceded, 29 clean sheets
- Rijeka: 43 appearances, 59 goals conceded, 11 clean sheets
Potential: 7.5/10 – Good top 5 league keeper
4. Adrian Šemper, 23, 194 cm, Genoa ($2.53m)
Strengths: diving, catching, height
Weaknesses: kicking
Next step: Šemper made a great move by going to Genoa recently and is certainly progressing positively in his career. Consistent minutes and performances in the Serie A should earn him a call-up to the NT, as he is already ahead of Sluga and Kalinić in my books (and in many others as well).
Stats:
- Dinamo Zagreb II: 9 appearances, 6 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 41 appearances, 44 goals conceded, 15 clean sheets
- Dinamo Zagreb: 12 appearances, 16 goals conceded, 5 clean sheets
- Chievo Verona: 83 appearances, 85 goals conceded, 27 clean sheets
Potential: 7.5/10 – Good top 5 league keeper
3. Ivo Grbić, 25, 195 cm, Atletico Madrid ($3.85m, was $7.7m when he joined Atletico)
Strengths: height, quick reflexes, commanding the box, consistency
Weaknesses: kicking/confidence on the ball
Next step: Lille. Grbić needs to move ASAP, as he has only appeared once for Atletico in his entire time there. He has to have learned a lot from training with Jan Oblak, but now is the time for him to get consistent minutes and be the #1 man. Transfermarkt says his transfer probability to Lille is now 80%, which is great news. If he can start there and continue performing, he can genuinely challenge Dominik Livaković to the starting spot.
Stats:
- Hajduk Split II: 18 appearances, 18 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
- Hajduk Split: 10 appearances, 10 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
- Lokomotiva Zagreb: 74 appearances, 79 goals conceded, 22 clean sheets
- Atletico Madrid: 1 appearance, 0 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet
Potential: 8/10 – Great top 5 league keeper
2. Toni Silić, 17, 184 cm, Hajduk Split
Strengths: reflexes, diving, agility, catching, penalty saves
Weaknesses: height (still very young, and can grow a few more centimeters)
Next step: Silić is the biggest, young goalkeeping talent Croatia has ever had. When he turned 16, Silić was promoted to Hajduks U19 team and started every game. This year, he was part of Hajduk’s senior team for the pre-season preparations at just 17 years old. Keep in mind, keepers mature much later than field players, so this is like a 14-15 year old player with the Hajduk senior team. His next step is to finish this season with the U19s (because Hajduk abolished their second team), and next year to either start for Hajduk if he is ready, or be loaned out to a weaker 1. HNL team as the #1 keeper. The only reason Silić is not ranked number one on this list is because his sample size is very small, and is yet to impress in a good league (1. HNL and above).
Stats:
- Hajduk U17: 18 appearances, 18 goals conceded, 7 clean sheets
- Hajduk U19: 19 appearances, 8 goals conceded, 13 clean sheets
Potential: 9/10 – Elite keeper
- Nediljko Labrović, 21, 194 cm, Rijeka ($660k)
Strengths: reflexes, height, catching, consistency, goalkeeping fundamentals, crosses and corners
Weaknesses: high balls from distance
Next step: Labrović is off to an amazing start with Rijeka, and should be the undisputed Croatia U21 moving forward. All he needs to do is continue his progression and performances, and we can see him cracking the repka in no time. He’s tall, quick, and fearless. He attacks balls on crosses and corners and knows how to correctly punch the ball out, as well as catch it when need be.
Stats:
- Šibenik: 74 appearances, 80 goals conceded, 26 clean sheets
- Rijeka: 6 appearances, 4 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
- Rijeka before match vs Dinamo: 4 appearances, 0 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets
Potential: 8.5/10 – Borderline elite keeper
Honorable mention – Luka Gavran (Croatian Canadian): current starter for St John’s Red Storm in Big East division. Here’s link to his bio:
https://redstormsports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/luka-gavran/4416
Most likely will play for Canada. Considering they are improving and have talent now.
Seeing Sučić on the standby list is awesome
It’s a shame grbic hasn’t played more for club
He looks more dominant in there then livakovic
You need to have some authority back there
He will if he goes to Lille. Their keeper is shitting the bed.
It’s official
Dalic has lost the plot
Bizarre choices and has begun to play the blame game
Drops rebic petkovic and Brekali but keeps kramaric
Recalls Livaja but clearly was never a fan of his otherwise would have chosen him before
Livaja is being used and if he doesn’t step up his career is over
The only person that needs to go is Dalic
Fuck this bloke off back to Varazdin
Completely agreeable. Dropping Rebic was fine but why Brekalo? He’s young and has potential still. Krama is a club player only. Dalic should head back to the Saudi league.
You guys missed the new call up GK.
Lol.
You missed the part where we put him as an honourable mention, stating specifically that he is too old for the list.
I think some of Dalić’s selection moves are a result of his meetings with the team. Some players complained about HNL players being given preference over experienced top 5 leaguers. The result is that Budimir and Pasalić will take the Petković spot. Kramarić will play his proper position. Sosa is on the squad.
The other thing I imagine is that Dalić realized his coaching strategy has to focus on the defence. Croatia couldn’t score goals because the midfielders had to play it safe and protect a weak back line. With only one true right back and one true left back called up, the indication is that we play 3 in the back, Italian style. I see many advantages to this, especially considering that our center backs are technically skilled but make a lot of mental errors. Playing with three CBs provides more cover for the final third than just a pair. If Dalić actually has this vision going forward, then Euro 2020 was not a complete waste (though he could have come up with a vision sooner!)
My lineup prediction is Livaković, Vida, Lovren, DCC; Brozović, Kovačić, Modrić, Perisić (lw), Juranović (rw); Kramarić, Budimir
LOL Lovren and Vida? Your joking right? The last two guys you want starting after they’re disastrous time at the Euros.
Squad list just got released for September’s matches. Sosa, Budimir, Colak, Boro, CC. Not surprised Rebic, Vrsaljko, and Kalinic got dropped. I’m curious as to why Bradaric, Brekalo, Pongracic, and Basic weren’t included. Dalic bringing them out doesn’t make a difference. Let’s see some minutes in these young guns. Still a shame Rakitic is gone and retired too young. Why wasn’t Grbic part of the selection since were talking about goaltenders up and coming. I’m satisfied Petkovic and Kalinic were excluded. Two bums that never deserve to wear the national jersey again. That includes other Kalinic and Rebic.
I personally like this squad list. Are there a few things I would change? Sure, but overall the changes are decent. Like Miki mentioned we definitely now have the personnel for 3 at the back. I’m not sure if Dalic will have the guts to do it, but we’ll see.
If we do stick with 4 at the back the RB options are Juranovic and Uremovic. Sosa has to start at least one of these matches if only to see if he can replicate some of his club form for us. Skoric is the only guy on here that slightly annoys me, but with 25 guys I doubt he’s going to get any playing time. I think he’s really just there because he’s just happy to be there and doesn’t get upset when he doesn’t play.
It will be interesting to see if Moro gets a chance. I haven’t heard much from him since he left Dinamo to play in Russia and I had kind of expected Jakic to be above him in the pecking order, but Moro could be a better fit since he’s a bit more technical. Hopefully we get to see at least a cameo from him.
Surprised Majer isn’t in the squad. He’s been in great form for over a year now I believe. I think the problem is that he doesn’t really provide anything that we don’t already have in other players. Ivanusec is more versatile than him so that’s likely why he gets the call over him. I know there’s a contingency that doesn’t like Pasalic, but the only games that I think he’s been genuinely bad for us is when he’s played a defensive role when he is an attacking midfielder. I don’t see him as a starter, but he is a good option to have when we need to score. His positioning is very good and he always seems to be in a good position. His finishing is not the best all the time, but that’s why he’s not a striker.
Also surprised that Dalic actually dropped Petkovic. If you ask me, he hasn’t been in form since Dinamo played Krasnodar in Europa last season. Sure, he had a decent game against Legia the other day, but his performances for us have been average at best. I wouldn’t say that is even 100% his fault, because he is the type of guy who like to come receive the ball and turn to make a pass and a quick dribble move, but we were playing him as a target man and just booting the ball up the field to him or trying to swing in tons of crosses. Not really his style necessarily.
I have been telling my friend for weeks (including yesterday at the church picnic) that I won’t be surprised if Livaja gets called up and lo and behold, he got it. I again have to say I’m not a fan of any specific Prva Liga team, but the guy has looked like the best player on the field any time I’ve gotten to watch Hajduk this season. He’s playing with such confidence and like Slavonac said he’s proving to be a more mature player and could be setting himself up for a solid enough career. I don’t really see him as a striker anymore though. He plays more in behind the striker, I’d say he’s similar but different to Kramaric. Different play style, but similar positions taken up on the field. Either way, 100% deserving of a call up in my opinion. Colak has also been in really good form recently which is why I’m not as surprised to see him as some others might be. I think I might have still called Petkovic if I was in Dalic’s shoes. And I have a sneaky suspicion he and Dalic have had a falling out, but definitely not the same as with Rebic.
Brekalo not being there is surprising because he was the one guy that was eligible for the U21s for the last couple years that Dalic wouldn’t give to them. However, the performances speak for themselves. He is similar to how Perisic was and sometimes still is. He’ll have a great game for Wolfsburg one week and then go invisible for a month before his next good game. It’s also been quite a while since I could genuinely say he’s had a good game from Croatia. I love the guy and still think he will be an important player for us in the future, but he hasn’t played like he was hungry since probably his first few caps.
The goalkeepers look pretty standard. Kalinic deserved to be dropped after his recent woeful performances. Livakovic will start every game I’m sure. Ivusic is a decent keeper for sure though. Like this article shows we do have some depth there, but until one of them actually performs to their potential, Livakovic is the guy.
The only question I have now is, who’s going to be up top? Are we going to just stick with Kramaric up there as a sole striker? Two strikers with him and Budimir? Just Budimir to allow Sosa and Juranovic to swing crosses in? It will be interesting to see what Dalic does against Russia. That will be the toughest match of the 3. Slovakia and Slovenia aren’t pushover teams, but we crushed Slovakia both times in Euro qualifying and I don’t see us being stopped again by Slovenia while playing in Split.
Hopefully since there are 3 games in a week we get to see some different ideas and different players. But we need to win these matches.
This is what I would expect the lineup against Russia to be (not what I want):
Livakovic, Sosa, Lovren, Vida, Juranovic, Brozovic, Kovacic, Modric, Perisic, Vlasic, Kramaric
Vuk….when we really needed to see Brekalo play a half decent game, he was completely irrelevant and in my opinion, he didn’t do enough to work through the hard parts of the game to assert himself. He basically got lost and couldn’t find his way.
Skoric is a meaningless call and I wouldn’t be worried about it, he’s just there in case we get into injury issues and a last resort. He has age, experience and pressure won’t affect him.
I’ve been arguing with some of you (Maminjo 😉 ) about Petkovic forever and I think people need to realize that the guy has mental issues and is extremely lazy! He will one day regret all this…I guarantee it! Its not only laziness…its frame of mind, work rate, commitment….
Livaja…the man that has the physical stature, the talent but a fragile brain may just be turning the corner…who knows?!
I’d like to see Orsic start at least 1 or 2 games to see if he can provide us with chances. If he plays with the hunger he usually does, the kid is an opportunist and can make things happen!
I just think Dalic doesnt have the balls 2018 team imo 2012 to 2018 we had a strong team and its time to start fresh sosa is not a lb but lwb imo perisic also plays lwb for inter so if 3 4 3 is modern formation we need to learn and play it but i think really need fresh it up and have b friendies and try out players all respect to under 21s but if a 17 to 22 year old is good enough for bayern barca real etc why not national team. Really dont know its not 2018 anymore.
Livakovic isnt a future going number 1 imo. And need to build a fresh young team maybe Livakovic Stanisic Gvardiol CC Sosa/Bradaric brozic kovacic modric perisic Budimir Ivanusec. Sucic Moro Brekalo Majer Colak Ljubicic petkovic and lets see what happens with rebic just need balls a the coach
Is Livaja really playing that well for Hajduk right now? I mean I guess we don’t have a ton of other options but this guy hasn’t impressed me when he’s play for the repka so far
I think we will play 3 5 2 formation
Livakovic Juranovic Vida Lovren Gvardiol Sosa Kovacic Modric Brozovic Perisic Budimir/kramaric?
No Vlasic??
Vlasic isnt playing i dont know why he called him and Čć has korona from french reports he is 14 days izolacija. Thats why i left vlasic out
Vlašić literally played 2 days ago for CSKA and got an assist lmfao. Don’t call him? Are you mad 😂
He’s been missing pre-season games because he’s mad at the club and wants to go to Milan, but they want a high fee.
No Petkovic! Is he injured? How does someone go from starting 3 games in Euro, and then dropped from the team 2 months later? Begs the question, why was he starting after the game against England?
Always impressed with the player analysis provided by Marcus and U14. Hopefully Labrovic’s performance against Dinamo was a blip, but 2 of those goals looked like he was either drunk or being paid off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB0voztm8vg
Check out the first and third goals, approx .35 , and 3:50 in.
Uff, lol. The one at 3:50 was hilariously bad.
Ok, this guy is done already.
On to the next one.
You judge way too quickly. He was injured this game, and every keeper blunders once in a while. He’s an excellent keeper and has been dominant this season. Neuer fucked up twice against South Korea in 2018, but was he “done”? Come on, I’d expect you of all people to have a bit more common sense on all this. He does not do this regularly. At all.
I don’t watch much HNL other than highlight packages, so I can’t comment on how well or poorly he plays. And hopefully this is an atypical blunder.
I don’t think the comparison to Neuer is valid. Neuer is a veteran who has won everything in the game. He has been incredibly good and consistent for his career and inpires confidence. People are more willing to forgive a slight drop in form, or an occasional blunder, because he has a proven track record. Not so much with an up and comer.
DEFENSE:
Dalic calls up Sosa and Uremovic is back in the team.
Stanisic not called up.
MIDFIELD:
Moro added to our midfield (replacing Badelj).
FORWARDS:
Livaja and Colak added to our forwards list (replacing Brekalo and Rebic).
Majer, Sucic, Basic and Lovric are on standby. Pongracic didn’t make the standby cut.
I’m actually pleasantly surprised. Would’ve rather Jakic > Moro to be honest but at least he called Sosa, Ivusic, Livaja, in form Colak, and dropped Petkovic, Brekalo. Majer just absolutely needs to be in, even if it means dropping one of Kramaric, Pasalic, Livaja, etc. Disappointed on that front, but otherwise, very solid call-up list.
Well, we wanted change and we now have it!
after his terrible showing at the Euros and then publicly shaming Dalic, removing Rebic was the only choice…even if I disagree with it.
Sosa being called up is a good move if you ask me. I was against Sosa ever coming back but the kid apologized, he just had an amazing game and Dalic made a good move by demonstrating he’s not gonna get personal.
We need to see Stanisic for one more cycle before we have our next set of games. If he’s still doing well then Dalic MUST call him.
Moro replacing Badelj is nothing earth shattering. We are transitioning from old to younger…nothing else.
Adding Livaja is probably the best thing that could have happened if you ask me. I have never liked Livaja…EVER…he’s always been a troubled person that thought of himself before any of his teams…BUT, maybe with age he’s realizing that it doesn’t work well for him and he now has a second chance at his career to be a BIGGER team player, focus on improving and he can definitely have a decent end to his professional career.
Lets not get hasty. Its early in the new season and we should give this a chance to play out. I’d have loved to see Majer included but I can wait.
One last thing. Brekalo was terrible for us at the Euros and we need to stop jumping up and down about how a player did in the past and start identifying their present play! Maybe Ivanusec or Majer aren’t ahead of Brekalo just yet, but Brekalo didn’t show us he could deal with adversity. His size shouldn’t matter…its all about finding ways to be effective…and he just wasn’t effective enough!
Dalic probably still should have called up Stanisic.
I just realized that Vrsaljko wasn’t called up, and all we have are Juranovic on that right side. We don’t have another RB.
Not sure why we need to delay the inevitable. Stanisic WILL get called up, even if he is a benchwarmer at Bayern.
If Vrsaljko is out (and Juranovic is your only option back there) then you’re just taking an unnecessary risk by waiting for Stanisic to “pay his dues” or whatever it means to wait.
Yes good point Maminjo, I agree! Even if Stanisic was on the bench or got 5 minutes on the field, it would be better for him to begin his NT journey sooner rather than later!
My worry is that we pull a ‘Gvardiol’ with Stanisic.
That this “wait” lasts until the qualifiers are already over, and then he gets thrown into the starting eleven at the World Cup (without getting enough games with the first team).
After this round of qualifiers, we will have 4 games left.
If Stanisic doesn’t get a callup then, he will only have a few friendlies to show what he can do (and friendlies are always a mixed bag of players who he likely won’t be playing with at the tournament anyway).
like I said earlier…if Stanisic is playing well after this first round of games, he has to be called up. I don’t believe in calling up players just to satisfy them…there has to be a proper system and it must be justifiable.
True, but if Dalic goes with four at the back, with the LB being Sosa and the RB being Juranovic ….we’re going to get scored on.
Your boy Uremovic will have to sub in for Juranovic. 🙂
That’s justification enough.
my boy? that was a joke…right? 😉
How frustrating it must be to be a solid#2 keeper on a national team.
Every other position,if you’re a decent back up you still get run via injuries suspensions or starters needing a rest from being burnt out.
Think of Italy’s back up,he’s done,considering donuromma seemingly barring injury has that locked up for the next 15 years.
What’s funny is that Italy’s third keeper (Mattia Perin) likely has Croatian roots with a last name like that. Probably from Zadar.
Too bad we couldn’t get him to capped. 🙂
https://twitter.com/hns_cff/status/1427208778232078340?s=21
Sosa in
Bravo Markus!
Some in depth shit. Better scouting than some pro teams no doubt.
I wish there were some better stats for Keepers that were readily available. The basic stats are like +/- stats in basketball where so much of the stat is situational
Unfortunately very true. Best way to look at it is the stats relative to team strength. If you allow less than a goal per game but your team won the league, it doesn’t exactly mean much.
Best thing you can rely on is actually watching them live and making an analysis based on that. Lots of highlights/ stats can be quite deceptive but it’s the best we’ve got.
Most of these guys don’t have their stats covered in depth, bar the ones in Serie A.