Luka Vušković scored his fifth foal of the Belgian season Friday night in a 1-1 draw versus KV Mechelen. Remember, he’s only 17 and he’s a center-back. Vušković also received a 8.5 FOTMOB rating and MOTM honors for his efforts. The kid is getting awfully good with his head in the box and scored off a free kick Friday by redirecting the ball in the air. Vušković currently on loan in Belgium from Tottenham Hotspur. It will be interesting to see what they do with him in 2025 when he turns 18 years old. Probably another loan to a better league.
Ivan Perišić picked up two assists Sunday in a 3-0 PSV Eindhoven win over Feyenoord. With the victory, PSV now head into the Christmas break with a 6-point lead atop the Dutch table on Ajax. Both assists for Perišić came from the right side of the pitch. The first an easy pass on the ground to Noa Lang. The second was a lob in the air across the box that was headed in by Luuk de Jong. Perišić received a 8.9 FOTMOB rating and was given Man of the Match honors for his efforts across 90 minutes.
Manchester City continue to spiral in yet another loss. Does Pep dare get sacked before the New Year strikes? Both Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol got the start for City on Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. It was Kova’s first start since the November international break after sustaining an injury. Kova played 84 minutes and received a 5/10 grade from Yahoo Sports as “Has his limitations but did at least try and link defence and attack, recycling possession wherever he could.” Gvardiol had another rough day at the day defensively with a 4/10 grade as “He did at least offer something going forward yet as a result it meant the left side was free for Villa to charge down at will.” It’s officially time to hot the panic button at City as they now sit three points (+ a game less) behind a Champions League berth for next season.
Mario Pašalić assisted on Atalanta’s 86th minute game-winner on Sunday in a 3-2 victory over Empoli. The win keeps Atalanta atop the Serie A table going into Christmas by three points over Inter Milan; who have a game in hand.
Andrej Kramarić converted a penalty kick for Hoffenheim in the 59th minute Saturday vs. Borussia Monchengladbach. It is Kramarić’s 6th Bundesliga goal of the campaign. The goal made it 1-1 but Hoffenheim would eventually lose 2-1.
Juric in Southampton
Ante Budimir is #3 goal scorer in La Liga with 10.
He is the closest thing we have to MANdzukic.
Can we just go with him for this next qualifying WCQ cycle.
Game is based on his size and agression in the box and finishing. All will age well into his mid 30’s.
Get the wing backs whipping in crosses to him.
Why can’t Dalic hop on a plane to Spain and learn on how Osasuna gets the best out of him?
Attacking threats in 2025!!
Just from watching the highlights you can figure how Budimir gets his goals.
I’m sure Dalić is well aware of how to use Budimir… But it would require benching Kramarić (or some other central midfielder) and actually play some wingers in order to provide this.
Not gonna happen.
Love to see orsic return to southampton now! To prove his worth. The previous manager robbed two years of his career. I was expecting him to replace perisic.
Dalic robbed orsic. Post wc2018 orsic was by far the best winger we had. Hattricks against Atalanta and Spurs. Insanely fast and amazing shots. Years 2019-21 he got only 200 minutes of play time for the national team sadly. Meanwhile perisic had 2000 mins in that same time span. Imagine having perisic, orsic, and rebic as wingers and then you put kramaric there instead literally the slowest person on the entire field who had knee problems his entire career. It was the same time period when dalic continuously played rebic striker. Tactically it was the most jawdropping mentally retarded decisions I’ve ever witnessed a manager make.
Given that Perišić is now playing well as the starting RW at PSV, it seems pretty clear that Perišić could have played on the right so that Oršić could play on the left. Rebić simply spelled his own downfall by being a bonehead and not improving his game or his attitude beyond raw physicality, so I wouldn’t fault Dalić for misplaying Rebić. Rebić had chances at Euro 2021 that he blew, and he hasn’t been any better since.
The 2022 WC bronze medal game also makes it clear that Perišić could have been playing as LB behind Oršić and that the team would have been very good like that. Obviously, Budimir was also already in top form during those years, and Kramarić was in his prime but as a CAM, not as a central striker. Dalić made a lot of mistakes between 2018 and 2021. Let’s hope he does better between 2025 and 2026.
Nations League update. The final four will be in either Germany or Italy. If Italy wins, all games will be in Turin. If Germany wins, one semi final is in Munich while Croatia would play in Stuttgart if they advance past France. Final would be in Munich and 3rd place game in Stuttgart
Ivanovic has scored again.
USG up 1-0 at the half…..
PSV – Perišić two slick assists in the first half vs Feyenord.
He looks healthy and recovered from knee surgery.
I’ll take a 30/60 minute split for Perišić for this next qualifying cycle.
His two footed crosses are still money and Budimir feeds off those all day at Osasuna.
We have wing backs to compensate for having ZERO wingers.
Now for UNL France fixtures.
We go with sub 30 crew.
Like that C squad in LA vs Mexico.
Give the kids a chance.
Earlier medical reports on Perisic suggested that his knee should at its optimal in March next year, then it is up to him to see if he can regain his speed and form.
His last performances for the national team weren’t good and was judged by many as our worst player.
Good to see that Orsic and Trabzonspor have agreed to terminate his contract and Orsic is now a free player and can join a new club in January.
Return to Dinamo is possible although according to reports Rijeka is also keen.
Comment #s at this site appear to be taking a hit since “Anonymous” has been making it his/her/their own playhouse wankfest.
He’s out. I took care of it. Happens once a year. I try to do my best to keep the garbage out.
Mudrazija 2nd half hat trick in 8 minutes – after 2 goals last game
ETA till Dinamo buy him – than Dalic can call him up (but can’t at the moment bc @ Loko)
Vuskovic goal from y’day
x.com/FootballReprt/status/1870481897131741334
Werder Bremen Union Berlin 2nd half
JJ on the bench !
17 y.o. Croatia U19 Patrice Covic on bench for first time ever for Werder
Labrovic 4 goals in first 39′ minutes
Sad
Massive 3 points for Pandur Hull vs. Swansea to get them out of relegation zone
Crnac Norwich starting vs. Sunderland (PL calibre opponent)
C Lang w/ 4 goals for Pompey today
Jakic started
Erlic and Moro bench
Sosa started – Vlasic bench
Gvardiol terrible give away 15 seconds in (he is BURNT OUT – needs serious load management)