Joško Gvardiol has not seemed liked himself defensively this season but he sure is making up for it with goals. Gvardiol scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season Saturday night; equalizing against Chelsea in a 3-1 Manchester City victory. Gvardiol cleaned up an easy rebound on the left side of the box three minutes before the halftime whistle. He played the full 90 minutes and received a 8/10 grade from Goal.com as he was “A real attacking threat for City on his 50th Premier League appearance. Had narrowly missed a great chance before he equalised.” Mateo Kovacčić also played the full 90 alongside Gvardiol in the win. He received a lackluster 5/10 grade from Goal.com as he had “Another unimpressive showing. Guilty of giving the ball away on far too many occasions.”
It’s time to officially lock up Franjo Ivanović as a senior Croatian football player. The 21 year-old Union SG striker has represented Croatia at the U 14-21 levels, but could represent Austria as he was born there. Ivanović played for Rijeka last season before making the move to the Belgian league in the summer of 2024. He scored two more goals Sunday in a 4-0 Union victory of Beerschot. The win puts Union SG in 3rd place on the Belgian table. Ivanović now has nine goals and three assists in 17 Belgian League matches. He has also tallied four goals in seven Europa League matches for USG. The club is on pace to finish top-24 and play in the next round. Need to make this guy a Croatian plater under FIFA law if he’s going to play like this. Expect a transfer to a bigger league in 6 months.
Josip Stanišić has returned to the pitch after a long 5-month recovery from a torn ligament in his right knee. He came off the bench in the 40th minute for Bayern Munich in a 2-1 victory over Freiburg. Having Stanišić back in 2025 will be huge for Croatia defensively. He has been sorely missed on the right side where Dalić had no real options for replacements during Nations League.
Andrej Kramarić assisted on Hoffenheim’s injury 95th minute injury time equalizer Sunday to force a 2-2 draw versus 3rd place Eintracht Frankfurt. Krama sent a beautiful and well-composed chip to teammate Adam Hodza in the box. Gutsy moved from Krama but it paid off.
Luka Modrić came on for Dani Ceballos in the 68th minute of Real Madrid’s match vs. Real Valladolid. Madrid won 3-0 behind a Mbappe hat trick.
Our Handballers are thru! Nail biter
Unbelivable match scoring in the last second to win. We looked like we were gone when Hungary took a 4 goal lead with 5 minutes left. Tremendous atmosphere in the Zagreb Arena.
France or Egypt in the Semi Final.
Full match Croatia / Hungary replay
***.youtube.com/watch?v=S2LwTf8VVpQ
Highlights
***.youtube.com/watch?v=VGtrB7S37wU
Just read an interview in SN with Ivanovic. Ivanovic states that he has no intention of playing for anyone else except Croatia and has told this to the Austrians. He states that he does not even have an Austrian citizenship ? however being born in Austria perhaps you get one automatically ?
He said that Dalic has phoned him and spoken to him, so we can assume barring any injuries that he will be named in the squad to face France in March.
No, you don’t get automatic citizenship in some countries. I know that my cousins born in Germany to Croatian immigrants, did not get automatic citizenship, like we’re accustom to here in Canada and USA. Anyway.. it’s good to hear that he’s a real Hrvat. More reason to call him up!
Why cap ivanovic when super talent Marko livaja said he wants to come back bahahahahhahaha.
Dalic could still do both, apparently many people think Livaja should come again. Whether they are right or wrong I don’t know
It all depends and how much his game has improved, that is a question for the people who have been watching/following HNL consistently. Personally I haven’t so I wouldn’t have an opinion either way.
I think that the way he left the team was a huge mistake because he put Dalic on the back foot, he should have given Dalic a heads up before he picked his players as a courtesy.
Poor Ante Budimir, ha ha.
This guy needs to top Lewa in La Liga just to get a start with us.
And Mbappe 😀
Came across the below article in Cro media. Those were days when in the 70’s and early 80’s Hajduk had a great team that could compete against any European side. Money in those days was not a big factor like it is today.
On this day 35 years ago – 27 January 1980 – English football giants Manchester United suffered one of the heaviest defeats in the club’s history…No it was not against Real Madrid but none other than Croatian club Hajduk Split…
The match, played at Split’s famous Poljud stadium in front of 30,000 fans, may have been a friendly, nevertheless the United line-up that day included some household names at the time, such as Gordon McQueen, Sammy McIlroy, Steve Coppell, Ray Wilkins, Joe Jordan and Lou Macari. The Hajduk side on the day featured the talented Vujović twins Zoran and Zlatko. Hajduk Split found the back of Manchester United’s net 3 times in each half.
It should read 45 years ago.
Ivanovic is scoring nice goals as well. High IQ. Let’s hope he can replicate this in a better league.
Yup, Ivanovic must be capped and now.
He’s got that look in his eye like I’m going there and no one is stopping me. Almost like Mandzo.
Who else is Ivanovic eligible for? I saw an hns update on Facebook so seems like he’s ours??
Sign him up
Budimir krama are for the now
If you guys are actually serious on livaja. Dalic is losing his marbles drinking too much salt water from the more
Let’s see what else we have
Does someone know when the list of players for the Nation’s league will come out?
First match against France is on 21 March. The list is usually provided a couple of weeks before the match.
Yes of coure but I was wondering if someone knew exactly what week
Handball FT Croatia 29 v Slovenia 26.
Hard fought win with the match in doubt till the last couple of minutes.
Great atmosphere in Zagreb Arena with 15,000 fans.
Nice
Handball HT Croatia 15 v Slovenia 15.
Bad start to the match we were 5 – 0 down after 8 minutes. Did well to comeback, we need a win to make the QF and a match against Hungary.
Hajduk 0 – 0 at home with Slaven Belupo. Looks like here we go again like last year when they simply imploded during the second half of the season. Very frustrating watching especially the second half when Hajduk did not create much in front of goal.
Biuk did score on assist by Livaja, however the goal was ruled out by VAR with Livaja ruled to be in an offside position. Rakitic for me has been poor all season so far and tonight again he was useless wasting numerous set pieces from corners and free kicks and his passing game was also poor.
Another frustrating season for us Hajduk fans, on today’s display looks like third place is on the cards again?
Ivanovic with another 2 goals so far today and is by far our most in-form striker right now. If he’s not called up and capped during the nations league games against France, Dalic and the HNS are fools.
Agree they must call him up in March. Just hope that he maintains the form and does not get injured.
Don’t worry.
Dalić and the HNS have been reaching out to Livaja, to bring him back into the team.
Add a few more 33 year olds for the next World Cup.
Ivanović can go play with Austria.
Livaja should not be called back as he quit the team and besides, he is not good enough for the national team.
Ivanovic with two already after 36′
Ivanovic again
Matanovic bench vs. Kramaric start today
Toppmöller comments y’day – Germans typically pretty straightforward
“Igor Matanovic ist bereits riesige Schritte in den letzten 1 1/2 Jahre gegangen, auch in dem halben Jahr bei uns. Er ist Nationalspieler geworden und kann brutal stolz auf sich sein. Es ist total normal, dass es da auch mal die ein oder andere Delle gibt. Wir sollten in der Bewertung nicht ganz so streng sein. Er soll sein Vertrauen nicht verlieren, wir tun es nicht, und es ist für mich kein Thema, ihn abzugeben.“
Thanks for the translation… My German is a little rusty!!😀
With all the firepower Man city possess, Gvardiol was their most threatening player in attack today. A very impressive display from Joško. Too bad he didn’t score a few more from all the chances he created.
True dat. He should have had a first half hat trick.
Gvardi-gol!
Stanisic is back playing a solid game as well
Crnac with a goal and 2 helpers in Norwich’s rout
Josko could have scored 3 in the first half. Will have to settle for 1
Vuskovic / Frigan starting today vs. Genk
Vuskovic returning after 1 game suspension
Norwich 5-1 Swansea
Norwich on 39 points (3 points from 6th place i.e. promotion play-offs)
Crnac came on for 2nd half
1 goal, 1 assist, 1 hockey assist
Game 3 of 6 suspension for Championship top scored Borja Sainz
Ivanovic added to the list !
Did anyone see Krama’s assist in his last Europe game ?
Yes, I saw Karma’s assist, it was a nice cross from wide out into the penalty box for a teammate to head in.