Ante Budimir drew a very controversial penalty and converted from the spot on Saturday in a 1-1 draw vs. Real Madrid. That makes it 13 La Liga goals for Budimir in 24 matches. Only Lewandowski and Mbappe have more in Spain. Was it a 50-50 penalty call? Sure. But Budimir was calm and collected at the spot and easily guessed right vs. Courtois. The draw means Real Madrid only lead Atletico by one point. Barcelona trail by three points for the lead with a game in hand. Budimir received a 7.9 rating for his efforts. Luka Modrić played all 90 minutes in the draw. ManagingMadrid gave Luka a solid 7/10 rating as “Modric’s calm on the ball helped Madrid keep possession and slow down Osasuna’s counter-attacks. Finished the game with 4 key passes and 5/5 long field switch of plays completed.”
Nikola Vlašić scored Friday night in Torino’s 3-2 loss to Bologna. Vlašić now has three goals and three assists in 19 Serie A matches this season. He remains a fringe player off the bench for Croatia at this point. What will Dalić do with him at Nations League next month?
Andrej Kramarić assisted twice in Hoffenheim’s 3-1 win over Werder Bremen Sunday. The win puts Hoffenheim seven points above the relegation zone with 12 matches left in the season.
Joško Gvardiol played the full 90 minutes in Manchester City’s 4-0 victory over Newcastle Sunday. Gvardiol received a 7/10 rating from ManchesterEveningNews as he had “One or two loose passes that put City into trouble, but they didn’t prove too costly and he adds so much to the attack.” City now move back into the top-4 after this win. Mateo Kovačić cam e off the bench in the 87th minute. Pep is surely saving his best squad for Real Madrid this week.
Josip Šutalo played the full 90 minutes as CB for Ajax in a 4-0 win over Heracles. The win now gives Ajax sole possession of 1st place int he Dutch Eredivisie.
Good “Why Inter bought Petar Sucic ?” from Inter fan standpoint
Stuff you wouldn’t think about – Sucic is the tallest midfielder they have now – Inzaghi gives his midfielders specific roles and sticks to that – Inzaghi is cautious w/ new signings and we shouldn’t expect much playing time at beginning of season
Also dispels the Sucic is like Brozovic comparison – it’s such a lazy comparison – please stop making it
***.youtube.com/watch?v=pvYUpcYj82g
What exactly dispels the Sucic/Broz comparison?
The fact that Sucic is “tall”? Who cares about that. It’s not like Sucic uses his height for headers or anything like that.
Sucic is compared to Broz because he’s capable of filling the same role for both Croatia and Inter.
He’s a tireless runner and he’s extremely skilled with the ball (just like Broz).
He’s obviously not the exact same type of player, but their two biggest traits are similar (technical ability and ground covered per game).
Sucic, to me, is more offensive-minded, so that makes him a more interesting player right now. He’s further along at age 21 than Brozovic was, but everyone’s development curve is different.
Dinamo penalty 69′ for handball
LMAO
What is the Steenvoorden supposed to do – his arm is flush with his body – he’s turning his back towards the ball so the ball deflects off his back – his arm is not in an unnatural position (i.e. not away from his body – not high – not sticking out, etc) – the defender can’t eliminate his arm completely from his body – just bc the ball hits the arm – doesn’t mean it’s an automatic penalty – that’s not the rule
It’s hilarious that everyone doesn’t see it – every game Dinamo get 2-3 calls in their favour (never mind the first yellow on Cuic for a slight hand graze on Torrente’s face – was never a yellow – and Torrente flopping around the ground holding his face is embarrassing)
Get on board or get run over – Dinamo will finish 1st w/ 99% chance – at this point
Keep in mind all these calls are AFTER they “cleaned up” the “corrupt” refs
Not sure about the rest of your argument or even what it’s alluding to with the comment about corrupt refs. But sure.
With regards to the handball thing, there is nothing anyone can do. Despite the fact that we can all agree it’s stupid. It’s the new rule it’s why Croatia also got screwed in 2018 with Perisic’s penalty versus France. That also shouldn’t have counted. Now it doesn’t matter what your intent is it just matters if there is any contact at all. Handball calls are very black and white now there is no grey.
The rule was changed after 2018 due to controversy and match fixing.
The existing handball rule at that time of Perisic infraction was based on the ball to hand or hand to ball rule.
In his situation it was not a hand ball due to ball hitting his arm as opposed to him reaching out to stop its progression.
Sadly, after that World Cup they had to become even more corrupt and change the rule to insure match fixing could never be in question, hence the rule we have now.
You do realize that Hajduk tied up their game against Istra yesterday with a dubious goal.
That was supposed to be an Istra victory, but Hajduk scored a game-tying goal that was completely offside (but VAR was suddenly not available due to technical issues).
We can harp all day about how the HNL is fixed for Dinamo, but this isn’t true.
Dinamo has the deepest squad in the league and should win the HNL.
Rijeka, despite being on top, just sold several key players and will begin to drop off.
Hajduk (although doing well this season) have too heavy a reliance on Livaja and Rakitic (with Rakitic suddenly dropping off as the season progresses).
Gattuso won’t give Pukstas a chance and Michele Sego (who has been the best player in the HNL this season) is off to a slow start with Hajduk.
Meanwhile Hajduk (like Rijeka) is also trying to sell off talent like Durdov.
You can’t just blame Dinamo when Rijeka and Hajduk predictably drop off in the latter half of the season, when they’re selling players in January and Dinamo is buying them.
Good to see some young Croatians getting minutes in the top leagues. Good to see Sosa starting again. Good to see Domagoj Bradarić getting consistent minutes again this season, although unfortunately on the worst team in Serie A once again. Borna Barisić’s career is likely over after the injury he suffered last weekend (making his debut in La Liga as a starter, no less), so it is time for a young left back to step up as a backup option
I think what’s more impressive are these teenage diaspora Croats from Germany and Austria who are either practicing or receving game time in good leagues despite being under the age of 18 (Oliver Lukic, Leon Grgic, Patrice Covic, Leon Klanac, Ljubo Puljic, Roko Mijatovic).
There are plenty more who I am missing, but it’s very nice to see that we have some Gen Z players who are already getting themselves so much quality experience (and are also very nationalistic, that they refuse to play for the country of their birth ha ha).
That is impressive! Thanks for keeping us informed of that
Ivan Smolčić played the full game for Como versus Fiorentina today with a 3.8 match rating and a 2-0 victory. It’s the first I’ve heard of him. He’s only 24 so can still improve and maybe be another option for RB.
Would be funny if he surpasses Stanisic in the pecking order
JJ playing 5 games straight (b/w 60′ and 90′ min each game) – good to see him back and getting game time
Currently RB pecking order into March probably
Jakic [MOTM Portugal – best RB performance seen since JJ vs. Brazil]
JJ
Smolcic vs. Stanisic [for 3rd spot]
He actually has a twin brother (Hrvoje) who is bigger and better, plays the same position, and currently plays in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Played for Rijeka up until a month ago
Anyone see who scored for their new Cypriot club? That’s right, Mislav Orsic. Got the game tying goal
Dinamo can’t beat Gorica 11 vs 11
So ref does them a solid and sends off Cuic after 63’
When’s the last time Dinamo have received a red card ? Look at the data
Pjaca scores the winner 2-1
Rinse and repeat
What were the betting odds Dinamo win the title after winter break ?😎😎😎
Easiest money ever (not financial advice !)
O Dinamooooo, mi volimoooo!
Cuic should have been red carded earlier. He clubbed one of Dinamo’s centre backs with an elbow early in the second half and wasn’t punished. Stupid fouls.
And Dinamo had a penalty call reversed after VAR. So much for referee bias. If Dinamo wins the league this year, it will be because Rijeka and Hajduk both shit the bed in the run up to the season end, like last season.
lol
Cuic first yellow card for what ? grazing Torrente’s face (as he was trying to gauge positioning pre jumping for ball and Torrente was farther away than he thought) – and Torrente flopped around holding his face – it’s a complete embarrassment
Just as embarrassing was Hoxha flopping in the box to get a penalty after 5′ vs. Bjelovar – he dove into the defender/contact – it’s never a penalty – but it’s Dinamo so it is (at 72′ Bjelovar went up 3-1 but goal got called back for fictitious offside – and Cordoba was offside for the 2-2 goal but they let it stand) – that’s THREE calls in one game
Radosevic clear handball y’day in extra time (there has never been a more clear handball in the history of football) but not called for a penalty – as Hajduk could have won the game
Everyone needs Dinamo to finish 1st – it’s already set – get on board or get run over
Cuic clobbers Mmaee in the head with an elbow in the 54th minute. Could easily have been a direct red card, yet only a foul. Where most see poor decisions, you see a conspiracy.
Stanisic not a single min for past 3 games..media is saying he will start against leverkusen but noooo. Ito as LB instead even he is a CB…lol..laimer as RB even though he is DM
Bamba Hajduk couldn’t be checked for offside (it was offside and shouldn’t have counted) – ba off of a sudden – the VAR functioning went down, lol
As Anonymous has been saying for months – refs favour Dinamo and Hajduk (they would probably both be relegated to 2nd division if not for the refs) – but this is new level – it’s offside so let’s pretend VAR doesn’t work now ! lololol
x.com/CroatiaFooty/status/1890770594267808253
Yes, it was offside. Istra should have won the match and missed a couple of good chances in the second half.
@Mart Based on the highlights – the linked play b/w “wingers” Rozic vs. Lisica was excellent in particular the passed in behind the defenders to the other flank (although the defenders were sleeping – how is Diallo playing for Hajduk – do they not have another LB to chose from ? No way he should be getting any game time – weird)
Why do you always talk in third person???
As anonymous has been saying… Instead of as I have been saying??? It’s strange to me.
It’s a sad shtick of self-importance. Also strange is that anyone reads his/her tripe.
Vinko Rozic
Wow wow wow
What a goal
https://x.com/CroatiaFooty/status/1890766649508110844
This is what Anonymous is talking about – look at the effort by Rozic here – incredible !!!
Baturina – please watch this – look at Rozic’s HUSTLE and beautiful run 3/4 of the pitch WITH the BALL at FULL SPEED – than beautiful pass forward – and than CONTINUE TO RUN FULL SPEED into the box – for the return pass – and goal – see how Rozic made the play happen (not just strolling around waiting to be set up near the top of the box)
Rozic now Bosnia U21 – previously Croatia U19, U17, U15 – listed as a left-winger – since we don’t have any that aren’t geriatric (Perisic and Orsic) – Dalic please call and beg this guy to switch allegiance back to Croatia – especially since he made Hajduk #32 Hrgovic look terrible on this play (Hrgovic is SOOOO lazy on this play – first he lets his Rozic get by him – than strolls back – Uremovic too – just lazy defending – no effort)
btw: thought Gattuso told Dalic Hrgovic doesn’t put in bad performances ? Well this was a terrible play – so lazy – should be nowhere near the NT if this is his effort level
***.transfermarkt.co.uk/vinko-rozic/nationalmannschaft/spieler/663897/verein_id/11941
P.S. want the spoiler ? Hajduk loses the match – so that Dinamo can get back to top of the table – game by game (hopefully Dinamo survives today – they carrying a few players w/ the sniffles – hopefully the refs do them a solid like vs. 2nd division Bjelovar)
A Livnjak playing for BiH is a cardinal sin.
I’m sure he has already been exiled by his family, ha ha.
Dinamo thinking of asking for a postponement today vs. Gorica
A few players have the sniffles
🤦🤦🤦
@A Tin U
https://croatiansports.com/modric-vs-kova-gvardiol-who-you-rooting-for/#comments/515305
Thanks buddy it’s good to know Sutalo is playing well. We’ll need him and Gvardiol at their best versus France. Maybe our backline is going to look like this ?
Sosa – Gvardiol – Sutalo – Juranovic
I’m just wondering how much of a good idea it would be to have Gvardiol play as centre-back now since he nowadays basically never plays in that position anymore? Not stating, just asking
Yep wondering the same thing..
Hey Ariel I would actually prefer Gvardiol at LB instead of Sosa… but unfortunately our other CBs (Erlic, DCC, Pongracic) haven’t been playing regularly for their clubs. DCC was dropped from Lyon’s starting lineup in recent games which came as a surprise to me. Pong has been playing lately but after his own goal in Fiorentina’s last game (2-1 defeat at Inter), who knows what his status is now…
@Bartolec1912
You and the others who post on this site know the game much better than I do. It has been an education in Croatian football reading the posts here.
But here are my thoughts.
Stanisic is coming back off that injury and, as AZ has rightly noted above, he is not yet getting starts. However, I watched him play against Leverkusen (he came on in the 67th minute) yesterday and also saw the game a couple of weeks back where he was subbed on due to an injury. He is playing very well for a guy who has been out of action for so long. I give Stanisic a slight edge over JJ going forward.
Sosa has been treading water since he left Stuttgart. Leaving there seems to have been a poor career move, and he has not quite got himself on track. I think he played well for us in Poland, and he has quality, but he was a disappointment at Ajax and has not played great in Serie A. Not sure what it would take to get Sosa to the next level, he should be hitting his prime now.
Keeping one eye on development and World Cup, I would bring up Vuskovic and start him as soon as possible. With a legend like Modric still on the team — fierce competitor, world class winner — getting Vuskovic on the field ASAP and his learning to win, being on the national team and playing alongside a leader like Modric is important. I am hoping Vuskovic can be in 2026 what Gvardiol was at the 2022 World Cup.
I don’t really understand eligibility for Nations league, if the squad is already named and fixed. I realize that Vuskovic is perhaps not eligible against France. But if not, as soon as he is eligible, either in Nations League or WC qualifying, I would bring him in. He has had 2-3 MOTM performances in a fairly strong Belgium league.
So as soon as possible, depending on eligibility, I would be starting:
Gvardiol-Vuskovic-Sutalo-Stanisic
If Vuskovic can play in Nations League (as I say, I am not really sure about eligibility) it would also serve to bring a Hajduk player in for the game in Split. There is no sense bringing in an aging Livaja at this point, even though he is a standout striker in the HNL.
Against France….. DCC has been coming on as a sub of late in the French League, but he has started in the Europa League games. He plays in France, has played against some of those guys, he knows the players on France at least as well as anyone, so I would go:
Gvardiol-DCC-Sutalo-Stanisic
If the squad as already been named, and Stani not eligible, then:
Gvardiol-DCC-Sutalo-JJ