Luka Modrić with another fine display Sunday as Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1. Modrić played the full 90 minutes and was given MOTM honors from FOTMOB. Per ManagingMadrid, Modrić received an 8/10 rating as he had “Another age-less display with a team-high 4 key passes and a big chance create for Vinicius Junior, where the Brazilian lacked the finishing touch.” The win puts Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona, who currently have a game in hand as they were idle this weekend.
18 year-old Luka Vušković had another stellar game for Westerlo on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Anderlecht. He received an 8.2 SOFA rating. Croatian teammate Matija Frigan scored the opening goal for Westerlo in the 2nd minute of play. He now has nine goals and three assists in the Belgian League this season.
Franjo Ivanović remains on fire! The USG striker scored and assisted Sunday night in a 3-0 win over Standard Liege. Ivanović is being called up to the national team for the first time later this month for 2 Nations League matches vs. France. Expect him to get some time on the pitch off the bench. In 23 Belgian League matches this season, he has tallied 11 goals and 6 assists. He is only 21 years of age.
Mateo Kovačić, Joško Gvardiol and Man City are in trouble of not finishing top-4 and not playing Champions League ball next season. 3rd place Nottingham Forest defeated City 1-0 Saturday. Gvardiol played the full match while Kova came off the bench in the 62nd minute. Gvardiol received a 5/10 grade from Goal.com as he “Provided a threat going forward but was too passive against Hudson-Odoi at the crucial moment.” Kova received a 6/10 grade from Goal as he “Came mighty close to equalising with a thumping drive.” What a disaster of a season for City.
Jakov Medić scored the first goal of three for Bochum in a roaring 3-2 comeback win vs. Bayern Munich Saturday. Bochum were down 2-0 when Medić scored his first Bundesliga goal of his career. The CB is currently on loan to Bochum from Ajax. He has only represented Croatia once at the U23 level.
Ante Budimir and Osasuna’s match with Barcelona was postponed Saturday due to a death on the Barcelona medical staff
Niko Kovac came from 0-1 behind to win 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate)
Next up Barca
Pandur / Hull City 2-1 Oxford United
That’s 3 wins / 1 tie / 1 loss in last 5
Now 5 points clear from relegation zone
The goal against was unstoppable volley in the box from a corner
x.com/GoalsXtra/status/1899931477095108701
Looks like Arsenal is getting through, but good on Perišić for the goals scored for this major tournament.
Captain Modrić starting today!
Hull City / Pandur 3:45pm ET today
The relegation battle in the Championship is crazy close
Every point matters
Btw: Dalic you noticed Tuchel hasnt announce squad yet will only happen Friday ? Ie an extra 11 days to assess players – hopefully the nose pickers are enjoying their down time
Sucic out for France as well
Hopefully Real Modric can get past a tough Atleti side today. I’m sure Luka will get some impactful minutes in the second half, and may possibly get a starting position. He played the full game on the weekend, which usually means he’ll come off the bench for the next game.
Bad news from Manchester…Sucic didn’t travel with the team because of an ongoing knee problem. I hope he’ll make a full recovery soon.
Crnac goal today
***.youtube.com/watch?v=rzdCVyof1EI
Per @theCroatianLad
Dinamo want buy Jagusic back
Obviously
After they received Anonymous eye test blessing 😊
Also Mudrazija deal all agreed w him😊
Question – why would they want to join Dinamo if they don’t get CL next year ?
Especially Robert – he’s plug and play into another league and already 28 in 2 months – Jagusic also sees not every youth gets a chance at Dinamo first team (lots of politics, etc at play) so hit and miss
More guaranteed up-front money with Dinamo.
Nothing is guaranteed in life and I’m sure this Dinamo contract is better than what they currently have at Lokosi and Slaven.
Mudrazija is old, and is unlikely to get much more in any foreign league (unless he puts another season like this, which may not happen). He’s probably content to sign a good contract with Dinamo and just be that useful veteran similar to players like Petkovic, Misic and Ademi.
Jagusic is still 19 and has more than enough time for exposure (especially since Sucic and Baturina will both likely be gone soon).
Dinamo’s track record for developing youth speaks for itself. It’s a no brainer for him.
Plus, Dinamo will still likely be in CL next year. Hajduk’s six point lead will shrink and this will come to the final rounds. It’s 50/50.
Mudrazija – this one is easier – agree w/ you – he probably is happy to just upgrade to Dinamo – he’s already tried his hand at Copenhagen, in Slovenia, etc – but who knows – based on what Anonymous has seen – he could definitely play in Belgium, probably Netherlands, maybe even Championship – but that’s up to him
Dinamo have said he’s the replacement for Baturina (who they plan to sell this summer) – so that’s a “like-for-like” swap for Dinamo – meaning the “#10” has already been filled for 2025/2026 – I’m sure Stojkovic and Kacavenda are over the moon with his arrival (ahead of them)
But for Jagusic – doesn’t he and Mudrazija basically play the same position i.e. as a “#10” (although Jagusic has also played “LW” and “RW” this year) ? Isn’t Stojkovic also naturally a “#10” ? Kacavenda ? Others ?
So Jagusic will be behind Mudrazija, Stojkovic and Kacavenda ?
Not sure Jagusic’s best position (maybe he’s better on the wing) – but he should only go to Dinamo if he plays in the best position (not shoe-horn him on the wing (like what my impression is happening w/ Stojkovic bc of Baturina) bc Mudrazija/Stojkovic/Kacavenda are the “#10” next season) and gets some assurances for game time
The track record on successful cases is clear (Gvardiol, Modric, etc etc) – but for every Gvardiol or Modric – how many academy players haven’t been given a chance and have had their development stifled ?
Jagusic himself was at Dinamo – but “not good enough” – so detoured to Slaven – that exactly proves my point – he wasn’t good enough a couple years ago – but now might be the best player at his age in the entire HNL – so how did Dinamo miss that ? How many other players have they also missed ? It’s art, science and politics all wrapped into one
For the sake of the NT, we don’t want him to end up like Branko Pavic (who couldn’t even crack the 1st team those months Sucic was out) or Noa Mikic, etc getting limited game time
You also have players that don’t sign w/ Dinamo bc they aren’t “guaranteed” play time (e.g. Bejlo this summer said he doesn’t want to join and be behind Petko, now Kule is saying he’s going to leave this summer as he doesn’t want to be behind Kanga, etc) – not saying Jagusic is in a position to “guarantee” himself game-time (probably not a long-enough track record himself) – but he shouldn’t go there if Mudrazija/Stojkovic/Kacavenda are going to play most of the matches and Jagusic will only be coming on here and there (this assumes they’re are all best in the “#10”) – that’s partly what I mean by politics – there are implicitly players at Dinamo that are guaranteed game-time (or they wouldn’t have signed for them) – coupled with the internal workings/factions, etc
Also – Dinamo is always in a “win now” mode – so if Jagusic ends up there – no guarantee they don’t buy/loan someone else ahead of him (e.g. Galesic vs. next in line youth CB, Kanga vs. next in line youth striker, Pjaca vs. next in line youth winger, Belcar/Rog/Franjic vs. next in line youth “DM”, etc) – all these purchases/loans are taking up spots that could be used to give the next best available academy prospects their chance (and it’s not believable that there are ZERO academy players that could fill in for ANY of those spots – but that’s not best for the “win now” mode)
Moreover, who knows if Cannavaro will actually be the manager next year – maybe Cannavaro likes Jagusic – but no guarantee the next manager will rate him (or maybe he won’t fit in with whatever formation/style they will play), etc
Not saying Jagusic should dismiss Dinamo – but saying it needs careful consideration considering all factors if it’s actually the right move – he should also explore if there are any clubs outside Croatia that would be a better fit for the next stage of his development
At this age is vuskovic better developed then gvardi was??
Kids a stud
I don’t want to hear it’s only Belgium league
He is obviously dominant in Belgium and should continue to take this slowly into higher leagues
Yes, he is further along than Gvardiol.
They’re both physical beasts though.
Man will be so nice gvardi is peak in 2026.
I can’t see how vuskovic can’t be sniffing big mins at World Cup if he keeps going like this
Good to see Ivanovic scoring again as he had a bit of lean period over the last few weeks.
In HNL Hajduk again poor despite winning 2 – 1at home against Gorica. Gorica were the better team and had better chances and also had two goals chalked off by VAR in very tight decisions.
I don’t watch every Hajduk game, but I see a lot of criticism towards Gattuso from these fan/analysts.
He does seem to play guys out of position, and is not integrating some of our talented young guys (like Pukstas).
Hajduk has been narrowly getting by alot of these teams, with a heavy reliance on Livaja.
It’s hard to see them keeping this up for another eleven games without giving up points though.
The HNL title could be decided at the Dinamo vs Hajduk game in May.
Have to say Petar Sucic has been poor since his return from injury. Probably should not be in the national team with his current form. Baturina on the hand superb except for the missed chance. Should have had at least 3 assists today as Dinamo finishing was very poor.
Yes, it is not surprising about Petar Sucic not playing well after a lengthy injury. Agree in his current form he should not be starting against France, but I think that Dalic did the right thing to call him up.
Baturina had a good match for Dinamo. Dinamo had so many chances and also missed a spot kick. However, they should have done better playing 70 minutes or so against 10 men and during this time they did not score.
Vuskovic player of the match.
Frigan banged one in and Vuskovic played the full 90 . The latter should be called up
sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/transferi/dinamo-najavljuje-potez-koji-bi-mogao-zavrsiti-kobno-za-njega-baturinu-ali-i-citav-hrvatski-nogomet-15560970
216 Orsic
175 Ivanusec
153 Baturina
124 Dani Olmo
117 Mandzukic
85 Modric
65 Kovacic
64 Brozovic
61* Petar Sucic
52 Gvardiol
*sold during Jan transfer window after 61 games played. Currently 63 games
🤷🤷🤷🤷🤷
***.vecernji.hr/sport/najveci-njemacki-klub-kao-da-se-okrutno-nasalio-s-hrvatskim-draguljem-pogledajte-sto-mu-se-dogodilo-1844044
Article re: Vidovic at Bayern (not seeing minutes since call-back loan)
Football is a business first and foremost
Bayern were at their limit v-a-v # of players out on loan
They wanted to loan Mathys Tel to Tottenham
To do that – someone had to be called back from loan – that was Vidovic
Had nothing to do with helping Vidovic develop – he was just collateral damage – so Tel could be loaned out in January
The end
According to the article he has only played 3 minutes for Mainz in the Bundesliga so far this season. When you look at Bayern’s squad, he will be lucky to get any time on the pitch ? unless Kompany takes pity on him.
Very promising player at youth level, however lack of speed and aggression is his biggest flaw. Needs to move to lower leagues such as Austria, Swiss or Belgium and see if he can resurrect his career. We all had high hopes for him playing for senior Vatreni someday but that is highly unlikely?
Åre Sweden Slalom results in
Rast went before Ljutic
Looked like Ljutic goal was to finish ahead of Rast in the race – to make sure she got more points than Rast and keep her lead as #1 in Slalom, w Rast as #2 (as opposed to “push it” to win the race on 2nd run – which comes w/ more risk)
Here are the standings – Ljutic still #1 in Slalom
***.fis-ski.com/lv-al5042.htm#/standing
One more race left in the season @ Sun Valley March 27th
Ante: should we organize a Croatian-American troupe to go there to support her ? I’m sure she would appreciate it from the local diaspora
Separate – some wild things happen in Ski world about racers representing different countries (there are no rules around birth, parents, grand-parents, 5-years domestic – it’s a free-for-all – just wake up and change) – guess it’s similar to tennis – while was waiting for Ljutic – Lara Colturi representing Albania raced (he mother is Daniela Ceccarelli who won gold for Italy – her dad is Italian too) – interesting story why she switched for Albania at 16 (after her mom started coaching Albania a couple years earlier)
***.reddit.com/r/SkiRacing/comments/1h4krcf/why_does_lara_colturi_represent_albania/
All this to say we complain if some diaspora chooses their birth country instead of Croatia in football (Pusilic) or if we give the odd passport to some foreigner in football
Dalic
I know the nose-pickers are lazy and brain rot Cyprus and Greek league keepers
But
Did you see Pink Pandur today ?
Wow wow wow
8.6 FOTMOB
8.1 Sofascore
9/10 Hull Live
Hull City 1-1 Bristol City [PL calibre opponent]
Hull City down to 10 men for 76′
3.05 Bristol City xGOT (!)
2.41 Bristol City xG (!)
25 shots
9 shots on target
8 saves Pandur
Highlights
***.skysports.com/football/video/26947/13324496/bristol-city-1-1-hull-city-championship-highlights
Yeah. He needs to be considered.
For those doubting Anonymous’ eyes – when will you learn ?
Loko manager Cabraja just said Dinamo buying Mudrazija
So no NT bc Mudrazija now (although he leads the league in open play goals on a crap team) – but Dalic will call him out next year no doubt cuz he’s playing at Dinamo
Next up Jagusic
Get over yourself, robot.
Zero HRV content, but Bayern, Dortmund and Leverkusen all lost at home today. A measly $1 parlay would have won $1,000ish.
Though, so, one Jakov Medic scored for Bochum v. Bayern.
Good news everyone
Stanisic played at RCB today for Bayern
And they lost 3-2 to Medic’s relegation side 2nd last Bochum today
Maybe Dalic is planing on playing Stanisic at CB against France
Should work out well
You leave out the fact that Bayern was up 2-1 then got a red card which changed the whole game. Anonymous very good at spinning the narrative
Here’s the Jakov Medic goal
Nice technique / finishing from the big guy
x.com/GoalsXtra/status/1898388791645139403
Re Dalic CB brain rot
Javok Medic scored for Bochum vs Bayern
He’s played >1200 min this season (more than Erlic and Pong)
I guess a CB able to play well against Bayern isn’t good enough for him
Medic, Sevelj and Katic (if we didn’t let him go to Bosnia) – there are opens out there for other CBs