A very slow week for all Croatians playing for their clubs this weekend before the final international break of 2025 kicks off.
Luka Modrić and AC Milan missed a golden opportunity to go top of the Serie A table after leading Parma 2-0 in the 1st half. AC Milan would concede twice after taking the lead to only earn a point in the 2-2 draw. They will be kicking themselves after already beating Napoli and Roma this season. Milan currently trail both Inter Milan and Roma by two points for the lead in Serie A. Modrić received a 7/10 grade for his efforts from SempreMilan: “Aside from a couple of misplaced passes, he was very good tonight and helped Milan create some very good chances. He also played with a lot of urgency towards the end, motivating his teammates to do the same.”
Joško Gvardiol and Man City thumped Liverpool 3-0 to move only four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Gvardiol played the full 90 minutes for the clean sheet. He was given a 7/10 rating from Manchester Evening news as he had “Some meaty challenges to keep City stable at the back, although he nearly let Salah through to score.” Mateo Kovačić is out with an ankle injury and isn’t expected to return until after the new year.
Luka Vušković played the full 90 minutes in a remarkable 1-1 draw vs. Niko Kovač and Borussia Dortmund with a 97′ equalizer. A great result for Hamburg or are expected to be sent back down to the 2. Bundesliga. Vušković received a 7.2 SOFAScore rating with 3 interceptions, 2 blocked shots and 4/4 aerial duels won.
Josip Stanišić was credited with an assist in Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw with Union Berlin on Saturday. Bayern now top the Bundesliga table by 6 points early in the season. Stanišić played 88 minutes and is back to 100% health. He received a 6.3 SOFAScore rating.
Albeit, although we are still undefeated, in qualification competition, there is a nagging feeling, that we are not as good as our performance numbers and ranking suggest. Even to qualify really is a great in honor, but of course we plan and expect additional success. The past tells us this is probable, and we always believe and never give up. Modric is still a game changer for our nation and still with us like a well-worn magic charm.
In reality if all the players that ever played, could take all these soccer trophies from the last 30 +years and replace them with a certain self-autonomical future for the nation, that allowed the citizens to stop emigrating out of the nation, and could provide them with full sustainable employment for the youth within the boundaries of Croatia, I believe they would. At this point we probably @ 50% diaspora representation, with a sprinkling of Brazilians.
I pray for a successful independent Croatia, as well as their future soccer success, which helps to retain pride for the more even important issues regarding the future benevolence for this great nation to come.
I really don’t know what happened to Orsic after 2022, and the latest knee injury, but he has had the most impact with the least amount of opportunities in the history of our nation. If he is given the opportunity to play significantly during Faroe Island and Montenegro game, and he over performs magically like in the past, he needs to be considered for a major role, even if is out of nation representation body of work is underwhelming. If he give us a hat trick Tottenham performance, he should be in.
Jurić sacked!
Tudor sacked!
Prosinečki sacked!
Dalić sacked…?
Stimac almost sacked after losing 6-0 to Dynamo Kyiv (plus not playing Pero’s brate yet)
Just speaking about Luka, goodness he’s amazing. I think we’re going to miss his off-the-field impact too. You guys remember this speech from the Captains doco on FIFA TV?
Worth mentioning that after this, Liva saved everything and was arguably our best player.
I think there’s a lot in that, what Luka said, like, take risks in life, be decisive, even if you’re wrong. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s a really lovely sentiment he shared.
opps i meant to share the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e77JTS_eSI
We cannot continue to ‘hope’ Orsic can rekindle the form of yesteryear.
Dude has a wonky knee.
Plays against firefighters, paramedics and drywallers in some league in Cypress for the love of god
He’s 33 and done. Why on earth he is even part of any conversation is beyond me
You couple say the same about Perišić and yet we’re unconditionally starting him for 90 minutes every game.
We need to exhaust all winger options, as we may need to go deep into our bench for these positions.
Can’t keep playing Perišić and Krama on the wings for 90+ minutes per game.
If Oršić is capable of coming off the bench in the last 15 minutes of a game, then you need to confirm if he still has that ability.
Yes for sure about #14. 14 at least can show explosivenness and create something from nothing periodically when in mood. Orsic no.
If we can’t find any wingers other than Orsic, we’re in the wrong business then.
If we can’t, we’ll embarrass ourselves like we did a few short 18 months ago in Germany.
Might as well try to pry Vida out of retirement as he plays regularly in Greece. Also, while we’re at it, Sime is working out let’s give him a call too
Orsic compared to the minimal time that he has been allotted to on the national team, is clearly one of the most productive players that we have ever had. He is reliable and one of are most skilled croatian shooters. Probably Pjaca has had more field opportunities than Orsic. I can’t speak for his post knee injury experience since than.
No would can forget the Hat Trick with Tottenham.
Actually, Orsic is the exact same when it comes to creating something from nothing.
At WC2022…
He set up the game-tying goal against Brazil, then scored a critical PK in the shootout.
He also scored the bronze-medal sealing goal (a beautiful one, mind you) against Morocco.
At Euro2020…
He saved Dalic’s job after we were getting slapped around by Spain. He scored a goal and set up the game-tying goal, to take it to extra time (all in about 15 minutes of play). Turned 1-3 into 3-3 and was unlucky not to score a beautiful winner in extra time.
Orsic is a hugely impactful player, but we need to call him up and try him out to see if he still has it.
If he does, he’d be great off the bench to provide some creativity and speed.
If Orsic is hugely impactful he wouldn’t be playing where he’s playing.
We keep trotting out the same basic lineup year after year tourney after tourney. It has to stop at some point.
For example, we thrashed Argentina 3-0, we all remember that in ’18.
Fast forward 4 years, they trashed us 3-0.
Argentina, other than Otamendi, Tagliafico and of course #10 was all changed and revamped with youth. They killed us, yet our core now is basically the same as in ’18 other than perhaps Gvardiol.
Youth must be infused soon.
All true
Oršić plays on a team that is competing in the champions league and recently scored a goal against the firefighters and mechanics over at Bayern Munich. Mid-30s is often physical prime for men, so don’t count him out.
Just call Jagusic up. Truly, no one cares about U21 results. They always blow it when they make it to the euros anyway. We also have other young players that can fill the roles he would play on the U21 squad. Luka Tunjic, Lovro Zvonarek, Fabijan Krivak, Luka Vrbancic, and Patrice Covic for the midfield, and Marin Soticek, Domagoj Bukvic, Bruno Durdov, Roko Brajkovic, and even Fran Topic for the wing. Maybe not as well as he would, but that’s what youth competitions are for.
Obviously Vuskovic has no business playing for the U21 team either. Dominik Prpic, Branimir Mlacic, Rocco Zivkovic, Ljubo Puljic, Leon Jakirovic, and Raul Kumar can fill that role. Marino Skelin and Moreno Zivkovic too (when they come back from injury).
With the strikers, might as well call Franko Kovacevic to see if he’s only scoring because of bad competition or if he’s actually developing into a decent player.
Petar Musa needs to show at least a little bit of something if and when he gets minutes this window, might be his last chance to do so for a while. I think he has some useful attributes but needs to show he can do it against some real competition again. He’s on the older side of “younger” players. There will be always be young guys vying for those backup spots in the not so distant future (Matanovic, Frigan, Marin Ljubicic, Leon Grgic, Mislav Cutuk, Tino Kusanovic, etc.)
Speaking of Matanovic, I was questioning his call up but then he scored and assisted in a cup match right after. Truly think he has the potential to be our best striker, just needs to find a level of consistency with his finishing. His first two games for us, he showed a lot of promise but missed literally every chance.
We desperately need a striker with a better combination of speed, size, AND technical ability. Most of the guys we’ve been using only have two of the three at best. Petkovic has no speed. Budimir has no speed and bad with the ball at his feet. Never been his biggest fan but he’s fine as a stop gap player and has been scoring the last couple seasons in Spain (seems to have cooled off this season as well). Ivanovic is close but, again, needs to find that consistency in terms of finishing and playing time at club level.
I also agree, Toma Basic could be more valuable than Moro and/or Vlasic. He brings us some size and physicality in midfield that we don’t currently have. I don’t think he was a bad player when he played a few games for us before either. I don’t dislike Vlasic as much as others do as he’s a little different than what we have. He’s not a starter but can bring a little spark off the bench against the right opponents.
I hope Orsic can show some of his old abilities. I’m sure he lost some of the speed after the injury, but if he still has a little bit of a quick first step and can cut in, hit some curlers, he can be useful. Pjaca will have to show a lot at Twente to get back in. Marco Pasalic needs to play a lot more for us. I really would Soticek and Lisica to develop more. We really need some speed and explosiveness on the wings.
A lot of time for things to change by next year’s World Cup but I feel we are either going to do very well and make a bit of a run again, or crash out because of poor balance of the team, no true fullbacks, no wingers at all, and no speed in the whole team killed us at the Euros. It SEEMS like Dalic wants to make some changes but doesn’t do it until it’s blatantly obvious.
As for Dinamo, just give the Noa Mikic kid a chance at this point. Theophile belongs no where near the pitch and Lisica at RB is like when we tried to play Brekalo at RB on the national team. Doesn’t have the defensive instincts and is bound to make mistakes.
Unfortunately. There isn’t a lot of time until the World Cup.
After this week, Dalić and the rest of the HNS will check out and hibernate until March (when we’re going to have a couple of friendlies).
Those friendlies will likely be us playing the old guard in a Brazil rematch and maybe something similar with Colombia. Not really going to use these games as an evaluation session for our top youth (maybe a bit in the Colombia game).
We’ll probably only see Luka Vušković play in one senior match this week against Faroes, then maybe he plays a half against Colombia in March.
If he doesn’t absolutely kill it out there, then he’s not going to play significant minutes at the World Cup.
It’s a shame because I think we probably have like 5 or 6 young guys who could impress for us if we had given them the last 10-15 minutes of every match throughout these qualifiers.
Now, we’d be lucky if our top prospect (who incidentally is ranked as one of the top prospects in the entire World) will become a core piece in next year’s tournament.
lol
Hull City didn’t realize Pandur was called up and in Zagreb (already gave interview with VL)
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Jaga needs to be on the A team as does Vuskovic. Enough messing around, let’s get on with it.
@Mart
Dalic didn’t say Vuskovic will play vs. Hungary – he said he still has to talk to him about it (but the “plan” b/w Olic and Dalic is he plays vs. Hungary) – Luka needs to put his foot down and say he’s playing the most of all the NT CBs (save Gvardiol) and the best of all the NT CBs (again save Gvardiol) and he belongs in the NT
Interesting – they want to call up Jagusic to the A team (funny how Dalic mocks Dinamo and Hajduk here) – but worried once they call him up – they can’t send him back to the youth team (so one set of rules for Luka, but another for Jagusic lol)
#####
– A reprezentacija je glavni cilj, ali mlada ima kvalifikacije i želimo im pomoći. Vušković je glavni igrač u mladoj vrsti. Bit će s nama protiv Farskih otoka. Razgovarali smo Olić i ja da protiv Mađarske igra za mlade. S njim ćemo razgovarati, on je najvažniji, moramo vidjeti što misli. Velik je potencijal, igrat će u petak, zaslužio je poziv u A vrstu, ali plan je da igra s Mađarskom za U-21. Jagušić je također veliki potencijal. Igra sjajno, nameće se. Nije ni u Hajduku, niti u Dinamu, ali igra sjajno. S dečkima ćemo komunicirati i to napraviti na najbolji način. Znam da je tu puno pitanja, ako ode u A reprezentaciju teško se vratiti u mladu, ali napravit ćemo to na najbolji mogući način.
#####
What is Noa Mikic thinking ?
Both Theopile and Lisica were disasters at RB
And he can’t even get on the field
He should honestly ask to leave in January (like he was threatening in the summer)
This is more of a Boban mistake than a Kovačević one.
They only had Valinčić at RB.
Ronal Pierre Gabriel is in a dispute with the team, and wants to leave (and is faking an injury now).
They don’t have anyone as a backup.
That being said… playing Theophile at RB is still a fireable offense.
Anonymous previewed that DDB sucks
Y’day highlights – he missed THREE tap-ins in front of net
If you watched the DZ behind-the-scenes Vlog vs. Malmo – you’d understand WHY he sucks (it’s a personality, confidence thing)
Never doubt Anonymous eye tests – Anonymous has a Olympic Gold medal in them afterall
It will just get worse when that Brazilian playing in Japan (who’s contract ends in December) comes to DZ on a free per Boban
Feel bad for Kule – he doesn’t deserve this mess – he deserves a consistent run of games
@Bartolec
ANONYMOUS SCOUTING REPORT RE: NOV 4th KOTARSKI WORKED !!!
DALIC READ IT AND DROPPED KOTARSKI – NO CAP !!!
NOT ONLY THAT
DALIC ALSO LISTENED TO ANONYMOUS AND CALLED UP PINK PANDUR (ANONYMOUS WAS THE FIRST TO MENTION HIM LAST YEAR – AND ALSO SCOUT HIM)
OLYMPIC GOAL MEDAL ON EYE TEST FOR ANONYMOUS !!!!!
ANONYMOUS IS THE MESSI OF EYE TESTS !!!!
x.com/TheCroatian_/status/1987830062863823001
P.S. if you’re wondering why the nose-pickers picked Pandur over Letica, Semper or other options ?
It’s not complex
Hull is 5th in table (3 thru 6 are PO positions) – Dalic doesn’t want to look stupid if Hull gets promoted to the PL with Pandur (unlikely but possible) – and he doesn’t call him up the whole year – it’s just making sure no egg on face later
None of the nose-pickers has actually watched a Pink Pandur game live
How much time must you have on your hands that you have time to waste watchung Hull?
How many live games featuring Pandur have you actually watched?
Wow… Kotarski was still playing in the Danish league yesterday (conceded another 2 goals in a shock 2-0 defeat to the bottom club) and today he’s supposedly out of the NT squad due to “injury”. I think as you said, Kotarski is clearly not ready yet for top level opposition so whether or not the injury is real, it is high time Dalic check out the other options at this disposal, guys like Pandur, Semper, Letica, even Grbic who are all young and talented.
Got a feeling Kotarski might not be recalled to the squad in March. We can never know for sure but I think it’s entirely possible that Dalic did read your scouting report… in any case, thank you for giving us such a detailed assessment of Kotarski’s performance vs T. To me, the report was both enlightening and timely.
Doubt the “injury” is real too
It’s just Dalic saving face for announcing the squad 11days before any other country and deciding Kotarski shouldn’t be called (after the 4 more games he played since the squad was announced)
He couldn’t just say he changed his mind bc that would be to admit that he shouldn’t announce the squad 11 days early to begin with
You get an assist on it – if you didn’t prompt Anonymous to re-send – they wouldn’t have – and Dalic wouldn’t have seen it – fate 😉
Changes I would make to the call-ups in future:
–Drop Duje Ćaleta-Car for not playing at his club, move Pongračić to the stand-by list because the squad list should only have 4 CBs on it (especially with Jakić and Stanišić able to play those positions when needed), and make Ivan Smolčić a regular
–Call-up Toma Bašić instead of Nikola Vlašić
–Replace Ivušić and Kotarski with two of Šemper, Grbić and Letica
Just summarize here
Only Gvardiol Modric perisic kramaric are in starting 11 in their squad
Gk: livakovic labrovic benched
Kotarski: made many mistakes. Ivusic: not improving. Should consider semper now
Defence: pongracic: worst player on pitch
Sosa: off radar. Cant even play in conference league these days.
Juranovic: no more injuries pls
Jakic: from captain to being benched
Sutalo: began playing but form still poor
Vuskovic: need to improve in his speed.. on track currently
Bradaric: average perfomer
DCC: benched
Majer: benched for months
Mario P: not playing well these days
L. Sucic: benched
P. Sucic: rotating squad player
Vlasic: stopper scoring and assisting for mths
Moro: squad player
Baturina: benched
Basic: shd start considering him
Brekalo: benched
Marco P: playing MLS
Orsic: hope he can score on regular basis
Budimir: injured
Ivanovic: benched. Pray that mourinho gets sacked
Musa: playing in MLS. Cant score as many as messi and suarez
Matanovic: need to start pls
Dalic in his latest interview has stated that Vuskovic will get to play against the Faroes and then go to U21 for the match away to Hungary.
He has also indicated that we will play two friendly matches in March next year against Brazil and Colombia in the USA on the proviso that we do not get them drawn in our group for the World Cup.
This is good. The match against Faroe Islands is the more important of the two coming up. The starting backline should be Stanišić, Gvardiol, Vušković, Jakić/Smolčić. Jakić hasn’t been playing, but my guess is that it’s because of a deal for him to leave Augsburg in January, since Augsburg is a better team with him on the field and he was benched after his strong performances for Croatia.
Where is Jakic going in January ???
Well one game for Vuskovic vs. Faroes is better than nothing I guess
But also dumb to announce it ahead of time – it just puts more pressure on Vuskovic that he has “one chance” not to make any mistakes / impress
I remember in the U21s he had issues with last minute goal(s) vs. Faroe when he switched of after he was (mentally) tired
Just let Luka play vs. Faroe and see how it goes – assess the 2nd game needs AFTER Faroe – not before
Imo, Vuskovic has to start at least one of the upcoming games vs Faroes and Montenegro.
Btw, I don’t know what’s going on with Jakic but he was an unused sub in Augsburg’s last 2 games. Hopefully just something that will pass… but I think it warrants some attention since he’s regarded as our starting RB if Stanisic plays on the left.
Re Sutalo, Ajax has sacked Heitinga and appointed an interim coach in the meantime.
Re Majer, Wolfsburg has sacked Simonis… but with Eriksen occupying the No. 10 role there, I think he might continue to struggle with playing time no matter who the new coach is. Also it seems to me Wolfsburg is a Danish-dominated club, they have several Danish players including of course Eriksen and the managing director for sport is also a Dane. Just feels like this is something that wouldn’t work in Majer’s favor.
What’s going on with Frigan? Didn’t realize he’s in Italy now.
Does he get any minutes there?
He blew his ACL in his first game for Parma.
He’s pretty much done for the year (and possibly his career).
Oh geez. Didn’t know
Thx
U17 Highlights – Croatia v Costa Rica
Hopefully link works . . .
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kmGXNshjS8Y&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD
Lovely. Mind is drawn to that 1987 thing…
Guys @Igort is pulling your leg
Vuskovic isn’t going to the U21
There are typos in basic grammar and syntax in his fake news – didn’t you pick it up ? Where is GVMB aka Grammar princess – when you need her ?
I mean unless Dalic didn’t watch Sutalo vs. Osimhen highlights (where Sutalo completely gave up and just strolled around) – and definitely didn’t watch Vuskovic completed pocked Guirassy y’day where Dortmund fans saying they wish they had Vuskovic but can’t afford him ?
Thank goodness Jaga didn’t join Kovacevic at DZ !
Anonymous advice spot on – was always too risk a move – especially since he’s thriving at Belupo – and Boban firing Kovacevic in the morning
Wedding boy Sucic taking not joining the NT well
He posted an IG Story today w/ #tb of his sister’s Martina wedding day with him in attendance
lol
Dalic will obviously not appreciate the clap back
Just confirms what Dalic knows – he’s immature and entitled
Grow up Wedding Boy – or you’ll have all the time in the world for “family first” once Sociedad cancels your contract and releases your ass
Vuskovic to be recalled to u21 for Lithuania and Hungary matches with the goal of securing a European championship birth. Doesnt look like dalic thinks he’s ready yet
https://sat-izmisljeno.hr/2025/luka-vuskovic-u21-povratak-
ZAGREB – Izbornik hrvatske U-21 reprezentacije Ivica Olić odlučio je ponovno pozvati Luku Vuškovića u mladu reprezentaciju za završne utakmice kvalifikacija za Europsko prvenstvo mladih.
Odluka je izazvala mnogo reakcija među navijačima – dok jedni pozdravljaju potez kao razuman korak u razvoju mladog stopera, drugi smatraju da Vušković već sada zaslužuje mjesto u A-reprezentaciji.
“Luka je izvanredan talent i dokazao je to u svakom klubu gdje je igrao. U ovoj fazi kvalifikacija trebamo stabilnost i karakter, a on donosi upravo to,” rekao je Olič na današnjoj konferenciji za medije. “Nije važno samo iskustvo, nego i želja – a Luka to ima na pretek.”
Vušković, koji je u posljednjih nekoliko mjeseci redovito igrao na visokoj razini, trebao bi ojačati obrambenu liniju mladih Vatrenih u ključnim susretima protiv Litve i Mađarske. Hrvatska se trenutno nalazi u borbi za prvo mjesto skupine, a svaki bod mogao bi biti presudan.
No dio navijača na društvenim mrežama izrazio je nezadovoljstvo, smatrajući da bi Vušković već trebao biti pozvan u seniorski sastav Zlatka Dalića. “Ako je dovoljno dobar za Premier ligu, onda je sigurno dovoljno dobar i za Europske kvalifikacije s A reprezentacijom,” stoji u jednoj od viralnih objava.
Izbornik Dalić, međutim, javno je podržao odluku Olića. “Luka je naš veliki projekt i vjerujem da će biti ključni igrač hrvatske reprezentacije u sljedećih deset godina,” rekao je Dalić. “Ali moramo ga razvijati korak po korak. U-21 je idealno okruženje da stekne minutažu, mirnoću i iskustvo. Njegovo vrijeme za A reprezentaciju doći će kad je spreman.”
Vušković je i sam kratko komentirao poziv: “Uvijek je čast igrati za Hrvatsku, bez obzira na kategoriju. Fokusiran sam na to da pomognem ekipi da izborimo Euro.”
Man he better be on the World Cup squad
How is he not
He’s got another 8 months of maturing to go
Sure he’s young but he’s got to be there
Has any other defender really had better ratings this year besides gvardi ?
Vušković not being tried out in these final two qualification games alongside Gvardiol is completely irresponsible planning by Dalić.
Now we’re going to walk into the World Cup completely unsure of what our backline should be.
My guess is he’s just going to bank on a Gvardiol/Šutalo tandem… but the jury is still out on whether that duo works as well as a Gvardiol/Vušković tandem (as Šutalo doesn’t really bring anything that Gvardiol doesn’t already bring).
I’m intrigued by Vušković’s record-breaking clearances and offensive contributions on deadball plays (all being done in a more competitive league than where Šutalo plays).
Such a shame that we’re outright closing the door on all that already.
The only way you’ll see Vuskovic get any minutes at the WC is if every one of the called up CBs get injured. Dalic has no intention to use him.
And if you’re asking which CB should be dropped from the senior side, Marin Pongracic is the worst player on Fiorentina according to this article: https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-hot-takes/20353/fiorentina-milan-pongracic-problem-analytics-tactics-positioning-buildup
Fiorentina is currently in last place in Serie A.
Croatia-Costa Rica U17 is on live on Fox Soccer Plus.
Football meets data is reporting that FIFA will CHANGE the seeding principle for teams that will qualify for WC 2026 via Play-offs!
🔙 At WC 2022 in Qatar, all PO teams were automatically placed into Pot 4, regardless of their FIFA pts.
🆕 But for WC 2026, FIFA is likely to change this and seed all 6 PO teams (4 European and 2 Inter-confederation PO teams) based on the ranking position of the highest ranked team in each PO path!
🎯 This means a HUGE shakeup in the projected seeding pots for WC 2026!
📈 🇮🇹 Italy (or team from their PO path) now climbs from Pot 4 to Pot 1!
📉 🇩🇪 Germany now drops to Pot 2!
📉 🇦🇹 Austria now drops to Pot 3!
📈 🇹🇷 Türkiye, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇳🇬 Nigeria (or teams from their PO paths) now climb from Pot 4 to Pot 3!
Bad news for us but I think this is fair. The only problem is that FIFA is never transparent in their decision making. The rules for seeding should have been spelled out before any of the WC qualifying matches started.
FIFA is going to give a peace prize out!
Nuff said
Exactly @Z
Now put the two together
US avoids drawing Italy by doing it this way, hence making it easier for US to progress out of the group stages (all things equal)
Surprised Canada and Mexico are still co-hosts tbh – there is still time for that “tweak”
Absolutely Anon. Canada and Mexico should resign from hosting that crap
Typical American bravado and ignorance. Whatever, no surprise. None of the three co-hosts should host the World Cup. But the World Cup is a joke now anyway. The last two hosts before this were Russia and Qatar. Enough said. Euros are waaay better. Unless you enjoy watching Uzbekistan and Cape Verde. Ugh.
FIFA and their band of criminals. How Infantino is still running FIFA is beyond me.
He’s hiding behind the Evangelical Christian moniker. He thanks God alot
1- can you provide a link please
2- if true, pretty silly to change one month before the draw. But I don’t see this as a “corruption” decision per se. Do you think FIFA would make a change for Italy who has only a 40-50% chance of even qualifying to go from pot 2>pot 1 IF they even qualify…… but then Germany would have a 100% chance of going from pot 1>pot 2 as the trade of?
Fair?
Norway slaughtered Italy, yet Norway finishes in Pot 3.
Funny enough… Norway annihilated Moldova, yet Moldova is actually in the playoffs (via UNL slot) and can finish in Pot 1 as well.
😂
Vuskovic to be recalled to u21 for Lithuania and Hungary matches with the goal of securing a European championship birth. Doesnt look like dalic thinks he’s ready yet
https://satira-izmisljeno.hr/2025/luka-vuskovic-u21-povratak-
ZAGREB – Izbornik hrvatske U-21 reprezentacije Ivica Olić odlučio je ponovno pozvati Luku Vuškovića u mladu reprezentaciju za završne utakmice kvalifikacija za Europsko prvenstvo mladih.
Odluka je izazvala mnogo reakcija među navijačima – dok jedni pozdravljaju potez kao razuman korak u razvoju mladog stopera, drugi smatraju da Vušković već sada zaslužuje mjesto u A-reprezentaciji.
“Luka je izvanredan talent i dokazao je to u svakom klubu gdje je igrao. U ovoj fazi kvalifikacija trebamo stabilnost i karakter, a on donosi upravo to,” rekao je Olič na današnjoj konferenciji za medije. “Nije važno samo iskustvo, nego i želja – a Luka to ima na pretek.”
Vušković, koji je u posljednjih nekoliko mjeseci redovito igrao na visokoj razini, trebao bi ojačati obrambenu liniju mladih Vatrenih u ključnim susretima protiv Litve i Mađarske. Hrvatska se trenutno nalazi u borbi za prvo mjesto skupine, a svaki bod mogao bi biti presudan.
No dio navijača na društvenim mrežama izrazio je nezadovoljstvo, smatrajući da bi Vušković već trebao biti pozvan u seniorski sastav Zlatka Dalića. “Ako je dovoljno dobar za Premier ligu, onda je sigurno dovoljno dobar i za Europske kvalifikacije s A reprezentacijom,” stoji u jednoj od viralnih objava.
Izbornik Dalić, međutim, javno je podržao odluku Olića. “Luka je naš veliki projekt i vjerujem da će biti ključni igrač hrvatske reprezentacije u sljedećih deset godina,” rekao je Dalić. “Ali moramo ga razvijati korak po korak. U-21 je idealno okruženje da stekne minutažu, mirnoću i iskustvo. Njegovo vrijeme za A reprezentaciju doći će kad je spreman.”
Vušković je i sam kratko komentirao poziv: “Uvijek je čast igrati za Hrvatsku, bez obzira na kategoriju. Fokusiran sam na to da pomognem ekipi da izborimo Euro.”
Someone impersonating my account….I’ve finally made the big time mama!
I agree
Kotarski should be nowhere near the national team
Do you guys ever think about how lucky we are to be Croat?
Like, sometimes i just sit back and think god dayum we came 2nd, then 3rd, then 2nd in major tourneys and for tiny little Croatia it’s just so amazing hehe. We’re so blessed and fortunate tbh. I mean this world cup we’re going for a hattrick of semi finals, which before Qatar i didnt think was likely/possible cos i thought we always play bad outside of Europe but then Qatar happened so anything’s possible now.
It’s just unreal how our tiny little country has done so amazingly well time after time, so proud of the guys. Love this team.
100% agree with @Iggy.
Very well said . . . and it is not said enough.
A big thumbs up👍 @Iggy
Konigsdorffer (90’+7) for the 1-1 tie vs. Niko Kovac
Massive point for HSV with 9 pts sitting 12th in the table
Juranovic – he’s alive – on since 70′ – just in time for Dalic to call him up to rehab him for 180′ – Stanisic w/ assist on Bayern goal
Luka Sucic got 9′ y’day
Baturina 27′ today
Hull won 3-2 – Pandur back in 5th place in the table
Jagusic in first half stoppage time for the lead vs loko
Nice goal (I think technically it takes a slight deflection off the defenders head – but who cares)
Dalic calling-up Vlasic (where we’ll learn nothing new) instead of Jagusic for the #10 (along with Fruk) is criminal – absolutely criminal
Here’s the goal
x.com/sportnet_HR/status/1987191069600010711
Spot on Anon
Per @Bartolec request – here is Kotarski scouting from Nov 4th match
Highlights [In link, # = S]:
x.com/#pursOfficial/status/1986161599200006243
Thoughts/observations:
– Pre-game line-up in the tunnel. Vicario tried to establish contact / shake hands with Kotarski, he looked over a couple of times (obviously they’ve never met before). Kotarski just ignored him and played w his gloves. This is just dumb and shows he’s insecure – if Donna (maybe “the” best keeper in the world) didn’t exist – Vicario would be #1 for Italy and is a much better keeper than Kotarski. He needs to grow up and join the keeper union and not act “too cool for school” – he could learn a thing or two from him on how to stop a ball
– Kotarski is very comfortable with the ball when dealing with a press – he’s able to effectively play it from the back – his short passes to team-mates was very good / accurate. His long-ball distribution 3/4 downfield (or more) was OUTSTANDING and perfectly accurate a number of times (see: 10:27, 16:09, 26:38, 45:05 (ET of 1st half) from the game to watch examples)
– 16:49 he made an easy save into his chest from an Ugodie outside of the left-foot shot thru legs of the defender with spin and slight movement (not shown in highlights above)
– 18:20 first goal – up to the first goal – #ottenha# had issues creating – so basically Kotarski gave them a goal to get them started – read on SN a comparison of him vs. Liva – and that he is “wild” (while Liva is “calculated”) – this goal shows this – he comes racing out and completely misses Johnson with the tackle – the replay from behind the net shows his slide was 5+ yards away from Johnson – i.e. he wasn’t anywhere close to Brennan – so there was no point sliding, other than knowing he made a mistake rushing out and decided to slide just to do something – terrible decision making and terrible read – just terrible – even if he was closer to Brennan and comes sliding out like that Brennan could have easily just moved the ball a bit, take the tackle and generate a red card – again, just terrible anyway you look at it – once this goal goes in #ottenha# get going and have momentum (before this goal they didn’t) – this context is important bc beyond the goal it changed the game dynamics
– 50:35 second goal – Kotarski came out but again – terrible read and decision making here again – he comes out – than stutters and stops – not sure what to do realizing he’s caught – he doesn’t commit but keeps going towards the ball – he needed to get to the ball first – but given his uncertainty and delay – by the time he gets to the ball and kicks it – Muani is right in front of him and blocks it – at that time Kotarski rushes back – but it’s a mess – and as the ball is retrieved by Muani (incredible touch) and passed centrally to Odobert who shoots for the goal – Kotarski isn’t able to get over
Both goals 100% Kotarski’s fault – there is “wild” and than there is just I have terrible decisions making and dumb judgement goalkeeping – these two examples are the latter – maybe all the Neck Ink has seeped into his brain and causes these mal-functions ?
– 57′ Brennan red card – after the red card – Copenhagen played worst – and #ottenha# played better lol
– 63:40 third goal – Micky VDV – runs from his 18 yard box to Copenhagen 18 yard box – going through / past SIX Copenhagen players in the process (for all of you who keep telling Anonymous CB speed doesn’t matter lol) – it’s a goal of the year contender – Kotarski should have been able to save the shot with this right hand (needed better anticipation as there was only a shot to worry about, no pass options) – but was weak and let it past him – bc he didn’t save it – he’ll forever be on highlight reels as the keeper that let Micky score that beautiful goal – of course one of the six Copenhagen players should have taken a tactical foul on VDV at some point during the run (shambolic defending) so he never gets to the 18 yard box (VDV did similar plays vs. Man U and Everton – so everyone knows it’s in his locker to do this)
– 66:35 forth goal – Kotarski angle/over commitment to Romero who passed it – was his downfall – you can tell by looking at Romero’s body shape and head down and angle that he was going to pass it across – but Kotarski didn’t read it well enough to start getting over – if he did he might have been able to save it – again if his hands are stronger maybe he could/should have saved it with his palm – maybe if he gets some tattoos on his hands, they will become stronger? Can’t hurt to try I guess
– There was four other chances that Kotarski didn’t save which could have also been goals – first half Muani shot it wide (Kotarski did ok to make himself “big” here but there was still a gap b/w him and the post) and another he headed it just over the cross-bar – second half Richarlison headed it and bounced off the cross-bar (no save) and also shot a penalty off the cross-bar (again no save) – if those balls were all bit more accurate but a couple of inches – it could have been 7-0 or 8-0 – no cap
Between Dortmund and #ottenha# performances – wonder if Dalic is thinking of rescinding his Kotarski invite ? He’s clearly not ready for top-tier/level opposition – that’s why he’s playing / moved to crappy Denmark and before was only in crappy Greece – it’s crazy he thinks he deserves to be Croatia #1 (fake it till you make it I guess) and also why Anonymous tells you Dalic/us learn nothing when you throw Kotarski in vs. Gibraltar (or some crap team) where he faces zero shots (although kind of makes sense to play him those games – not bc of his keeping ability – but bc of his distribution from the back) – god help us if you play Kotarski vs. France in the NL last year or a high-caliber team like that
On the neck tattoos – they are just dumb and shows his primitive mentality – no issues with tattoos themselves (couldn’t care less) – but it’s silly getting “gangster-like” tattoos when he’s not “living that life” – he’s saving (or trying) to save balls for a living – it’s just fake and wanna-be – if he wants to go “live that live” go live it – but don’t pretend to “be about it” with neck art – it’s contrived, primitive and doesn’t intimidate anyone – Dalic should honestly tell him to got to a Tattoo removal place and get the neck ink off his neck – similar to when he told Jakic to take the dumb braids out of his hair
@Anonymous
I think it might be a good idea for you to re-post your Kotarski scouting report here for Dalic/Mrmic/Subasic/everyone to read.
Ok – will do now!
Is it time to consider Adrian Semper as a potential NT reserve goalkeeper?
He seems to be having a decent season so far. Kept 5 clean sheets out of 12 games across Serie A and Coppa Italia. As of now, Pisa is sitting 2 places above the relegation zone (16th position) in the Serie A standings with a GD of -6 which isn’t horrible.
Listed below are matches in which he either kept a clean sheet, or was rated MOTM by Fotmob or Sofascore.
Aug 17 Coppa Italia: Cesena 0-0 Pisa (PEN 1-2)
Fotmob: 8.8* [MOTM] / Sofascore: 9.8* [MOTM]
Saved 4 penalties in the penalty shootout.
Aug 24 Serie A: Atalanta 1-1 Pisa
Fotmob: 8.1 / Sofascore: 8.2* [MOTM]
Helped Pisa hold on to a draw by making several saves, including stopping Daniel Maldini’s shot in a one-on-one.
Sep 28 Serie A: Pisa 0-0 Fiorentina
Fotmob: 7.7* [MOTM] / Sofascore: 6.7
Oct 18 Serie A: Pisa 0-0 Verona
Fotmob: 7.9* [MOTM] / Sofascore: 7.4
Oct 30 Serie A: Pisa 0-0 Lazio
Fotmob: 8.2* [MOTM] / Sofascore: 8.0* [MOTM]
Nov 7 Serie A: Pisa 1-0 Cremonese
Fotmob: 8.1 / Sofascore: 7.2
Looks like he should be our starting keeper honestly, although I expect Livaković to start playing again in January. I was high on Kotarski when he was playing really well in Greece, but if he isn’t making saves in big games, we might have better options. Šemper is having a very good season. Letica seems to be having a very good season again. Pandur seems to be holding his own, and even Grbić is in the running to lead the Turkish league in saves while playing for an abysmal team that would be far worse without him. Those guys are making Kotarski and Ivušić look pretty umimpressive, although I like Ivušić as a backup because he’s always played well when called upon.
God bless Livakovic. If he starts playing again from January, all will be good. Meanwhile I hope Semper continues to be in form and that Dalic and his team have been keeping tabs on him.
The fact that Grbić is now not even on the standby list also is just hypocritical from Dalić. The guy had a good half-season last season to keep his then team in the top flight, and he’s had a pretty excellent season so far this year if you look at how many saves he’s made and the quality of some of those saves. He’s not the very best at coming off his line, but he can save just about anything, has huge power in his kicks, and is good with the ball at his feet. He also has Champions League experience and national team experience. High ceiling.
You’ve made me think differently about Grbic, TGAD. He’s still fairly young for a goalkeeper. I anticipate his resurgence, and hope he’ll land himself in a better club soon.