Martin Baturina…take a bow! Baturina has had minimal to no minutes off the bench for Como since coming over from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer. Many want him to leave the club and Cesc Fabregas’ lack of minutes for the 22 year-old Croatian midfielder. But look what Baturina did against Bologna Saturday night. He came off the bench in the 84′ and scored a rifling shot from the corner of the box in injury time 10 minutes later to force a 1-1 draw vs. Bologna. It is Baturina’s 2nd Serie A goal of the season in only his 11th game. But what a goal it was!
In a game where Luka Vušković scored the opener, Croatian striker Igor Matanović netted the winner in a 2-1 Freiburg victory over Hamburg Saturday. Matanović came off the bench in the 65th minute of a 1-1 game and redirected a shot right in front of the goal in the 83rd minute. It is his 3rd Bundesliga goal of the season in 13 matches. Matanović has been primarily coming off the bench for Freiburg.
Vušković played the full 90 minutes for Hamburg in the loss but opened up the scoring with a header following a corner that just crossed the line. It is his 3rd Bundesliga goal of the season…for a teenage CB! Hamburg went down to 10-men which made things tough defensively. Vušković received a 7.5 SOFAScore rating for his efforts on the day.
Marin Ljubičić scored the equalizer for Union Berlin eight minutes after coming off the bench to force a 2-2 versus Mainz. It is his first goal in his first appearance from the club in the 2025/2026 season.
Luka Modrić and AC Milan look to make some ground on 1st place Inter when they face Fiorentina Sunday 9AM (ET)
Stanišić vs. Majer: Bayern host Wolfsburg Sunday 1130AM (ET)
Once again we have no goalies active besides Kotarski. We’ll see how he performs against Napoli and Barcelona in Champions League next week. No news of Livakovic starting yet? Dalić must be wanting to take Kotarksi is it continues like this.
Wolfsburg loses 8-1 to Bayern. A wipe out.
Majer made a very good pass to set up the first and only Wolfsburg goal. Threaded the pass through the middle, and put the breaking Wolfsburg player in alone on the Bayern goalie . . . It was a brilliant pass.
I am not sure Wolfsburg plays a style that fits Majer’s game or has enough skilled players to compliment his abilities.
It seems Majer is languishing at Wolfsburg. Perhaps he could use a transfer to another team or league . . .
Baturina’s goal is prime Perisic-level technique.
https://x.com/SerieA_EN/status/2010275496710336713
He’s still a player for us, and I hope this experience makes him work harder and seize the role that Nico Paz will leave behind (when Real triggers his buyback option).
I wonder if part of the reason for him being benched so much this season is Como trying to ensure they don’t have to pay the bonuses attached to his transfer from Dinamo?
I don’t know the exact details but he was sold for 18M (plus bonuses that could take it up another 4-5 million I believe).
Usually these are tied to appearances, so maybe they are deliberately limiting his appearances unless they really need him.
Stanisic has left the Bayern game injured.
But . . . Looks like just a minor ankle twist, something that might be 1-2 weeks. He can weight bear. Walks okay. . .
Hopefully nothing more than that.
Ante –
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Luka Modrić and AC Milan look to make some ground on 1st place Inter when they face Fiorentina Sunday 9AM (ET)
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Did you forgot that Pongracic plays for Fiorentina ? 😊
@Maminjo
Is Luka Stojkovic really going to Al Jazira ??? WTF
That was last month’s news.
Not sure if they’re still talking about that.
Looks like the god of Halilović is back from injury after a long time out
Halilović came on as an 89th minute substitute after Sittard conceded and made the game-tying assist 4 minutes later. He’s back
Anonymous just closely watched Baturina’s cameo
– When he came on – so did Ghanian Ibrahim Sulemana for Bologna (capped 6 times) – it’s a parallel as they both want to make their WC squad (and both face limited play time at their clubs). Unfortunate for Sulemana he was the one Baturina went one-on-one with for the goal (this is a different player to the Ghanian Kamaldeen Sulemana who plays with Mario at Atalanta)
– 90:45 Baturina in the box trying to head in a cross b/w two CBs (!) – can Dinamo fans tell Anonymous if Baturina has ever scored a header goal at Dinamo ? Can’t remember him ever heading the ball on the NT. He didn’t do particularly well but he got STUCK IN between the two CBs and TRIED to jump and get a head on it
– Baturina was getting closer in duels – both ground – and aerial – he wasn’t shy – and was again getting STUCK IN there – not scared, not shy
– After the goal – did you notice that Baturina immediately signalled to teammates to get back to centre to start the game (to go for a winner) – while his teammates we’re mesmerized by his goal and then swarmed him. Baturina wanted to restart the game, while the rest of Como was celebrating the tie. What mentality
– You know what will get Baturina a start in the next game ? See 96:00 Paz is on the right-channel/half-space and crosses it into the box but ball gets cleared – Baturina looks at Paz and tells him (by pointing) that was the wrong pass and he should have crossed it to the far post where a free Como player was running into (Baturina on his part made a run into the centre channel to drag the RCB away from the Como player on the left side to free up that space). Also, when the whistle went Baturina put his kit over his face – the message being – a tie is not good enough – I wanted to win – and overall wasn’t happy they didn’t score again. Again, what mentality
Now Baturina has been cold one game, then hot the next (yesterday was hot) – he needs to replicate the effort and mentality – so it’s consistent across every game. With this mentality he will get a chance to start a game
Again – Anonymous will not be shocked of Cesc gives him a start next game – not bc of the goal (sure it’s nice and important) but bc of his body language and mentality and effort on the pitch. That’s what was missing.
Fantastic report @Anonymous. Thankyou
Anonymous keep up the good work Ante should up your daily post quota to a dozen minimum from his suggested 4or 5 ;)…..
Sunday (EDT)
08:30 Sutalo bench
08:30 Halilovic bench
09:30 Pandur bench (Dillon Phillips instead)
09:30 Jakic, Labrovic bench vs. Kota Takai aka Mr. Small Feet bench (he’ll face Luka next w/end)
11:30 Stanisic vs. Majer
11:30 Palaversa vs. Rangers
12:00 Bradaric vs. Lazio
14:45 Pero vs. Napoli
15:00 Lyon Teo Barisic
*(EST)
AND the Mario Pasalic goal for Atalanta . . . .
Vuskovic, Matanovic, Baturina, Ljubicic, and Pasalic . . . Five goal scorers on the day. . . .
Maybe the gvardi injury will really cause young luka to go all world this summer
Maybe it was what we needed
But man would gvardi and luka be absolutely insane back there with the amount of fire power they have going forward
A Croat boy can dream
It’s just a shame because Gvardiol’s speed and agility really compliments Vuskovic.
I wanted to see the two of them paired as CBs, with Stanisic at LB and Jakic (or Valincic) at RB.
Throwing in Duje, Pongracic, Erlic or Sutalo will mess this up a bit since none have the mobility and defensive ability that Gvardiol possesses and most are prone to mistakes (which is not what I want paired next to a young CB).
So what I’m gathering from this post is that all of our forwards that scored today don’t start for clubs? We need more recognition and minutes. Every goal was key to winning or a draw yet still being held back by coaches. We just need contributions from everyone come World Cup time.
JAGUSIC
GOAL + TWO ASSISTS
Slaven 5-1 vs. Arsimi
That’s 9 G + 10 A this season so far
Also
Two Days Ago
Anonymous slots Jagusic into 2030 SC Tentative Starting XI
Today
Jaga has added on his IG “@HNS_CFF” in his bio (in addition to “@HNS.Youth” which was there) – things look good for March friendly call up (fingers crossed)
Jaga rocks
Anon,
Love the updates. I really do. Can we tone it down a bit in the comments? Keep it to 3-4 per day?
😂
Petkovic 0-0 vs. Nigeria HT in the QF Afcon
This comment makes zero sense? Petkovic isn’t related to Nigeria.
Coaches Algeria
Vladimir Petkovic.
Croatian coach from Sarajevo who used to coach Switzerland.
Always mentioned as a potential coach for us.
Marin Ljubičić came on 78′ and scores the tie-ing goal 86′
Nice alertness on the free-kick into the box and alertness to get quickly to rebound off the cross-bar to head it in
Two Days Ago
Anonymous slots Butter-Tart into the 2030 WC Tentative Starting XI
Today
Butter-Tart looks like a man possessed on the pitch – DEMANDING the ball every second (waving his arms up and down) – and scores a beautiful goal
That a boy Butter-Tart – more of that – Anonymous hasn’t given up on you – just yet
Croatians scoring all over the place today:
– Vušković goal v. Freiburg
– Matanović goal v. HSV
– Ljubičić goal v. Mainz
– Baturina goal v. Balogna
And there’s still the Torino v. Atalanta match to be played
Huge day for us. Goes to show our forwards need to start more because they come in clutch. All tying or winning goals too. We needed this to make a statement. Vušković is handling himself well at his age and can fulfill Gvardiol’s spot. Watch Stanisic or Majer score tomorrow too.
And add Pašalić to that list too! Huge day
Semper
As Anonymous relayed in his last game – he was responsible for all three goals – and was terrible overall
As such, manager DROPPED Semper to the bench today and Scuffet played (first time he’s bench all season)
Sorry Mart – eye glasses still need some adjustment – Anonymous is NEVER WRONG – in future if you want to refute please provide actual explanation (saying FYI Semper not responsible is lazy and doesn’t cut it – but we know why you didn’t bc there was no substance just wishful thinking)
Dear Readers – please be mindful that Mart just makes up assessments of players that aren’t based in reality
What an idiotic statement. Semper has played more games. He has allowed less than a goal per game. Four clean sheets. He helped bring Pisa back into Serie A. You lack knowledge.
Vuskovic MOTM
Tough game – HSV were 50 min (incl. 11 min ET) down to 10 men
Three pivotal calls against HSV:
– Elfadli 2nd yellow for clipping (replay doesn’t show any (or very minimal) contact and delay in Freiburg player flopping – could have been booked for diving)
– On Igor goal Torunarigha was elbowed/fouled – could have been called
– Igor handball in his own box in ET – could have been called a penalty for HSV
Igor looked relatively sharp considering lack of playing time – his movement/positioning on his goal and alertness in the box where to get to was very good to see
Baturina scores!!!!
Igor scored !!!
Igor scores!!!! Great game for the two Croatians. . . .
65′ Igor coming on !!!
HSV down to 10 men btw Effaldi off and caused a penalty/goal
Baturina with a beauty!
47:40 VUSKOVIC HEADER GOAL OFF A CORNER !!!!!!
Look at Luka’s movement in the box – how he shakes off his man – by getting him to run into another HSV player – and thus Luka is wide open – world-class movement in the box into space by Luka
@Crnkovic – doesn’t it remind you of a Fellaini header goal ? 😉
The block was by Nico RAMBO Remberg – not surprised
He’s been outstanding his game (and this season) Anonymous would not be shocked if he is eventually called up to the German NT
Vuskovic yelling “Ide” to the HSV fans in the stand – do they understand ?!
Ajde is how you spell it. No way this guy is Croatian lol
Definitely. he can score goals alright. And doesn’t need to play as a striker to do so 🫡
Luka!!!!!!! Goal!!!!!
35:41 – Luka long-pass length of field attempt
The new striker American Downs is doing nothing with these balls into him – he doesn’t know how to move up front / handle these balls into him
32:11 tidy skill by Luka with ball
Painful watch – it took 30+ min for Hamburg to finally get more than 5 seconds of possession – really painful – but great for Luka development – as he’s constantly under threat in his box – so needs to be alert at all times
26:40 – nice double defensive action Luka – first the free kick into the box (see how easy it is to command the box and head it out) and than blocked shot from Suzuki
23:40 Luka progressive pass attempt intercepted – he got back before a fast counter-attack could be started
21:43 – nice read / aggressive step up by Luka on Suzuki (their biggest creative attacking threat) – causing him to go horizontal right into Mulheim – really nice read and play to fend off Suzuki before he can cause problems (pass thru)
17:55 Luka still needs to work on his foot work here – going in one direction – rightly changing to other direction – but then pass comes thru the original side he just left – and he tumbles over – this (foot work) still needs more work
The cause was the initial angle of approach – it wasn’t the right angle – which caused this “imbalance” – if you watch it and look at direction of travel he went too far towards the side – instead of more backwards
Should be able to be cleaned up relatively easily
16:05 good read of long-ball coming in and VERY tidy how he deals with it (header to the LB)
08:55 – Luka prevents a goal by tracking back and blocking the passing lane of free man in front – look how when he tracks back he puts his hand on striker’s back (ready to step in front if needed) – this is a new detail (the hand on striker’s back) he’s added to his game (never seen him do it before) – thank you Josko (Vlasic’s dad)
6:20 – Anonymous doesn’t like how Vuskovic read the cross that came in that went over his head – should have been more alert / better anticipation
Vuskovic starting vs. Igor bench
Holer is starting again CF – he’s only scored one goal in 1045′ this season (ex Cup) – but the manager said last week the reason Igor not playing is bc a striker’s role not just scoring goals but contributing on defensive play
http://www.transfermarkt.us/lucas-holer/leistungsdaten/spieler/248999
So another example of a lazy Croatian just strolling around the field (like Wedding Boy, like Butter-Tart who’s also bench today for Como) – not playing bc lack of hunger/desire and thus effort
Igor must disappointed it’s a home game today – if it was away in Hamburg – the game would be postponed bc of snow (like St. Pauli) and Igor could have worked his Bubble Tea shop in Hamburg instead
P.S. Luka is growing his hair out – and has a side-part going – it looks really good on him – hope he keeps it
Sosa – played 90′ in the Cup and received a yellow card – Palace lost to SIX TIER Macclesfield 2-1 – here’s the second goal
x.com/TheGoalsZone/status/2009982779543666727
Mart – is England #1 CB Guehi going to be dropped bc of this ?
Vlasic taking on Atalanta. Pasalic not getting many starts which is concerning. Jakic should be back from injury which is good. None of our goalies are staring as of now.
All good news.
Vlasic is an underrated super sub. He did extremely well as a backup in WC2022. He wasn’t a guarantee to make our current World Cup squad, but his play lately is going to push him into our squad and he’ll likely play the same super sub role for us in 2026 as he did in 2022.
Mario Pasalic not getting starts is good. Of course I would prefer that he starts for his club…but then Dalic would continue to start him at RW for us (which never really works out). He’s best suited as a backup central midfielder for us, so if playing off the bench at his club will demote him to a better-suited role for us…then so be it.
Jakic coming back will solidify his RB spot for us (allowing Stanisic to be moved to LB). We need Jakic to be in full form for the World Cup. He’s probably one of those hungry guys who sees this as his golden chance to gain exposure and move up to a better club.
None of our goalies starting is good news. It’s too late to make a GK change. Livakovic has been good in the recent qualifiers (even when not playing club football). If he goes to Dinamo, he’ll be in good shape for the World Cup.
I guess Pasalic read this post
Wedding Boy got 32′ yesterday for Real Sociedad Friday
Feedback from a Real Sociedad fan below
x.com/inibelli234/status/2009752771608613319?s=20
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Luka Sucic has to leave at the first offer we receive
Another game where he was just walking in every play (including a 1 v 1)
It’s an insult to have a player like that at Real when so many kids from Gipuzkoa would give half their life to play a match with Real
Get out already
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