Luka Modrić and AC Milan faced Inter and Petar Sučić in the Derby della Madonnina, with Milan coming away with a 1–0 win.
Ante Budimir scored a last second 94′ minute goal for Osasuna to force a 2-2 draw vs. Mallorca Saturday.
Luka Vušković won two penalties and converted one for Hamburg in their 2–1 win vs Wolfsburg, earning the MOTM.
Martin Baturina returned from an ankle injury to scored his 5th Serie A goal of the season. Como defeated Cagliari 2-1 to stay 5th place in Italy.
Andrej Kramarić assisted in Hoffenheim’s match vs. Heidenheim Saturday. Currently 3-0 in 2nd half. He now has 10G/5A this Bundesliga season.
Luka Sučić recorded an assist for Real Sociedad vs Atlético Madrid, setting up their first goal in a 3–2 loss.
18-year-old Patrice Čović scored his first professional goal for Werder Bremen in a 4–1 win vs Union Berlin.
Dinamo and Hajduk played out an exciting 3–1 match, with all goals coming in the first half. Early goals from Miha Zajc and Gabriel Vidović helped Dinamo secure the win, giving them a 10-point lead over Hajduk in the title race.
With all the different new talent, coming together, this will be an interesting, Award-winning blended wine, 2026. The days of Srna running down the right line, kicking a low hard trajectory cross into a melee, hoping something good comes from it, like a pin ball machine, is over.
We have the players that are able to be surgical, think Germany against Brazil 2014.
I would think Sucic would be a starter for sure with Modric, and Kovacic. in fact, maybe he is a sure starter than Kovacic at this point.
Watched Peter Sucic today and was impressed with his play. A lot of skill,touch and energy. Hope he gets a chance to start in the World Cup
Quite Interesting to have so many players now in the Serie A League on the Top teams, playing critical roles, being day to day salaried competitors, but being national companions on the larger world stage for only pride. Requires true compartmentalization of mind and spirit. Thank God soccer is not as wide open as US hockey, that outward promotes extracurricular violence, as part of the fan’s entertainment package. Would hate to see Croatian players taking swings at other Croatian players.
Kova must b close
Haaland posted pic w huge gash on his shin w caption Thx Kova
Modric got mad at Sucic for no call on a foul then fouled Sucic pretty hard and got a yellow.
Petar Sucic immediately having an impact on the game.
Petar Sučić in at 58 mins. AC Milan up 1-0.
Modric has been good all game.
Franjo 25 min
And assist on game tie goal 2-2
Is that enough to make Dalic’s list
I’d rather Franjo over Musa if that’s the choice – Franjo shouldn’t be penalized for bad luck Jose and taking risk – while Musa playing Brokeback Mountain in Mickey Mouse Dallas
Let’s see
Whether it’s Musa or Ivanović doesn’t matter as much because Budimir is red hot right now and likely finishes the La Liga season as a top-3 scorer again.
Budimir starts this World Cup with one of Musa, Ivanović or maybe Matanović playing backup.
I agree that Luka Vuskovic is the best thing since Gvardiol , but the penalty shot effort, albeit it went in, left me worry, that he might actually have a small weakness in his awesome arsenal. . Really lucky it the shot went in, and Hamburg was justified, in not allowing him to take the next one.
Need a bigger sample set at this point to raise concern. Hoping it was a flukey attempt
Petar Sučić sitting this one out. That sucks.
I don’t know what is happening with Jaga. It’s one of two things. Either:
1. Benitez has seen him up close in training and doesn’t really rate him. He is a player who can bully a weak league with his shooting and confidence and aggression. But doesn’t have the overall quality to be a force on a slightly better league = bad news
Or
2. Benitez knows that Jaga is potentially a world class player but hasn’t fully understood the tactics yet. So he is protecting him from making early mistakes. Similar to fabregas and baturina. Giving the player specific instructions and targets in training, waiting until he is fully prepared so that when he plays he is able to be impactful straight away and therefore his confidence remains very high = good news
Only time will tell which of these it is. I Believe it is the second. The eyes don’t lie
Can’t imagine it’s 1. based on 15 min vs. Larissa – but that’s a match – and maybe he’s not performing “as expected” during training or hard enough but Anonymous seriously doubts it (and n.b. Skegro said PAO researched EVERYTHING including teachers, friends, teammates, coaches, family, etc and looked into everything about him so they knew who they were buying)
2. Seems more likely than 1. – we can’t all be wrong about Jaga – it’s impossible – there is no topic on this site where you, Maminjo, Vlad and Anonymous are in agreement – or at least it’s a rarity (<5%) – the four of us can't be wrong about Jaga – that's a one in a billion odds
Or is it 3. something else non-player/playing related completely behind the scenes ?
Why isn't PAO selling Jaga #88 jerseys more than a month after he signed ?
https://paofc.gr/el/?srsltid=AfmBOoonVlLwfcIuw2wnOnEB1EHwCcl-9r9KLRpIL6DeSxY1TSqYPBul
They have the #s, letters and diacritics to make the jersey
And logically they want to recoup some of the transfer fee with kit sales
So why aren't they selling them ??
It's BEYOND suspicious
Is there something behind the scenes (e.g. delayed results of some medical testing, unagreed/unsigned paperwork, delay in initial payment to Belupo, etc etc etc – who knows) that is preventing PAO from selling the jerseys and thus why Jaga isn't even coming off the bench
Off-setting Anonymous suspicions is if the above was the case presumably he wouldn't even be making the bench (and he is) if there was no chance he could come on
They jersey stuff is really weird – and says something – just impossible to tell from the outside
Yeah the jersey stuff is weird. To be honest I just thought you were joking about the Jersey stuff
So them stealing his jersey was a real thing?
Yes – watch the Larissa game before he came on – it’s crazy – never seen something like that before – the camera shows it
Now go on the webstore – do they offer Jagusic #88 on home away or 3rd jersey as an option – no !!!
Now stay on webstore – try to custom Jagusic #88 with the two diacritics (like the Serb players and Polish guy have) – can you order it – no !!!
The whole thing is beyond weird – I mean they should want to sell jerseys to recoup the transfer fee
No jersey = no play
Covic came on in the 92 minute and scored his first senior goal today 🙏🏻
Youngest player in the Bundesliga
Olic being a nose picker still hasn’t called him up to U21 and he’s still with Croatia U19 – a bit silly for an 18 y/o at the cusp of breaking into a decent Bundesliga side – give the guy a call to U21 I’m sure he can handle it
Great to see him score that goal.
I expect his confidence will go up a notch.
13:00 Sunday
Jaga bench
Depressing
3-0 PAO after 50’
And Jaga still not on (60’ mark)
Still no jersey
Unreal
Poor Jaga
Rafa made all 5 subs by 84’
No jersey
No Jaga
😢 😢 😢 😢 😢 😢
We ❤️ u Jaga ❤️ hang in there
Fabrizio confirmed Luka to Barca
He will reveal more next week as SEVERAL TOP CLUBS INTERESTED AND WILL BE A LONG RACE
180′ min Luka V vs. Columbia please and thank you
Anyone watch Sutalo getting pumped 3-1 by Groningen yesterday ? He got subbed off – Luka V has played EVERY SINGLE MINUTE FOR HSV THIS SEASON
💙
Beljo
5 shots
2 big chance misses
0 goals
Yet he gets 90 every game as Boban continues to pray he’ll be able to sell him lol
Did you watch the game today Anonymous? Beljo was good today. Had some really nice and dribbles today along with an assist. Dinamo fans are praising his performance today. Since the break Beljo has been really good. Vidovic also today really good. Destroyed the rightback Hodak today.
I read a crazy headline from an ESPN post and it said “Italy, Germany, and Spain haven’t won a World Cup knockout stage game since their last World Cup victory”
That headline boggles my mind and it’s true. Germany has really lost their identity and only have 2 World Cup wins since 2014. Italy hasn’t made it since 2014 and it might be three in a row if they don’t get their ducks in a row. Spain on the other hand have been more impressive but even them. They have won three games since 2010 at the World Cup. I said that the Euros are harder to win. But now with lots of lower teams catching up and more games to play to win a championship now in this World Cup.
The England game will dictate our future. That game isn’t a must win but we definitely can’t drop points to them. We definitely need 7 points to secure a first and that might not even be enough.
I have been thinking recently. I am not sure how much I like the lone striker up front for us.
We don’t have a clear front man that has been consistent for the repka. Maybe this has been mentioned before, I am not sure.However, I wonder if Dalic should go with a 4-4-2.
We have had a lot of changes in this squad.
I think this formation would compliment the backline, and the front line.
For me I think at the back it should be Jakic, Gavrdiol, Vuskovic, and Stanišić. This would really help transition Vusković into the role, he would have the right support to be successful.
In the middle four it should be Perisic, Modric, Petar Sučić, Marco Pašalić. Depending on the condition of the players he will have Kovačić and others to help as well, so there are many players to choose from. Baturina could also be a fit on the wing now given how well he has been playing.
Front two Budimir, Matanović.
Two tall power forwards causing problems in the box.
This formation could potentially change depending on the opponents, but in many ways I think we are defensively stronger than many of our opponents.
I doubt that Dalic would ever go this route for the formation and lineup.
But I think to makes sense. The only issue for us is in the midfield as we have always had a Trident, bit we have had a lot of players with fewer minutes.m, save Modric and Petar Sučić.
Marco Pasalic needs to go back to Europe and prove himself before he becomes a National Team starter. So much is said about his speed but I would rather have a ‘slow’ winner. I trust Coach Dalic’s decisions for the National Team.
His decisions have been good in some cases and poor in others. It’s fair to question at times.
To be honest we haven’t had a solid frontman. It’s worth exploring having two power forwards up front.
Udinese vs. Atalanta 1st half plus 3 additional goals in 2nd half
Mario
Honestly he was very invisible out there – if I didn’t know he was a NT player – I wouldn’t have guessed it – on the 2nd Udinese goal he was terrible defending his box – scared to get in front and block a shot not once by twice – it was embarrassing – overall, just some recycling of the ball by him in midfield and the odd attempt at a progressive pass – zero carrying of the ball anywhere relevant – not really winning the ball back – just there recycling the odd time
My bigger issue – is based on camera in the tunnel pre-match – he didn’t even acknowledge Mlacic in the tunnel – you only see the two teams lined-up so could have happened before hand – but he knows a fellow Hrvat/Hajduk is making his debut – so make an effort on his big day the kid is 18 y/o – and tell him congrats and good luck – again it could have happened when the camera wasn’t showing – I have to say that Mario was and instructing his teammates to target Mlacic (see below after the first flick over Mlacic head) – it was nasty on the part of Mario – Mario even passed it over Mlacic’s head once and had one of the fast players chase it and Mlacic running back and the ball hit his arm on the attempted cross (it was 50/50 if he was handball or not) – it’s all leaves a poor taste in the mouth and really petty/nasty stuff by Mario to target a young 18 y/o Croat like that – not impressed
Mlacic
Has he ever played in a back 3 at Hajduk ??? I don’t think Hajduk play in a back 3 – so it’s probably the first time he’s ever played – he was the RCB in a back 3 – he spent a lot of time trying to figure out/organize with the RWB and RCM – who takes who – and where he should be – and you have the Atalanta players interchanging and with real movement in front of him – all a bit confusing to watch/focused on, never mind play in
Before the yellow in the 20′ where he clipped the heels of the Atlanta player – there were 3 maybe 4 times where the ball would come into the Atalanta player with back facing Mlacic (usually near centre of the park) and Mlacic got super tight right at them – but the first time the Atalanta player flicked the ball past Mlacic and ran past him and Mlacic tried to impede him with his arms – foul – happened again – foul – third time Atalanta player was making a run past Mlacic on Mlacic impeded him with his arms – foul – then the clipped heels/yellow – he was trying to gauge when he should get super tight vs. not get so tight – as the half wore on he wasn’t getting as tight and it worked better for him – but it was really trial-by-fire on testing his decision making and when to go tight/sit off – he was trying to work it all out in his brain
The good news about this – is you show him with the clips of the above – and go one by one (as there are all the small play over and over again) – and review what he did and what he could have done better or should have done – it’s very confusing with the back 3 and who was taking who on that side – Anonymous isn’t even sure how he could have done better on those plays – I guess if you get so close win the duel (but the first time was a flick over him – welcome to Serie A Branimir) or manage the space better like he did
It was a massive learning experience – between the back 3 and having a much higher calibre of attacker to deal with – it’s a big step up for him – hard to gauge how much time he will need to learn/adapt
There was no real box defending that happened and limited 1 v 1 when he had an attacker run at him (that happened only once) – where you can assess his box defending/1 v 1 – most of the defensive actions occurred outside the box or in the central third of the pitch in the build-up – a weird game to assess a CB
Mario Pasalic has scored some big goals for the National Team- against Spain in ‘20 Euros, scored winning penalty kick against Japan in ‘22, Netherlands in Nation’s League semifinal in ‘24. He plays for a decent European team unlike Marco. Coach Dalic will pick him for the squad.
Mario’s best trait is being “Johnny on the spot!” for a crucial header late in the game.
He’s done it for Atalanta countless times and a few for us.
Other than that he doesn’t give much creativity and certainly la is the pace to beat guys 1V1
MLS boys freezing
Musa hasn’t scored in last 2 games lol 1 goal in 270 Mickey Mouse MLS minutes
Pasalic got pumped 5-0 Friday lol 1 goal in 202 Mickey Mouse MLS minutes
To get called up to the Croatia NT – they should be scoring 1 goal every 30 minutes – minimum
Honestly – based on form – Dalic needs to call up Saranic > Marco (if he can’t take both) and Musa might be the last striker added (only bc all the other strikers not named Igor are either not playing and/or not performing – if Franjo was playing he’d get the last slot – he has one more game today vs. Prpic)
Budimir is amazing. Even when he starts the season slow, he ends up with great scoring numbers. Look at whom he’s ahead of on the scoring list and you’ll see how valuable our Budimir is. Also, how many of these goals have decided the outcome of a game? That’s something to consider with Budimir and Mario Pašalić in particular.
Crazy to think that we are less than 100 days away from a world cup and there’s only 5 players we can say that are definitely starting.. dalic has a lot of choices to make.. WC friendlys need to answer a lot of questions.
Isn’t that pretty normal? Do Spain or France already know who will definitely be starting at every position? I doubt it simply because there are too many good players involved. Maybe some teams already know their starting lineup 100%, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to win. And Dalić isn’t just going to go on press conferences announcing the starting lineup for three months from now because that would be pointless. With Gvardiol and Kovačić injured, this is a complicated question. If there are any more injuries, that will present new challenges. For now, let’s just hope everyone stays healthy.
Although Vuskovic is having a very good season, it would be interesting to see how he does on a really good team. The pressure is not the same when you play for a mediocre club. I have respected how Coach Dalic has handled Vuskovic. I hope that Vuskovic continues to build his resume.
He has been building up his resume and showing his defensive prowess.
He is playing in a top flight league Bundesliga, it’s not his fault that Hamburg isn’t the best team.
You have to be a pretty decent player if teams like Barca and Real Madrid are considering you.
It’s fair to be cautious with risk but the squad is reaching a point where your gonna have to start taking these risks. Vusković seems like a really good player to me.
His stats are pretty much justifying that.
A lot of good news today, but one that has flown under the radar . . . PERISIC is player of the game in Eindhoven’s 2-1 over AZ.
Livakovic
Pandur
Stanisic
Sutalo
Gvardiol
Jakic
Vuskovic
DCC
Erlic
Moro
Modric
P sucic
Kovacic
Mario Pasalic
Marco Pasalic
Vlasic
Baturina
Perisic
L sucic
Budimir
Musa
Matanovic
Backup:
Ivusic
Pongracic
Bradaric
Juranovic
Sosa
Smolcic
Valincic
Medic
Orsic
Majer
Basic
Fruk
Jagusic
Stojkovic
Petkovic
Ivanovic
Beljo
Absolutely crazy season Vušković is having
I can’t recall anything like this from a young Croatian defender
He has to start just for the chaos he would cause in the box from corners
If he doesn’t we would have wasted a World Cup for sure
Vusković’s penalty wasn’t the cleanest of goals he just gave it enough power that the goalie couldn’t hang onto it.
13 out of 13 challenges/duels won is still pretty damn good though.
5 goals this season for centre back is also pretty crazy.
Our back line might be the best in the world once Vušković finds a better club like Barca. Gvardiol fully healthy and with Stanišić.
Baturina looks great and the injury didn’t affect him at all it appears.
Is it me or guys like Majer, Jurnaovic, Sosa really fell off. I hardly hear any positive from any of them.
Mlacic got subbed off after receiving a yellow card.
Our midfield still seems above average. If Kovacic gets going and starts a hot streak that will be helpful. He’s back in training. A healthy Sucic X2, Baturina, Gvardiol will make us hungry and eager.
Sucic with an assist too today.
Baturina, Sucic X2, Modrić should be all set to start no question. We do need that height from Pašalić though.
Budimir with another goal. Starting him and Krama on the wing would be too slow. It’s impressive how much of an upgrade our defence is now since the last WC starting or few. Our forwards seem to slightly improving. This is the last tournament for Perisic, Kramarić and Budimir so it will be interesting to see who will step up.
I didn’t watch Udinese today, but they were up 2-0 after the first half and when Mlacic was taken out for the second half, Atalanta scored two goals. So, that’s good ha ha.
Majer is technically very elite. Great passer and creator.
But he lacks the physical side to be a complete midfielder in the modern era. He’s not physically strong, he’s not fast, not much stamina, and he’s not defensively that good. He would have been great in the 90s, though.
Juranovic and Sosa are both very physically weak, with Jura being very short. This is a disaster if you are expected to play in a back line.
Guys like Gvardiol, Stanisic and Jakic are physical monsters compared to these two.
Peak Sosa and Jura offered some good offensive ability on the flank…but that was the only thing keeping them on the team. Once they plateaued in that area, they were no longer worth putting on the field.
I’m glad they’re not on the team anymore.
JJ will always have Brazil, lol.
We need to figure out a way to get Vušković and Baturina in the starting eleven.
For Baturina it will be hard because Perišić has been a mainstay and he’s also having a good season.
Crazy thing is that Petar Sučić may get pushed out by Kovačić (if he comes back fully healthy)…unless we go Krama at RW again (which I hope we don’t).
We’ll know more once we see the Brazil/Colombia lineups later this month.
It’s looking great on paper. I’m really curious to see how it would work having a back line consisting of Vušković, Gvardiol, Stanisic and _______. I think we play best with 4 in the back, and I assume it should be Jakic until someone else steps up.
The interesting part is until Gvardiol came along, we’ve had traditional ‘stay at home’ CBs and have been successful with that style of player in the back. Now we have the potential for both Vušković/Gvardiol who like to make some forward runs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalic still starts Sutalo and slides Gvardiol to LB for a defensive anchor. I wish Gvardiol was healthy for these friendlies to see how it all works.
I agree with the big three defenders to start.
Based on last season’s form the fourth defender should clearly be Sutalo. He showed great ability with interceptions, dribbling, passing, and has good speed.
But . . . Based on this season’s form it might well be someone other than Sutalo. Jakic is a good choice.
Sutalo has time to get on track but it has been a surprisingly poor season for him. (Ditto for Luka Sucic and Lovro Majer.)
Smolcic, on the other hand, is probably having a better season than most people would have anticipated, and he might also be a good choice.
Hopefully we will learn more from the upcoming friendlies.
Unpopular opinion, but I would take L. Sucic over Majer, Musa over Budimir, 8 days a week.
I have to second this especially with Majer cause his stock dropped. MLS player over La Liga though?
Musa over Budimir? Fuƈk no.
Budimir has 7 goals in his last 8 games.
13 La Liga goals this season (in 26 games after a slow start).
He probably hits 20 goals on the season again, and will likely finish third in overall scoring for a third season in a row.
Prince luka will be 100 million dollar before 20??
You know 6 months ago if someone said “batina” could be a huge difference maker at the World Cup
You wouldn’t say not a chance , but you would sure be skeptical
Well he very well could be
Huge boost to that left side
Yeah forget wedding boy for now
We already have the right sucic
Prince luka and gvardi still a chance for World Cup
Absolutely amazing if they can find the connection for this go
AS PREDICTED
MLACIC STARTS FOR UDINESE !!!!!!!
Can’t watch live – but will watch it 100% at some point
Maybe someone else can keep eyes ?!!!
Subbed off at 1/2 with a yellow
…and Udinese give up two goals since he was subbed out, so great 🙂
@anonymous. What is going on with the Punk Pandur these days as he gave up another 3 goals today. Livakovic is Zlatko’s man for this WC.
Which of the goals do you think he should have been able to save?
LUKA VUSKOVIC
EARNS A PENALTY BY GETTING HIS ACHILLES RACKED
TAKES THE PENALTY
SCORES THE PENALTY
CRNKOVIC – U STILL POSITIVE HE AIN’T A STRIKER ????!!!!! 😉
Please also see 16:46 for the explosive recovery run (from standstill) to recover after his teammate gave up the ball – the attacker had 5 yard on Luka – and Luka recovered and slide tackled to prevent a cross
Anonymous doesn’t need to see anything else (or even bother watching Luka anymore) – it’s 1000% sure he goes to Barca (and partners with Curbasi) – and Dalic has no choice he has to give Luka 180′ against Columbia and Brazil
Vuskovic earned the second HSV penalty (and Dompe took/scored it)
Game changer
Giant amongst dwarfs on the pitch
Majer just came on – Dalic earning his free dinner and wine !
Perfect cross Lovro Majer 67:58 – beautiful shape – absolutely perfect
Hopefully Dalic wasn’t sipping his wine during the cross
Please Dalic Majer over Wedding Boy
Scuffle after the whistle
I think Majer got a red card (50% sure) – he grabbed a guy by the shirt really aggressively – hopefully Dalic already left his seat or was already drunk from 90 minutes of wine – either way doubt he would have seen it
Vuskovic was SMARTLY nowhere near the chirping and pushing – he knows he is the KING – and EVERYONE wants to provoke and take a shot at the KING to take him down – so just stay away as too much to lose (hello Barca) – such maturity for a just turned 19 y/o
83% MOTM Vuskovic – how poetic we transition from King Luka to King Luka II
@anonymous your boy Saranic with another great goal.
Thank you for pointing it out !
Just saw it !!
Very nice move to get past defender 1 v 1 and powerful shot !!!
Love the Suker pulse-check celebration (again)
Only 4 points away from 1st place 12 games to go 😊
Anyone have odds that Sesvete gets promoted this year ? Anyone ??? 😎
Anonymous eye tests have NO LIMITS and NO BOUNDS – from the highs of telling you all Vuskovic will be bought by Barca (or Madrid) 6 months ago – to slumming it in the 2nd division “garbage” of Croatia and highlighting a gem (Anonymous never heard of Saranic before 3 weeks ago – must have been sleeping while he was coming up the ranks – no cap)
Baturina goal. Stole the ball in midfield got the ball back on a deflected pass and finished nicely in the corner.
Bati-gol!