Joško Gvardiol was the hero for Manchester City Sunday afternoon after sliding home a 91′ shot to beat Bournemouth 2-1. The play was initially flagged for offside, but after VAR, the goal stood. Gvardiol received a 7.6 SofaScore rating for his efforts while Manchester Evening news was a bit more critical with a 5/10 rating: “He wasn’t as sharp defensively as he needed to be but what a finish at the death.” Mateo Kovačić came off the bench in the 63′ and received a 6/10 rating as he “Got straight into the game and survived a few scares.”
I’m sorry guys. If this guy is not on Slaven Bilic’s radar for the upcoming Nations League cycle as a winger, that is a HUGE mistake! Adrian Segečić rifled home a fantastic free kick in Portsmouth’s 3-1 win over Lincoln City Saturday. From just outside the box, this is one of the worst spots to slam home a free kick from. However, the 22 year-old Australian-born hit it perfectly and is continuing where he left off last season for Portsmouth: in form. As of March 2026, Segečić is able to play for Croatia through his grandparents and has already stated that he would turn his back on Australia. Call the kid up!
Ivan Perišić is on the board in Holland with two goals Saturday in a 5-1 PSV win over Groningen. 37 year-old winger now has 2G/1A in his first three Dutch matches of the season. As much love as Modrić gets, Perišić should get the same. He cleaned up the trash in front of the net for his first and cooly megged the keeper from inside the box on the second. He has so, so, so much still to give club and country. Can’y wait to see him in Champions League action this year!
Franjo Ivanović scored in his first game for Lens in a 5-2 Ligue 1 victory over Auxerre Saturday. He will get plenty of reps for Lens not just in domestic play but Champions League as well this season.
Igor Matanović was named MOTM with 2G/1A in Freiburg’s 5-1 German Cup victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Luka Modrić came off the bench in the 57′ for AC Milan Sunday and supplied a ‘hockey assist’ on the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Torino. Modrić turns 41 years old next month. Wrap your head around that.
Manager Sergej Jakirović opened up his Premier League account with a huge 2-0 win over Manchester United Saturday.
With Dalić out, players will start to feel that they finally have a chance to play for the repka, even if they haven’t been called up before. I bet this will encourage and drive some new players to get better and work for it.
And I’m sure that’s part of why a lot of players are starting well now. Be it to get a first call up or to win Bilic’s attention
Thank you for everything you’ve done Dalić, but I think it’s a blessing that you left now
Dion drena Beljo should be given a chance in nation’s league, hes a scoring machine!
Still over a month away, and Musa, Ivanović and Matanović are also scoring.
Hopefully Bilić calls all of them up, since it’s four important games across 10 days…and maybe one of them begins to stand out ahead of the rest as we get closer to the games.
Vuskovic, Matanovic, Ivanovic and Segecic with good starts to the season.
Glad to see the obvious disparity between Vuskovic over the other four guys (Duje, Pong, Erlic, Sutalo) with Vuskovic starting in a back-four in the EPL and the others not even playing in their lesser leagues. This was easily Dalic’s biggest gaffe at the World Cup.
Shame Gvardiol is still playing LB for Man City. I’d like to see him moved at CB for us (but we are likely to stick him at LB as per his club role).
I would have still liked to see us try Stanisic or Perisic at LB as a stop-gap, so that we could try a Gvardiol/Vuskovic tandem. We have options at RB like Stanisic or Smolcic to make this backline work.
That’s why Dalic ran away and is hiding in UAE (like Mamic in Bosnia) as they don’t have an extradition treaty with Croatia – otherwise Dalic could be locked up in prison for his treatment and scapegoating of Vuskovic
I really hope this is the time to embrace the Croatian talent across all leagues, rather than going back into the dark.
We have been beat up pretty good. WC26 should have been something else. Our hero will be stepping down soon.
That 2018 team spent years playing together. We have the same now playing together, with more younger talent coming up.
I’m hoping that VAR ruling in the Portugal game was the actual watershed moment (unintentional handball in the penalty area 2018 finals, goalkeeper interference on challenge despite being in penalty area 2022 Argentina).
And we now have Adidas making the kits (I have to say, I love the away 2026 WC; the red lines through the blue is striking and everyone was wearing the home jersey in Philadelphia).
Let’s hope for the best!
Well is it’s any consolation, we’re sucked in these past two tournaments so I don’t think we’d be much worse off without Modrić.
I think we have solid talent and depth across ‘most’ of our positions.
My biggest worry is actually goalkeeping once Livaković retires.
We may have a potential issues up top with wingers/strikers, but I’m optimistic on that front. I think a couple of our youngsters will come through.
Looks like Gvardiol will be playing at left back at Man City ? if that is the case then Bilic will most likely use him in the same position for the national team unless he opts for Perisic or Stanisic?
Good to see Vuskovic playing as LEFT CB for Brighton in four at the back formation which gives us more options in the defence.
NL starts in less than 5 weeks or so with 4 matches in 14 days and it is a bit of a worry that some of our defenders are not getting any or very little playing time.
You need to rotate players, and it will be a huge test with the first match away to Chechia, followed by away to Spain, home against England (no crowd allowed) and to finish with Spain at home.
MART, yes, Gvardiol returned to left back today, where, if I recall right, Pep had him for much of 2025-26.
Stanisic, Gvardiol, and Vuskovic look like they will all be ready for Nations League.
But you are right that some of the defenders are not getting much playing time. DCC, Erlic, Pong . . .
I guess we can’t expect Sutalo to start for Lazio tomorrow either, as it will likely take some time to integrate him?. . . So he too might be rusty if he does not get enough playing time at his new club . . . . We wil have to see how it goes.
JJ played well today for Union Berlin. Is he a potential starter given the need to rotate?
I would think Smolcic will have logged a lot of minutes for Como by then. He probably figures to start a game or two for the NT?
Would someone from the HNL, say Valincic, be a possibility?
How many defenders would we need for 4 games in such a tight time frame?
You probably need 7 or 8 defenders. Some of the key defenders can play 3 matches in 14 days but beyond that you are pushing it in terms of performance and possibility of injury.
Valincic is an option at RB although he has not been playing well ever since he got injured late last year. He has lost pace and is being criticised in the media for his performances ever since.
Smolcic should be called up for the RB position, and I have been impressed by Ante Orec from Rijeka who has been playing well also at RB. Not sure if Orec is available ? I do not think that he has represented BiH ? need to check this.
Another one I think should have some strong consideration is Hrgovic. I’ve been liking what he brings to the table in the Hajduk games I’ve watched.
100% agree with @Stejepan. Hrgovic has very good speed and has played well.
The only thing I don’t like about Garcia is that he’s outright not giving Hrgović all the playing time he deserves.
Maybe it’s a development thing or a minute management thing, but he’s actually looking like a potential NT candidate.
As geniusly predicted
Hull 2-0 win over Man U opens the flood gates to new signings – everyone wants to join now
🚨🟠⚫️ EXCLUSIVE: Hull City reach verbal agreement to sign Mohamed Ali-Cho, here we go!
#HCAFC agree terms at £13m fixed fee plus high add-ons to OGC Nice if Hull City end up staying in Premier League.
Travel and medical booked for 22 year old French winger. ✈️
But all the Croatians who were supposed to come fell through! No Fruk, Ivanovic or Marco Pasalic!
Why can’t Josko do that for use lol
Very suss
He does. Then FIFA say its offsides when its not.
Him pushing forward also caused that left side to be open up for an attack (which was the result of the first goal).
I’m not blaming him for the goal (as the two Man City CBs bungled it via miscommunication) but it seems like we need to have some VERY good central defenders to cover for Gvardiol if he is going to continue to play as a forward at times.
For now, I would very much prefer we try Gvardiol in his 2022 World Cup role as a LCB (where he played his best football) and just try out Stanišić at LB (or Perišić as a stop gap).
Luka has been on the field 10 minutes . . . now 2-0 AC Milan.
They just seem to play better, the whole team seems elevated, when he is on the field.
Modric comes on in the 56th minute.
0-0 AC Milan-Torino.
Vidovic!!
Scored for Paderborn in 4-2 win. Good to see . . .
MART, I hear you that he is limited in some ways, notably you say he does not have great speed, but you also say he is an intelligent player if he can add some extra strength maybe he is the kind of player who can hit high quality form by his mid-20s
Modric on bench during first half Milan v Torino . . .
Igor . . . Two for Freiburg, also chipped in with an assist, and was player of the match. Won both the Sofascore player of the match, and the fan vote for player of the match. Also Fotmob player of the match. Not bad for about 20 minutes on the field.
Yes it’s the DFB Pokal and yes, against weak opposition, but it was a one goal game until he came onto the field in the 69th minute. In any event, good to see him find the back of the net x2 . . .
Goals are goals.
A great start to the season and let’s hope he continues just doing his thing
He for sure was a positive at the World Cup with his size and strength
I saw him In Philly and he looked like he belonged
His ceiling has got to be higher the say budimirs
DannyJ
As per here and your comments below, as you say a good youth movement is on the way, and maybe the post-Modric era won’t be as painful as you and I and many others first thought.
Someone (was it @Bart1912?) once said they thought Ivanović might turn out to one day be as good a goal scorer as, and a replacement for, Kramaric.
And do we think Matanovic’s ceiling could reach the Mandzukic level? Again, someone here, I can’t recall who, thought Matanovic had that potential. Your thoughts?
Those are the critical questions.
The defence is emerging to be very strong. We are going to be better there than we were in 2018. Vuskovic, Gvardiol, Stanisic, will anchor a world class defence.
The midfield is shaping up very well with Bati and Pero, and with Kovacic still strong and even Majer potentially returning to form, we need one or two younger midfielders to come through (L. Sucic? Jagusic? Segecic? . . . ) and the midfield will be tops.
So the issue really comes down to attacking players. We lack dangerous scoring threats. Budimir has made a contribution, a good contribution, but we can’t ask for a future from him as a striker at his age. Musa is in the MLS, turning 29 in March, with no clear path back to a top European League. Perisic is a great warrior who can still contribute, scored two today, and is a quality leader for the younger players to learn from. But we have to be realistic about how much he can offer, say, more than two years out from now.
So it is Ivanovic and Matanovic at the top of the list, and we need some other young attacking players with potential, some more speed on the wings would be fantastic. Not sure where that will come from, or who people think can break through and be that dangerous, speedy winger we really need. . . Though I suppose there are a few candidates with potential out there.
Interesting days ahead for the national team as Bilic works his way through the tough group and the tough opponents we will face in Nations League.
Oh, I think it could be MART. I remembered him saying that he sees Ivanovic as a future replacement for Krama… something along those lines.
I was saying Matanović is the future striker. His movement on the ball exceeds the other strikers we called up. His vision and ball IQ as well.
He just needs to work on his accuracy and consistency a bit more. He could be even better than Mandžo if he things work out in his favour.
Mudrazija !!!!!
The goal is nice
But the backwards flick over his head to start the play was sweet
Orsic 10/10 for letting the ball go in – huge respect for him doing that – if that was Beljo he would have all over it to claim as his own
Nice smelling salts celebration ?
You could see how much it meant to him laying on the ground
Such a talent footballer – people forget how he carried Loko on his back 2 years ago
Happy for Mudražija but he should have immediately ran to Oršić for not taking the goal.
@ATin @Crnkovic
2 down (Savinho, Marmoush) 1 more to go (Gakpo or Mudruk)
🚨💣 BREAKING: Tottenha reach verbal agreement with Man City to sign Omar Marmoush, here we go!
Verbal agreement done on initial loan with buy clause to become mandatory under certain conditions at £50m.
Marmoush said yes to #THFC days ago, travel and medical on Monday. ⚪️🇪🇬
Anon, you are jumping ahead . . . We continue to await your extensive report on the very first Spurs game of the new 2026-27 PL season, that is our current focus. No doubt it would be 99.98% accurate, of course, that goes without saying . . . .
. . . but in lieu of the report, if you could just remind us what the score was, that would probably suffice. LOL!
JJ with assist, while Marin Ljubicic with a brace in 28’ off the bench
Wow on the segecic blast
Ok, we really may have something with him in the future
Segecic , pero, batina
This fire power from not in a striker position
Looks like the “aging” Croats aren’t so old anymore
Love to see vuskovic with a strong start
I don’t believe post modric will be as painful as originally thought
Keep going decki
Gvardiol scores 2-1 winner
Swivel and strike in corner
He’s a better #9 than any striker we have
Play him up front given the abundance of CBs we have
Perisic has scored two for PSV . . .
40′
Joao Gomes kick out red card
Villa down to 10 men
Dream debut for Brighton and Luka V
4-0 Brighton after 31 minutes
That’s what happens when you have Luka V on the field
He wins you games
This is SO SO EASY
29:06
PERFECT CROSS FIELD PASS BY VUSKOVIC (not like Pong and Sutalo who kick the ball out of play during the WC for no reason in their passes)
HOCKEY ASSIST ON THIRD GOAL
3-0 Brighton
Dalic should be PUT IN PRISON for not starting Vuskovic at every game at the WC – it’s inexcusable
Oh yeah – btw – Brighton is playing in a back 4 (for all you MORONS who believed Luka can only play in a back 5 like Dalic – and it’s back 4 in the PREMIER LEAGUE – the BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD)
24:00
Offensive corner
John McGuinn (the BEST Scottish player of all time) – tries to grab Luka’s waist in anticipation – look at Luka push off McGuinn’s chest to break away from him – and curl a run to far post – to head the corner coming in back in front of goal – too bad nobody picked it up for 3-0
Real Madrid level box movement and tactics by Luka on the corner
Exactly what we needed at the WC by the way
2-0 Brighton after 18 minutes
Now Luka gets some breathing room
Although already 4 yellows in the game – someone might get sent off
16:34
Looks how Luka anticipates – gets his body shape ready – Villa player keeps the ball and he’s ready to sprint back
Again – this is completely new defending by Luka – this is ANTICIPATION to make up for his “agility issue” – it’s now been worked around
15:22
PERFECT DEFENDING LUKA
Tracks the attacked – body checks him – gets ball back and away he goes
This is REAL MADRID level defending
13:27
Look how Luka turns in anticipation and ready to explode back
This is again new – he didn’t used to defend like his
10:52
Careful Luka – you planted your feet – if the pass came thru the box – you would have been flat footed – no planting your feet – you are a ballerina on your tippy-toes at all times
Brighton 1-0 already
6:05
Look how Luka is scanning behind him
This is also a new trick – new way of scanning
He anticipates the play / ball over top of his read
Bc of the scanning – he perfectly anticipates – and closes down the attacker
And because of the scanning – he turned in advance – to face the attacker – and when ball came thru – he was ready to attack directly – as he was facing the attacker
Again – he’s never defended like this before i.e. he would wait for pass to come through and then turn
Now he’s turning in advance
New tricks
3:47
Look who Luka leans into Villa player and than does a 360′ turn to get away from him on the Villa direct free kick
Never seen him do that before EVER
They are teaching our boy new tricks
Oh this is gonna be fun
ANTE U HAVE TO POST PERO’S TWO HOCKEY ASSISTS
I WATCHED THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF HIM COMING ON
HE COMES ON – HE MAKES A RUN INTO THE BOX – GETS THE BALL – CUTE PASS TO WING WHO CROSSES GOAL
FEW MINUTES LATER – PERO WITH A 500 IQ MOVE SITTING DEEP – AND POINTS TO DEFENDER TO PASS BALL TO DI MARCO – THE DEFENDER THAN PASSES IT TO PERO – WHO LOOKS AT DI MARCO AND MAKES THE SWEETEST AND MOST DISGUISED PASS EVER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL RIGHT UP TO MIDDLE TO PIO WHO FLICKS IT ON – GOAL – WHO NEED TO SEE THE ANGLE WITH CAMERA BEHIND THE GOAL WITH CLOSE UP TO PERO’S FACE ON THE PASS
THIS IS WHY INTER FANS ARE CALLING HIM GOD
WE SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES – WE ALL TAKE PERO FOR GRANTED – ANONYMOUS INCLUDED – BUT HE’S BY FAR THE BEST FOOTBALL WE HAVE ON THE NT – HE IS 100% GOING TO MADRID AFTER INTER
Maminjo must be hung-over
Not only did Vuskovic dress – he is STARTING vs. Villa 9:00am ET
OMFG
TWO STARTS IN THREE DAYS
x.com/BHAFC/status/2091492008485380163
JEEZ HE’S PARTNERED WITH LEWIS DUNK
VUSKOVIC IS FASTER THAN HIS CB PARTNER !!!
Anonymous loves Ross Barkley’s ability to receive a pass on the half-turn and swivel forward and dribble – his trademark – so lovely to watch
Why didn’t Vušković dress?
Was it because he played against Tromso?
Looks like Vuskovic starting . . .
Wonderful goals by sege and Franjo!! Love the way Franjo scored that goal like he was playing against kids, so calm, didn’t rush just took his time and made it look easy. Very promising (long way to go)
WOW, that’s one heck of a strike by Sege… *bows repeatedly with outstretched arms
@A Tin U
Yes it’s important Ivanovic got off to a good start, and it also doesn’t matter that Auxerre are weakish opponents. I believe Franjo has gained some confidence after scoring a good goal today.
Franjo also made a hockey assist (neatly sliding the ball through to Thauvin on the flank) for Lens to go 3-0 up. Goal was initially flagged offside but later stood after review. He also played a tiny part in causing the penalty that put Lens 1-0 up. From Thauvin’s free kick, he didn’t manage to connect well with the ball, so he headed the ball back towards the box hoping some teammate would run onto it… what happened instead was Auxerre’s Arthur Piedfort went tussling with a Lens player for the ball which ended up touching his forearm – handball and penalty awarded. So, Franjo arguably played a part in all 3 goals before being taken off at 3-1 in 62′. Good job hehe😁
Match highlights (watch until 6:05 for Franjo’s involvement only):
beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/ligue-1/articles-video/-video-lens-open-ligue-1-campaign-with-statement-win-over-auxerre-as-florian-thauvin-steals-the-show-2026-08-22
Clip of Franjo’s goal showing a longer sequence leading up to the goal, including a delicate first touch in trapping a long cross-field pass from defense:
reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1vvgsxy/lens_20_auxerre_franjo_ivanovi%C4%87_49
Oh, re Bruno Petkovic, I guess I wasn’t expecting to see his name there… I was actually wondering whether it could be some young prospect also named Petkovic haha.
***
@Stjepan V.
Yeap let’s see how it goes… at the moment after 2 games, it seems Franjo is playing like an inside forward on the left half (with Thauvin on the right), positioned just behind the out and out striker in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Those of you who have watched the games, feel free to correct me or chime in!
***
@Dannyj
True that, I think we’ll do okay with Matanovic and Musa for the time being. Despite Musa scoring like nobody’s business in MLS, gee I wonder why I haven’t come across any rumors of clubs wanting to sign him. I wish to God he would just go back to Europe and prove his ability in a top 5 league. The Moose will be 29 come March 2027.
Thanks Bart!
Franjo on track as you rightly note. Petar Sucic also a factor immediately after he was subbed on for Inter.
Watching Vuskovic now and taping Manchester City to watch later!
Enjoy dude! Wow our guys are really making some noise this weekend😎
Sege will the Perisic 2018 England goal cele that is hiking up his shorts on the left leg and pointing at it
Can’t blaim him that was one hell of a strike
For those still rightfully pssed about the Vlasic “hold” in the box vs Portugal which gave a penalty
See 47’ in today’s Tttenham game Senesi had a handful of Collins jersey and completely threw him down on the ground (albeit in a smart disguised way) and VAR reviewed and said “light contact no penalty”
We were so robbed with that penalty call
Well you couldn’t have Penaldo hold the title of being scoreless in every World Cup knockout match, it would be a terrible historical achievement and discredit the myth of his greatness.
Faster than Anonymous picking his nose.
Stronger then slowest train in Osijek,
Able to eat 2 tons of cevapi in a single bound,
Look it’s Klepetan,
It’s Rimic Automobili,
No, it’s SUPER SLAV.
Faty Bati yanked at HT as he wanted a donut
Smolcic with a minute
Stanisic 68’ in 2-1 German SuperCup win
Pero on from 54’ and Inter fans say he’s amazing and they won’t be able to keep him for long (Real Madrid or Barca would be Anonymous guess)
Mlacic unused sub
David Celic 3 goals vs 1 save
That’s two games in a row he’s lost since his new contract
Revoke the contract and make him hungry again