Josip Brekalo not only scored three goals for Wolfsburg Saturday in a 3-0 win over Union Berlin, but two were from outside the box with spectacular precision. He couldn’t be heating up at a better time with EURO 2021 five weeks away. More importantly for Wolfsburg, the win means they will only need four points from the last two matches in the Bundesliga season to book a Champions League berth.
Andrej Kramarić followed in Brekalo’s footsteps on Saturday with a wonderful free kick goal from 26 yards out while adding two assists. Hoffenheim came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Schalke 4-2 behind a huge game from Krama. The Croatian boys in the Bundesliga know it’s showtime and are showing us their best. Please exclude Sosa from that list.
Boy, remember how bad the Vatreni missed Ante Rebić (injury) during March World Cup qualifiers? Well, he’s playing pissed off and super focused for an AC Milan side who are close to returning to the Champions League after a 3-0 butt whooping over Juventus on Sunday. Rebić came off the bench in the 66′ for Zlatan and scored an absolute banger 12 minutes later from 24 yards out to make it 2-0 AC Milan. The Croatian bulldog is fired up with only three Serie A matches left in the season. Mario Mandžukić was an unused sub for this match.
It was a stalemate in La Liga this weekend as Atletico drew Barcelona 0-0 and Real Madrid drew Sevilla 2-2. Will Atletico Madrid blink with only three matches remaining in the season? Šime Vrsaljko was an unused substitute for Atletico this weekend while both Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić got starts for their respective clubs. Rakitić was the big winner on Sunday as he assisted on Sevilla’s first goal before converting a penalty kick. Modrić was given a 7.5/10 grade as he “was instrumental in this match. Linked up with his midfield partner for the time he was on. Finished with 91 per cent pass completion, one key pass, two shots and one dribble. Subbed after 66 minutes.”
Nice new website! Anyways as per usual us Aussies can view a grand total of zero of those vids : /
Which vids?
The 4 in the article. Well, i lie, one of them works lol, the 7 second off-screen recording isnt banhammered in Aussie, that’s the only one tho lmao.
OMG Rebic with a beautiful goal!!
Anyone see Budimir’s goal? Like him or not, Budimir is a pure 9 who will be an asset this summer.
Germany has to actually include him in their squad, and play him in a real game… I know Germany’s depth isn’t great defensively but would they actually put him in the squad over kids that have been in their system for the last 5 years? Seems like an odd fit for a prospect that really hasn’t proven much.
So is he pissed about being kept in the junior U’s ? I personally don’t care about
Our results there. It means nothing and now we might lose Sosa. He hasn’t switch allegiances yet. Play the fucker!
It just occurred to me that Bradarić was included in that U21 match to cover for Sosa (who was faking an injury).
Then Bradarić goes ahead and scores that incredible injury time goal to send our U21s to the quarterfinals.
Sosa was upset that he was not called up to the senior team… Probably a little jealous that the much younger Bradarić was already getting games ahead of him.
Sosa decided that he wants to play for Germany, claimed injury, and then Bradarić takes his spot for one game and scores, lol. I wonder what was going through Sosa’s head after he saw that goal.
Almost symbolic. Strange how things work out.
Sorry gents my head is still burning by the callous comments made by Sosa on German tv
On a side note nice equalising goal by budimir
He is tracking along quite nicely in my view
The timing stinks too from the German side
They are clearly trying to stir up trouble for us internally prior to the commencement of the tournament
They are not serious about Sosa
They are just using him as a pawn
They are concerned about our dark horse status and eventually meeting them down the track further into the tournament
Bring the game on I say and if Sosa plays in that game every player on the field will need to let him know that he is a Judas and pump goals on him on the left edge
The rules needs to be changed
Not sure. Maybe they are trying to mess around, but this would backfire.
I can’t see how this wouldn’t rile up our players if we were to be drawn against them in the knockout phase.
I can’t believe Sosa would do this. I feel sorry for his parents.
The guy will literally have to say goodbye to the Jadransko More for good. He will get crucified the next time he comes back to Cro, even if it’s for vacation.
I hope he likes German Autokamps.
I was just thinking about that today… everyone will recognize him here and he would 100% get harassed anywhere he goes. He has to buy himself an island and just stay there 🤣
Ante
Is this your big scoop
Jozak to replace Dalic after the euros
Good riddance.
We don’t need traitors nor morons.
So he was unhappy that Dallic didn’t cap him earlier.
I’ve seen Barcelona-Atletico today. Saul Niguez has been a star for Atletico for years now.
Today he was benched. When one of the Atletico’s player got injured after 15 minutes, Saul Niguez was subbed in… but subbed out again after 70 minutes because the coach thought that would help the team.
Saul Niquez has played a Champions League final with Atletico and has been a key figure for years for them.
I’m only saying, who the fuck is Sosa to demand anything? He’s just some player in a some shit team in Germany.
It’s disappointing that Sosa is playing these games, but I understand why he feels this way. Dalic is most to blame, no question about it.
It would have taken a 15 minute sub in a nations league game to secure him.
You remember those games Dalic didn’t take seriously leaving Modric and Rakitic off the squad. Your down by 4 goals and have 5 subs. Throw a couple of prospects in the lineup and Cap them.
I 100% agree
I’m a firm believer that you earn your spot. Kid has had one really good year and was absolutely on the radar, but must have had a tantrum when Biscan wanted him and Dalic let him go play for the U21s. I’m a fan of Dalic but it was a bit of a mistake. Regardless this is all on Sosa. How do you turn away from your country when you are on the brink of playing? Classic big ego syndrome. I hope he flops hard…the Njemci will drop him in a heartbeat if he has a few bad showings…they have lots of depth everywhere. I also pray we meet them in the Euro’s and lay a beating on them as usual.
We actually have good options there with Bradaric and Gvardiol (unless we play him as a central defender) so honestly it’s not a big loss.
Lessons Learned.
Some of us here have been harping for the past year about integrating youth, and that idiot Dalic just continues to experiment with random vets who would never realistically be used in a tournament.
Call up Majer, Gvardiol, Ivanusec, Basic, Bradaric, Sosa RIGHT NOW. Not after Vida and Badelj retire. RIGHT NOW. They are the better players both now and in the future.
These guys are entering their mid-20s. They’re sick of junior tournaments and most of them would have transferred to Liga Petica clubs by now had they been given exposure.
I agree with the hate Sosa is getting (he deserves it) but hopefully this is a wakeup call for Dalic too.
I disagree completely with Borna Sosa’s decision to play for Germany. He’s been playing consistently well for about a year now. But he knows that if he gets a callup for the Euros, it would give him enough exposure for a bigger transfer. Bayern were rumored to be interested. There is no doubt he would get a bigger contract with a bigger club if he gets to start for either one of Croatia or Germany.
I get that the money and career path are enticing, but this is a pretty traitorous move.
Dalic and Biscan were both taken by surprise. If Sosa was so upset at the situation, why didn’t he approach them?
Honestly, if they called up Dario Fucking Melnjak over me, I would lose my shit and let them know it. It just seems so weak that he would apparently be so upset, but then quietly go about representing another country.
I still hold out hope that this is just a švercegovac way of him trying to force his way into our starting eleven. But this could have easily been resolved behind closed doors, and not via the media.
I find it hard to believe a kid with as much pedigree in the repka as he has would feel comfortable playing for Germany… I have a feeling he’s angling to make sure he’s got a spot locked in to the senior team for the next couple tournaments. I bet he was scared they were gonna make him play in the u21 team and he’d miss the euros and he’s trying to light a fire under Dalic’s ass.
Damn Maminjo is going to get tendinitis in both wrists this weekend after his boy breks bags a hat trick today!
Ever since U14 wrote that article where he mentioned Brekalo would never be world class, our boy Josip is trying to punish him dearly for it ha ha!
F*** him to be honest, no need for backstabbing divas to play for our team. You’re all blaming Dalic and forgiving far too easily Sosa’s “decision”. If the kid is even 1% hesitating , then let him go.
Fair point.
Most of the blame goes to Sosa, but a big chunk goes to Dalic too.
Not really specific to Sosa, but losing Sosa just reiterates the issues we have with Dalic and his inability to integrate the younger players, over these past three years.
Moro, Majer, Ivanusec, Gvardiol, Basic, and Bradaric should have been regular callups (as backups) by now. Caleta-Car should be an unquestionable starter.
Three of these guys are already 23, and both Duje and Basic are turning 25 this year.
This is completely unacceptable.
Good for Sosa.
Its not like its the U.S. its bloody Germany! Where he’s played professionally for 4 years. Not to say Id choose them but if my home country kept dicking me around and calling up scrubs ahead of me and quite possibly the best National Team in the world wanted me Id be very flattered
Seriously? This comment coming from you?
This kid was nowhere less than a year ago. He was a potential…not even consistent and you truly believe you’d turn your back on your country without asking yourself if you really would make a hasty decision for the rest of your career because you weren’t called when you’ve only really deserved a call for “maybe” the last 6 months?!
From me, sure.
Didn’t say I would said good for him and that he should be flattered. Sounds like you know absolutely nothing about him anyway. Ive watched a few Stuttgart games and he’s definitely talented and earned what’s come his way.
I’m talking about being “ponosan na svoj narod” and not bailing out for a country where he’ll lineup with a mix mash of mixed players (almost like France) and then feel completely numb when the national anthem is played.
Yeah, I haven’t followed him because he’s not been much to follow until recently.
Remember when Simunic mentioned that it’s not always good to pump up younger players….they should learn to keep a level head and learn respect for club and country?!
Nevertheless, it comes across as if Sosa has a big head. Playing for Croatia should be an honor and he could have had a little more patience!
I agree.
Just feel like its hard to judge the man unless you know everything about the situation. Maybe he’s just that butt-hurt over what’s transpired over the years? You’ve played at a pretty high level. I’m sure you’ve felt slighted at times.
Everyone’s been butt-hurt at some point but trading a German flag over a Croatian flag is a really big statement in my book!
He was called as a favour by Biscan…then Dalic couldn’t use him because he was serving 2 game suspension for a red card….then eventually refused to play for the younger guys vs England and by then he made his choice.
A stupid red card vs Scotland and then faking an injury….just immature if you ask me!
Just trying to reserve judgement but yeah it doesn’t look good. Having an option like that would go to a lot of people’s heads.
After all these years and after seeing hundreds of your comments, I consider you a great Hrvat in many ways so when I saw your “good for him” comment it caught me off guard!
Sosa should thank Croatia on his bare knees. He got a splendid formation at Dinamo Zagreb, one of the best formation centers in the World.
He got the chance to start playing professional football as a young guy.
He got the chance to play international games as youth player for Croatia.
And.,, then he chooses to represent Germany.
Brekalo with 2 and Kramaric with 1. Poor Schalke..
Kramaric 2 assists as well.
Looks like he’s learning to set up some goals too!
And Brekalo with the hat trick!!!
Right in time for Euros!!!
Ajmo Dečki!!!
Someone wrote this to Sosa. There’s a photo of him wearing a Croatian uniform and beside that, a German flag! Very powerful if you ask me.
ovu sliku dobro zapamti, jer ovaj sveti dres više nikada nećeš obući. Odbio si igrati za zastavu za koju su generacije tvojih dojučerašnjih sunarodnjaka prolijevale krv i suze, za čije stvaranje su mnogi živote dali. Rekao si NE navijačima koji su u Stuttgartu stali uz tebe i kada nije išlo. Rekao si NE prilici o kojoj svako dijete sanja od trenutka kada prvi put dodirne loptu. Umjesto ponosnih suza koje je stojeći uz Luku, Ivana i Domagoja sa zastavom u ruci slušajući hrvatsku himnu prolijevao Darijo Srna ti ćeš stajati uz Ilkaya, Emrea i Thomasa na drugoj strani terena i diviti se toj ljubavi koja je tebi strana. Tvoj dom su sada Stuttgart i Berlin, a u Hrvatskoj si turist. Sjeti se svoga izbora kada ti ne bude jasno zašto ne osjećaš moć ljubavi tribina prekrivenih kockicama za koje je Šime riskirao karijeru, zbog kojih je Ivanu prijetila cijela Švicarska, a Mateo kao klinac napustio Austriju. Ako ne znaš odgovor oni ga znaju, mi ga znamo: NIJE U ŠOLDIMA SVE! Jedna je sveta zastava, jedan je sveti dres! Tebi njemački, nama hrvatski!
Very powerful letter!
Yeah, made me feel like Sosa is being unreasonable and selfish!
That says it all!!!
No loyalty to the homeland of his ancestors…go ahead play for the Švabe…imagine lining up against Croatia, listening to Lijepa Naša but playing against your own kin.
With Croatia he would have been a beloved son, as a German, just a cog in the machine….just like all the other gastarbeiters (guest workers) on the team.
Idiot.
Sram te bilo
Bog i Hrvati
I was just thinking about that, lol.
There is a pretty good chance we meet Germany in the Round of 16, and it would be funny to see Borna Sosa trying to sing the German national anthem (when he doesn’t speak a word of German).
Thanks for posting this letter…do you have a link with the picture?
I’ve been reading about this for the past 2 days and left scratching my head. I personally don’t know a whole lot about Sosa other than when I’ve seen Maminjo talk about him here. Sosa has flown under my radar, I hardly ever watch the German league so I can’t say he’s a massive miss or if he’s gonna be a major loss. I have some questions though.
What role do his junior National Team coaches play in all this? If he’s really that good, don’t these coaches talk to the Dalic and the savez?
I’ve defended Melnjak. Not because I felt he’s qualified or great but because I felt we’ve been patching holes because of the lack of quality left backs and he’s been average and not as bad as many say…but he’s not our future left back.
Is Dalic really this inept? Have we been giving him far more credit than he deserves? I’m beginning to think he’s more of a relationship guy and less about understanding quality players and how he can fit them into the puzzle?!
Caleta Car was kinda black listed for a while because he refused to play and went in vacation. With that said, he’s back and has been selected to play very inconsistently. Are they still punishing at the cost of the teams best interest? Why hasn’t he been in the lineup as a standard player? He’s definitely very good!
Why hasn’t Majer, Gvardiol and Orsic been called up as options more often instead of us waiting for Orsic to score 3 goals?’
Something is wrong here. We keep searching for sub par solutions when in hindsight, it looks like Dalic has Bilic syndrome and has some tunnel vision issue!
Apparently Dalic had Sosa in his recent plans but Biscan asked Dalic if he could use him vs England…and then Sosa decided he wasn’t gonna play and told the savez he was injured. By that time, he had already decided to play for Germany!
This is what happens when Dalic calls up aging journeymen with no upside like Melnjak to appease local fans….
This is what happens when Dalic fails to integrate youth in his line-ups and has a habit of sticking with the old guarde. Remember, players leave the starting 11 when they retire.
Sosa prolly saw he wasn’t going to get minutes with Dalic anytime soon, so he figured he try his luck elsewhere.
Look at France! A team with so much talent, yet they are constantly integrating youth. 18 year-old Camavinga (who was eligible to play for Angola) has already 3 caps for France senior team.
Dalic totally messed up on this with no excuse. There were countless opportunities.
http://bleacherreport.com/post/featured/81170b90-4d55-49cd-a10e-22665ef5fe58
Bojan was hype about the new site!!
The HNS needs to learn from this debacle and not give token PT to aging scrubs just to appease the home fans when we play in certain cities.
Imagine the uproar if sucic decides to switch allegiances before we “cap his ass!”
We might be over reacting a bit to Sosa’s supposed talent as well.
He’s no Maldini on defense and yes his crosses and free kicks are top notch but a few defensive blunders for Germany and you’ll never see him again.
He’s really meshing with the 6’7” Austrian Serb on Stuttgart and we don’t have an aerial threat like Kaladzic so his crosses would be pretty much useless to us since Mario hung them up.
For being 6’4” it’s surprising how petko rarely scores with his head.
Sosa’s had a great run these past few months..but.put him on a team with no Giant up front who kills it in the air and Germany wouldn’t even know this kid.
You’re right.
Sosa could end up looking really stupid if he turns his back on Croatia, gets capped by Germany, but slowly loses his spot on their National Team if his crosses aren’t being met by some 6’7″ forward.
They will probably relegate him to the bench or stop calling him up. Then, he loses everything. Traitorous Croat who doesn’t even get Germany callups anymore.
At the same time, we need to learn our lesson and cap these guys early.
Luka Sucic is a priority right now. Not sure what we’re waiting for. Just give him a cap to lock him in, and that’s it.
As much as it sucks to most likely lose out on a talent at our most troubled position, its a shady part of the game. We have benefited more than been screwed by this rule with the likes of Rakitic, Simunic, Eduardo, Kovac brothers,….and so on. If he feels his chances of playing and expanding his name are better with Germany, than so be it. It hurts seeing names like Melnjak, Uremovic, Juranovic, etc…whose careers seem to be stuck in neutral, getting capped. Unfortunately, the timing of the youth tournaments ultimately did us in, but still no excuse for not getting him cap tied at some point.
Not the same thing.
Simunic, Kovac bros, and Raketa are ethnic Croats.
They have every right to citizenship regardless if they were footballers or not.
Sosa would never have received German citizenship if he was not a footballer (despite his mother being German born).
Sosa is also not a German, doesn’t speak the language, nor has he ever lived there (outside of playing in Stuttgart).
This is no different than when Qatar tried to give a bunch of Brazilians Qatari citizenship to play for their National Teams (and were denied).
Also, re: Eduardo…
Yea, he is not a Croat, but Brazil never called him up. They didn’t care to ever do so. At that point, I think it’s fine. Eduardo did nothing wrong, and we didn’t rob Brazil of a player that would have played for them.
I’m really angry about this
Why hadn’t Dalic already capped Sosa’s arse already
This has been completely mishandled
Someone should be sacked over this seriously
This guy is going to play for njemacka