Joško Gvardiol bagged two goals Saturday as Manchester City defeated Fulham 4-0 to take back top spot in the Premiership with two matches remaining in the season. He opened up the scoring in the 1st half after a fine passing display from City squad, ultimately sliding the ball just inside the left post. In the 2nd half, Gvardiol made a dash to the far post and had to slide to keep the ball in bounds, getting just enough of it to beat the Fulham keeper. There were team discussions to let Gvardiol take an injury time penalty kick. He did not. However, if he would have converted, Gvardiol would have been the first defender in Premier League history to score a hat trick.
Goal.com gave Gvardiol a 9/10 rating as was “In insatiable goalscoring form, with more league strikes than Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku. Also excellent in linking defence and attack.” Mateo Kovačić also got the start for City and played 82 minutes in the match. Goal.com gave Kova a 8/10 rating as he “Took on lots of responsibility with the ball and ensured City monopolised possession.”
Luka Modrić got the start for Real Madrid Saturday and assisted in a 4-0 win over Granada. He was given a well deserved 8/10 rating from ManagingMadrid.com in his 70 minutes on the pitch as he was “Simply a joy to watch, producing some of his best football at the end of the season.”
Andrej Kramarić played the full 90 minutes and assisted twice in a 6-0 Hoffenheim thumping over Darmstadt Sunday. Krama now has a total of four goals and four assists in the Bundesliga over the last six matches played. Heating up for Euro!
In his fourth Bundesliga cap, Lovro Zvonarek scored his first senior goal Sunday night for Bayern Munich in a 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg. The center attacking midfielder is only 19 years-old so this should be a fantastic confidence boost to end the season. In the 4th minute of play, Zvonarek fired off a shot from 18 yards out off the post and in goal. Definitely a name to be following going into next season.
Roko Šimić scores in RB Salzburg’s 5-1 win over TSV Hartberg. It’s his fifth Austrian Bundesliga goal in 27 matches this season and his first goal since October 8th.
Josip Stanišić and Bayer Leverkusen look to keep their undefeated Bundesliga season alive vs. Bochum Sunday 1:30PM (ET)
Catching up on some of the conversation from over the weekend. Regarding our back line it seems like Gvardiol and Stanišić are locks. Where Gvardiol plays is a question mark but I think it will be LB to more match what he does at Manchester City. This approach would leave the two CB spots up for grabs. Usually we have seen Šutalo in one of those spots.
I wanted to prepare this message board for the likelihood that Vida will be given the other CB spot. I think it’s safe to say that it’s not what anyone on this website wants as his role should just be cheerleader at this point. But Dalić has too much trust/loyalty in his veterans. Lovren started in the last WC and it didn’t bite us too much, largely because Gvardiol covered for his sins and Lukaku couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.
But I think it’s Dalić M.O. to play a veteran alongside one of the younger guys.
I believe it was Lovren’s cross that saw us thru Japan. Albeit was not the biggest fan.
You are correct about Lovren providing the ball in that Perišić put a great header on. Lovren wasn’t terrible from my memory of the WC, but he still shouldn’t have been a starter in my mind.
And that’s my point here for the Euros. Vida isn’t one of our top 2 CBs, but I could totally see Dalić starting him.
Lovren was starting for Liverpool in those days. Who pray tell would you have started instead of him?
Uhhh, no. Lovren was two years into his stint in the Russian league and he even had to fight for his minutes there. He was barely match fit by the time the World Cup rolled around after spending half a season on the bench at Zenit.
He had already lost his spot on the National Team at this point, when guys like Sutalo and Erlic were starting for us at Nations League (where we topped the group above Denmark and France).
Then, through his interviews, he pretty much threatened to cause problems in the locker room if he doesn’t start at the World Cup, so of course Dalic gives in.
Lovren was largely crap at the World Cup. Idiotically leaving his man open to charge Davies (almost making it 2-0 Canada), missing headers and losing his man against Belgium…it seemed like he was doing everything possible to get us eliminated in the first round. Yes he had a great cross again Japan, but that was it. He’s just lucky that Gvardiol had the best performance a Croatian defender has ever had or else Lovren would have been run out of the country.
There is definite risk of Vida starting…but at the same time, Vida isn’t going to threaten Dalic via the media or cause locker room problems if he doesn’t get the nod.
I said the last WC, which was in 2022. I want to say he was at Zenit St Petersburg then.
Lovren was in the form of his life in 2018 and there was never a question that he was our top choice CB then.
Uhhh, no. Lovren was two years into his stint in the Russian league and he even had to fight for his minutes there. He was barely match fit by the time the World Cup rolled around after spending half a season on the bench at Zenit.
He had already lost his spot on the National Team at this point, when guys like Sutalo and Erlic were starting for us at Nations League (where we topped the group above Denmark and France).
Then, through his interviews, he pretty much threatened to cause problems in the locker room if he doesn’t start at the World Cup, so of course Dalic gives in.
Lovren was bad at the World Cup. Foolishly leaving his man open to charge Davies (almost making it 2-0 Canada) at a pivotal point in the game, missing headers and losing his man against Belgium…it seemed like he was doing everything possible to get us eliminated in the first round. Yes he had a great cross again Japan, but that was it. He’s just lucky that Gvardiol had the best performance a Croatian defender has ever had or else Lovren would have been run out of the country.
There is definite risk of Vida starting…but at the same time, Vida isn’t going to threaten Dalic via the media or cause locker room problems if he doesn’t get the nod.
For Gvardiol to match what he does at City, Dalic will need to set him up the way Pep does. If not, it’ll be a waste of time.
Even that, we play much better when he is a CB as it provides balance to the team and already has the attributes to do so. I look at it as if you have Stanisic at RB, it already provides enough stability at the fullback position where we can free up the LB position to go up the field and provide creativity as the attackers struggle with service (Perisic and Sosa are options for that).
If the approach is to have Vida paired in the Centre back positions, we might as well write off the tournament there and then.
Oh Cmon, you’re being silly
Whatever you say Anonymous, whatever you say.
Movie star Lovren always got a big head, especially after the Argentina game, where I admit, he did play excellent. He’d talk himself up, like a boxing promotion claiming, “I am the greatest”. Got old. Preferred Josip Simunic.
I think the team is looking good looking foward to dalica 26 sheet jhe calls up.
22 men are safe 4 open spots imo let’s see what Dalic does one last go for this main core then 2026 will be mini rebuild imo at least our back line looks solid for the future
Stanisic’s offensive prowess these past few months has been the most surprising thing to me occurring involving our youngsters.We all knew josko had the potential ..mind you not at his recent pace but Josip?
Never in a million years did I see that coming but what a huge impact if he can be involved in a goal or 2 for us at a major tournament going forward.
His goal against Roma was pure confidence and class!
Yeah never saw this coming from Stanisic either but I’m not complaining
Karlsruher lost 1-2 to Hannover— Igor Matanovic with an assist in the 44′. From a cross that came in from the left, he diverted the ball toward his teammate who headed home the equalizer for 1-1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xStTRH0hE&t=60s
(Matanovic assist)
Late in the game, Igor had two chances to tie the game 2-2 but was thwarted by the Hannover keeper each time.. steta.
***
Eintracht Frankfurt recently exercised the buy option in Hugo Ekitike’s loan deal and signed the French striker until 2029 in a deal worth €16.5m.
As it stands, Ekitike and Egypt’s Omar Marmoush are the first choice center forwards at Eintracht (although I believe the latter sometimes operate as a supporting striker or winger). I note that Omar Marmoush is Eintracht’s top scorer and played the full 90 in each of his last 9 league games. Ekitike arrived at the club after the winter break and after a slow start, he has heated up lately, notching 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games, including scoring against Bayern and Leverkusen.
So I guess Matanovic would begin season 2024/2025 third in the CF pecking order behind Marmoush and Ekitike. Let’s hope Matanovic will seize any opportunity that might come his way and also adapt quickly to the Bundesliga. He should also get to play in Europa League.
God bless Igor!????????
Lol I have the same issue as Martin below. What is supposed to be a Croatia flag emoji came through as question marks.
We have solved our number 9 striking issue…Josko Gvardiol ????
That was supposed to be a smiling emoji, but it came through as question marks…
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2024/5/12/24154632/match-awards-player-ratings-bayern-munich-vfl-wolfsburg-thomas-muller-goretzka-lovro-zvoranek-davies
It didn’t take long for Lovro Zvonarek to score his first Bundesliga goal. Just three minutes into his Bundesliga debut, the young Croatian took an inch-perfect shot to give Bayern Munich the advantage. He had been training patiently all season with the professional team and had managed just a couple of substitute appearances. Still, when the opportunity arose, Zvonarek took it with both hands. Never looking out of place on the right side of the Bayern Munich attack, Zvonarek combined well with his teammates and contributed significantly to the general attacking play.
In addition to scoring the first goal, he expertly headed back Bryan Zaragoza’s cross for Thomas Müller, which ultimately brought the second goal of the game.
Like Aleksandar Pavlović, Zvonarek seems to have a bright a future ahead of him.
Thanks for the info, and I hope he becomes a future star for the Vatreni. After all your praise…why would you compare him to a serb in your final sentence?
Hey Eric, that final sentence is quoted from the bavarianfootballworks.com article…
Lol, thanks.
Ok, sorry
Looks like Zvonarek is part of Bayern’s longer term plans:
https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com/2024/5/12/24154107/report-bayern-munich-set-to-offer-lovro-zvonarek-new-deal-transfer-rumors-muller-wirtz-musiala-neuer
https://www.goalstube.online/2024/05/bochum-leverkusen.html?m=m5
Stanisic with a goal and assist. He’s really taking it to the next level.
Adding to players who might be rounding into form, one more to perhaps note….…I thought Sutalo looked very good this morning for Ajax (against Almere City). Solid tackles and challenges, crisp passes….I have watched him a fair bit this year and thought this was one of his better games.
Good to know that. Thanks for following the guys at Ajax!
To carry on the gloat of picking guys
I’ve been calling for the rise of stanisic for a while
I felt this could have been his year and that disrespect by Bayern when he is clearly Bayern quality and sending him off was amazing for him
He’s got a good work rate with above average talent
Basically never even considered Germany from reports after his confirmed repka
These are the guys who will bring us a championship home
Milan Badelj scored. Not that he’s on the repka. It’s just interesting that even he scored this weekend.
Nice to know if we had like 6 injuries we could call him and rakitic and still be fine in the middle
Yeah Badelj has started every game as the midfield anchor for Genoa, and Genoa is ending the season in the middle of the Serie A table, so he’s still arguably more qualified than Toma Bašić, for example, and definitely more qualified than Moro. I’ve always wondered why he retired from international football. He was always a solid player and made some key stops in the matches he played.
Roko simic and Marin ljubicic on the score sheet today as well
Marin Ljubičić has had a breakthrough season this year. Maybe he deserves to be on the repka as an extra striker.
This season hasn’t been his breakout season, it was the last year.
Ljubicic looks like a good penalty taker to me… and fyi guys, he won the spot kick after being brought down by the Sturm Graz defender.
Kramaric with 2 assists today, Ivanusec with 1 assist. It really feels like everyone is rounding into form at the right time.
Why leave Real for Modrić move at this stage of his career?!
He still can play role in limited minutes and pick his coaching badges.
His family is situated.
Also, he can get his needed minutes for Croatia World Cup qualifiers/ UNL.
He can come off the bench for 20 and start he and their.
His example is so valuable for the younger players and his got one more year with Ancelotti.
Does he really need the grind of regular football at a lesser club / league ?
Less Real more Croatian involvement.
Yes please !!
Lovro Zvonarek starting this afternoon vs Majer
I keep forgetting about that guy. Big prospect for us too.
We are starting to see some potential star caliber prospects panning out. If Vuskovic, Sucic, Baturina, and Zvonarek actually pan out (with Gvardiol leading the way)….damn.
We’ll all be chanting “Modric is a bust!” and giving Zvonimir Boban flying kicks after we win a World Cup goal with these youngsters.
Goal 5 min in to the game. Gotta love that
Smart touch sets up a second goal (hockey assist)
https://streamin.me/v/76dce669
That didn’t take long.
https://www.football-espana.net/2024/05/11/luka-modric-agent-real-madrid-future-decision
It sounds like a decision is coming soon, according to this report. I don’t really believe it though. I think it would be strange to create that spectacle at this point, unless he signs for another year.
He’s going to televise his decision on ESPN and take his talents to the Miami Heat…I mean Inter Miami.
We can call the ESPN special “the odLUKA”
https://youtu.be/B-OViZK9xho?si=puZc0_R3jPMBvf3Z
I know there aren’t many Musa fans around here (I might be the only one, lol), but he’s playing well. Nice goal and even better assist.
I was a fan as a stop-gap solution or backup player until he bailed and went to MLS. Now he has to be a league leading scorer to be considered (due to the dropoff in quality).
Also, Budimir playing well in La Liga killed any chance of him being called up now too (even if he was a top scorer).
Never a big fan of Musa, no good at youth level and average club player at senior level. Definitely not international level.
According to biblical account, Jesus prayed to God, he begged not to be crucified in garden of Gethsemane, on the cross he CRIED!! WHY HAVE GOD FORSAKEN HIM? Mark 15:34: And at the ninth hour, Jesus shouted in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, for what have you forsaken me?”
Ante Crnac scored his 7th goal of the season as his team Rakow beat Pogon 2-1. It was an easy tap-in in the 20′ to put his team 2-0 up and it proved to be the matchwinner. The win also kept alive his team’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Luka Vušković another goal last match , Gvardiol 2.0 ???
Not fast enough, but very skilled for a big defender
In my opinion starting defence should definitely be josko, erlic, sutalo, stanisic. Sutalo has struggled this season. Partly that’s because Ajax have been a car crash, but it’s also the adaptation to Dutch football with its constant focus on angles. Tournament play is different, it’s slower, more calculated. Sutalo will enjoy it and grow in confidence. He needs to play. He is another huge talent. It’s a fantastic back line. Maybe best in the world.
Midfield is sorted. Dalit just has to pick the right players in attack
We have a lot of defenders now. No reason to use Vida anymore (they guy is waaay past his expiry date at this point).
I assume (and hope) Dalic is watching all of Sutalo, Pongracic, Erlic, Duje very regularly and is legitimately doing his homework on what the best combination for our backline will be. We still got Juranovic, Sosa and Perisic as LB/RB options too.
We’re not the ones being paid millions of Euros for a part-time job as National Team head coach, so Dalic had better be putting in full-time hours watching games, conducting analytics, and reviewing tactical plans to get this right. He fell asleep and got lazy in the runup to the last Euros and had to beg to keep his job. Hopefully he doesn’t get too comfortable over these next four weeks, and messes up again.
There should be no reason why a bunch of married Croat incels on a message board should be more successful picking a lineup than a multimillion dollar coach.
We have a superstar (Gvardiol) in our backline and another great young player in Stanisic who is having a monster season himself.
Focus should be on maximizing what Gvardiol can do for us, and putting him in a position to succeed. Starting Stanisic is a must, and then it’s just about finding the right fit with the other two vacant spots.
Tons of combinations to review, but I would be VERY disappointed to see us default to Vida (which would signal to me that Dalic being lazy and not doing his homework again).
I don’t think Dalic is being lazy. His downfall is that he loyal to a fault and that’s why no one will be surprised to see on the roster. Every team has one or two vets that are unlikely to get a sniff of the pitch but are there to provide a veteran presence.
Having both an in form and attacking LB in Gvardiol and another in form RB in Stanisic might a good source of offense for us and provide the width we need from wings.
I wish Perisic was more in form and playing regularly…we really could use an in form Perisic.
My worry is that Vida DOES get a sniff of the pitch.
I think uncle Vida will play a similar part as did Corluka in 2018. Coming on late in the game for an attacking player to save a result or something.
@Maminjo
The very definition of incel is a single man who blames the opposite sex for their celibate state, hence a incel cannot be married.
Go back to Belgrade ????
It’s a joke, relax
2/3 of married men are involuntary celibates who are you kidding ?
Yup…I’ve been in the dog house more often then not. I get what your saying.
????????
Would not be having Gvardiol at LB for the National team imo. Look, I know he is doing superb for City at LB but that is because he has Pep setting him up in a way at LB which Dalic will not do.
We’re a much more composed team when he is at CB and we benefit alot when he carries the ball along his physical presence. If we already have Stanisic at RB, that is already providing us enough defensive stability at FB and we can use the LB to bomb forward and send crosses in for service which we have a problem with (Sosa could help with that) and Gvardiol when playing at LB is not that type of LB.
True
Wonderful. Didn’t I tell you? Months back, after the Newcastle game, I gave a tactical analysis of kova and josko. I said “pep is teaching josko to use his right foot. Because to keep the quick flow of the game you need to use the closest foot”. I pointed out that Gvardiol is adapting and slowly improving every element of his game. He now has 5 goals, 1 with head, 4 with right foot!!
Where is that Spurs fan who kept telling us that Gvardiol is disappointing and that Udogie is a God of left back?
Gvardiol is a generational talent, some of us never doubted him for a single second.
Sounding a bit like “The Truth” with the told-ya-so schtick. Yawn.
I’ve been crying about Gvardiol starting since before all of you were born 😉
Premiership? What is this, Scotland?
Gvardiol is a machine who ever says he sucks is a moron. Lets go euro cant wait for it to start hope no injuries and Dalic gets his krunica ready for a run
Where’s that guy who was calling gvardiol slow and getting burned all over the place earlier in the year
He’s like what 21-22?I don’t even know
Remember when luka bust Modrić took a little while to integrate into one of the best teams ever put together after a change of country and language and so much more
Well looks like young gvardi has got his feet wet and has a coach who had faith and has been playing him right and now gvardi looks like he will take the striker role at man city and the repka;)
Sky’s the limit for him
Guys I don’t like to get hopes up too much
But we are in far better form individually than we were going into Qatar as a whole
With Gvardiol at LB and Stanisic at RB we actually will have attacking with.
Need to invert our wingers to cut in during attack phase.
Pjaca at LW and Majer at RW
Perišić has much as he is ready for at LW.
We need Gvardiol at LB for his defense as much as for his offense
Gvardiol at LB for Croatia under Dalic will not be what he is like at LB for City under pep.
Both set him up differently from each other and I don’t see Dalic taking a pep approach in how he plays Gvardiol at LB.
Gvardiol has it all! Strong, fast, technical, tactical, can use both feet, great in the air, can defend. Given all these attributes is LB the best position for him?
Probably be better off in a position where he can influence the game more. Such as in Central Midfield where he can pass and defend. Or Left wing, where he can really be a scoring threat. He’s scored 4 goals in the last 5 league games.
If we had Rashford at LW for Croatia, then maybe Gvardiol could replace him at LW hahahaha.
Keep him in the backline for now.
https://goalsarea.com/?p=14038/
Again. Wow…….
Gvardiol with another good goal for City after 12 minutes.
https://goalsarea.com/?p=13976/
Very nice.