Man City and 10-man Arsenal played out an exciting 2-2 draw Sunday night with reigning English champions Manchester City equalizing on the last kick of the match. Joško Gvardiol got the start and received a 7-grade from NBC Sports as he “Produced some brilliant chances and was unlucky to be denied by Raya.” Mateo Kovačić came off the bench for an injured Rodri in the 21′ and also received a 7/10 grade in the draw. “Ably filled in for Rodri and nearly rung up 100 touches despite playing under 70 minutes (plus stoppage).”
Luka Modrić got the start for Real Madrid and played the full 90 minutes Saturday as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-1. He received a 7.5 grade from Managing Madrid: “After halftime had 5 key passes and 6/6 long balls. Espanyol struggled to put together 2 passes meaning Modric and co had plenty of the ball. Played the full 90 minutes in midfield.”
Luka Sučić comes off the bench in the 61′ in a 0-0 draw between Real Socieded and Valladolid
Marin Ljubičić scores two goals and receives 9/10 MOTM rating in 4-2 victory over Grazer
Ante Budimir converts penalty and receives 8.1 FOTMOB rating in 2-1 Osasuna win over Las Palmas
Bonehead Dalic always needs to make 1 or 2 squad selections that make no sense.
Moro? A 26 yrs old bench player for a bottom of the table Italian team? I would rather him invite Halilovic who is having a good season.
Halilovic would be such a fun call up!
I can even imagine the discourse it would create! He legit is having a solid season and a 1/2
Halilović is the best player week in and week out on a team that is otherwise pretty weak and has had a tough schedule so far but will likely finish at a respectable position in the Eredivisie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Moro play, unless it was for Dinamo ages ago. He must be pretty good if he’s starting in Champions League matches. But Jakić and Petar Sučić are both very good players with exceptional characteristics. Does anyone here know how Moro actually plays?
Orsic was not on the bench for Trabzonspor today. Injury?
Where was the squat list for upcoming NL games posted?
I’m not sure if everyone has forgotten, but Orsic won us the bronze in the last World Cup, and not to mention he also set up Majer’s goal against team Canada. He was a constant threat on the Left Wing and is a natural Left Winger which we are lacking right now. As
Not sure what everyone has against him.
I am also pretty sure every one on this post was calling for him to be on the squad years ago and then everyone gets pissed that he is back on the squad. Kind of a double standard here.
The real problem is that Perisic is getting the call up here at his age with his injury. That shouldn’t be a call up at this stage which I think everyone should agree.
Orsic I am personally fine with, he didn’t get called up when he should have be years ago before the injury which is on Dalic at this stage.
I agree. Orsić was a crucial player at WC 2022 and also at Euro 2021 when he made the cross assist to Pašalić that gave Croatia life in that tournament. He is now a starting player at a very strong but underperforming club where he beat out an excellent left-winger in Trézéguet for the starting spot, resulting in Trézéguet’s loan. Dalić has every reason to call him up.
Not to mention he did all these things with the least amount of minutes possible from Dalic. It would be an insult for Dalic not to call him up now and put him in the starting lineup.
Orsic is perfect for Dalic’s new formation.
Orsić being prematurely cut from the team after WC2022, is what cost us the Nations League gold medal.
We badly needed him in that Final.
Not even worth going over Dalic’s picks. So many head-scratching decisions (Moro, Orsic, no Marco Pasalic, Perisic, No RB)
Well Kova’s playing time just increased a heck of a lot. Rodri to miss the remainder of the season with ACL tear. Anyone else think these guys are playing way too much? Not to mention next summer with the dumb club WC coming up.
I’m surprised nobody mentions Durdov’s 2 goals!
Maminjo and Anonymous noticed and mentioned it !
And are both impressed
The 1st one reminds of Prso goal vs. France Euro 2004
If those goals were scored by Lamal – people would be raving – that his release clause should be increased by another [100m]
I like he’s under the radar for now
Let’s see if he’s (at least) called up to the U21s by Olic….
Petar Sucic
Glad he’s called-up again
But he hasn’t even been on Dinamo bench for last three embarrassing game (that goodness)
Shows how important he is to Dinamo and eyes on successor for DM role for the National Team
But
Is he injured or why isn’t he w/ Dinamo squad now ?
Can’t find even a single article / news explaining the reason
So 26 y.o. Nikola Moro was on the bench for both games in September
Didn’t see a minute of playing time (vs. Portugal, Poland)
But now he’s an automatic call-up every time !
Why ?
Based on what ?
Out of 3 fixtures Bologna have played since our September matches
Sep 14th – Como – relegation team (zero min – sitting on the bench)
Sep 18th – Shakhtar (started: 65 min)
Sep 22nd – Monza – relegation team (substitute: 12 min)
What has he done in those 77 minutes – to deserve another call-up ?
How in heaven’s name is he now an automatic call-up / mainstay now on the National Team ?????????????
So ridiculous to have him automatically called up yet Marco pasalic is on standby. It makes absolutely no sense
How is Marco Pasalic not in the team???
Seeing this list makes me wonder if Sigur will now regret picking Canada. He surely would have made the list this time? Or not?
No chance. Sigur was a novelty callup to satisfy Torcida and perhaps the diaspora.
He’s not good enough to get anything more than a fringe cap or two in his career. He’s already 22 and there are several players better than him who are younger.
Why is Robert Ljubicic also on standby list ?
You thought Vida retired kids
But in exchange we get one of his team-mates
lol
While I get he can play LB (and Borna Barisic isn’t on standby-list this time) – he has done so only ONCE this season – the other times he is playing as a #10 / CAM (look at the heat-maps)
So do we need another 25 y.o. #10 / CM on standby list who plays in Greek league ?
I mean we already have Vlasic on the list
If we need a LB – Ivan Dolcek – tore it up yesterday assisting or scoring in 3 of the 4 goals vs. Dinamo yesterday – can someone send him the Max Sport highlights – the guy was super impressive
So if Prpic is being called up because of one good game (vs. Dinamo) – than surely Ivan Dolcek should be called up based on the same criteria (nevermind S. Belupo spanking Dinamo 4-1 is much more impressive than Hajduk squeaking out a 1-0 win)
Dalic’s end of the bench (and standby callups) are more political than anything.
He’s not seriously going to play any of these guys anyway, but puts them on the list to satisfy different groups depending on the situation (agents, fans, etc.).
Dominik Prpic 20 y.o. Hajduk CB on standby list (senior team) !
What’s odd is in recent U21s he only played w/ Vuskovic vs Faroe – and was on the bench for U21 Portugal game (Vuskovic & Lokomotiva’s Zivkovic were CB pairing)
Implication being that – if he wasn’t good enough to play Portugal U21 on Sep 10th – that in the TWO HAJDUK GAMES he has played since i.e. 180 minutes of football (vs. Dinamo and Gorica) – that he miraculously jumped up the pecking order from being 3rd CB in line for U21 – to being good enough to be a stand-by for the National Team (and ahead of Vuskovic who is doing fantastic at Westerlo)
So much for Dalic saying 2 weeks ago “only Dinamo” and “2 years of constant club performance” to be considered for the National Team, lol
I guess it only takes one good game / 90 minutes against Dinamo and all of a sudden you’re good enough for the senior team (and leapfrog Vuskovic)
Also odd that U21 have a massive game vs. Greece U21 coming up (after Andorra) so you’d think you’d want ur 3rd choice U21 CB available for U21 (in case something happens to Vuskovic or Zivkovic) – odd, very odd
Cynically – they want to call him up / cap him for the senior team – in order to help Hajduk sell him next year for a bigger $$$ (TBD – if this is the reason)
Simply political.
Prpic got a lot of hype and praise from the local media and fans, so Dalic is throwing them a bone.
Why is Dalic announcing the team so early ?
There is 2 weeks until the games – he could have waited this week for another round of fixtures to take place where players get at least another game (or two for those playing in Europa, etc)
Not sure what the rush is – you won’t see England rushing to announce the team so early
Anyways
Anonymous thinks Dalic coming out a month ago and saying he’ll only pick from Dinamo – was actually a MOTIVATING TACTIC – for all non-Dinamo players to up their game (there is no other rationale explanation)
Nevermind another injury can happen in next 7 days (during training or during one of the matches) – there was no rush announcing it so early – really silly
Squad for Nations League announced
Marco Pasalic is on standby
Mislav Orsic returns
Great news about Orsic.
But Dalic leaving Marco Pasalic off the squad is very petty of him.
Ivan Dolcek
2 assists and a goal
On those three goals – showed tremendous work-rate/effort – to make things happen – maybe Dalic noticed him
btw in the 16 min Max Sport highlights – Baturina only touched the ball twice (and one was taking a corner) – on the 4th goal – Baturina once again – just strolling around the opposition box – WAITING – for the ball to come to him – the ball is given away/intercepted – and he’s just strolling around – if he hustled – he could have cut of the first pass downfield which started the counter-attack / led to the goal – zero defensive awareness/effort/responsibility
Dolcek as LW – see heat-map
I know Dalic only considers HNL players from Dinamo (lol)
Dalic is going full Diddy and deleting his tweets
Ha !
Indeed
Yo Dalic –
Did u see Marco Pasalic 2 beautiful assists today ?
This is exactly the type of player we need – he opens up so much space for others – operating as a proper winger
Crazy if we don’t call him up and play him
Feels like things have been a bit quiet for the hrvati around europe recently. Too quiet.
Adding to the notes from the weekend water cooler……Matanovic came on at 77 minutes this weekend for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Almost right away he was involved in the play that set up the second Frankfurt goal. He stretched and corralled a pass, then quickly turned and hit a player breaking upfield with a pass who then fed Marmoush who made a great move for the goal.
I notice the Bundesliga announcers are high on Matanovic. He gets a lot of commentary for a sub coming onto the field. Today, among other things, they said he provides quality off the bench, a physicality up front and was strong in the air. Apparently the Frankfurt coach has thought about playing a formation that would put Ekitike, Marmoush and Matanovic on the field at the same time. I am not sure what that formation would look like…but maybe some others here who know the game well might speculate on how that could set up. It would be great if Igor could get a little more game time…..Frankfurt has had a good start to the Bundesliga season….
The good start may both benefit or hurt him.
The coach probably won’t want to make a change to the system that is working, with Matanovic coming off the bench for those final 15-20 minutes.
If they finish with a Europa or CL spot, it will be interesting to see if they cash in on Marmoush or what happens with Ekitike’s value as well…as they may either keep them to make a run in Europe, or sell high and try to add more talent in other areas (if they’re going to commit to Igor long term).
Frankfurt is in Europa League this year !
They play 5 games in 14 days (incl. past Saturday)
So Thur and Sunday next 2 weeks
100% Igor will start at least one of the next 4 games, if not Europa League vs. Viktoria Plzen this Thursday, then vs. Holstein Klein (newly promoted, for the first time, currently last place) on Sunday)
Given Europa – there should be enough playing time to rotate the three of them (and give Igor starting opportunities)
Belupo yesterday was +1000 to win. And they win 4-1 wow.
It looks like Rodri might have suffered a serious knee injury today. I don’t ever wish anyone harm, but this is good for Kovacic.
Petar Musa scored his 15th goal of the year last night and is in 8th place in the scoring list.
At what point does Dalić realize it’s his job to figure out why guys like him and Budimir succeed at the club level but ineffective at the National Team level.
Trying different strikers every match is not the answer.
He got taken off a few moments after no?
Honestly, the MLS is not great so I would only expect a callup if Musa increased that scoring rate.
15 goals in 27 games is great by European standards…but with MLS, you need to add a tax on that, ha ha.
The guys ahead of him on the MLS Scoring Leaders list don’t even get callups from their National Teams. Shows how bad the league is.
If Musa is serious about his career, he would look to parlay this “success” into a transfer to a decent club in Europe.
Sučić was OK today, had moments of quality and moments of not.
Definitely on this level. Needs that breakthrough match to take his confidence to a La Liga level.
Like this Luka :
Luka Modric—7.5: After halftime had 5 key passes and 6/6 long balls. Espanyol struggled to put together 2 passes meaning Modric and co had plenty of the ball. Played the full 90 minutes in midfield.
Small thing regarding writeup: I think Sucic started. I didn’t see the game but a couple of sites say so.
Durdov with two goals today for Hajduk.
That guy is looking special.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAManZZBuhR/?igsh=MTkzaWZ3ZzVqNnpwZw==
Wow.
Insane left foot.
He is the RW equivalent of Mislav Orsic with that shot. Cuts inside and always roofs it into the top corner.
Spurs finally put up a performance today
James Maddison first great game since first 10 games last season (never recovered post injury) – he looked like vintage Modric today
Spurs played well? Phew, thank God. That’s the content I’m here for.
And how about West Ham and Man Crush Dude for those of us dying to know?
Anonymous comments post Bayern were spot on – as recap
1) dalic only picks from dinamo, lol
2) Petar sucic no play again – shows how important he is to dinamo (and hence national team)
3) baturina – no hat trick today ?
4) nevistic – confidence now shot after 7 goals (3 Kane penalties to his right) – this is reason manager sacked btw bc he didn’t mercy sub him
5) manager tactics = naive. He needed to play a 5-4-1 very low block in defence (not have natural float around doing nothing). Combined w 4) why he was sacked
Plus, Anonymous said Dinamo should replace most of the back 4 w young Croatians
Yet they didn’t listen and sure enough 4 more goals against
Why they are getting played ahead of noa mikic is beyond reason
Did anyone watch Sociedad today…how was Sučić?
Also Real Modrić today at 3pm