Luka Modrić and Real Madrid are flying high. After a 3-1 victory over Liverpool midweek, Los Blancos handed hated rivals, Barcelona, a 2-1 defeat Saturday, and now only trail leaders Atletico Madrid by a single point. Modrić had another phenomenal game and should have earned an assist on a perfect 50-yard pass down field, which should have been stuck in the back of the net. Modrić received a 7/10 from 90min.com as he was “Energetic, aggressive and offered a little more quality than Barcelona had to offer. Hard to believe this man is 35 years of age.”
After the match, Modrić gave a piece of his mind to Barca’s Gerard Pique, per GiveMeSport.com. You have to love Modrić’s swagger and confidence these days. Real Madrid play Liverpool in England this week int heir CL return leg.
Modric: “You’re waiting for the ref to complain huh?”
Piqué: “Well, four minutes…”
Modric: “How many more do you want?”pic.twitter.com/EoIiBCXayC
— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) April 10, 2021
Modrić Trolls Pique
As Ante Rebić returned from a red card suspension, Zlatan goes on one. But before Zlatan was sent off for something he said to the referee in the 60th minute Saturday, he assisted Rebić for a top shelf banger inside 10 minutes. AC Milan would be Parma 3-1 to remain second in Serie A, but it may be too late to catch leaders Inter Milan with only eight games to play. EURO 2021 is 60 days away. The Vatreni need this Ante Rebić to be in full form for the team to make a proper push at the tournament.
Rebić Goal
Domagoj Bradarić came off the bench in the 88th minute Friday to supply an assist in a 2-0 Lille victory over Metz. Lille currently lead the French Ligue 1 table by three points with six matches remaining. Bradarić remains hot with this assist after putting the Croatian U21 team into the Euro 2021 quarterfinals two weeks ago with a stunner from outside the box, which rocked the English at the death.
Bradarić Assist @ 88:05 In The Match
Mateo Kovačić had a solid game on Saturday as Chelsea Defeated Crystal Palace 4-1. “The Croatian formed a formidable midfield partnership with Jorginho in the opening 45 minutes. Kovačić was constantly playing neat passes into the feet of the Chelsea attacks and was always ready to receive the ball back. In the second period, there was one magnificent pass from Kovačić that put Mount in on goal and after the introduction of Kante, his job was more focused on helping the Blues maintain possession.” Chelsea trail 4th place West Ham by one point for a Champions League berth.
Ante Budimir scored the game winner for Osasuna on Sunday against Dinamo Zagreb’s Europa competition, Villareal. He headed home a towering heading off the fingers of the goalie and into the side netting. Osasuna beat Villareal 2-1 with the goal.
Budimir Goal
The
End
Is
Nigh
@Maminjo
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Injured Boksic? I’m certain the sarcasm detection function on my phone isn’t working.
Dinamo should have him instead of Theo
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thesportsrush.com/toni-rudiger-azpi-or-kova-thomas-tuchel-reveals-his-three-captaincy-candidates/%3famp
Yeah he even starts for Greek NT
I had no idea that former Schalke CB (Kyriakos Papadopoulos) has been playing for Lokomotiva Zagreb this season.
Pjaca played the role of “injured Boksic” at our last World Cup run
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Yeah, I feel guilty for saying this but Pjaca was on a better path than Rebic and that seems hard to believe but it’s true. If Pjaca was around, Brekalo would be with our U23 and we’d be more lethal in our attack.
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Pjaca was as explosive as Rebic but quite a bit more skilled and better at taking guys on 1v1…it’s totally sad his injuries have hurt his career.
@ARMADA
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Yea, I loved his game.
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A power forward who could play up top or on the wing.
He was looking like a poor man’s Cristiano Ronaldo with his strength, speed and technical ability.
His floor was to become another Ante Rebic (but with much better finishing).
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Blowing both knees, along with a couple of other lower body injuries, over a short time period usually ends people’s careers.
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But he really needs to put in a good season (anywhere) before getting called up again.
I think he just needs to focus entirely on club football, and staying healthy. After a year or so, then let’s see where he’s at.
@epstein baric
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Except for the fact that we DO know there it was very impactful on Marin, as stated by both Marin’s coach at Marin himself.
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There was an article written about it, where both Marin and his coach were quoted about how it took a major toll on his ability to play 90 minutes, and how it’s been a very slow process to reintegrate him into the lineup.
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It’s a bummer about Pjaca. In terms of his build, position played and the way he plays (more aggressive compared to our other wingers) he could of really made a name for himself on the repka. Crazy that he’s only about to turn 26 and I always forget he’s still owned by Juve.
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I think there’s still a chance for him to bounce back and have a few productive years for the repka. On the flpside, if he never gets his physical stuff sorted out, good chance he never gets a call-up for the NT again.
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Thankfully, we have others waiting in the wings when it comes to wingers and midfield types.
Great logic Markus##by the same token##you don’t know how impactful it was on Marin either## and neither does this guy Maminjo
Maybe just maybe, neither had any impact on Marin, like >99.9% of people Marins age##and that is the general population at Marin’s age for both diseases per da cdc##
Marin could be in the .1% I isnt a betting man but i wood take dat bet
i like this blog##can i join? Huge tottenham fan##any other croatians here love tottenham?
@epstein baric
You clearly don’t understand how impactful mono can be. And the fact Pongracic got it at the same time he got his COVID really affected his lungs. Mono doesn’t have the same impact on every individual so how do you know how bad it would affect Marin?
Everything seems so rushed for pjaca…the great ones slow things down ,just look at Luka,it’s like he puts the opposition in a trance when he has the ball.Pirlo was the same way.
Pjaca is a talent you can see it,I agree with the mental/confidence issue.
let’s hope he figures it out soon.
@ Maminjo
28 is the official nogometaš age as we are late bloomers.
Yeah Pjaca missed but he created space that allowed for his shot.
I am happy that his movement is coming along.
Rebić used to miss those all the time.
Now he buries them.
It takes time to get pure rhythm after years of serous injuries.
Pašalić missed a simply shot on goal after being setup by his Atalanta teammates.
His movement was good and he missed.
Doesn’t mean he is scrub or bust!
I like both of them for depth going forward.
serious comment:
Can somebody tell this dumb fuck to shut the fuck up about mono. it not a big deal, everybody i know got a sore throat for a few daysand a small rash if dey took antibiotics.
whoop dee fucking doo
Pjaca is 26 this year. It’s too late for him.
Such a shame that we lost so many talented players to knee injuries like Pjaca, Krovinović, and even Moro (reducing his ceiling) due to the same knee injury.
Pongračić getting mono is upsetting too and could hurt his career.
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We have such good depth to have a laundry list of busts like Ćorić, Halilović, Balić, etc… Along with terrible injuries to other youngsters, yet still churn out enough young talent to continue having a good team.
Just saw the glaring miss by pjaca
Unforgivable really
I really fear that this guy really won’t reach his potential
Seems like a mental thing to me
Oh wait. They did reach out to call him up, but he turned it down (apparently under pressure by his club).
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Quote:
“Mi smo se, skautirajući Josipa, uvjerili kako je riječ o vrlo darovitom igraču, zato je i dobio naš poziv. No, očito pod pritiskom kluba, Stanišić je donio svoju odluku. Žao nam je zbog toga”
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He’s still in play though. If he gets regular playing time at Bayern, he’ll get enough exposure to the point where he won’t be pressured by management.
If Germany are slow to call him up, then we can, and he’ll get even more exposure.
He’s primarily a CB who can play as a fullback. Same goes for players like Pongračić or Gvardiol.
Not sure if he was approached by our U21s, but he’s hasn’t been playing anywhere other than junior teams, so it’s completely understandable why he wouldn’t get callups.
Not sure if this one start will change anything though. He’ll need to get some time, at least as a backup, but hopefully he’s another one to watch for a potential callup.
I think Stanisic is a great talent and the fact Bayern has faith in him by giving him a start is huge. He’s a RB, which is the only position where we are thin on prospects so he’d be a huge addition. Contrary to the German media’s beliefs, Stanisic has never chosen Germany officially although playing 1 game for their u19s. His mother spoke to the media’s lately and cleared up that he hasn’t actually chosen Germany yet so he may still want to commit to us.
Yep i remember how much he loved “look at me” Livaja after all lmao
Josip stanisic. That sounds so German
Would he crack the repka? Or does Germany cap him and never play for them
Remember when ziva used to rag on arm tattoos
What does a neck tattoo say?
Brozo doesn’t realize he’s going to be 80 one day and looking like a complete idiot with those ridiculous tats.
An ex gf of mine had a beautiful niece but she was tatted up and only 20 yrs old.
She said by the time I’m old like you they will have come up with a pill to dissolve all the ink…SMH.
Should we even bother writing about stanisic if he’s not going to choose us?
Pjaca looked good today in limited time…was robbed on a nice shot then turned chellini inside out at the PK spot to only blast over the net.Haven’t given up on him it’s obvious he’s a talent he just has slow the game down a bit and not rush everything.
Budimir with a nice headed goal off a corner today. He showed some good hold up play….might be a good combo with Kramaric for the Euros. Budimir hustles, can hold up the ball and lay it off to Kramaric, would also be a threat from corners and crosses. Our set pieces in the attacking third should be a top priority. Lots of potential goals.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/reportage-from-ex-croatian-refugee-camp-in-fermo/
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Here’s an interesting story with a soccer reference. It shows our success is not a “lightning in a bottle”.
In the fall of 1942, 1,374 prisoners lived there. After the war, when the Croats came, the camp was called DP Camp No. 8. (Displaced person’s camp nr.8). Although they were refugees, the camp was guarded by English soldiers in the presence of the Red Cross. Men were separated from women and children. Each hangar had its own elder, and the self-government of the camp was also elected. The community developed a cultural and craft life. Clothing and cigarettes were produced for their own needs. Football club Croatia played against local Italian clubs, and the newspapers recorded that they also beat Lazio, which is especially significant because this club was the champion of Italy in 1942.
*Erlic with a goal and assist
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Sosa with another assist to his massive CF. He literally just lofts up high and no-one else comes close to challenging for a header. Don’t get it twisted, Sosa has gotten majority of his assists because his CF is 200 cm. Still counts right…
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German born Josip Stanisic (21) got the start at LB for Bayern Munich today. He can play any position across the back line and played once for the German U19 team. He’s also on Bayern’s UCL squad.
Great to see Pongracic get minutes. Martin Erlic (U21/Spezia) scored two goals this weekend. He’s decent on the ball and a tall developing defender who’s at least getting minutes unlike Jedvaj. Some decent prospects behind Vida, Lovren, and DCC. Gvardiol is obviously another big prospect.
Neck tattoos. Always a classy choice.
Budimir goal gives Osasuna 2-1 lead at Villarreal.
Watching Inter-Cagliari and they just showed Brozovic’s new neck tattoo — a bomb emoji….lol.
Was there beef during the match?
I bet you real wouldn’t straight up trade luka for Messi
Heck I bet who hates life is Ronaldo. Ya he’s got it all but he didn’t take juve to the promised land
Benzema while not being Ronaldo took over quite nicely
Anyone else see Modric tell Pique to fuck off today after the game when they were shaking hands? Soo good to see Modric has a muda!
Dannyj
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Yea. I’m of the mindset that all these guys are all capable of making mistakes defensively.
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Barišić is good defensively, but just like Vida, Ćaleta-Car, etc… He’s not going to be perfect. None of these guys are flawless defenders.
May as well capitalize on the players who can bring a “complete” game to the field (Dutch style total football).
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Guys like Gvardiol, Ćaleta-Car and Bradarić are just so comfortable with the ball.
It actually keeps the opponents on their toes and they won’t have as much confidence to press (unless they want to look foolish).
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Hopefully Bradarić, Sosa and Gvardiol continue to play well for their club teams (and the u21s) to the point where Dalić cannot ignore them.
@Anonymous
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Blessed are thou my child
Great finish from Rebic, buried that one.
Modric
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The veteran midfielder put in the kind of display that should have deserved a standing ovation from a packed stadium. His understanding with Kroos is telepathic and the pair controlled the match in the first half. Where many of his teammates were substituted, he stayed on.
While Barisic is having a good year
I can’t see him having more impact then Bradarić right now
Not even sosa
What i like about bradaric is the potential to play that wing spot
More utilitarian Incase injuries
I agree
Our defense makes plenty of mistakes now
Bring in the young guys who can actually grow
My biggest fear as I’ve stated in past is both Lovren and vida since already starting this new campaign and World Cup so soon refuse to step down
I could see vida doing it before Lovren tho
@Maminjo
Re my Pongracic question, thanks a lot for your insight. And also a big shout-out to to you for bringing so much to this forum day in day out!
Hey Dečki,
My box is down again… Anyone have a link to the El Clásico game?
Milan looks way better with Rebić…he make zlatan so much better
Rebić with goal for milan!
Ibra with a straight red for saying something to the ref…just like Rebic a few weeks ago!
Pongracic subbed on late, Lacroix had a bad game. He got an assist and completed a few long balls + great defensive game in just 30 mins
I think Pongracic is a lost cause for this year.
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He had both Mono and COVID at the same time.
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COVID for a person his age is no big deal, but Mono is pretty serious (especially for an athlete).
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When Rebic had Mono, he was also useless for a year and struggled to get into form.
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Before Pongracic caught Mono, the dude was playing fantastic for Wolfsburg.
He might actually be a better prospect than Caleta-Car since he’s just as big, but he’s apparently alot faster.
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We’re lucky that we suddenly have all the depth at CB with young guys like Caleta-Car and Gvardiol making strides, otherwise this would have really hurt our transition from Lovren/Vida.
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Hopefully Pongracic gets back to 100% next year, and can continue where he left off.
Lots of athlete’s careers get ruined from Mono.
@Maminjo
How do you see Pongracic’s situation at Wolfsburg? He’s played very little for them this season.
Yea, I’d love to see…
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Bradarić – Gvardiol – Ćaleta-Car – Vrsaljko
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Or the same lineup, but with Sosa replacing Bradarić.
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I want to see a full backline with ZERO weaknesses in technical skill.
We would have no more delays on the counterattack, and we wouldn’t have to rely on Broz or Modrić having to come all the way back to initiate things.
Our offense has been largely suffering because of this.
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I could live with defensive errors (it’s not like Vida or Lovren don’t make them).
There is literally no reason for them to start anymore.
Bradaric is the goods.
Quick feet and smooth left foot.
The more dynamic players the better.
@ Zidane
I would start with Valverde today and then bring on Real Modrić to work his magic in the second half.
Let Valverde run Barca ragged.
Definitely see Bradarić fitting well into the repka’s dynamic style. We need more plays like that.