A wild, wild, wild finish in Rijeka! You have to watch the highlights below to believe it.
This Croatian Cup game between Rijeka and Hajduk had it all! And ultimately, Hajduk coughed up the game after leading in the 95th minute.
This game had not one, not two, but three injury time goals to decide its fate (95′, 108′, 110′). And remember, this was a regular 90-minute match that did not have extra time. It had penalties. It had VAR controversy. It had saved shots from the penalty spot. Flares. Stoppages. Everything.
Look, I’m a Hajduk guy and I will always cheer for them. But man, year after year, they have a game that could be labeled “Comedy of Errors” and that would be an understatement. This one goes up there with losing to Albanian side Dinamo City in Conference League last year. So bad. What is the deal? That’s a serious question I have at this point.
TICKET UPDATE- anyone looking to buy on the secondary market, on StubHub last night, CAT 1 tickets for the Croatia – Panama game were already down to $585 after all fees. (Face value for CAT 1 was $500 for that game). And there’s still 3 more months before any ball is kicked.
Just keep waiting it out and prices will prob continue to drop (maybe you’ll be able to get even below face value across all categories eventually, who knows).
Per FIFA T&Cs what is the risk of buying tickets from a non-FIFA website (such as Stubhub )? Thx
I have not read any official policy statement. But:
1. I have heard FIFA numerous times refer to how ticket brokers are legal in the US (which is why FIFA inflated their starting prices). So it doesn’t seem they are particularly scared off by it.
2. On the StubHub side, their guarantee of the tickets is actually really good. Only one time I had an issue (game 3 tickets were accidentally scanned in by the seller, instead of game 4 for a playoff series. Or something like that. So it was rejected at the stadium). I called StubHub outside the stadium and they immediately got me another comparable set to my online account, and I got in with those. At the very least, I’m sure they would issue a refund.
It’s not a policy
When someone buys tickets from FIFA you are entering a contract with FIFA – you give them $$$, they give you tickets
Before you enter this contract you have to you agree to the Terms & Conditions as set out by FIFA
Suggest you (and everyone else) find these T&Cs and read them, including the sections on “Transferability” and the like
N.b. FIFA gets 30% fee for every ticket resold on FIFA marketplace
I suspect will be fine. Much stricter controls were in place for every FIFA tournament before everywhere else in the world (including supposed ID requirements upon entering the stadium) …..and still people bought off of other people all of the time without may problems.
At the very least, StubHub prices will probably be a good predictor of what prices on the FIFA marketplace will eventually move towards.
🤦🏻♂️
Buying 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets from StubHub is legal in Canada, but they are not an official FIFA partner, meaning tickets carry higher risks of invalidity. While StubHub provides a “FanProtect Guarantee” for refunds, FIFA warns that tickets from unauthorized third-party sites may be cancelled without notice.
Key Considerations:
Legality: It is legal to resell tickets on platforms like StubHub in Canada.
Risks: Tickets purchased outside official channels (FIFA.com) may be fake or invalid.
Costs: Prices on third-party sites can be significantly higher than face value.
Official Source: The only guaranteed, legitimate source is FIFA.com.
Alternatives: Consider using the official FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace for safer, verified tickets.
Anonymous told you Skegro was a crap agent (and that Jaga should bring in Andy Bara-level agent for the transfer) – and Anonymous was right – both the players he sold aren’t playing
Krivak to Sigma Olomouc – hasn’t played a minute
Jaga to PAO – two cameos (while PAO also signed 75% of Andino in Jan for 10m i.e. double Jaga’s fee and Andino has already had 5 starts)
Good lesson for the kids reading – always understand people’s dollar incentives as first principles – Skegro’s incentive is to make a commission – the higher the transfer fee – the higher the commission (typically in football) – if his player doesn’t play – well that’s life – he got paid
Now compare/contrast to Mlacic – he had a “real Croatian dad” who was very involved in his son’s move and didn’t leave it to the agent – he made the teams explain to HIM their plan for his son (he knows the agent is incentivized to make money from his fee) – the agent kept pushing for Mlacic to go to Inter – over and over again – Mlacic’s dad kept demanding Inter explain their plan and for they need to improve it if they want his son (Inter wanted him for U23 team, not first team) – Mlacic’s dad didn’t like that his son was going to be sold and not play for the first team – SO HE FIRED THE AGENT AND GOT A NEW ONE – and they found Udinese (which is obviously better than PAO Greece) – great club in Serie A – and Mlacic has been on the bench every game and got 23′ cameo last weekend already (a bit of luck as now two CBs are injured) and probably starts this weekend
Compare and contrast both approaches Jaga vs. Mlacic – and you see clearly which approach was the right one and worked – we’ve never heard anything about Jaga’s parents being involved in the transfer (didn’t he sadly already lose one of his parents? I could have that wrong) – maybe they not aggressive enough, maybe they not sophisticated enough, maybe they too busy, etc – and once the agent dangled the higher guaranteed Jaga salary in front of them – that seemed that was enough
Conclusion: every young Croatian player is blessed if they win the parental lottery and have a Mlacic-like-dad fighting in their corner and over-ridding the dumb agent trying to make their fee off their sons !
Per SN
Performance in new clubs
Adriano Jagušić (Panathinaikos)
– 2 senior appearances, 1 in the championship (7 minutes) and 1 in the Cup (13 minutes)
Branimir Mlacic (Udinese)
– after three games on the bench, he played 17 minutes against Fiorentina in Serie A
Leon Jakirovic (Inter Milan)
– six games for the youth team in three competitions, 347 minutes
Fabijan Krivak (Sigma Olomouc)
– has not yet made his debut, watched the last three games from the bench
btw: this isn’t a Croatian-specific thing – there are lots of examples of players who parents are VERY involved in managing their son’s career – step-by-step – Pulisic’s dad, Jude and Jobe Bellingham’s dad (that’s probably the best case – they don’t even have an agent – their agent IS THEIR DAD) – but these guys dads have managed every little detail of their son’s career – step-by-step – and were always VERY AGGRESSIVE and PUSHING THEIR SONS with the team – in the end their son’s have the talent (well Puli yes, Jude (good, but over-rated), Jobe (serviceable)) – but if their dad’s were not so involved – God knows how their career would have ended up (not as good as it has been – that’s for sure)
Who’s fighting Jaga’s corner other than his “agent” – anyone ???
P.S.
Just remembered from the Modric / Bilic podcast – Modric said his dad was very involved and overly aggressive and yelling at everyone (coaches, owners) when young Luka wasn’t playing – taking him to this team – that team – not being happy he wasn’t playing – going behind owners/coach’s back to find another team – if Modric’s dad wasn’t so overly involved and aggressive at the start until he properly established himself at Dinamo – Luka probably wouldn’t have had a football career as he wouldn’t have been given a chance to begin with (as it was easy from everyone to say he’s “too small”, “too light”, etc)
The Jagušić situation is starting to piss me off.
He could’ve been at Dinamo right now if Boban wasn’t playing hardball.
Would have been great to continue his development.
Hoping that Mlačić continues to get starts and develop. Intriguing to see how much of a prospect he really is (as there isn’t much into out there in him). Serie A starts at his age already, would be great.
Vušković has been a godsend, and if it’s true that Gvardiol is AHEAD of schedule, then we have a great situation here with the two of them as starters for us this Summer.
Having guys like Jaga and these other youngsters in full form and ready immediately after the World Cup is critical, as we may have to rely on them sooner rather than later.
ESPN FC’s World Cup power rankings. I guess Croatia has new opponents?
The errors on that site are … something.
14. CROATIA
No matter how often we think Croatia can’t turn on the style at this level, led by seemingly ageless 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modric and a strong veteran presence up and down the squad, they remain formidable at this level no matter what. Finishing second in 2018 and third in 2022 feels like a tall order to replicate this summer, but a favorable group draw — they will face El Tri, South Africa and a UEFA qualifier (one of Czechia, Republic of Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia — at least gives them a strong edge to the round of 32. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.
Nice SN reading Anonymous’ comments and FINALLY throwing Varella under the bus – it’s about time – “the next Lamal” Boban said – LMAO – the worst thing is he is taking minutes from a young Croatian to develop – that’s the purpose of Dinamo (not to make money for Bara to flip him)
Does Cardoso Varela have better dribbling or marketing? He arrived adorned with the epithets of the new Yamal, and there are increasingly frequent comments that he is sliding towards the new Halilović. When asked what he offers, many will say – nothing. Is he an elite world talent who has stalled in his development or a gifted player who has a lot of sweat ahead of him to become a first-team player for a strong club? Have the promoters put too much weight on his shoulders? The announcements have been thundering, but the pitch is quiet.
On Wednesday, he played 64 minutes for Modri against Kurilovac and did not impose himself on the fourth-tier team. He could not get past the amateur from Turopolje. The comments from fans on Dinamo’s platforms were very critical, some even harsh, and the impression of observers is clear – he offers less than one would expect from the voice that follows him. Moreover, less than one would think for Dinamo’s greatest talent, let alone for someone who arrived with a reputation as a world phenomenon. Porto did everything to keep him and, for their part, confirmed that they considered him a gem, but today there are only two possibilities – either he stagnates or he is not a diamond from the most prestigious galaxy after all.
Andy Bara said in the Incubator Podcast in October:
– If Varela had played all the games, he would be worth 30 million euros now.
He spent little time on the field at that time; this certainly had an impact on the fact that the U-17 Portugal coach did not take him to the World Cup, which they won in Qatar, but after that he got more chances. Much more than other peers, even older ones from Dinamo’s school. This is understandable if you know that last summer in Maksimir they portrayed him in the most flattering way – as one of the three greatest talents in the club’s history, which is truly powerful considering who all entered the Blues’ first team from school. You have to push someone like that. Of course, at 17 years old, no one should expect him to play fantastic, perfect football like the world class, but if that is his real level, he would have to offer more. Today, there is a huge disparity between the story and the realization.
He was born at the end of October 2008, he has his whole life ahead of him and plenty of time to prove himself, although Yamal, with whom he is often compared, celebrated his seventeenth birthday as one of the key players of the Spanish A team at the Euro 2024 in Germany, and Varela was not even called up to the Portuguese cadet team and did not establish himself as a starter in Dinamo. In an incomparable competition. No one can complain about coach Mario Kovačević because he often gives him opportunities, be it twenty minutes, more or less, but in those sections he does not show that he is ready to take on the burden of the Blues’ first wing. This is a player whose main assets must be his penetration and top-notch solutions in the final, because you would not expect anything less than top-notch since such epithets accompany him. Is it buried somewhere in his portfolio and rarely, only in traces, comes to the surface? Or does he just think that it is buried, and the question is how much he has to offer, what reserves he really has?
In the current season, he played 696 minutes spread over 23 games. He scored one goal in Europe and one in the Cup. Varela is certainly a talented guy who can have a nice career, but now we already have enough of a sample to suspect that he is a world TOP-class player. There are a lot of fast-footed wingers today, especially from Africa. Varela has not even shown turbo speed, we see a lot of faster ones, but to be the cream of the crop, he needs to present more creativity and playing moves that leave both the opponent and the audience – poof. We haven’t seen enough of that from him. The prospects are ahead of him, playing next season for the Blues or somewhere else, but with the football he is currently providing in Barcelona, there is nothing to be desired. He still has a lot to work on and further develop physically.
Varela is super talent. He will be a top player in the future. How long? Depends on the things we can’t see. Let’s wait until the end of next season before getting worked up about a teenager. When I’ve seen him play he has been good. Maybe not the end product yet, but that is absolutely normal for a kid his age. Ridiculous to compare him to Yamal.
I hear you – and if he becomes the best winger of all time – that’s great – Dinamo would get a massive fee
But Bara said Barca and Chelsea were fighting to sign him in September/October (pre-emptively) bc he was a sure thing – for crazy figures – which implies he was close to being a final product (they aren’t going to spend 25-30m on “potential” with no track record in senior football)
My issue is – since when has Dinamo given minutes to players “learning on the job” ? Did Jaga get that chance ? No, he went to Belupo. Mikic ? God forbid the first 4 choice RB are out, then finally yes (and everyone is all over him from the first minute about every little thing and gets banished again). Valincic ? Nope, had to prove himself at Istra. Lisica ? Nope had to prove himself at Lisica. Hoxha ? Nope, he had to prove himself at Belupo. etc etc etc etc. Hell, even Belinho had to go to Kustosija!
So why the special treatment for Varella ? That’s what really annoys Anonymous. Some 17-18 y/o has taken 696 minutes (SO FAR) this year learning on the job at Dinamo first team. That’s not fair. He’s not ready to contribute to Dinamo TODAY (reminds me of the situation with Mathys Tel at Igor Tudor’s team – super talent from Bayern – elite striking ability of the ball – but after 2300 minutes at Sp*rs (last season 1300 + 1000 this season) he’s still not anywhere near the final product – so what was the point? Nevermind they spent 35m on him lol)
What if Varella doesn’t pan out? The opportunity cost is he’s taken a space of a young Croatian that could eventually help the NT
Varella should have been loaned to lower-table HNL team or 2nd division Croatia team that was willing to give him 90 minutes every game (and could afford it) and let him prove himself. As soon as he’s good enough (and better than existing options) you call him back and slot him into Dinamo first team.
btw: it’s not even an age thing
Look at Max Dowman – from the first second he came on for Arsenal – you knew he was ready for the Premier League – at 15 y/o – there was no question – you could tell by watching him – sure he would need some time to get used to step-up speed/physically – and that’s a 15 y/o in the Premier League – when I’ve seen Varella (albeit limited minutes) he doesn’t look anywhere close to being ready for the HNL
Barca buying Vuskovic per Luka’s agent
Told you guys MONTHS AGO
Anonymous’ eye tests are the GOAT of all GOATS
Here is a Luka vs. Leverheusen comp
https://x.com/chestermanutd3/status/2029647299727568907
Suggest u watch it before it disappears
Everyone except for Crnkovic – he’s not going to like all the clips of Luka playing #9 in the last 15 minutes and pressing & causing havoc on the Leverkeusen defenders and acting like a striker and almost tieing the game (ball off the post) 😉
Can everyone remember when Mart kept telling us the Luka needs to stay with the U21 and not ready for the NT not even to sit on the bench – over and over again LMAO – that was fun – and now Barca are buying him (time for a 3rd opinion at the ophthalmologist Mart)
At that time had he stayed with the first team he would have been on the bench and hence he was better of playing for the U21.
Never said he was not good enough to sit on the bench for the first team, I just said that it was more beneficial for him to be playing.
I still stand by that opinion and that is exactly what Dalic did sending him to play for the U21 rather than have him sitting on the bench.
I agree with Coach Dalic on this one. Vuskovic has come shown some real talent t but a little of humility can help become even a better player. I like that Zlatko has slowly incorporated him into the team.
“He would be on the bench”
You – like Dalic – got it completely wrong
He should have been playing every game for the NT in the qualifiers
None of the best U21 players in the World play for their U21 team (Turkey’s BEST FIVE U21 PLAYERS PLAY FOR THE SENIOR NT – WHAT DID LUKA LEARN BY PLAYING vs. TURKEY U21)
U21 teams are left-over crap U21 players that can’t make NT
It took Barcelona to buy him (to partner with Cubarsi) – as Anonymous predicted already in September would happen btw – you know the BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD – for you – like Dalic – to say “okay maybe we have to play him now” – so you realize how SILLY that is ??? Which of Erlic, Duje, Pong, Sutalo are anywhere near playing for ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE WORLD NEVERMIND THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD – ANSWER: NOWHERE NEAR ! So Dalic just clogging Luka’s path for AT BEST AVERAGE CBs – THAT’S RETARDED AND COMPLETELY WRONG
Vuskovic needs to play 180 minutes vs. Columbia and Brazil – no If Ands Or Buts – will be make mistakes during these 180 minutes – YES PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE ! – will Vini Jr or some other fast player get the better of him and make a run in behind and score a goal – YES VERY POSSIBLE ! – but that’s the “investment” needed for Luka to keep getting better – that’s how any coach with two brain cells knows it works
Tudor is garnering far too much attention on this site…did juric or kovac get this much ink with struggling clubs?
He is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things unless he takes over for Dalic..highly unlikely!
I think we just want him to do well since he is Croatian. However, he has a tough task ahead of him. I’ve been watching his press conferences and apparently Juric is supposed to be joining his coaching staff.
Two of Igor’s assistants haven’t been able to join him yet
Bc of UK visas / paper-work stuff
Seriously unreal
Far too much WHINGING on this site from people that add ZERO VALUE
Post something relevant if you want to read about something else
Thx
“Post something relevant,” says the person who was politely asked by he who runs this site to stop posting so much.
Tudor coaches Juve, Marseille etc. Crickets. But, boy oh boy, look who he’s coaching now! Let us post endlessly to an audience of one.
Dear Diary …
GBVH…I salute 🫡 you !
Luka Vuskovic should go to either Madrid or Bayern. He needs to stay away from Tottenham for his development. The club seems like a mess lately. I watched a few games of Tudor managing Spurs. The first game against Arsenal they could have either tied or had a close game. However, they didn’t take their chances and the second goal was harsh to to disallow. The game against fullham they could have either won or tied but again didn’t take their chances.
Tudor, seems to play aggressive football with lots of running but I wonder if Tottenham needs more of a possession and man management coach? Although, it took only a few days for Tudor to realize the job he took was massive. After a few days he started telling the press that tottenham has a lot of problems, especially with players being injured, lack of confidence, defending and attacking etc.
Overall, I think that this situation is more of the club issue than Tudor’s management. The fans have problems with the owners and you can tell the players don’t want to be there. They seem deflated and don’t care. *Already posted this but it was stuck in moderation*
Igor getting fired after the game (if not at HT)
Solanke scored to put them up 1-0
Next minute – Mickey deliberates whiffs a clearance then drags down a player for a red card / penalty (he wants to leave end of season and Sp*rs getting relegated assures him of that) – 1-1
Two more goals for Palace (world class vision/passes by Adam Wharton – wow)
3-1 at HT
#ProjectIgorRelegatesTttenhamSoLukaVuskovicCanGoToMadrid
Igor’s line up in
4 changes from Fulham
Out
Dragusin, XAVI (wow), Gallagher, Bissouma
In
Danso, Souza (19 y/o Brazilian LB), Sarr, Tel
Will try to catch some of the 2nd half hopefully games not over by then
This is probably the most do or die Sp*rs have ever had – so much pressure
Sp*rs are missing their top 4 earners
Xavi (benched)
Romero (suspended 5 games)
Madders (injured since pre-season)
Connor Gallagher (benched)
One thing Igor has is BALLS benching Xavi and Connor
The 4 players coming in don’t start much/ever and have a lot to PROVE
Let’s see if the gamble pays off
Jedvaj goal and HATE-WATCH PAO (the last thing Anonymous needed to see was 2016 PTSD Renato Sanchez – who terrorized Croatia – score a goal)
***.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7-zziMRssE
I hope Hajduk doesn’t do anything rash like fire Gonzalo Garcia (now that they’re eliminated from the Cup and if they miss out on the HNL title too).
I like that he’s prioritizing and developing the youngsters.
Pukstas is doing great. Brajkovic had a good game too.
Only issue right now is Bruno Durdov’s development, but a lot of that is due to Roko Brajkovic being prioritized ahead of Durdov at RW.
But guys like Silic, Skelin, Hodak, Hrgovic, are getting good development minutes and overall Hajduk are still within striking range of Dinamo and well ahead of Rijeka (who are a better-run organization) despite Hajduk being more reliant on a bunch of 19-21 year olds.
Garcia has done well to navigate within the shortcomings of Hajduk’s management (who are quick to bring in old washed up vets, random B-caliber foreigners, yet always want to sell off our youth to the first bidder).
Garcia is slowly trying to phase out Livaja, which is a difficult thing to do with a cult-like figure. I don’t think he ever wanted Rebic (that was management pushing that nonsense) but he has to play him for now (where those minutes could have gone to Durdov). I think he prefers to play Silic over Ivusic too, and will use this injury to keep Silic on.
He’s phasing out Bamba, Diallo, Melnjak, Kalik…these guys do not move the needle for Hajduk at all, yet they hold back our youth from developing.
Big waste of money paying these guys far more than the youth, but aren’t really doing anything for the club.
I’m not against having vets on the team, but there has to be purpose and strategy when trying to bring guys like this in. Rakitic (although washed) was a good one to bring in last year. But there are far better veteran option (even from within the HNL) that Hajduk could have brought in.
The only thing that will fix Hajduk right now is to keep developing their youth (Pukstas, Brajkovic, Silic, Skelin, Hodak, Hrgovic, Durdov, and others coming up the pipeline).
Don’t waste money on transferring in the likes of Bamba, and don’t try to simply sign ANY veteran (Rebic) regardless of fit.
Pukstas is Lithuanian American and is not associated with the national team is my thought and is already aligned to the US. He is more of a dead end than either Rebic or Livaja, put together who at least should garner some respect for their past national team efforts.
Do you mean to say that there is time for that to change like Sosa?
If not could care less if Pukstas regresses or goes back to the US. Sounds line another Olmo, nice to have when he was around, but he was heard for his perceived benefit.
At least Olmo seem to enjoy the Croatian vibe and environment but wanted nothing to do with the national team. As Pulisic said to Modric, I am a fake Croatian, implying I just using you, please don’t fall in love.
Modric should have punched the giggling Pulisic in the face when he said that
Imagine having the hero of Croatian football in front of you (and Ballon D’or winner) and you tell him I’m a fake Croatian
How retarded can someone be
At least he has Dan by his side at all times (after he ran out to the press after a day rumours surfaced and denied he’s banging Sydney Sweeney LMAO)
What should he have said ?
Something that takes at least 2 brain cells along the lines of “I wish I did, but my parents never taught me, unfortunately, will you teach me a few words?”
I guess to be expected from the diaspora. Most Croatia diaspora most likely would rather listen to Bad Bunny, Me Porto Bonito, that Marko Thompson , Tamo Gdje Su Moji Korijeni is my guess.
It irks me to know that Puckusic giggles his why into millions of dollars and into millions of sycophantical adoring hearts. Fame is not discerning or loyal.
Pukstas is a talented young player that could potentially net 10 million euro for Hajduk, especially if he was allowed to develop last season.
I do agree with prioritizing Croatian youth (as it benefits our NT) but if we have outsiders on the team, obviously the talented young ones that went through Hajduk’s youth system (like Pukstas) should take priority over the Bambas and Diallos (as the young ones can net you money in a transfer).
You can respect former NT players, but that doesn’t mean Hajduk needs to take on charity.
Rebic was a charity case. He pushed for more money, and Hajduk obliged. He’s not worth the half-million euro salary that Hajduk pays him.
This comes at a cost that is more than just money.
To put things into perspective…
We just prematurely sold Mlacic to Udinese and all of the money we got from that sale will just go to pay the remaing years on the contracts of Rebic and probably a couple of others (like Melnjak and Ivusic). That’s it. Was that worth selling a youth prospect over?
So, now we have to show “respect” to former National Team players by selling our talented youth just to give them contracts so they could have a nice retirement fund while living and playing in Split?
Hajduk cannot afford to pay these veterans 500K to 1M Euro per season.
You can sign some, but Hajduk has something like 10 players who make this much.
Hajduk are paying some of these guys to sit on the bench.
At the same time, their young players make something like 50K to 80K per season. Even Sigur only makes like 140K.
There is no benefit to paying guys (who may have been capped by our NT) so much money, and chalk it up to “respect”…if it is killing the development of our youth and forcing us to sell young players (like Vuskovic, Prpic, Mlacic) too early, just so we can keep the grift going.
Looks like the March 9th squad announcement will be a snooze-fest – Dalic doing the boring and predictable thing – no fresh players – just “copy and paste” the team from November – what exact have the Nose Pickers been doing 5 months – NOTHING – other then fly around and get free dinners & wine and charge it back to HNS
Given that Wedding Boy crazy Spanish interview (after he met with Dalic – spilling the Dalic tea) – wouldn’t be shocked if Dalic (rightfully) snubs him – the guy is maybe the last midfielder to be picked – and says in the interview that Dalic NEEDS him on the NT (he also only came on in 94′ in the Cup y’day btw) – crazy delusions – at this point he’s too disruptive (for what he brings to the table)
#####
From SN
Zlatko Dalić will announce the list of players he is taking to Orlando for friendlies against Colombia (March 26) and Brazil (March 31) on Monday. Carlo Ancelotti will reveal the Seleção squad on March 16. The Croatian coach is going to Germany this weekend, it has been announced that he will watch the match between Wolfsburg and HSV, the clubs of Lovro Majer and Luka Vušković, and that he will also meet some other players who play in the Bundesliga. Then next week he plans to be in Rujevica for the round of 16 match of the Conference League Rijeka – Strasbourg.
According to the plan, he should take 26 players to America, three of whom are goalkeepers – Livaković, Kotarski and Pandur. He does not intend to invite anyone new, he is relying on a proven squad. Adriano Jagušić, about whom much has been said and written, remains in the young national team. The coach and Mateo Kovačić have yet to agree whether he will go to Orlando, most likely he will not, but will stay in England to make up for lost training and prepare as best as possible for the end of the season. And therefore for the World Cup.
In defense, Stanišić, Erlić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Ćaleta-Car and Vušković are safe, and the other two will probably be Ivan Smolčić and Domagoj Bradarić. The left-back position is a huge problem, Stanišić will play him, but he must have an alternative, and the choice is modest, so it is realistic that Bradarić will get another chance. Among the midfielders, eight are safe – Modrić, Petar Sučić, Mario Pašalić, Moro, Jakić, Vlašić, Baturina and Fruk. A ninth spot is open, and that could be Majer, possibly Luka Sučić.
Kramarić and Budimir are safe in attack, we predict that Matanović will be the third, but he could also take Musa as the fourth. So, Matanović or Musa or both. There is no room for Petković, Belja, Kovačević, and as things stand, not even for Franjo Ivanović, whose dreams José Mourinho is stealing. They could be on call-up. There are also two wings, Perišić and Marco Pašaić, possibly Oršić. Gvardiol is absent due to injury, about whom we have great news – he has taken off his boots and entered a new phase of recovery from his injury. Everything is going according to plan, and that plan says that he will be ready for the World Cup. We will see on Monday whether that is it, or whether the coach will make a different move in terms of the distribution of positions.
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Rather than a clearance, the last goal was scored by an assist from the Hajduk fullback, that hurts to watch.
That was Luka Hodak.
He’s actually a decent prospect.
Growing pains.