Even Superman has his weakness: Kryptonite.
And for the Vatreni, it’s officially the French. France ended Croatia’s run at the 1998 World Cup in the semifinals. They did it again 20 years later in the World Cup Final. Last month in UEFA Nations League, the two sides met once again and France thumped the red and white checkers; 4-2.
Croatia have gone toe-to-toe with the world’s top footballing nations at major tournaments in their young history – and have impressively crossed many nations of their “WANTED” List:
Argentina – 2018 World Cup
Germany – 1998 World Cup/Euro 2008
England – 2018 World Cup/Prevented them from qualifying for Euro 2008
Spain – Euro 2016
Netherlands – 1998 World Cup
Italy – 2002 World Cup
Only three “Top” footballing nations remain on Croatia’s “WANTED” List: France, Brazil, Portugal.
In the past, Brazil have angered Croatians with shady refereeing. The Portuguese have frustrated with their tactics. But the French have down right shattered Croatian hearts; on two separate occasions.
Although Wednesday’s UEFA Nations League match at Maksimir between Croatia and France is not a World Cup or Euro game, the Vatreni have yet to beat the French in any competition; tournament or friendly. It would be a great confidence boost going into November’s final matches of 2020 if Luka Modrić and company can get a W over the French for the first time. On top of that, a win would mean three victories for Croatia this week after getting thumped 4-2 twice by Portugal and France last month.
It’s good if you have players that can play multiple positions. Let’s see how it goes! Can Perisic do what Robben used to do from the RW, or is he not skillful enough?
I know it is just talk, but Dalic considering Bradaric at LW and moving Perisic to RW, while starting Barisic at LB. This means Brekalo sits!?
Now you all know I am tough on Brekalo, but benching Brekalo so our potential future LB can play LW is borderline insanity.
So much memories history and tradition
Why get rid of that and that’s coming from a Hajduk fan
You fuckin idiots
@ CP85
Eduardo with that injury and also that whole import debate leaves such a mixed bag.
Modrić has that touch and air of class like Šuker albeit in a role in the middle.
Modrić looks more confident than ever these days.
That 2018 run along with the Balon D’or has put him at peace with his greatness.
He is simply in mastery now.
Dalic has to surround him with Rog and then Kovačić next match as those two allow him to roam forward.
Vlašić allows him more space.
Bradaric speed and energy on the flank will make a difference as well.
Perišić is due for a big match as well.
Brekalo is fearless.
Wonder if Kramaric can start?
Poglavnik,
Beautiful clip!
@Soul Champ – I think Krama and Eduardo before him are the closest we’ve come to someone with a nose for net/fox in the box mentality but still far off to his quality.
As a player Šuker was unparalleled with his touch and predator goals.
His movement was on a different level.
The way he would set up players before the ball was even on his golden foot.
Kramaric has little bit of that and I mean little but it is a lot for this group.
Time to shift things up and be more dynamic.
ZDS
Croatia’s kryptonite isn’t France. It’s clearly FIFA and UEFA who don’t want this little country to dominate.
A little something for the kids.
No commentary, just Maksimir.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_vJUamfDf0g
From Boban’s kick to Big Jo on the mic.
Best stadium in the world!
They should play their games at Kranjčevićeva or at Stadion Stjepan Spajic in novi zagreb.
Poglavnik,
Maksimir is a dump and an embarrassment. I was in Zagreb when the initial World Cup qualifying game against Kosovo was cancelled because of rain. There were staircases leading to the seats which were impossible to ascend without getting totally soaked because of the waterfall of water falling from overhead. Makisimir is a fortress because it looks like it was built in the Middle Ages, when real fortresses were being built. Hopefully a new stadium will give us the same success.
Maksimir rules!
Nice and unwelcoming.
Gonna be a sad when it goes.
I didn’t get to see our first goal from Sweden
Does anyone have it?
I dont know i think we should get atleast a X. But I think we can get a win so according to the media
Livakovic Uremovic Lovren Vida/Car Barisic Modric Kovacic Perisic Vlasic Bradaric Petkovic.
Hopefully any new stadium built in Zagreb can have its roof closed.
I can’t count how many times we’ve seen our boys play in heavy rain, giving the opponents an advantage (as our technical skills are ‘watered down’ due to the slippery and wet conditions).
Would be nice to have the ability for the stadium to close its roof and allow us to continue to have the advantage with dry conditions.
Thanks @nepoznat
Bunch of pussies scared of a bunch of French cunts
I’m willing to forfeit the match in the name
of vengeance. Beat them out of town ZDS!
Spain beat us 6-0 in 2018, and we turned around and did them one better at Maksimir, which was probably the best we will ever see Jedvaj perform for us. I want to see Dalic make this a competitive match. He’s had time to test all of the players out, so we should go into this one ready to compete. The defense and midfield lineups should be pretty obvious now. Kramaric can score against anyone. I want to see the action now!
@Crnkovic you can check out the goal here:
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/reprezentacija/video-lovro-majer-zabio-gol-kakav-se-ne-vida-cesto-morat-cu-ga-opet-pogledati-na-televiziji-15025026
Every time Griezmann touches the ball, the entire stadium should pretend to fall down on their seats – that motherfucker.
We definately need a new stadium. China will build us one for free in exchange for economic/diplomatic ties
Anyone have a link to the u21 highlights?
I think we won’t have enough character on the field to win, we’ve kinda lost our mojo nd been far too inconsistent!
I honestly hate the fact that Maksimir is the home field…its such a garbage dump and has been for 30 years!
U21s with the win tosay against Greece
Definitely recognize some of the names that have been talked about here
With the premature retirement of Mandzukic and Rakitic combined with Rebic and Vrsaljko’s injuries, it is time for the young generation to put up or sit down.
Swiss and Sweden games were ugly wins (Swiss more so). When Modric on the field, we at least look like we have a plan.
The young players are lucky to have the benefit of playing with Modric and Perisic, time to step up is now.
Modric and Rakitic were already chopping down Sequoia’s by the time they were these kids’ age.
A win against France would be the defining moment of the new generation.
My prediction is we will lose, without Rebic and a cohesive gameplan from our leader Dalic. JINX
C’mon boys, even if we lose, show me something we can build upon.
@ Maminjo
Aside from being a slight boost to our FIFA World Rankings calculations for the next month, beating France won’t mean much to you point.
But as I’ve mentioned before, I think this is a mental boogey-man more so. A lot of the current squad was either on the bench or not in the squad during our run in 2018. I think for a big part of the repka now, beating France I think will instill a confidence in us (again) that this newer generation can hang with the ‘big boys’.
It’s great we can beat the Swiss, Swedes, Slovaks, Hungary, Wales (going back to 2020 quals) but those are ‘B’ level teams and if we want to continue to be considered a top tier NT going into the future, we need to beat sides like Portugal, France, England, Argentina (which we have both beat, obviously), etc.
No shame in losing to Brazil twice, with both games being very close…and the second one being in Brazil with Brazil being bailed out by a fake penalty AND us having a legitimate goal called back.
The three France losses and one France draw suck.
Two losses were on the big stage and we played better than them in both games too (and that Euro2004 draw too), lol.
Portugal extra time loss at Euro2016 will sting.
The other two losses (Euro96 and UNL) was just a bench scrimmage in two games that did not matter to us.
We will get our chance to avenge one of France and Portugal at the next Euros since we cross with their group.
Not sure if a UNL game can really count for getting revenge. It’s a nice bonus, but only if both teams are playing key players.
definite common denominator with France, Brazil, Portugal
Portugal smashed us 4-1, not 4-2, i think, as per the write up. Also, 4-2 isn’t really a “thumping”, a two goal loss is a two goal loss, nothing more.
That being said, i’d say there’s only about a 10% chance of us winning this game, if that. Shame there’s no fans (i assume there arent?) cos that could really help out. Be nice to boo some of their annoying wankers (basically all of their team).
We all know our stacked vatreni team is playing against 3 opponents every international match..UEFA fifa and bribed refs and that’s the hi and lows because that’s the way the crooked world goes..we already won..let the twisted turds from french mongrel soccer team bask in their glorious fake handed down win via fifa and their money driven agenda..God knows we won..and us cros.. so I’m happy!!
https://www.cbc.ca/archives/the-story-of-the-metros-croatia-soccer-championship-win-1.4744794
LETS NOT FORGET OUR HRVATS..An ethnically named pro team WON A NORTH AMERICAN NATIONAL SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP in the NASL..METROS CROATIA.!!WHICH NO OTHER ethnically named PRO TEAM IN NORTH AMERICA EVER ACHIEVED.. OTHER THAN THE ETHNIC FRENCH ..FROM QUEBEC ..THE HABS..MONTREAL CANADIANS ..So cheers to us hrvats..!!