In Croatia’s first World Cup qualifier of the campaign, they easily handled Gibraltar after a slow opening 30 minutes.
Goals were scored by: Kramarić x2, Ivanović x2 (1st international goals), Mario Pašalić, Budimir and Perišić (2 assists as well). Only disappointment here is that Dalić did not throw Luka Vušković into the match for 10-15 minutes in what would have been his first senior international cap.
79′: GOAL! Ivanović trucks down the field and unselfishly dishes the ball to Kramarić for an easy tap-in. Ivanović was on a hat trick but decided to pass instead of shoot. 7-0 Croatia.
73′: GOAL! Ivan Perišić with a beautiful volley inside the far post. Typical Perišić strike. What a ball from across the field from Orlando’s Marco Pašalić for the assist.
63′: SUBS: Modrić and Marco Pašalić come on for Luka Sučič and Josip Stanišić. Dalić, give Vušković the CAP!
62′: GOAL! Ivanović with another! Perišić with another assist after he slots a perfect, low ball in front of the Gibraltar net. Ivanović gets a toe on it to make it 4-0.
60′: GOAL! Franjo Ivanović scores his first international goal for Croatia! He gently slots the ball into the far post and the Gibraltar defender looks to be there in time, but kicks the turf instead. 3-0 Croatia.
46′: Dalić makes two subs at halftime. Ivanović comes on for Budimir. Kramarić on for Petar Sučić. Majer needs to be taken off soon. Bring us Marco Pašalić!
HT: 2-0 Croatia. Subs we want to see in the 2nd half. Bring on Marco Pašalić and Franjo Ivanović. Also, let’s see Luka Vušković get his first international cap for Croatia. This is the perfect game for it. Make it happen!
31′: GOAL! Mario Pašalić scores his second goal in as many minutes. A Perišić corner gets lost in the box and Pašalić cooly slots home to make it 2-0.
30′: GOAL! After an awful first 30 minutes of football from Croatia where the Vatreni had no real attack and Gibraltar almost scored, Croatia scores the first goal. Perišić whips in a fine cross from the left wing and Mario Pašalić heads home to make it 1-0.
Croatia v. Gibraltar is LIVE! Stay tuned for live match updates.
Croatia’s Starting XI: GK – Livaković, DF – Juranović, Pongračić, Ćaleta-Car, Stanišić, MF – P. Sučić, L. Sučić, Mario Pašalić, FW – Budimir, Perišić, Majer
I pulled the analysts out of bed on Sunday to get to the bottom of this
I mentioned how i thought this czech game is the most important Croatia game since World Cup 2022.
The results bear it out.
Assuming standard betting odds and probabilities around the teams, if Croatia beats Czech, the model says there is a 95 percent chance of World Cup qualifying.
If they lose, the World Cup qualification odds drop huge to 56 percent.
A draw leaves them at 78 percent.
Remember that with 3 effective minnows, the weight against the other competing team (czech) takes on disproportionate significance.
Additionally, remember that because the playoffs have moved to a two round tournament the odds of qualification via playoff has effectively dropped from something like 55-60 percent to around 30 percent if one finishes in second place.
The starting line up will be fairly obvious so let me save you guys suspense
First, vuskovic won’t be starting or playing so get that out of the way
The line up will be
Budimir
Kramaric
Perisic p sucic modric baturina/l sucic
Gvardiol sutalo dcc stanisic
Don’t expect anything revolutionary here
Subs will be mario pasalic, ivanovic, l sucic/baturina
Massive mistake by your analyst Truth – please fire them ASAP !!!
How can Luka Sucic be considered when he’ll be at his sister’s wedding?
Let’s try to have some quality control around/attention to detail in the analysis (otherwise Garbage In = Garbage Out)
Dalic clearly playing favourites here, as he didn’t let either DCC nor Erlic leave when they were in similar situations previously
***.24sata.hr/sport/luka-sucic-nije-jedini-juranovic-zbrisao-na-vlastitu-svadbu-a-caleta-car-propustio-bratovu-1056383?24sata_ref=frontpage-home
How should we line up against Chechia??????
Everyone agrees this is a critical game.
I understand it is not in Dalic’s nature, but maybe it makes good sense we go Stanisic-Sutalo-Vuskovic-Gvardiol across the back line? I watched Vuskovic in the Belgian league a few times this year on TV, where he was one of the better center backs in the entire league. Vuskovic has the size and physical presence to line up well against Schick, a big and dangerous striker who can’t threaten Vuskovic with blazing speed. Vuskovic is good in the air, at least he looked good in the air in the Belgian league. Okay, I know that is a pipe dream. But I’d throw the kid in there. You can make an argument he is the 4th best defender on this team right now given recent form.
The next best would be Stanisic-Sutalo-Gvardiol-JJ. Bring Gvardiol into the middle and JJ can shore up the left side with his good speed, linking up with Perisic attacking on the left. I think JJ is better than Pong or DCC right now, and Sutalo and Gvardiol in the middle can shut down Schick. Stanisic, Gvardiol and JJ are well familiar with Schick from Bundesliga.
Midfield. We will miss Kovacic.
Maybe we go Modric and Petar Sucic at midfield, with Luka Sucic at CAM. I know Luka Sucic did not look great against Gibraltar, but he is dangerous and he is the future. He played better than Baturina. So you have the two young Sucic midfielders with Modric to start, and then Majer, who is just rounding into form after his long term injury, and looked a little gassed at the end against Gibraltar, can come off the bench to replace Modric. Mario Pasalic had a good game, and has always been a super-sub . . . you bring Mario in for Luka Sucic, earlier rather than later if Luka Sucic is not going well. (If we have a solid lead, maybe we look at Moro and Jakic as experienced shut down players as subs in the midfield? I thought they both looked alright in recent games including against France).
Forwards. As others have commented, it is hard to believe Perisic stayed out there, and was not rested after we built a good lead against Gibraltar . . . . but you have to go back with him on the left wing the way he played. He might not have much gas left for Monday, but it seems we go Perisic at left wing, with Budimir and Krama to start up front, and then Ivanovic off the bench, along with Marco Pasalic to come on as a sub at right wing on the attack . . . .
How should we line up on Monday?
Spelling fail. . . Czechia . . .
From what I recall, Czech are a strong and physical team.
I am weary about starting our physically weaker guys like Krama, Majer, Juranović or Baturina.
Starting guys like Budimir, Perišić, Modrić and Petar Sučić are no brainers to me.
Who we play on the other wing spot, and who we play at the #10 is the question.
I would like to see Marco Pašalić on the other wing, solely because of his high effort play and supplying Budimir with crosses.
I would probably go with Luka Sučić as our #10 because I don’t think he would be phased by the Czechs.
Backline would have been nice to try a Gvardiol, Vušković, Šutalo, Stanišić lineup… but we missed our opportunity to test it out against Gibraltar.
It’s pointless talking about starting Vušković or Pašalić when we all know it’s gonna be Duje and Krama.
I think you mean “wary” lol.
Praise the grammar police, set me up with your niece …
Czechs are physical. If I recall they committed 23 fouls to 4 against Montenegro. I think going with a more physical lineup makes sense. I would not put a 17 y/o into that mix.
For a physical game, I would go with the same defenders as last game but with Gvardiol at LB instead of Juranović. Šutalo is a better player overall than Pongračić, but Pongračić is stronger and did well in physical matches with Fiorentina this season. In the midfield, I’d start Modrić, Luka Sučić, and Jakić (or if Dalić see’s Moro as being in better form, then him) because Czechia will be doing everything possible to bump Croatia’s midfield off the ball, just like they did in 2021 and 2016. For the other three, this is a good match for Perišić and Marco Pašalić to both start. Either of Budimir or Ivanović can start, but probably Budimir. Off the bench, whichever #9 doesn’t start, Mario Pašalić, Toni Fruk, and then a couple midfielders or maybe Juranović for Perišić.
England 1-0 Andorra
Stop saying 7-0 is easy
Who’s watching Albania vs Serbia ? Hoxha starting. Serbs already complaining about size of flag or something
500,000 tickets sold for July 5, 2025
Record for MOST concert tickets sold EVER for a concert
Who’s going ?
Pukni Puskooo!
I wish I was..
Not me I won’t be in Croatia but my friend will be there! I imagine it’s going to be a disaster to get there.
Just look at czech and montenegro strikers..their market value is much much higher than croatia attackers of budimir and kramaric. I am expecting their finishing to be deadly esp when they play counter attack
Yeah, you can expect them to maybe score a goal, but the midfield and defending are not at Croatia’s level. Czechia can just play physical and have Patrick Schick who is an excellent striker. I’d take Franjo Ivanović over Krstović any day. The thing about Franjo is that he’s just really young. Budimir is obviously an unusual player, but neither Schick nor Krstović would have been third on the scoring chart in Spain. And Budimir did it with less service (statistically) than the other top scorers in Spain. His finishing per service is extraordinary. Just because he played worse against Gibraltar doesn’t mean he can’t demolish the Czech or Montenegro defenses.
Big news everyone
After all the make-believe hoopla about all the top clubs being after Baturina
Dinamo have finally received a bid
From
What for it
COMO
Told you he’s way over-rated – confirmation bias is a nasty cognitive distortion
Bhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahahahaahahahahahahaha
Per Fabrizio
Como is owned by the richest Italians in the country and they’ve been on the rise these past few years since they took over.
They finished 10th in Serie A this year (first season since their promotion), and have boatloads of cash.
They threw 11 million at Dinamo last year for Petar Sučić… and this was before he blew up with the National Team.
Sučić didn’t want to go to a team that was only recently promoted, but now that the season is over it looks like Como is here to stay long term.
There are worse places for Baturina to go.
This wouldn’t be a terrible landing spot for him, especially if the numbers they are throwing around are real.
There was a rumour for a sec that Modric might join Como.
They have Niko Paz, yes they are nothing to sneeze at but then again who can trust Anonymous?
And their coach is, as my dad calls him in his broken English, “Fiberglass.”
Who is Niko Paz ?
LMAO
The headline (“richest Italians in the country”) is beyond silly (I’ve read it too)
The Hartono brothers are Chinese-Indonesian and live in Indonesia. This is just an investment for them (thru a London-based subsidiary). They don’t live in Italy, aren’t Italian citizens, etc
It’s also not a true statement, as there are 13 Tesla dealerships in Italy, so technically Elon Musk is the richest Italian in the country (by the same flawed logic as we see in the headline).
Silly, right ? (nevermind, Ferrero is richer than both the brothers)
Anyways, wake me up when they enter the BIDDING WAR and put forward 150m for Florian Wirtz😊
From Bati perspective, he’s giving up 8 guaranteed Europa games next year, for a non-Europe playing team (with zero certainty they will ever reach there) – it’s a pretty high-risk career move if you think about it – it takes more than just throwing money at a team to make it work
@Truth
Football Meets Data simulation give Croatia w/ 77% chance of finishing 1st in the group – what does your analyst analysis say to compare/contrast ?
x.com/fmeetsdata/status/1931093339753067006
After Italy lost 3-0 to Norway yesterday, they lost 17 FIFA points, Croatia gained 0.9 FIFA points y’day – so only 1 point b/w 10 and 11 (remember top 9 go into Pot 1 for WC)
x.com/fmeetsdata/status/1931229637503246806
Dalic – please watch the 3-0 highlights – look at RB Leipzig Nusa – a proper winger – setting up the first goal – and scoring the 2nd – this is exactly what Marco Pasalic can do for us (but from the right side)
Not sure why people are surprised by the result – look at the Norway squad properly – and look at the teams they play for – really good bunch of players beyond Haaland and Odegaard
Feel bad for Udogie – he was probably in a bad mood bc of the Ange news – also maybe Donna loses his spot for next game, to make way for Vicario (who is injured at the moment, its a common Sp*rs thing, to be injured for half the season)
Sorry for the delay 😊
Thoughts
1) Did Livakovic and Luka Sucic really need cupping therapy in order to face Gibraltar ? Anonymous was worried during the National Anthems when they showed Livakovic with 4-5 cupping marks on the left side of his neck (Luka Sucic only had one visible cupping mark)
2) Dalic – Anonymous was laughing that Dalic was up pacing around and yelling (especially at Pong and DCC in first half) – not sure we’ve seen him like that before – he was stressed – too bad he doesn’t act like that when we face France of this world – clearly, he wanted us to run up the score – especially during the lethargic first 25 minutes
3) Modric – every time they showed him on the bench – he looked so stressed just watching – it was also nice to see when he came on at 4-0 – how serious he was – like it was a World Cup final – when he took the armband from Perisic – did you notice he covered his mouth to share instructions – even at 4-0 Modric is still the ultimate professional – covering all bases
4) Dalic perfect man-management of Ivanovic – recall after the France games – Anonymous speculated that Dalic threw him in against the “best” to show him how much more he needs to work to reach the top – today we saw the benefit of that – Ivanovic was a terror when he came on – both dropping back deep – but also going forward – he is a little bull-dog out there, GIB players bouncing off of him – did you notice after he scored his first goal – no real celebration even though first goal for Croatia – Dalic must have told them I expect you to win [4-0] or [5-0] or something – hence the job wasn’t over (he was acting like we just tied a game, and need another goal to win) – he seems to be a smarter version of Olic, less blistering top-speed pace, but more explosive over the first 5 yards – however we describe him – really nice to see him out there, pointing to teammates, where he wants the pass to go into – also very unselfish on a hat-trick, to pass it to Krama for his 2nd
5) Vuskovic – Anonymous didn’t like that he was seated in the 2nd dug-out – away from all the players – basically by himself and one other player – he was excluded from the coaches and teammates (and closer to the end of the game, he was seated behind Dalic and Corluka) – also don’t think we saw him even warm-up
6) Pong and DCC – they looked like two My Little Ponies out there – especially in the first half – perfect example in 15′ – GIB punts the ball forward – Pong misjudges and lets the ball go over his head (lol) – next thing you know the ball gets passed over and then behind a sleeping DCC – and shot on goal (which Livakovic rightly, but riskily, let go wide) and DCC was holding his hand up for offside (when 2 Croat defenders played the GIB player onside) – it was terrible defending – also Pong and DCC over-fouling and even rolling around when touched a couple of times – in the box – they were both complete disasters – so clumsy – Anonymous was defending Pong for being dropped after Spain Euros – but today we saw his limitations and DCC for me was same category – too shaky and unable to deal with GIB – ironically, Dalic said Vuskovic still has things to work on – when Pong and DCC definitely still have many things to work on – the difference is a 10-year age gap though, so you go with youth
7) Putting 5) and 6) together – especially since Pong was on a yellow (after Luka Sucic gave the ball away, and didn’t track back, like his brethren Bati) – no clue why Vuskovic didn’t come on as last sub – instead of ghost Bati
8) Bati – the play leading up to Krama’s first goal – perfectly sums up Anonymous’ issue with him – Modric passes to Bati – the pass is a bit off – so Bati doesn’t even try to get the pass and the ball goes to GIB – Bati stops running and GIB has the ball – Modric puts his arms up to him (i.e. why don’t you go get the ball) – next thing you know GIB pass the ball forward – Modric perfect anticipation intercepts the pass – and drives forward – hands to Majer – than Krama – with beautiful finish – Bati lacks effort, he just stands around, waiting for someone to give him the perfect pass – the game got played around him, zero impact on the game
9) Perisic – WOW WOW WOW – by FAR the best Croatian player – from the first minute – Anonymous rescinds the automatic pitching ball machine moniker – Perisic was outstanding (perfect 10.0 on Sofascore) – his movement – his runs – his dribbling – the step-overs – his crosses – everything was outstanding – it was beautiful to see – Anonymous favourite was the run-up to Ivanovic’s 2nd goal – when Perisic was driving to the by-line and doing the tricky step-overs – it was so beautiful to watch – vintage Perisic – he was getting the levels, and the rest of the players needed to get to his level to compete
10) Budimir – compare / constrast Budi vs. Ivanovic – night and day – the first half the plan was get a corner – kick it in the box and have Mario Pasalic, Pong and DCC, Budi attack it – Pong and DCC were terrible – missing balls – flubbing balls – causing fouls in the opponents box – but Budimir was just hanging out – that one cross that came into him – where he did a 360′ spin in front of goal instead of attacking the ball – what was he thinking ? Completely ineffective in first half – just a pillon out there – he had so many crosses and corners to attack in the first half and attacked none of them
11) Majer – he grew into the game – as the game went on – he was getting better (yes I know he missed the sitting header, but whatever) – Anonymous isn’t a fan per se – but objectively, he was growing into the game nicely
12) ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Marco Pasalic ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ – #EveryWingerMatters – so nice to see him – he is very responsible defensively running to get back – and was very good in the offensive end – too bad he couldn’t get a goal – but I think he crossed/passed it to Perisic for one of the goals – Croatia were doing a lot of switching plays from one side to the other (which we haven’t see much of for a long time) – and Marco is important for that – also his movement, ability to cut inside, he should have started on RW, not Luka Sucic
13) Luka Sucic – he was terrible – but he shouldn’t be playing on RW to begin with – see point 12) re: Marco – his timing was off – fluffing shots – yes, that one shot was deflected wide – also don’t like his lob passes from that side (the passes go too high and loopy, not lower and direct enough) – you need Marco who’s approach and passes are more direct – how many times was he offside – 3? Bruv, it’s GIB, they shouldn’t be catching you on offside traps so many times – bad game for him – but he shouldn’t be playing RW
14) Juranovic – I have been pointing out for awhile – that he does play LB for Union Berlin – today we saw him again at LB – I think it’s better option than Sosa’s off this world – nice link-up play with Perisic – all game long
15) Gvardiol – funny, not one comment by anyone, that he wasn’t playing or we missed him, completely ignored by us
I am a little worried about anonymous?? Are you ok bro?? No posts..
Ha !
Sorry for the delay in posts
Anonymous couldn’t watch the game live
But has now watched it in its entirety
Anonymous shut off all social media, etc until finished watching as Anonymous refuses to watch a game where they already know the result !
Don’t worry – Anonymous has A LOT to say 😊
Thanks a lot John. You just had to open your mouth and ask that question! Lol 😀 Now we will never hear the end of it.
I understand why people are disappointed that Vuskovic didn’t play. But, also remember that there are a lot of players who put in time travelling with the team, going to training, etc. and almost never play. Dalic needs to reward them with time, too. If you were in their spot, you would want some time against Gibraltar, too.
Dalic needs to reward Bati for terrible season at Dinamo ? And than he ghosts while he’s out there ?
Instead of rewarding Vuskovic for a wonderful season in Belgium ?
The game plan first half – was cross or corner the ball into the box – and have Pong, DCC and others attack it – this is literally Vuskovic’s bread and butter
Anyway you cut it – Vuskovic should have started – he would have for sure scored at least one header goal in the first half, maybe more
And I will remind – if Dalic doesn’t play Vuskovic – he will go into Sp*rs pre-season being looked at differently
Hell Spain are starting just turned 20 y.o. Dean Huijsen vs. France – but Dalic can’t start Vuskovic vs. Gibraltar – unreal
Defenders are rarely subbed off compared to midfielders and forwards, you know that. The defenders who ride the bench rarely get playing time, unless it’s against a team like Gibraltar.
A few points:
1) as was mentioned, you can’t take away much from a victory against part time plumbers and firefighters
2) with that being said, goal difference may be huge in this group so they got the job done even though
3) that player combo for the first 30 minutes looked lifeless and out of sorts
4) unfortunately we all know how this is going to go. Luka vuskovic will get his first cap in the opening game against Mexico City in la azteca a la dalics usual style a la gvardiol euro 21
5) this group is actually perfect for youth integration given it having the weakest bottom two teams of any group giving 4 bites at the apple for youth integration with limited risk. Now down to three bites
6) how can he play 37 year old achilles recovering perisic 90 minutes??
7) ivanovic was the youth star showing speed and bite. I dont have time to watch the belgium league so i only saw him against france where he ran hard but was ultimately hopeless with no one else joining him on offense. Czech will be the first real test.
8) this game against czech is the most important croatia game since the World Cup 2022. Like Pennsylvania in the election was the king maker state, in the models this is the game that has the greatest influence on qualification
You really can’t take away anything from this game except our team is better than the 11 guys Gibraltar could muster from their 40K talent pool. It was good to see Majer on the pitch again. He is so crafty dribbling and passing. Perisic – LONG MAY YOU RUN! Good that Dalic emptied the bench and gave a lot of deserving guys an opportunity.
On a side note, anyone know of a torrent site or something similar where you can download full matches (im talking about Vatreni ofc) or at least highlights etc?
Slow start to the match and we did not look good first 25 minutes. Perisic with a superb goal and 3 or 4 assists? All our attacks pretty much on the left side, I just hope that Perisic has something left in the tank for Monday.
Majer and Luka Sucic a bit disappointing for me, both should have scored a goal or two. No idea why we persist with short and out swinging corners, just plain stupid. With the second goal, Perisic sends in an in-swinging corner and we score.
Crucial match on Monday and a win is a must at home as I cannot see Chechia dropping too many points against the other countries in our group?
I don’t like that we played Perisic so much.
Perisic is a Czech killer. We need him for Monday’s game and we should have rested him in the second half.
Disappointed to see that Vuskovic didn’t play (what more did we gain from playing Pongracic/Duje?) and he likely doesn’t get capped this round.
Sad to see us struggle those first 20-25 minutes (and we gave up a good scoring chance to Gibraltar too)…but the rest of the game made up for it. Glad to see Modric come in for the last 25 minutes. Makes a lot more sense.
Agree and found it strange. After we are up 4 the game is 100% over. Perisic needed to be saved for the next game….unless Dalic feels he’s fresh enough to play both games the full 90. He played like his old self…he was able to blow by the RB all day. Not sure he’ll do that against a quality opponent but still is playing very well.
Same with the defensive pairing. I could see giving Pongracic some time but why not give Vuskovic his cap? Would Dalic dare pair Vuskovic and Sutalo next game? Would be a silly move but this was a perfect game for Vuskovic to get 30 minutes and his first cap.
I see that Majer got a 8 on Sofascore. I thought he wasnt very good. Muffed a few great chances (gimme header) and was lazy on a few plays when Gibraltar regained possession.
Next game will be huge.
We have a pool here. The day Maminjo sounds excited about a result, we all chug a beer.
Further, an over-the-top Maminjo outrageous bout of enthusiasm — like using an exclamation mark or something — results in a pivo chug and a shot of šljivo.
I hope you like your beer room temperature!!!
I guess this counts as a complete game which you have said has been missing for a while. I know it’s Gibraltar but not many teams win 7-0. Viva Zlatko!
Also bad news with Czechs beating Montenegro 2-0. They’re 3 from 3 with a great goal diff so we got some catching up to do there.
Was nice watching a comfortable win for once. I don’t think I’ve taken a piss during a game in a long time.
I hate “North American sports” for all the commercial breaks, but sometimes I wish ….
***.depend.com/en-us/incontinence-products/men?type=underwear
The first 20-25 minutes were honestly brutal. We looked slow, flat, and our passing had no zip—you could see the plays coming from a mile away. Even Gibraltar looked comfortable defending us, which says a lot.
Luckily, Pašalić broke the deadlock, and from there the goals started coming in the second half. One huge bright spot was Perišić—his work ethic, crosses, and sheer fight were top class. You always know he’ll give everything.
Ivanović was excellent too. He consistently finds better positions to finish crosses than Budimir, in my opinion. Would love to see him used more centrally. When Pašalić came on, he brought real energy and quality with his crosses. Always love his attitude.
On the downside, Sučić had a poor game—not sharp at all, especially disappointing against an opponent like this. And Pongračić… just not it. Way too clumsy, and I can already picture him getting torn apart by fast teams like Spain or France.
Overall, good win in the end, but that first half was not good enough. We need to start games with more intensity.
Yeah I agree on Pongracic. He was not the best in this game. Sutalo is far better. Not sure why Vusković couldn’t play this game, even if just as a sub. Duje wasn’t terrible, but I would like to have seen Vuskovic play in this match. Maybe Dalic is saving him for the game against the Czech, alongside Gvardiol. I guess we will see.
I think Juranovic linked up well with Perišić, and really helped the ball retention even though the opponents were not difficult.
Majer looked good to me, not sure Markus disagrees, it seems as if he wanted him subbed off. Maybe the time off showed a bit. Either way I think this game was necessary for Majer to get his bearings back. He had some nice passes, touches, and movement I thought.
The real test comes Monday.
Couldn’t watch the Cro game, but results speak for themselves. Crucial game on Monday.
Norway 3-0 over Italy. Norway now 3-0-0, and +10 GD. Italy staring straight at another playoff, could easily miss their 3rd WC in a row.
Actually, Italy in the playoffs would be bad for us because in case we don’t finish first in our group and we end up in the playoffs, we’d have to pray to avoid them (and Turkey) at all costs and stuff.
For the play-offs it’s Pot 1 vs. Pot 4 (and Pot 2 vs. Pot 3)
x.com/fmeetsdata/status/1931247427970884048
Don’t want to get to play-offs, but we wouldn’t face Italy (or Ukraine or Turkey) as things stand now
Italy is in big trouble after losing 3 – 0 to Norway. With Israel and Estonia also in this group it could come down to goal difference assuming that Italy beats Norway in the return match at home.
Play offs in Europe will be brutal and yes Italy could easily miss out on another WC?
Moldova also in this group. Norway has beaten Moldova 5 – 0 at home and also Israel away 4 – 2 although because of the war I think Israel plays its home matches in Debrecen Hungary ?
Definitely not looking good for Italy.
I wasn’t able to watch the match, but I’m happy with the result.
Now I wonder how we’ll fare against the Czechs considering we don’t have the services of Kovačić at our disposal and stuff.
Who do you think could replace Kova well enough?
I guess you could go with Modrić and Petar Sučić (with one of Luka Sučić or Baturina ahead of them).
Petar Sucic was ok in first half – think Dalic took him off after 45′ to rest him for Czech (and Budi came off bc he was like a pilon out there, doing 360′ when crosses came in, instead of attacking the ball)
Good to see Ivanović and young Pašalić play with energy and speed when attacking. Our build up has been so slow and predictable. Hopefully a sign of a change in attack if they can continue this style against better opponents.
Not good, BEAUTIFUL to see
Okay so i watched the whole game and here are my takeaways:
Obviously happy with the result. In a process where goal diff might well count, really good outcome. We prolly should’ve had more goals, Sucic and Majer prolly shouldve both at least had one as well, we missed a lot of chances but 7-0 is great.
Really happy Ivanovic got his first couple of goals, well done! It would’ve been great if Marko Pasalic also could have gotten one – in fact we didnt see that much from him although i think he gets an assist for the long ball to Perisic for that awesome volley goal?
Actually, i am so surprised just how much goes through Perisic STILL. Even at his age this whole game was just belt it forward to Perisic and he’ll do something… which he did, time after time.
One question i have, the commentator kept saying the next game in Osijek will no doubt have capacity 13,000 in it… i’m still trying to find an answer for the Osijek game v Czechia.. are fans allowed or not ??
They are banned for one home and one away game. So I think the next one at Osijek they are also banned. When it says that this punishment also applies to UEFA Nations League fixtures, I take it to mean if they had moved on in Nations League then those fixtures would have applied instead of these qualifiers.
Although I could be reading that wrong. There is an article on the Croatia week website about.
Is it weird that nobody seems to know the answer to this? I asked it several weeks ago too and nobody knew then either. I genuinely have no idea if when i turn on the coverage for that game there will be an awesome atmosphere at Opus or zero atmosphere (kinda like today).
@Iggy
Anonymous knows the answer 😊😊😊
The UEFA ban is for the next UEFA competitive games
https://disciplinary.uefa.com
The ban was for one competitive home game – and one competitive away game (HNS not able to sell tickets for fans to travel)
HNS sold tickets for fans to go to Gibraltar – right ? Otherwise, that would have been the first away fixture not to sell tickets too
hns.family/vijesti/29438/ulaznice-za-utakmicu-gibraltar-hrvatska-u-portugalskom-farou/
Must be that WC qualifiers falls under FIFA, whereas Nations League (or Euro qualifiers) falls under UEFA (where the ban applies)
Love
Anonymous
Thank you! Hope to see a full Opus then !
Not really sure why he isn’t playing Visković at all. He should have at least been subbed near the end they were already winning.
So silly. Easily could have taken off DCC or pongracic off.
Pong had a yellow – and also got a second yellow
Would have been really been FUNNY if Pong got red carded for the 2nd yellow, Dalic would only have himself to blame (for not subbing him off for Vuskovic)
*almost (not also)
i called 9-0 and we’re almost there
Ivanović with an assist on break away very unselfishly gives it to Karma, and Krama scores!
Krama bags one. 6-0.
5-0 Perišić gets one!
Modrić subbed on, with Marco Pašalić.
Ivanović bags another! Guys is on fire.
What a cheeky goal by Ivanović. Lovely first touch.
Defender should have had that though.
Wow it’s not Luka Sucic’s day today
How did Sučić not get that one in!?
2-0 Norway over Italia- a little ice on my pasta – tears flowing in Little Italy all over the world.
7 more coming up
You guys are funny stats are lopsided 12 shots 70 Possesion vs 1 and now up 2 lol
lots of you called for Pasalic to do something and you we’re right. 9 more on it’s way
loll Dalic should have played safe by putting more A players on the pitch.
I’m at work so can’t watch but it’s a pity that we still haven’t scored loll
The 50/50 raffle prize is up to eight euros I hear.
if we cannot beat this team we are in trouble
First 22 minutes has been awful
Nothing to see, don’t worry.
where are you guys watching this
Fubotv Trial