Italy
PHOTO: EPE
Juventus keep their momentum as they win with a roboant 4-0 in Udine and escalate to second place in the league. Mario Mandžukić walks past his injury and makes his debut in 2016 from the first minute. The Croatian international fails to leave a mark on the score sheet but is decisive in closing the match when, in the 25 minute, he wins the penalty that is worth the 3-0 and that causes a red card. Other than that, his understanding with Dybala is growing match by match making him the best partner for the Argentinian.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 7, Does what has got to do. Comes deep to support the team play, opens spaces around the box. Fails to score but wins a penalty.
PHOTO: EPE
Inter seem to have lost the momentum after an unimpressive 1-1 in Bergamo versus Atalanta on Saturday. In spite of daily market rumors Marcelo Brozović seems to have ultimately gained a solid spot in the starting eleven. The former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder is the only one to emerge in a mediocre first half for the Nerazzurri. Again a bit too imprecise in the second half when the teams are tired and distances between the lines are lost. He is clearly the only one who looks to be potentially able to take sound decisions in the shambolic midfield that Roberto Mancini has built. I personally reckon that his bad pass ratio is badly impacted by the fact that rarely is he offered an easy alternative.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 5,5, Sometimes produces interesting runs without managing to find the final pass. In better shape than his teammates, but too many bad passes.
Photo: EPA
Ivan Perišić unexpectedly starts from the bench. The former Wolfsburg star comes on in the 56 minute to try and win the match with the score being 1-1. Roberto Mancini asks him to take on 1 to 1 to create chances. He gets off to a good start with a couple of promising accelerations that are not well supported by teammates, then steps back to the general mediocrity until he disappears on the offensive front.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 5,5. Comes in for Guarin. Dances between the left and an inner midfielder position. Creates only one chance.
Photo: EPE
Sassuolo lost to Serie A leaders Napoli 3-1 on Saturday Night in spite of an expected penalty that had put them in front early in the match. With Napoli reacting bitterly Šime Vrsaljko was asked to resist to the opposition attacks all night. The former Dinamo defender suffered all the time and hardly ever managed to stop Lorenzo Insigne who looked almost unstoppable. Two goals came from his side resulting in his worst performance of the season.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 5, He should defend and close spaces in his zone but concedes the first two goals and many other chances. A potential assist with 3 minutes to go represents his only positive mark on the match. Worst man of the match.
Photo: EPE
Fiorentina lost 2-0 in Milan on the Sunday night match. Nikola Kalinić features as a starter for la viola. The Croatian international does not have any impact on the game. His vertical game who had terrorized the rossoneri and won the match in the first round is this time neutralized with ease. He is also late on a couple crosses that a few months ago would have probably banged in with fury. Kalinić managed to collect four harmless shots sowing a questionable form. For the first time this season, Fiorentina end without scoring and, more importantly, without creating a single chance. It should be clear now that some tactics adjustments are compelling if Fiorentina want to keep competing for a Champions League spot.
Milan Badelj looks on from the stands due to an injury. The former Hamburg midfielder has already started rehab and will be sidelined for at least another 3 weeks when he will undergo new exams at the scope of estimating a more precise deadline for his complete recovery.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 5, Three crosses from the left comes in but he is not there. He wastes the only good chance of the night with a soft and imprecise shot.
Photo: EPE
Ante Rebić moved to Verona last week and quickly convinced the manager to be worth a chance from the first minute. As the team is set to be relegated having failed to win a single match so far, the next months will purely serve the former Split attacker to prove that he is up to Serie A standards. Despite the situation Verona manage to snap up a surprising draw against Roma on Sunday. Rebić provides a good display considering that he only had a couple of training sessions with his new teammates under his belt. The former Fiorentina forward shows that he is more inclined to play in a 4-3-3 of the second half when he also hits the post.
La gazzetta dello sport rating: 6, Unlucky when hits the post. Doesn’t see much of the ball, but he is always ready to give a defensive contribution.
FRANCE
Danijel Subašić started in net for Monaco in a 2-0 road win at Lorient on Sunday. Mario Pašalić came off the bench in the 69th minute, making two interceptions and putting a shot on target. Subašić made two easy saves as he picked up another clean sheet. Monaco moved back into 2nd in Ligue 1 with the win.
GREECE
Danijel Pranjić played the full match and Mladen Petric came on for the final 13 minutes as Panathinaikos were held to a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Panionios on Sunday. Panathinaikos had 14 shots in the match, to Panionios’ 6. Panathinaikos fall to fourth in the Greek Super League after the draw.
UKRAINE
The Ukrainian Premier League is on Winter Break until March. Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk will return to competition in late February for Champions/Europa League knockout matches.
RUSSIA
Vedran Ćorluka and the Russian Premier League are on Winter Break until March. They will play Fenerbahce in the Europa League Round of 32 in February.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 1/19
Internazionale at Napoli(Coppa Italia),
Wednesday, 1/20
Torino at Sassuolo, Monaco at Evian TG(Coupe de France), Juventus at Lazio(Coppa Italia), Barcelona at Athletic Club(Copa del Rey)
Friday, 1/22
Bayern München at Hamburger SV, Real Sociedad at Sporting Gijón,
Saturday, 1/23
Liverpool at Norwich City, Stoke City at Leicester City, Bayer Leverkusen at Hoffenheim, Barcelona at Málaga,
Sunday, 1/24
Toulouse at Monaco, Torino at Fiorentina, Bologna at Sassuolo, Carpi at Internazionale, Udinese at Palermo, Roma at Juventus, Genoa at Hellas Verona, Real Madrid at Real Betis, Panathinaikos at Levadiakos
~Ante Kvartuč and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN and Salvatore Cagnazzi reporting from Italy
@ Meta Body
In order for Kovacic to play off Mandzukic, in a second striker role, he gonna have to improve his goal scoring instinct, 1 v 1 capabilities, and decision making.
Luckily for Mateo, he is now being coached by ZIZOU, the greatest attacking midfielder of his generation. So who better to develop Kovacic! I mean he’s hearin’ it straight from the horse’s mouth!
@ Poglavnik
That’s exactly it, a Little Man-Big Man Combo just like Griezmann-Mandzukic, or Dybala-Mandzukic. We could try the Twin Towers approach (Kalinic-Mandzukic) but I just feel they have some similarities and don’t really compliment each other as well.
Besides, it looks like Mario works best with a smaller technical partner, because that’s where Mario’s qualities really begin to shine. As he provides what the smaller technical forward does not, and vice versa. That’s why it’s worth giving it a shot with Halilovic-Mandzukic. Besides, we don’t produce too many small attackers, as Croatians are more or less big people ya know. So let’s take advantage of the opportunity.
i forgot hewitt too.. he’s still playing and a US open champ but i think we can all safely say it wont be him
@ Ziva
thanks for including that point
hajduk is on the up and up, they are hanging around the top 3, had a decent season in europe by HNL standards and the debt issue is on better footing
but never forget
hajduk still gonna hajduk at the end of the day
Hajduk won’t get close to that figure. With hajduk being hajduk, they have to split the transfer fee with Kalinic and his agents. Hajduk will get approx. 70% of the money.
Lovre Kalinic almost set to move to Aston Villa per reports today. Hajduk might get 6m+ in fees.
@ Cro v Ant
Beast idea!!!
Svaka čast Brate.
Wonder if Kovacic could ever play that role ?
yeah i was thinking that too.. sigh i really hope it isnt him cos i like him.. hopefully it’s some other cunt ..
but if u go back 10 years the only US open winners are fed, nadal, djokocunt, murray and cilic and del potro
so if its men singles they are talking about its one of those guys
Interesting that they’d print a Cilic quote.
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-18/tennis-probe-uncovers-evidence-of-match-fixing-reports/7094546
There you go Iggy.
yeah it looks bad
cilic downplaying it
http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/match-fixing-wimbledon-grand-slam-winners-top-50-players-documents-evidence-011716
wait, is that true poglavnik? link ?
hmm.. is del potro still around ? i dont think he plays anymore.. shittttt this doesnt look good
Apparently that Grand Slam winner involved in the scandal is a former US OPEN champion.
Insert Hercegovci jokes here ________
Whoever came up with those lineups and tactics above just needs to stop watching soccer Andy ale up another sport. Baseball, cricket, rugby union???!
Thank you Bobby V!
It was on the tip of my tongue..
Darko Kovačević – offensive partnership with Nihat Kahveci was one of the best in Spain.
He he. Looool. Slavonac, one through ball is all it takes. @idemo lol.
@Croatia v Antwerp
Little man/big man combo, i like it!
Like Mario and Griezmann at Atletico.
Anyone remember the names of the little man/big man combo at I believe it was Sociedad about a decade ago?
Pretty sure it was some big Serb fucker and a Turk.
They were pretty deadly for a year or two.
@Bijeli Bulger
She looks like a cross between Capriati and Ivanovic to me.
Nice handle by the way!
Rotating goalies through the group stage is a great idea…..said no one ever
Yep, that’s right slavonac, that situation calls for you-know-who at forward. And with Halilovic as Mandzukic’s trusted side-kick, the sky’s the limit. 🙂
Kalinic vs Ramos and Pique?
Crnkovic, I highly doubt he is physical enough to manage against either of those guys!
Anyway Wawrinka is good. Coric looks young, and good. But is he gay? Those noises?.?
Tennis I don’t know. Is this borna coric any good?
Vs turkey – 4231. Vs Czech – 442. Vs spain 4411 …..
Lol. Starting line up vs turkey. Kalinic; vrsaljko, corluka, Vida, strinic; kovacic, modric; halilovic, rakitic, perisic; mandzukic. Against Czech. Subasic; srna, corluka, lovren, strinic; brozovic, badelj, modric, perisic; mandzukic, kalinic. Against spain. : subasic/kalinic; vrsaljko, corluka, Vida/lovren, strinic; halilovic, kovacic, modric, brozovic; rakitic; kalinic. Should see us win the group 🙂
Meta Body, Ziva, Bobby V
Halilovic’s performances this season should get him some decent minutes for Repka this summer. When they do sub Allen in, I would like to see him play off Mandzukic–creating the ultimate Little Man-Big Man Combo!
Just think! Mandzukic’s size, power, strength, work rate…Combined with Halilovic’s technique, dribbling, speed and creativity. What one lacks the other possesses! They are the perfect compliment. Now just imagine the goal celebrations, the powerful Mandzukic hoisting up Allen on his shoulders as they send Hrvatska to victory.
if i had to pick out of konjuh or tomljanovic.. i’d pick anna konjuh
Ajla Tomljanovic is a younger looking version of Ana Ivanovic.
nevermind false alarm
Did UEFA just extend the deadline to February first for applications or is this “general Public portal” thing something different?
it wont be cilic, relax
its prolly djokocunt
😉
@Ziva
Agreed.
If he can learn to play behind the forwards he will be a powerful asset for the Vatreni.
I like Kramaric getting some run in the bundesliga.
Curious to see who steps up the next 6 weeks to earn some PT in the next friendly.
I like all the competition for squad spots.
I really hope it’s not Cilic too.
His doping I could live with but rigging matches would be way too much for me.
@Rob I
It’s true they said a current grand slam winner.. but keep in mind it could be doubles, mens, womens, singles, mixed doubles..
i dont think it’s cilic.. fuck i hope not or i will be very disappointed.. i think it’s more likely to be some shitcunt from doubles tho
All about playing time now for Kramaric.
Kramaric to Hoffenheim on loan. They are last place in the Bundesliga.
Kovacic is great to watch at different points of the game but we can’t live off of those few moments and wait to see him slalom…then wait again for him to be effective. He has to learn how to play and be effective for larger portions of the game without disappearing. Its nothing to show skills and provide incredible runs vs team that are inferior to you…its a different story when you do it to strong opponents and put them on their heels and ensure they are worried about you.
I’m waiting for this kid to be more consistent for longer periods.
http://m.worldstarhiphop.com/apple/video.php?v=wshh0t75X1O23plmkwz8
Rebic to Hellas Verona on loan
@Meta Body……..agreeing with you on Kovacic. Remember, he was brought in as insurance to this Real Madrid side for this year and maybe next year with the hope he does develop into something more. Most Natural position????? He is not a CDM at this point in his career. His defense and ball winning abilities are average, at best. I thin he would be at his best in a role right behind the forwards, but with the way Real uses Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale, I don’t think that role is open at Real. Up to him to adapt.
Interesting to hear that a current grand slam winner is alleged to have tanked. not many to choose from….. Cilic?
@ Ziva
Good question around the Zidane effect with Kovacic.
Considering the lack of guidance from Meazza, or who ever his first coach at inter Milan was, and the need to be sold by new owner, Kovacic has received little coaching in the last 2-3 years.
Zidane will work with Kovacic as his talent is undeniable.
His game is still raw and unrefined but what better situation to be in then to play with and for two master class mid-field majstori.
I still don’t know is most effective position on the pitch?
With his explosive speed and dribble attack I would of hoped he could play further up the pitch, but need to see more goal scoring prowess.
Good news is that he will need to fight for every minute he sees on the pitch.
Any injuries to Bale and Benzema or rumors of James and Kroos moving on are good news for Kovacic.
What do you think is his most natural position?
Coric will be the next Mario Ancic if he isnt careful !
yeah coric has been playing shit lately.. idk where his career is atm tbh.. i think we all thought he would have achieved a bit more by now but anyway, hopefully he comes good in future..
its annoying, even cilic thought he had an easy win .. cos u know the winner of cilic match played the winner of the boric match in round 2, and i saw cilic say something like “so if i win, i’ll play borna in round 2” so even he thought he would win no probs hehe, or maybe he was being over optimistic.. idk
either way, looks like MARIN DE MAN is still the real only guy we have to cheer this tourney
watching Tomljanovic atm.. the defector and .. actually, what’s worse than defecting to Aus is that she’s dating cuntkyrgios.. that is an unforgivable sin.. hopefully she loses just cos of that
Man, Borna Coric cost me some money. He bombs out. This kid has some serious talent but he is soft. Always falls apart in hot weather.
yeah true ziva and the italians gave life bans to a couple of cheats earlier last year but i say it cos it has been breaking news this morning.. they said “a top 50” player playing in the aus open is implicated but unnamed atm
@Meta Body……by that same logic that Zidane knows midefield genius when he sees it, what do we make of Kovacic at Real with Zidane leading the way?
@jm…….i get what you are saying. For example, we have all watched countless of matches where a GK makes save after save, many of them point blank saves where it would be more difficult not to have saved the ball, and the fans will start saying that the GK is great. Much more to it than saving shots from point blank range and having good reflexes. I want the intangibles in a GK, plus positioning on crosses and balls into the box and someone who can use his feet like Neuer and play sweeper/keeper.
@ Bobby V
I have seen enough from Halilovic.
He needs start or play significant minutes on the right wing for us.
Partly because he is the goods and partly because I have not seen anyone else who brings his skill set in that spot.
@ Svima
Ironic how Modric has been the constant at Real Crodrid through 4 managers. It makes me proud that as Hrvati we stuck by him while he was dealing with being a late transfer into a toxic Mourinho locker room … Oh wait …
Zidane knows midefield genius when he sees it.
He probably subconsciously creates the entire tactics around him.
Put the captain arm band him and create the next two tournaments around him.
Tennis matches rigged??????
No way……In all seriousness, this is the worse kept secret. There are Serb and Croat players who have taken part in rigged matches over the last decade.
Word is Halilovic was not even going to play against Real Madrid because he is sitting on 4 yellow cards. His coach didn’t want to lose him for next weeks game against Real Sociedad, (already saying there is no chance for a point against Real Madrid) since Sporting Gijon is now sitting in the relagation zone.
Halilovic did persuade him to play one half, however. Hard to show the talent you have, however, when the other side possessed the ball so much.
looks like there’s match-fixing in tennis fellas
i know some of tomic and kyrgios’ matches have looked like they bloody tanked, that’s for sure.. lol
i have some serious questions if the world even knows who the world class goalkeepers are
it seems like a very simple exercise often of saying this guy has shutouts, but it turns out he is on a very good team…so how good is he really
i’d be curious how developed the advanced stats world is in regard to goalies that looks beyond just goals allowed and more toward how often a goalie stops certain shots from certain areas etc….its probably fairly complicated
What game does Mario have……he’s a big man, work horse, poacher…….yes that’s great, tireless work ethic,sweet. But technically he’s not a top class player, no Lewa or Suarez
Hey ZIva Istina..You were one of the first here so say Mario Mandzukic had no game. That was before he joined Bayern Munich.
You’re a loser.
I’m not qualified to know what potential a goalie has but I can openly say that they are a special breed that take time and experience to develop. I say chill and let nature take its course with this topic!
@ziva
ne govori hahaha
Oh boy……the last time you guys were praising the virtues of a teenage GK you were claiming Delac was the next big thing. How about we wait and see. The odds are he is not.
Livakovic, Maric, Semper…all we need is one of them to pan out.
Goalkeepers potential is judged by his athleticism so I believe potentially and world class do belong in the same sentence in regards to a goalkeeper.
Potentially and world class do no belong in the same sentence
I dislike Maminjo but Semper looks like a top goalkeeper and any man who can produce a potentially world class Croatian goalkeeper deserves kudos. Excited for the next 5-10 years.