Germany
Andrej Kramarić came through big time for Hoffenheim once again this Friday, scoring a brace in their 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin. Kramarić’s first came in the 39th minute, when he slotted home a penalty to level the score at 1-1. He added an insurance goal for his side in the 86th minute, tapping home a well-hit Sandro Wagner cross to double their lead to 3-1. In addition to his goals, Kramarić had 10 total shots, two of which hit the woodwork, and created three chances for his teammates. The former Leicester City man now has 13 goals and 7 assists in 22 appearances for Hoffenheim this season. Hoffenheim remain third in the Bundesliga, a full 8 points clear of 5th place in the Europa League seedings.
Ante Rebić started for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 0-0 draw at home to Borussia Mochengladbach on Saturday. Rebić had two off-target shots and a chance created before being subbed off in the 68th minute. With the draw, Frankfurt are tied with FC Koln for 6th, the last Europa League position in the Bundesliga.
Tin Jedvaj was an unused sub in Bayer Leverkusen’s frenzied 3-3 draw against Wolfsburg on Sunday. Leverkusen are 11th in the Bundesliga with 8 matches remaining.
Italy
PHOTO: inter
Juventus and Napoli shared one point each on Sunday night. The bianconeri got off to a good start at the Stadio San Paolo as they went ahead with only 6 minutes in the match with Khedira. Napoli’s come back was strong and lasted long enough to get a deserved draw with Marek Hamsik in the second half.
Mario Mandžukić was rumored to be left out of the team before the match, but other important absences upfront forced the Croatian international to bite the bullet and retain his spot on the left side. It was not difficult to assess what the pre match speculations were about as he clearly appeared out of shape and worsened as the match progressed. Deeming his performance as insufficient would be rather cruel due to the scenario and his commendable defensive commitment, though must be noted that his offensive presence was, like for the whole team, totally non existent.
Ivan Strinić was surprisingly fielded and as Napoli kept possession for almost the whole match he did not show any particular defensive deficiency. The former Hajduk player was always present in the opponents half to support the action on the left side. After an academic performance without glimpses he was subbed off in the 79 minute.
Marko Rog came on in the 76 minute for Hamsik who had some physical problems. As he walked in the match tried to catch Buffon off guard with a shot from around 35 meters. That surely is a signal that personality is not lacking.
La Gazzetta dello Sport ratings:
Mario Mandžukić 5,5 “Affected by a problem on his knee. His ironman runs are not there. He is searched by his teammates, but can’t find himself.”
Ivan Strinić 6,5 “Often anticipates Lemina to whom he concedens noting. Efficient on the offensive front.”
Marko Rog 6 “Sent in to cover the midfield and to attack without the ball. Not many minutes to be effective.”
Photo: ilnapolista.it
Udinese got 1 positive point in Torino following an entertaining 2-2 draw against the Granata. Stipe Perica played from the first minute and left the match with 5 minutes to go. The former Chelsea striker made a decent partnership with Zapata starting from the left side and netted a sitter that was worth the momentary 2-0. Perica alternated good and bad offensive moments though his defensive contribution never was missed throughout the match. More playing time would surely be beneficial for his development, though some technical limitations can be improved just as much. Andrija Balić is still waiting to kick a ball in the season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport ratings:
Stipe Perica 6,5 “Many kilometers and a goal.”
Stipe Perica goal
Fiorentina got the best of Bologna on Sunday afternoon for 1-0 win. Hrvoje Milić, Milan Badelj and Nikola Kalinić all featured in the initial line up. Hrvoje Milić played a full 90 minute on the left side with offensive duties. The former Hajduk full back paid back the manager’s trust as he chipped in the cross that triggered Babacar for the definitive 1-0. Milić was rather supportive on the whole flank and created a handful of potentially dangerous situation, however, always looked too hesitant when a decision had to be made.
Hrvoje Milić assist
Milan Badelj played in front of the defense and reminded the home supporters why he is rumored to be in the radars of the likes of Roma and Ac Milan. The former Hamburg midfielder’s playmaking was solid, continuous and reasonable, in other words unimpeachable. The additions of some tackling and steals made his performance rather positive.
Photo: ilnapolista.it
Nikola Kalinić played as usual as a lone striker. Though Fiorentina’s offensive game looked quite inspired he did not manage to be dangerous. His movements were never seconded by his teammates and eventually some pain to his back forced him to leave the ranks in the 46th minute.Bruno Petković was an unused substitue for Donadoni.
La Gazzetta dello Sport ratings:
Hrvoje Milić 6 “Sufficient only for his assist.”
Milan Badelj 5,5 “Loses Majetta on the play that almost cost the draw.”
Nikola Kalinić 6 “Fights on each ball. Leaves at halftime for a problem.”
Photo: ilnapolista.it
AC Milan’s European dreams start to fade away as the rossoneri were tripped in Pescara following a 1-1 draw on Sunday Afternoon. Mario Pašalić was a starter and went the distance for the rossoneri. The former Monaco midfielder scored the equalizer after a pinball in the box. Pašalić showed once again that his best skill is attacking the goal without ball at the point he could teach many forwards. His midfielding needs addressing though as far too many times his presence vanished.
La Gazzetta dello Sport ratings:
Mario Pašalić 6 “A cloudy performance only saved by the goal.”
Mario Pašalić goal
Josip Posavec was given again full rest as Palermo lost 1-3 at home against Cagliari. Ivan Perišić, Marcelo Brozović and Ante Budimir will have a busy start of the week as Inter host Sampdoria on Monday night.
SPAIN
Rakitić goal @ 1:04
Ivan Rakitić got the start for Barcelona on Sunday in a 4-1 win over Granada. Rakitić played 87 minutes and added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute to give Barca a much needed 3-1 lead. He slotted a low shot from 17 yards out which froze the goalie on a slight deflection. Barcelona remain remain two points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga with a Los Blancos game in hand. Barca begin their Champions League quarterfinals on April 11th vs. Juventus.
Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić split action on Sunday as Real Madrid defeated Alaves 3-0. Kovačić came on for Modrić in the 68th minute with Real Madrid still in control of La Liga after the victory. Reports out of Spain said that this was a “horror” match for Modrić as one of his worst in the past two seasons with Real. It could be a bit exaggerated, but some Spanish papers are already saying the Modrić could be on the block this summer. Duje Čop did not feature for Sporting Gijon in a hard fought scoreless draw at Sevilla. Alen Halilović and Las Palmas face Celta Vigo Monday night.
ENGLAND
Dejan Lovren returned to the Liverpool starting XI in a 3-1 victory over rivals Everton on Saturday. ‘For all his detractors, Liverpool look a far better side when Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip are in tandem at the heart of defense. Interestingly enough, the duo communicate in German when together and Matip, who has been an outstanding pick up on a free transfer, brings the best out of the Croatian.’ Lovren played the full 90 minutes and now will be a part of a Liverpool side that are sitting in third place with eight matches left in the season. Champions League looks promising for the Merseyside club next year, but will Lovren ever play for Croatia again?
France
Danijel Subašić was in net for AS Monaco as they suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue on Saturday. Subašić made five saves, but could do little to stop PSG’s formidable attack. Monaco are about to enter an extremely busy period, with 7 games in 4 weeks, as they look to advance in the Champions League and French Cup, as well as keep hold of the top spot in Ligue 1.
Ukraine
Domagoj Vida started at the back as Dynamo Kyiv were victorious in their first match of the Championship stage of the Ukrainian season, winning 4-1 at FC Olexandria. Kyiv are 8 points clear of third place, and 12 points behind Shakhtar, leaving little to play for with 9 matches to go.
Russia
Vedran Ćorluka remains injured as won 1-0 at FC Ufa on Saturday. The win moves them into a 3-way tie for 7th in the Russian Premier League, three points out of the final Europa League spot with 9 matches yet to be played.
Next Matches:
Tuesday, 4/4
Lille at Monaco(Coupe de France), Bayern München at Hoffenheim, Real Sociedad at Atlético Madrid,
Wednesday, 4/5
AFC Bournemouth at Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen at Darmstadt 98, Juventus at Napoli(Coppa Italia), Real Madrid at Leganés, Sevilla at Barcelona, Ufa at Lokomotiv Moskva(Russian Cup), Dynamo Kyiv at Naftovyk-Ukrnafta(Ukrainian Cup),
Saturday, 4/8
Liverpool at Stoke City, Monaco at Angers SCO, Hoffenheim at Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen at RB Leipzig, Chievo at Juventus, Atlético Madrid at Real Madrid, Barcelona at Málaga,
Sunday, 4/9
Fiorentina at Sampdoria, Genoa at Udinese, Internazionale at Crotone, Palermo at Milan, Napoli at Lazio, Rostov at Lokomotiv Moskva, Olimpik Donetsk at Dynamo Kyiv
~Ante Kvartuč reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN and Salvatore Cagnazzi reporting from Italy
@Soul Champ:
I agree we should play to Modric’s strengths.
BTW, I would consider playing for Juve or Bayern as elite. Perhaps, I am wrong, but I put Real and Barca a peg higher than the rest.
https://www.facebook.com/celebrityrefs/videos/882372041903979/
Zlatan is a BEAST.
If you think he is not Hrvat then you simply do not understand history of our land.
Time to get this level of SWAG with the repka.
Time to be the Aplha in world football.
@ Faux
Those players were surrounded by studs/system that allowed them to be supported to play there game.
Modrić could have yet another chapter to write at an elite level.
Even Rakitic is benefittig from his role in the Barca 3-4-3.
What we really need to do is set him like Pirlo with Italy.
We have all the young studs to ensure that he can play his creative game.
He can be an important player for us for the next 3 years/2 major tournaments.
His game is based on speed of thought and quickness of technique. These qualities age well.
Could you imagine if Real Modrid win another CL and La Liga ?
@faux cro. The goal against ukraine was orchestrated by modric. He fine. Boban and asanavic were same age give or take. We ok. Lotsa backup.
I am a fan of LaLiga, Bundesliga and Serie A.
With that being said, I still feel playing at Bayern or Juve would be overall easier than playing at Real Madrid.
Alonso and Pirlo come to mind as they were/are both old and slow yet they still did well at Bayern and Juve.
As much as I’m a fan of Modric, he is aging and picking up more injuries. A switch from Real is probably imminent.
This year I feel like Real and Barca struggled more with their “lesser” league opponents than Bayern or Juve did.
From 1999/2000, in Italy we’ve had Lazio, Roma, Juve, Milan and Inter win titles.
In Germany we’ve had Bayern, Dortmund, Werder Bremen, Stuttgart and Wolfsburg win titles.
In Spain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Derpotivo and Valencia have won league titles.
In England, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Leicester City have won league titles.
Five different Champions since 1999/2000 in all of the big 4 leagues.
And just for fun, Belgian league winners since 1999/2000, Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Standard Leige, Genk and Gent have won league titles!
France have had 8 different winners in that time.
The reality is that most teams, in whatever league they’re in, are only there to participate.
I am a fan of Serie A, but the table doesn’t lie.
Juve is 20 points ahead of AC Milan.
I have watched more Serie A this year than any other league.
More lopsided than Spain and Germany? I think not!
Every year:
Real and barca 90 percent chance of winning title atleti 7 percent and Sevilla maybe 3
Germany? Bayern 95 borrusia 5
Italy you have Roma Napoli Fior Lazio inter all
On the same level and with Milan back on the rise Juve is a clear favorite but all of these teams can compete while realistically only 1 or 2 other teams in la liga can compete with Real Bayern
Italy is rising again.
The Italian league is the most lopsided of them all IMHO.
Large portions of the game are slow moving as teams look for mistakes to exploit.
@Faux-agree I wouldn’t mind Modric and or Rakitic go to Juve. I agree w Idemo, the schedule will be as demanding or more.
Juve a lock to go deep in Copa Italia. Champions league just as demanding. Real Madrid actually rests key players more, as Real has incredible depth.
i see your point, but that schedules are as equally full and demanding, and i think juves ability to rest and rotate just speaks to how great they are……Ibra is playing in the Prem as a geezer in a fast paced brutal game so its all really subjective.
i do think Italy is slower and more methodical but spain is not that much faster in most regards.
@Idemo
Serie A is a much slower paced, tactical game.
Additionally, they rest key players more than Real does.
Pirlo played there as a geezer, and I think Modric could replicate that.
@Faux Cro
I’m not trying to be a hater but that take down is a bit lucky. His touch puts it perfectly between the defenders and gives him enough time to let it bounce twice. Great lash though.
He is that much more removed from Balaban
How is Juve less demanding than Real?
Hey we down to 18 in fifa rankings. Love it. Should be lower. Just kidding! We are better in underdog roll although we know thats false. Hope they put us to 58 even better. We will prevail!
@Poglavnik:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDQo-HGPh5E
Overrated Kramaric scoring a killer goal against a weak Bundesliga opponent.
I’m hoping Rakitic and Modric go to Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Modric can use a less demanding schedule and Juve would be perfect.
Rakitic or Modric would be a great replacement for Alonso.
The Cacic & Suker thread has been removed so people stop posting their questions.
It was fake news 😉
what happen to the cacic suker thread
Hey just got unlucky in England
Kramaric proving once again he can be very effective player. Happy for the kid
I wonder if čačić will give Kramerič the last minute of the next game for Croatia?..
Pls hire a real coach for the national team.
Modrič was sloppy with his passes on the weekend game, but made a couple of beautiful runs.
Rakitič played well on Sunday.
I reckon that next season Bayern Munich, with Sule and Rudy, will beat Hoffenheim both times.
UEFA considering introducing squad limits and changes to the transfer system to prevent European teams hoarding players! This would be great for football.
What a goal by Kramaric vs Bayern today. He will be playing for Bayern or a big team very shortly.
Here is just one of many videos online that do a great job of debunking this whole “climate change” propaganda.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uMFAhW_ZmV8
This is the king of material Obama and the globalists want to censor to protect the people from “fake” information that is “made up” and has no “basis in reality”.
Here is a must see video clip about this:
http://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-preparing-for-attack
North Korea, China, the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Nazi Germany, etc.. have all done a wonderful job of filtering untruthful information in the media for the good of their people.
I know a Chinese guy who told me if you go on the internet in China and enter the word “democracy” in the search engine, nothing comes up.
Mr. Obama, who’s going to filter all this information to determine what is and isn’t true? Let me guess, the government.
I have no idea how these indoctrinated liberals can’t read between the lines.
Now they are talking about censoring the internet of all this conservative, Christian, conspiracy theororist, hate speech, “climate change deniers”, etc.. Facebook, twitter, google and YouTube have already been deleting some of this “hate speech”.
Here is what Obama said five months ago about this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fR5ZhYjjWEg
This is insane! For the first time in the history of the United States, they are talking about censoring free speech and the mainstream media says nothing about it.
This is communism and naziism!
Poglavnik,
The fact that 33,000 scientists signed this petition does not prove global warming is a farce. However, people need to listen to those who have a different point of view instead of wrighting them off as “conspiracy theororists”.
The global elite no longer use the phrase “global warming”. Now its “climate change”. Some people say this is because we were actually going through a period of cooling.
Once again….sarcasm lowest form of wit, maybe you should read more diligently, who says he’s a trash player? He had a trash game against Ukraine. It seems you’re more concerned with a few flittering plays over a body of 78 minutes of work.
But never forget. Missed header. Missed Pen.
@Amro- cue a queue of insults coming your way for making a valid point. Rakitic is so untalented, that he plays & often starts for Barcelona.
Guys, even when Luka struggles it is still usually a solid game. No player is magical every game. Luka certainly wasn’t losing the ball all over the pitch.
Perisic gets subbed, and Inter subsequently tanks. Big loss.
Don’t forget rakitic set kalinic up for another goal against Ukraine but kalinic blew it trying to be cute and chipping the goalie
I mentioned Luka struggling two weeks ago – here you go.
http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/3094970/luis-suarez-shows-up-for-barcelona-real-madrids-luka-modric-struggles
Luka has been struggling for form for the past month since he came back from injury
Yeah the world needs a pandemic but how does that delegitimize global warming?
Rakitic was horrible against Ukraine absolutely trash, and his asist let’s look at it; the ball ended up being played behind kalinic (if he wasn’t receiving it wouldn’t be a goal)
He had to stretch long to just get it; which forced him to be starting with back to goal, if anything the greatness in the play is Kalinic holding off the man and being able to turn
Back to goal with ball there usually u get swarmed, rakitic coughed up the ball all game and if u give him a pass because of a sloppy asist be my guest, many of you fail to genuinely asses our games and perfomances, could be due to the level of play some have experienced idk
Who is “we” that sees Vrsaljko as world class? So what is Roberto Carlos Lahm???? Vrsaljko isn’t even better than Bellerin
What is more likely?
1). Mateo krotch-does-itch shows enough strength to get a decent shot on goal?
2) andrej kramar shit does not go frantically ruining and throwing all of his teammates out of the way to take penalty shots to pad his stats?
3) tin jedva igra actually igra-s
4) alen halilo shit shoots the ball with his right foot
5) josip bust alo is seen again
6) Robert manure-ic is hard of again
“Harvard students smash, graffiti, throw meat at bus saying boys and girls are different”:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/harvard-students-key-graffiti-throw-meat-at-bus-saying-boys-and-girls-are-d
So loving and “TOLERANT”!
Soul Champ,
Over 33,000 scientists signed a petition stating they don’t support the “global warming” or “climate change” propaganda. Yet the mainstream media never talks about this.
There is a plan to establishing a “one world government” by the global elite and significantly reducing the worlds population is part of the plan.
For those who scoff at this idea, I suggest they take some time to look at the mountain of evidence proving this fact.
Here is a quote from David Rockefeller’s book “Memoirs” where he admits this is the plan and he is proud of it:
http://opengov.ideascale.com/a/dtd/David-Rockefeller-s-book-Memoirs-admits-secretly-conspiring-for-a-NWO/4007-4049
LAKnat,
Vrsaljko is a very good player, however, Jarni was one of the best left backs in the world in his prime. He was unbelievably fast.
i agree modric is our the best world class player we ever have but could you tell me if vrsaljko better than robert jarni?, he isn’t world class like roberto carlos. and Suker Boban shine at that time as we know prosinecki really good compare to Rakitic but still he was not a world class like suker boban!
@ BZ
Ja isto.
@ Self Hating Hrvati
So there is ZERO symbiosis with whom you play along side in midfield?
Kroos benefits from playing with Modric.
Most of his 90% are square balls to Modric.
So Kroos is a better playmaker than Modric ?
@ Idemo
Take a breath and read the post and be open to something off your “script.” There is an entire Universe beyond what you see.
Prezime is what brings us to the site.
It is all part of the whole.
Just like the way Modrić plays, he SEES the WHOLE field before it happens …
Just like we see Vrsaljko as WORLD CLASS.
Other things to see:
Earth is round.
It revolves around the sun.
Global warming is real.
I happen to like Modric’s game better than Kroos’
…queue the homophobic slurs from guys who claim to be liberal.
http://www.thehardtackle.com/news/2017/04/03/transfer-rumour-real-madrid-ready-to-offload-luka-modric-in-the-summer/
^
Man completes above 90 percent of his passes in all competitions; no one has to carry him
Kroos is the best passer of the ball on Madrid and one of the best in world.
do you use lame hyperboles to suck rakitic off every week or is this a one time thing…..asking for a friend.
i watched the game……..as i do every weekend…..because i have beIN……fake news…….
@Idemo- I happened to agree with Modric being solid, but then have to read some fake news about Modric losing the ball all over the field.
Rakitic killing it for Barcelona. To think, some on this site think he sucks. The guy who set up our only goal in 2 games this past week, gets grilled by the type of people who would throw rocks at hus family during a Croatia holiday.
We gain something from eston game
1) no Cop anymore
2) Pasalic should be considered
3) no one has a special tech as Halilovic
4) still we should looking another lb wing, we put strinic or milic in that post better than those guys who played against eston
5) don’t keep perisic too long for 90min, he is the 1st guy who should be changed soon as he flops over the 45min.
lol guys. croatian brothers arguing. I miss it, but I’m all grown up now so I can’t join in. such a shame about pjaca, I think when he recovers, and I wish him well, he should eventually move to England. the space the pace of the game will suit him. I blame cacic for the injury. the formation he played in estonia with perisic and pjaca as wide men on a 352. I see where he was coming from but it’s crazy really. if you want to give the guys a chance to impress then at least let them play in a preferred position, or familiar formation, or exciting match. you can’t just say ok come on guys I want to try something completely different and I want you to impress and I want us to win. too much ambition not enough platform. that’s when injuries happen. players pushing themselves when the situation is no quite right. they get frustrated so they try too hard,make mistakes and then try to overcompensate. bang acl gone
Yes saying Sime Vrsaljko is world class is zero sense.
Alright buddy you’ve lost the script once again….this might be worse than your fathers heritage….what does Toni Kroos and his hypothetical Croatian heritage have to do with Luka having a poor match……
@ NZ
Nema veze
@ Idemo
Zero sense ?
Are you the Romanian gymnastic judge ?
Actually think it is becoming tougher and tougher for Modrić to carry Toni Kroos in the midfield. He has a sweet right foot but damn he is stiff and predictable and slow as Christmas.
If Kroos was Croatian he would have been run out of Madrid along time ago.
Right now Ancelotti is working his entire system to stifle the attacking space that Modric creates for RM.
Stay thirsty my friend …
And he knows that Kroos is the weak link in the midfield.
Strinic and Rog with some minutes today for Napoli.
And Rakitic with a goal but it took a deflection so it went down as an own goal
Modric was so solid he was taken off in like the 60th for a dude that hasn’t featured in over a month, spare me
Yes so the rest of us and dozens of other pundits were watching the wrong game, if Modric is known for anything it’s ball retention, Coughed it up like crazy today
Yea I do.
No week long grudge my opinion is my opinion I don’t care if it goes against his nor am I going against him on purpose; quite on the contrary I have agreed with many of his posts and been a fan of his enthusiasm. But recently he’s made 0 sense and that’s that
And who are you his daddy?
Modric was solid
@Idemo- Do you always use hyperbole in lame attempts to contradict people who disagree with you? Your difference of opinion w SoulChamp is over a week old, let it go.
inside tip…. The truth is not Ziva Istina
Modric is definitely slipping form wise at the moment for real.
And Kramaric 2 goals
Perica with a goal for Udinese as well today
Modric was losing the ball all day tho? Looked tired and unfit…..guess one mans trash is another mans treasure
Kalinic taken off at half
Cue the homer attacks …. but
Modrić was solid today as he warms for the Bayern match which he will once again be the X factor.
Kovačić came on 68′ minute and played is role.
Real Crodrid is the #1 team on the planet.
Kovačić is doing great !
Modric was poor probably down to fitness. Hope he gets a decent rest before the Bayern game
Ya really idemo. Where the hell is he?
Is kovacic alive?
Pasalic with a goal for Milan. Needs a shot on nt. I think time has come.
So when is Bilić being canned?