Nikola Kalinić got on the board for the first time for new club AC Milan; scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Udinese Sunday. Both goals were essentially tap-ins in front of the Udinese net but it’s good to see Kalinić getting the start and breaking the ice in Milan. His 22nd and 31st minute goals was enough for the win as AC Milan remain in the thick of things early in the season; only three points behind Italy’s leaders.
Kalinić scores his 1st 2 Milan goals
Perišić goal
Ivan Perišić scored another goal for Inter Milan in a 2-0 win over Crotone on Saturday. The win keeps Inter tied atop the the Serie A table four matches into the season. They will be battling Juventus and Napoli for the title.
@slavnac
Thanks for the feedback brother!
Lican…I highly doubt it bro, he’s playing in a lower league and has had quite a few injuries. He’d help us on set plays, but once the tempo increases, he wouldn’t be effective. I agree, his talent could help us, but maybe 20 minutes…which is why I doubt he’d ever re-appear.
@slavonac,
Out of curiosity is there any chance of calling up niko kranjčar to the NT? I see he’s back with the rangers in Scotland, I feel like we could still use him and would love to put on the repka shirt again, any thoughts??
Reports suggesting Srna failed doping test after Napoli
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/ivan-rakitic-barcelona/
Interesting read about rakitic……and Raquel
Soul Champ,
I see your point and agree. the problem is, some societies/cultures have a different way of teaching their kids and this is cultural with us.
I’d love to see Halilovic gain some confidence and start to make a difference. He has the opportunity to do so, he just has to use his head and realize where he can improve.
Proof that the HNS reads the comments section of CroatianSports.com:
http://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/22156-could-croatia-s-upcoming-world-cup-qualifier-be-played-at-rujevica
I’m glad they took my advice
@ Idemo
Halilovic was Mamic’d way before Barca move.
Barca have lost their Masia soul.
Dortmund double down on youth development.
@ Slavonac
I don’t disagree about NT standards.
Halilovic looked great until he got run over by Raul Garcia.
My point over all is that you get support in Germany to reach that world class standard.
Croatia it is hit or miss and especially from 16-20 when you need real guidance.
We do great with grassroots technical training.
But young man training we are behind.
I am making a holistic point with Halilovic.
I also feel he brings an incisive dynamic to the player play pool.
I am rooting for the kid.
^^^ me deleted cookies looking for flights
inter down 1-0 at half
Sould Champ…PS…”But that way of thinking will not support Croatia or the HNS in becoming successful.”
brother, the best way to become successful is to raise the bar, not lower the standards!
Pulusic trained up with the best? What was halilovic doing in Barca, he was training with the A team. While hype has a hand in ruining him he deserves no excuse.
I respect your views but I have to say that the NT isn’t the place to experiment, especially not in an important situation like the one we are in.
If Halilovic was regular at his club and he was consistently creating, assisting, scoring…I’d be all over it, regardless of what his age is but as of right now, he hasn’t proven to be a reliable option or especially, a good option.
In Germany, they have a great system, its all based on merit, not speculations, hopes or dreams! when have you seen someone in their starting lineup thats performed below average but was brought in because he’s supposed to be a future star? the German system is always about effectiveness, measured return on investment…they could care less if you were supposed to be a hero…they expect a performance or your out!
@ The truth
Character YES is the difference!
@ Slavonac
Age 16-20 is the time to learn.
Club would of course be your primary source of experience, hence the Dortmund Pulisic reference.
My view is that Germany after 2000 debacle.
Created a golden generation for ever project.
Where they cultivate young talent in partnership with bundesliga.
Halilovic grew up in Germany he would be a World Class player.
Full respect to your expertise.
But humbly request you take a moment to read my posts.
I fear you are in a box.
My view outside of it seems to be disconcerting to you?
All good.
But that way of thinking will not support Croatia or the HNS in becoming successful.
Soul Champ – I say this with respect…you’re on another planet bro!
“This is the time to learn how to play at the highest level.” – you’re dead wrong! playing on the National Team is not the place to learn, its the place to perform for your country…play for the grb…you have to get a better grip of the importance in playing with the NT vs what you hope to see from a potential good player!
“HNS not really a support for him” – Halilovic hasn’t earned squat…zero…zilch…and you need to stop fantasizing about this. he’s one of the biggest maybe’s we have and there’s a lineup of players that are far more effective and experienced than he is…to be honest…I’d rather play Rebic over him…and that should tell you a lot! Rebic is far from ready but the kid is super strong, fast and can score….he takes guys on in the last 3rd of the field and gets to the net…Halilovic continuously slaloms and never gets to the net! neither are ready…but Halilovic is far from being someone I’d put on the field…thats not even a Hail Mary…its way beyond that!
At soul champ
The differences between hezonja and doncic run much deeper
The difference is the character of the player. Doncic is calm and collected with a good head on his shoulders. Never rushed. The game moves slowly for him
Hezonja is a chicken with his head cut off
@ BZ
Classic example of pissing away ages 16-20.
This is the time to learn how to play at the highest level.
His father gave him the good ole Balkan BS guidance.
Unfortunately this has stunted his development.
But the kid seems to finally be learning.
He still has the accelerator and tight left foot control.
He seems to be able to pick a pass now.
HNS not really a support for him.
Navigating Mamic can have a young kid get jaded.
Pulislc goes to Dortmund, trains with the best, plays in champions league, wins German cup, etc …
@ Mr. Black
Dragić + Dončić
Ball handling etc …
I wonder if Hezonja looks at Dončić and is like that should of been me!
Real Madrid is the spot. Worked for Petrović and Modrić.
The difference between Dončić and Hezonja is the handle. Dončić has a point guard handle and Hezonja has a forward handle.
Dragić … next level attack dribble.
Hezonja has the athleticsm to be our point guard. He should have played. Both he and the team would have benefited.
A critical home game against Finland, and we are playing it in our rainiest city during one of the rainiest times of the year.
Games at this time of the year need to be played in Rijeka Split or Pula. If it rains on October 6th, it will hurt us badly.
The HNS needs to plan these things better.
@Soul- I have only seen Halilovic play a couple times. His potential is there, however he reminds of the guy on your team that looks awesome in practice, but never gets it done in the game (ie too many lost take-ons, takes bad shots). All correctable.
That blows!
Call me crazy … as many have done on this site …
Halilovic is 21 years old!
Left footed.
Dynamic attack dribbler.
Learning to cross the ball.
Starts in La Liga.
Can shoot as well.
Hope he comes back strong with the ankle, gets back into rotation at Las Palmas sooner then later.
Get him game in a friendly in the new year and give him a hands to earn a spot for Russia.
Jebi ga …
He has World Cup experience… LOL!
Looks like Halilovic suffered a bad ankle injury
https://www.heymanga.me/manga/Captain_Tsubasa_Rising_Sun/34/1
this man resemble with Maradona! Look at how he scored the goal!
Slovenia European Champion Basketball. Amazing to see that a country with only 2 million people achieves this.
I just watched a re run of the Dynamo Kiev game……vida gets so high up the pitch really exciting
Ideally it should be vida Charlie Lovren vrsaljko
When is corluka back?
Couldn’t we put him in at LB. we just need someone solid defensively and deliver the ball up which he can do.
We can all agree pivaric is sranjic 2.0
@Slavonac- Agree about Lovren. I would never have called him back. That said, Cacic would have lost his job had we lost to Turkey without Lovren.
@Zee-Pasalic might get some sub time. I watched enough of him last year to feel comfortable in rating him “mediocre”.
As Cacic’s career is teetering on these next 2 games, I think we will see him go ultra-conservative. No risky names like Halilovic, nor any dark horses like Pasalic. Rog is a possibility with Badelj & Kova out, but that is as risky as it will get.
God willing. We gonna make it! If not we cooked for a long time. Hate to say it. I think we are but you never know.
No you’re right! I think there might be something there
Well he big strong i dunno. Playing i a decent league. Just wanted an opinion.
Interesting you bring that up zee
Can’t speak on how he’s playing but I think he deserves a shout more than some other players
Russia is 10 weeks in already so he might have rhythm has featured nearly 90 minutes each time and has only been rotated once because of champions league
2 goals and an asist in 9 games not bad
More than likely it will be a combination of Modric kramaric brozovic rakitic and perisic
Subs should we need a goal? Madzukic Cop ……santini?
It’s very close to pasalic time i think. Kova out Mario in. He in shape time has come. What you fellas think?
@soul champ
Ukraine can’t afford to bunker they need to beat us
BZ,
That lineup looks decent except for Lovren…he scares me!
Also, Rakitic in the middle and Krama out wide.
As much as I was so crazy and hopeful about Halilovic I just can’t justify it in my mind…he’s wayyyy behind as far as callups go in my book!
I couldn’t make the Halil leap injured or not.
@Soul- Vida too important to help on that left side. I def do not want him at RB.
Cacic might be forced to play the lineup I think has worked gor us in the past. This is the most extreme Cacic will get. Everytime Mandzo Kalinic up top we have played well (with exception of when Mandzo played LW vs Iceland)
Mandzo-Kalinic
perisic-Kramaric-Rakitic
Modric
Piva-Vida-Lovren-Vrsaljko (if not injured)
Kalinic
At risk of sounding like Laknat, we win big with line-up this!
strinic first game for Sampdoria and got an assist today
Challenge didn’t look too bad but he got caught a bit looks to be ankle
Welp that puts an end to that ……halilovic injured
Kalinic robbed of third goal ?
Tie goes to offense ?
VAR shows him a hair in front?
Nice finish non the less.
He may have point to prove in Ukraine as well.
Let’s see who else gets hot these next few weeks?
U boj …
Personally I don’t think halilovic deserves it but
Whag about this
Perisic mandza Halilovic on that side in ur formation
Perisic Lb and so on
Shade CB’s toward Pivaric for defensive support.
Halilovic is great in tight space and Pivaric needs to pass to Rakitic, Halilovic, CB or out of bounds. Keep it silmple and tidy and focus attention on Jarmalenko.
No need for him to attack trying to impersonate Jarni.
Halilovic and Perišić can hold down attacking left.
@soul champ
You really think halilovic can deal with pivaric glumsiness?
Kalinic with 2 goals…..will probably start
Does Cacic put Mario left and Ivan right again ????
How did we do the last time that happen?
Mandzukic to Dybala for 1-0 Juve, first half.
Čačić has a FULL time job to take whom ever is available and create a strategy that maximizes Modrić and Perišić to full attacking threat.
Then line up the rest of the players to ensure that Modrić and Perišić are not killing their legs tracking back.
4-1-2-1-2
_______Perisc _________________Kramaric
_________________Modric
Halilovic __________________________Brozovic
_________________Rakitic
Pivaric _____Mitrovic____Lovren_______Vida
_________________Kalinic
Subs – Mandžukić, Kalinic, ROG!
Need to give Finland and Ukraine a different look.
The scouting report is out on us and how easy it is to bunker and thwart our slow build up play.
Quicker movements with more incisive play is what we need.
One goal in the last 270 + minutes ? Header from Vida no less?
Rakitic was the Kaiser in that role with Sevilla. He can bomb them from deep and his range passing is world class.
Plus he can still be physical.
Modrić is magic where ever you put him. He also needs to go back and draw on his Tottenham days and be called upon to score or directly assist goals.
Perišić is our Ronaldo and we need his deployment as a striker on the left side.
Halilovic is needed to start. If nothing else to tire opponents legs for second half super sub Mario Mandžukić. Then you can slide Perišić to LW or keep him up top depending on what the game calls for?
Rog for Rakitic to insert energy into to the CDM.
Kalinic for Kramaric.
We need Finland to go well offensively to gain a head of steam into Ukraine.
U boj …
“You are only as strong as your weakest link”
Perišić has to deal with opposition and Pivaric glumsiness, plus our strikers do not create space at all in the attacking third for him.
Icardi is a world class striker and is constantly on the minds of the opposition defenders.
Many of us preferred Perisic to stay at Inter (as opposed to going to Man U) cause we wanted him to step up as a leader. Thus far, he has been lights out. #NoInjuryIvan
Vrsaljko not on AM roster again. Hopefully no re-injury, but it would be nice for him to get 20-30/gm until our qualies.#shakethatRust
Brekalo gets more playing time in Stuttgarts win. #wc2022
As shitty as the Mamic fiasco this summer was for Modric I believe it will benefit his game play for us, He wouldn’t want to piss off any more supporters with any half-assed efforts in the future.
That’s probably because Perisic is one of the few Hrvati that rises to to the occasion.
Be it at Inter or for the Repka, dude is a gamer!
Him and Modric will bring it.
Hopefully the rest will follow.
Read article how milans coach praising perisic for his leadership and sacrifice
It’s not like our guys haven’t played enough and important games together. Maybe it is just a bad atmosphere or something. I don’t know maybe our individuals while not the best in the world are still quite good but they make up more then the sum of the whole
Lets hope we pull it together
It’s not like we have to go to Italy and France and win it out. Though that does seem more likely knowing us
Perisic with another one for inter.
You have a few options
The savez sells them something like a week or two before hand so if your not in cro or have someone that can over night them not that good of an option
Viagogo resale site legit but you’ll pay a premium
Show up at the stadium there will be tickets outside ….slightly risky tho
Does anyone know how I can go about getting tickets for the Ukraine game? Preferably, away end.