Germany
Photo: Bundesliga
Is it great service or great finishing? Whatever the answer might be, Super Mario Mandžukić continues to fill up the stat sheet after scoring two second half goals to lead Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win over Mainz on Saturday. After a Thomas Müller opening goal, the former Dinamo Zagreb striker would double the score after receiving a pass from David Alaba just a few yards from the goal and easily slipping it past the Mainz keeper. Less then seven minutes later, Philipp Lahm would find Mario with a high cross from the right side and Mario wouldn’t fail from close range to find himself atop the Bundesliga scoring list with 13 goals. Mario played 76 minutes in the win and has made it that much more difficult for Mario Gomez who is looking to sneak into the Bayern starting lineup.
Mario Mandžukić double
Mainz left Ivan Klasnić off the roster sheet.
New team, new result for Srdjan Lakić. The 29-year-old, uncapped Croatian passed his Frankfurt debut with flying colors by scoring two goals in a 2-0 win over HSV on Saturday night in Hamburg. After failing to score in eight Bundesliga games with Wolfsburg this season, Srdjan found the net twice in the first half. In the 22nd minute of play, Lakić made a nice run up the left side to connect on a Stefan Aigner cross from the right side. Just thirteen minutes later, it was Aigner again that would service Srdjan this time in the air and the 6 ft 1 in striker headed this one into the back of the net. Frankfurt find themselves in fourth place on the Bundesliga table and Srdjan could see Champions League action next season if they stay on track.
Srdjan Lakić goals
PHOTO: European cy
Milan Badelj started and played 46 minutes in the loss. The former Dinamo Zagreb defensive midfielder was subbed out for a more offensive minded player with the team down 2-0 at the half. Milan was not at fault for either of the two goals. Hamburg left Ivo Iličević off the roster sheet. No word on his recovery from injury.
PHOTO: European cy
Ivan Perišić celebrated his 24th birthday with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Augsburg on Saturday. The Croatian international couldn’t get anything going against a stingy Augsburg defense and finished without a shot in 90 minutes of play. Ivica Olić came on in the 67th minute in search of a game winner for Wolfsburg. However, the former Dinamo Zagreb striker failed to register a shot on goal as Wolfsburg had to settle for a draw and split the points with Augsburg.
SPAIN
Ivan Rakitić continued his fine form on Sunday in Sevilla’s 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano as he scored the first goal, but was sent off for a second yellow in the final seconds of stoppage time. The chance came in added time of the first half as Rayo keeper Ruben was caught out after an attempted clearance. The ball fell to Rakitić who calmly chipped it in from 40+ yards. He nearly scored another in the second half but Ruben made a great save to deny Raki the brace. In addition to his shooting abilities, he also showed his creative talents with a hugely impressive eight chances created. After the game, he ranks 3rd in La Liga for key passes per game. Ivan now has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last five appearances for the club. His second yellow card was given for diving in the 95th minute of play. As a result of the sending off, he will miss Sevilla’s next match against Real Madrid. The win puts Sevilla tied for 10th in La Liga, six points out of the European places.
Luka Modrić played the full 90 minutes of Real Madrid’s shocking 1-0 defeat to Granada. With Mesut Ozil out due to yellow card accumulation, Luka was the obvious choice to get the start. He had a mediocre game, with moderate pass success and two chances created. Modrić completed 63 passes at an 84% success rate and picked up a yellow card in the 65th minute. At this point in the season, Real’s focuses have shifted towards winning the two trophies they have realistic shots of still winning, the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League. They play Sevilla next weekend before their clash with Manchester United on February 13th.
2012/13 Season highlights
France
It was just one of those days for Dejan Lovren on Sunday as the Lyon defender was at fault for all three Ajaccio goals in a 3-1 road defeat. The former Dinamo Zagreb star was caught napping on the first two goals then was shown a red card for a foul on Dennis Oliech in stoppage time for the third and final Ajaccio goal. To make matters worse, Dejan flopped after a lineman accidentally touched his face with his flag. The linesman might face a suspension for that one ya know. Lastly, Dejan tried to play off the penalty call by asking for a flop. Dejan, you’re credibility was shot after the incident with the linesman. Anyone out there still looking for Dejan to start for Croatia against Serbia in March?
Dejan Lovren at fault for all three Ajaccio goals and sees red
Dejan Lovren flops after getting hit in the face by the linesman
Italy
PHOTO: inter
Mateo Kovačić made his debut for Inter Milan on Sunday in a 3-1 loss at Siena. The 18-year-old former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder came on at halftime and couldn’t get anything going for Inter in the loss. Cristian Chivu was partly at fault in the loss after picking up a red card in the 55th minute of play. Mateo finished the match without a shot and left the match with butterflies in his stomach. From the looks of things, Mateo will get his chance right away. Hopefully, Inter don’t put too much pressure on the kid to perform before he has a chance to develop.
Former Hajduk Split captain, Ante Vukušić is still looking for his second Serie A goal for Pescara after a 3-2 loss against Bologna. The 21-year-old Croatian international started and played 70 minutes for Pescara but only managed to register one shot in the loss. With the defeat and Genoa’s win, Pescara slipped into the relegation zone.
Next Matches:
Saturday, 2/9
Fulham at Norwich City, Nürnberg at Eintracht, Hamburger SV at Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg at Greuther Fürth, Napoli at Lazio, Sevilla at Real Madrid
Sunday, 2/10
Everton at Manchester United, Schalke 04 at Bayern München, Pescara at Palermo, Chievo at Inter, Lille at Olympique Lyonnais
~Ante Kvartuč and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN
Nije: Standard Engerish hooligan then
tbh i think halilovic would be mad to pick bosnia.. he may as well say he never wants to play in any world cup or euro then.. it’d be a waste of his talent
Are they afraid of your comments???? or, are they ignoring you????
KING BRONK IS BACK!
I’m still in for Halilovic playing with Hrvatska. Bosanci have some talent, but I think he and his tata will see the bigger picture and play for the best Balkan team.
Newcastle’s defender Danny Simpson got knocked the F out!
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/branic-newcastlea-brutalno-nokautiran-ispred-standa-s-kebabom/660957.aspx
http://deadspin.com/5981615/heres-video-of-newcastles-danny-simpson-unconscious-and-bleeding-after-a-late+night-street-fight
Crna and Halilovic and Mosques in Rijeka and a Muslim Miss Croatia? Are we muslim now?
@Iggy
nothing wrong at all, keep up the good posts
THE FIX IS IN
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/sports/soccer/investigation-finds-suspected-fixing-in-680-soccer-matches.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
AZ:
He can start by spelling his name properly, without the “H” at the end. We see this a lot in Australia, personally i don’t like it. If you are modifying your name so anglos can so it properly there’s something wrong.
How I wish we could consider Cvitanich
Dario Cvitanich is ranked no.2 in terms of goals to shots ratio.
According to wikipedia, he still has a croatian passport, despite only his great grandfather being croatian. Why can’t he play for croatia? I thought a passport will do.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2013/01/12/3664778/miroslav-klose-is-the-best-finisher-in-europe-the-lazio
@Laknat
you are an idiot
how about Halilovic guys . kick for senior in Croatia Squad.^.
especialy > Simunic, Olic, Pranjic !! replace it with Junior talent
Haha.. investing in Rumsfelds’ oil companies were u ? Good thing Cheney and Rumsfeld aren’t corrupt.
Oh.. wait…
God Bless George Bush. Back when he was president my stock in defense dept. contractors were worth the investment.
Yeah i dunno why anyone would like Tito
Obama’s ok.. not that the president matters much in the states tbh with u.. but at least he isn’t a complete wanker like george bush (junior)
Obama cannot be worse than linic milanovic and co.
@Iggy
nothing wrong with Obama, problem is all the jugo and Tito lovers
lol what’s wrong with Obama ?
I seriously didn’t see the game so it’s a legit question on my part
I think when u play big teams like Spain the refs – even unconsciously – are loathed to give away penalties to the other team just because they are scared they’ll be the ref who cost the world champs a spot etc. It’s like that Trezeguet handball goal against Cro in Euro 2004. What a load of dick that was.
**sarcasm**
No, much like the Super Bowl the refs should swallow their whistles late in games.
is there an article on Nora someone can link to ?
Should Croatia have had a penalty against Spain for either of the Corluka molestations in the box ?
Funny from a website
Tim za Srbiju:1. Pletikosa – sluša gibonnija, thompsona i tbf2. Ćorluka – sluša cajke i thompsona3. Šimunić – ac/dc4. Strinić – sluša ono što mu cura sluša5. Srna – cajke6. Rakitić – cajke a odnedavno i gypsy kings7. Perišić – 80’s pop8. Badelj – let 3 i slične9. Eduardo – sluša r&b10. Modrić – lake note.11. Mandžukić – rammstein
ive been saying all along lovren is pranje oci eye wash, he isnt good id take Sifo any day over him heck even an old joe Lovren just has brain freezes hes not that young anymore hes 24 needs to step up man hes not Carli
@Jarac,
“homer glasses”?
Did I say Rakitic shouldn’t have scored? NO
Isn’t the guy who delivered the cross also Croatian? YES
I finally watched the tape (I had been relying on memory) and I still think the cross was a bit too high and away to be headed down for a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyAXLSJI9o
Whats the matter? Not defending your mindless cliche of “if you get your head on the ball, you can head it down”??? I bet you’ll never say that again in your life. HAHA!
Our strikers Livaja and Budan didn’t play for Altalanta Bergamo. Hope Livaja gets his chance.
Saw Mamic donated like 100K to the Nora cause today. First humane thing I’ve ever heard him do. I guess that fresh 11 million from the Kova deal made him feel a little generous.
Nora has a rare form of leukemia and her last chance is a hospital in the US. This could happen to anyone of us, our children and I believe that we as human beings should help in any way we can. Info is on facebook/any croatian news website
@Rob
Thanks. Glad to see Inter give Kovačić an entire half despite only being a part of the team for only a few days.
This is why I like it when teams pay a lot for our players. Inter won’t allow a 15M Euro player to rot on the bench. They’ll likely accept some growing pains from Kovačić in exchange for some development.
I’m sure if Inter had paid anything notable for Livaja, he would’ve seen some playing time these past couple of seasons before being loaned out again.
Ivica
I watched a bit of the second half when Kovacic came on but he didn’t do much. He was very quite and Inter played really badly, so that didn’t help.
Goal.com rated his performance a 2 out 5. He didn’t add any spark to the team when he came on the pitch
Rakitic had another great game (apart from the red card which will make him miss the Real Madrid game)
The Anonymous1, you got any more info about this girl.
God bless you to!
Inter’s coach said he is pleased with Kovacic’s performance and that he is a sure investment.
Anybody watch the Inter match today?
Curious as to how Kovačić played.
Also, the Halilović decision announcement makes me kinda nervous. Big talent loss for us if he picks BiH.
He’s got 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 matches
Rakitic’s next great head ball will be his first.
I hope everyone on this site and Hrvati all around the world donate money for this little girl Nora, who back home in Cro is fighting the fight of her life. Money is needed to be raised for treatmnent in Philadelphia. God Bless
@anony
‘Rakitic couldn’t have headed the ball down b/c the cross was a bit too high’ prove that I’m not objective?
Because anyone with two eyes can see that the ball wasn’t too high dumbass, that why ur not being objective, ur being a dumbass or you clearly are blinded by ur homer glasses
@Jarac, you just can’t help constantly exposing you’re stupidity.
First, it’s very telling how you completely avoided my explanation of why your comments (& cliches) are stupid.
Second, how does saying that ‘Rakitic couldn’t have headed the ball down b/c the cross was a bit too high’ prove that I’m not objective?
Third, if I’m so favorably biased towards Croatians, then why would I be ripping you a new asshole?
I know your name, I know you’re anti-white.
in terms of the halilovic article , it makes a little nervous. i had always thought he’d pick croatia in the end b/c 1) he was borned, raised, and lived in croatia 2) plays for a croatian club 3) has represented croatian on the youth teams 4) croatia seems like the better soccer option. If he is ready to announce his decision soon as the article claims though, it gives me a bit of pause. halilovic should know that croatia is not going to call him up any time soon most likely whereas bosnia is already calling him up. therefore, it doesn’t make sense for him to announce soon to play for a team that hasn’t yet called him up and as a result may leave him waiting for years for his call up
Kovacic came in after 47 minutes. It was 1-0 at that time. Inter lost in the end with 3-1.
Vukusic played for about 70 minutes but Pescara lost again 2-3. Vukusic didn’t score.
Kuzmanovic played over Kovacic today. They lost 3 – 1 to Siena.
Rakitic scored the first goal for Sevilla.
@ Ziva and Jarac
Rakitic didn’t choke. Are you saying that the header was a sitter? Because it wasn’t.
Given his position and angle of the incoming pass he couldn’t do much with that ball–he couldn’t get the appropriate power or head the ball down.
And the assumption that if he was even able to head the ball down he would of scored is also dubious at best. It takes a lot more than heading the ball downward to score.
Some people also forget who was in goal. But it was Cassillas–the best goalie in the world. And he had that totally covered. Rakitic didn’t have much an angle. Even Messi wouldn’t have scored that.
How did Kovacic play today?
lovren another red card…
@Laknat
only asshole here is you Laknat
Halilović: Ni tata ne zna odluku, uskoro ću odlučiti za koga ću igrati…
http://is.gd/HyGLrQ
http://video.shakhtar.com/en/v4735
eduardo goal
take for Lakic and Mandzukic for WC Qualification .. NO ASSHOLe SIMUNIC
@Dado…..sinko, i think you are mistaken me for someone else. Soccer is my first love. Don’t be so but hurt.
I know the youth in Cro listen to that smece (narodnjake)……that is just one of the many, many reasons the country is in its current state. And, good for you being in the war. I on the other hand watched it on my couch 🙂 So, are you one of the many war veterans claiming disability when in fact there is no disability? I know thye are out there in full force because my lazy-ass dalmatinci (who else) cousins are claiming disability and the only thing they did during the war was clean the toilets and keep the good supplies for themselves..
relax, Raketa is a good player. I like him. But, I also like mentioning how he choked when it mattered the most.
Regarding Boban………there is not one player that would have pulled himself out of the game unless he was shitting his own pants on the pitch. It is the job of the coach to place players in a position to succeed. After that, its on the players to come through Ciro knew Boban was hurt, but kept playing him. Jebiga, it is what it is.
Boban should have pulled himself. It was his stubborn pride in the biggest game of his life that made him not ask for a sub. I remember an interview at the airport in Paris I believe where he said something along the lines of “maybe i stayed out there too long.” He should have known better. In such a big game to jeopardize your team like that when you’ve already got the lead you need! Although I feel like if we could have held that lead for another 5 minutes he would’ve been coming off.
Dado,
what does you being in the war have anything to do with anything?
@anon,
well smart ass, you seem to not be able to admit to urself that rakitic couldve headed the ball down, that ball that was played was not to high, it was rakitic’s fault for bad technique and thats the truth. Truth hurts sometimes, especially when u have you blind homer glasses on.
Svom snagom naprijed!
Mandza at the point with 5 mids funneling in Bayern type service.
We have a crew in their prime. Can we enjoy the depth and quality of our repka.
The boys bring their best on pretty consistent basis. Have not seen us lay an egg in a competitive match in a while.
Rakitic played his butt off against Spain, the #1 midfield in the world.
He has earned his spot in the starting 11.
Uvijek Vjerni !
Why are some people blaming Rakitic? Rakitic’s position and the angle of the incomming pass was such that he couldn’t get the appropriate power. He was only able to sort of re-direct it. Plus, Cassilas totally had that covered.
Some of you make it seem like it was a sitter–which it was not!
@Dado:
I think you are thinking of AllenIrriation, not Ziva.
Allen started every post with some nonsense regarding his lack of interest in soccer.
@ Dado Hes was the Captain a true man not these gay nogometasi like today he played and tied his best,
današnja dica slušaju cajke, priče o vukovaru za njih su bajke
If boban was so hurt that he couldn’t perform he should have gone down and claimed an injury. He would have had to be subbed. So in my book it’s not an excuse
And it isn’t just the youth that listens to it, it’s all generations.
You said soccer isn’t your first choice. I’m not making up lies. Let me out it this way. Let him listen to whatever he wants. I was in the war, where were you? I also for one say I like the music. I also like divlje jagode, bjelo dugme, Zeljko samardzic. Go to Croatia you’ll see that most of the youth still listens to saban and narodne from serbia. Okay so you’ll choose to blame rakitic for that game when everything else he did in his career is useless. If you can’t see what his input is in games then you’re an idiot which confirms what I think of you because of your prior comments.
Nothing wrong with cajke….it’s just music
Bravo Luka jebo te kao Bugar tuku di si ti otisa los galaktikos jebo te taj sminkerski klub ajme majko bolje biti prvi u selo nego zadnji ugrad
Again Rakitic likes that music good for him remember he is bosnian heritage
@ Ziva what the hell are you talking about he has played good games for national team at tournaments watch them again Euro 2008 vs germany poland and turkey played very good except for the long ball agianst turkey,
euro 2012 good 3 games, your argument can be siad for half this National team except for Srna Stipe Joe Eduardo what have the others done for national team
Rakitic has contributed more to the turbo serbo narodnjake scene throughout Europe than he has to the reka.
@dado…….when did I ever say I don’t like soccer. Listen, you may not like what I have to say, but don’t make up lies. The reason rakitic will get shit is because he has not done much for the repka and his miss is what he will be remembered for unless he does something else. Boban made a mistake in the France game, but he has done so much for repka beyond that. Besides he was injured in that match and asked to be taken out at the half.
@ Dado good job pointing that out about Boban but in Bobans defense he was hurt i blame Blazevic for that. if ziva mentions rakitic mention euro 2008 when he didnt clear the ball and whistle would have blew croatia semifinal. If rakitic scored spain would have won i know that and so do you.
Line up against S Koreja Pletikosa Srna Simunic Carli Strinic-Sammir Modric Vukojevic Rakitic Mandzo Eduardo, second half Pletikosa Srna Lovren Scifo Strinic Sammir Ademi Modric Rakitic Olic Petric
Ziva i believe the percentage is 30% (not quite sure) but there isn’t 30 percent serbs over there. They live in Serbia and travel across the border for mail and all that nonsense they play the game well.
in more important news player ratings in fifa 13
mateo kovacic rated 75 overall
josip radosevic is 66 overall
Oh man ziva once again proves he’s an idiot. How unnecessary is that rakitic comment? Dude you said it yourself you don’t like soccer that much so quit commenting. Go back to your American sports you imbecile. Rakitic is playing the best soccer of his life right now. The man had one bad header and now you’ll always hold it again him. Boban gave the ball away against France and I dot see anyone saying boban should learn how to hold on to the ball.
Lakic??????? Please. Dude scores a goal for the first time in probably a year and some are asking if he should be on the repka.
Rakitic and head balls……we all know he has no clue how to do it right. What he does know how to do is listen to narodnjake and attend turbo serbo bars back in switz, Germany and cro.
Regarding the protests in vukovar. I don’t want the Serbs around either, but the law clearly states they are entitled to have allofficial signs in cyrillic if the population is over a certain percentage.
Much respect to all “25 thousand” that attended the protest in Vukovar.
http://www.index.hr/vijesti/clanak/nakon-prosvjeda-u-vukovaru-u-borovu-pretucen-sin-pravoslavnog-svecenika/660418.aspx
Bog I Hrvati
According to Jarac, no soccer player has ever delivered a cross that was a bit too high. LOL!
@Jarac, also, calling me an “asshole” and saying “you don’t know what you’re talking about” IS NOT a counter argument, it just exposes you as the “asshole” and “dumb-ass”
It’s similar to calling someone a “racist” for telling the truth; it IS NOT a counter argument, it’s just a MINDLESS label you hurl at people to hide the REALITY I’m forcing on you, and it exposes you as an anti-White.
@Jarac, it’s so funny how you may very well have a point that Rakitic could have headed the ball down, but YOU just couldn’t resist exposing your stupidity by throwing out a MINDLESS cliche such as “if you get your head on the ball, you can head it down” -LMFAO! -Really? – so if you get to the spot, jump as high as you can, and ball hits the top of your head, “you should have headed the ball down???……DUHH!
From what I remember, Rakitic was in the right spot and the ball was no lower than forehead-level; consequently, the only way he could have headed the ball down was if he jumped (if he had time) to meet the ball – which is more difficult than what Lakic did today – Lakic’s feet were on the ground and the ball was delivered lower than his head – so he did what he was supposed to (not that’s easy either) and headed the ball down AND into the net.
@anony
joj koji si ti kreten, neznas o cemu ti pricas, ur absolutely right if u get u hand on an ball u should catch it, by the way did u watch the clip there no reason why rakitic couldnt have headed the ball down.
Where are all the Mandzukic doubters? The man is tearing it up in the Bundeliga! 14 goals and Gomez on the bench! All he has to do now is put in a few in the CL.
Jela is playing for Everton how he plays for Croatia. Waiting around for a 100% chance… then missing.
Glad to see the fresh start for Lakic. It is probably too late to play South Korea, but will he be an option against Serbia? Has anyone seen theroster for the NT?
“If you can get your head on the ball, you can head it down”
You really don’t see how absolutely mindlessly DUMB that statement is??? LMFAO!
It reminds of the equally retarded cliche I used to hear as a kid, regarding American football: “if you can get a hand on the ball, you should catch it” – yea okay, so if a QB whips a ball in your direction from a few yards away over your head, and the ball goes off your finger tips b/c you were quick enough to react, “you should have caught the ball” -LMFAO!
@Anony
Open ur eyes you dipshit, for one if u get ur head on the ball u can head it down, thats the fact dipshit. Second he had terrible body control going into the header, the ball WAS NOT TO HIGH!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyAXLSJI9o
look at the highlight at 10 seconds!
all our players need is opportunities to play and see what happens. croats cant play when they are unhappy.
Eduardo and Kranjcar score for their clubs
@Jarac, the ball was too high for Rakitic to “head the ball down” you blind dumb-ass.
Lakic and Mario showed the good things that happen when u head the ball down, RAKITIC take notes!
Lakid scored a second time for Frankfurt against Hamburg 0-2. Badelj yellow card.
Lakic just scored for Frankfurt vs. Hamburg.
Mandžu is a beast!
The headline…….Luka Modrić ‘spašava’ Real i Mourinha
He better turn it around if he wants to save Real’s season. All they have left is the Chmaps League and they need to get by Man U.
Leading scorer in the Bundesliga now as well.
Awesome.
Perisic starts, Olic is on the bench vs Augsburg.
Jelavic starts on the bench. Two goals for Mandzukic so far as Bayern lead Mainz 3:0 in the 65th minute.
🙂
damn.
mandzo’s on fire.
a brace today …
Luka Modrić ‘spašava’ Real i Mourinha
http://is.gd/NhaDw4
Olić i Petrić napadaju Koreju: Štimac otpisao Radoševića, Perišića, Kovačića, Vidu…
http://is.gd/gbPYuP