Germany
Photo:EPE/Andreas Gebert
The Bundesliga scoring title went down to the final day as Mario Mandžukić shot blanks for Bayern Munich in a 1-0 win over Stuttgart on Saturday. Dortmund’s Lewandowski on the other hand put two in the back of the net to separate himself from Super Mario and finish the season as the Bundesliga scoring king. Mandžukić did however score the most in game goals as Lewandowski scored four times from the spot.
Photo:EPE/Andreas Gebert
Super Mario started and played 64 minutes in the win. The former Dinamo Zagreb striker finished the match with only one shot on goal as Bayern bombed Stuttgart with 24 shots and held a 72% possession advantage. Mario has one more chance to redeem himself next Saturday when he faces Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal final.
Photo: REUTERS/Carmen Jaspersen
Wolfsburg did their part and secured their place in the group stage of next season’s Europa League with a 3-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. However, Bayer Leverkusen did their part as well and finished ahead of Wolfsburg after defeating Werder Bremen 2-1, qualifying them for the Champions League next season. Ivica Olić started and played 90 minutes for Wolfsburg in the win. The former Dinamo Zagreb striker played well but failed to score his 15th Bundesliga goal of the season on two shots on goal. Ivica had a sucessful Bundesliga season and finished tenth on the Bundesliga scoring chart.
REUTERS/Carmen Jaspersen
Ivan Perišić started and played 85 minutes in the win. The former Hajduk Split winger scored his sixth Bundesliga goal in his last five matches after scoring the go ahead goal in the 68th minute of play. Ivan was in the right place at the right time and smashed home a rebound. Has Perišić done enough to warrant a start for Croatia against Brazil? After a mediocre start to the season, Ivan has been all over the stat sheet as his numbers shouldn’t be ignored.
Photo: Alex Grimm
HSV have one last chance to stay in the Bundesliga next season and must defeat Greuther Fürth in a 2-legged playoff next week after finishing 16th on the Bundesliga table. Ivo Iličević came off the bench in the 67th minute for HSV in a 3-2 loss at Mainz on the final day of the Bundesliga season. Ivo scored his third Bundesliga goal of the season on an Ivica-Olic-like right place in the right time tap in goal in the 84th minute of play. Milan Badelj started and played the full 90 minutes in the win. Now the real season starts as HSV have two games to show that they belong in the Bundesliga next year and continue as the only Bundesliga team never to be relegated.
Iličević goal
Italy
PHOTO: inter
Mateo Kovačić continues to impress at Inter Milan after starting and going the distance for the fourth straight Serie A match in a 4-1 win over Lazio on Saturday. The former Dinamo Zagreb star assisted on three of the four goals and controlled the tempo for Inter Milan in the win. Mateo has shown that he can run the offense and produce when on the same page as the strikers. Now the question remains: Can Croatia’s strikers and midfielders help each other out on the pitch? Ivica and Mario can be in the right place at the right time, but someone has to make that quality run and someone has to rip one from outside the box from time to time(Inter’s 4th goal).
Sassuolo bombed Genoa with 20 shots on the way to a 4-2 win on Sunday. Former Dinamo Zagreb winger, Šime Vrsaljko, started and played the full 90 minutes in the win. Šime finished the match without a shot but played a roll in the first goal as he was brought down in the box forcing the referee to point to the spot. Vrsaljko was a little unfortunate after the break as a Sassuolo striker got in front of him and the 22-year-old tried to clear the ball but ended up scoring the go ahead goal. What are your thoughts on the own goal?
Šime Vrsaljko own goal
Ivan Kelava, Igor Bubnjić, Josip Radošević looked on from the bench as Napoli smashed on Sampdoria 5-2. Tin Jedvaj was left off the roster sheet by Roma in a 1-0 loss against Juventus. Marko Livaja will probably watch the rest of the season from home as Atalanta played without him to a 2-1 win over Milan on Sunday. Ante Rebić made an appearance on the Fiorentina bench as the Viola made sure they will play Europa League football next season following a 1-0 win over already relegated Livorno. Ante hasn’t featured for Fiorentina since January 8th and has played a total of 81 Serie A minutes this season.
UKRAINE
Darijo Srna led Shakhtar Donetsk to their fifth straight Ukrainian title on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Zorya. The match was played at a neutral location behind closed doors due to the political unrest in Ukraine. Srna played the full 90 minutes while Eduardo came on in the 70th minute. Dudu managed an injury time tap-in goal from six yards out to cap off the victory, but there was little celebration as no fans were present. The title ensures that Shakhtar will once again play in the Champions League group stage come September.
Dudu also scored the opening goal in Shakhtar’s 3-0 win over second division club Slavutych on Wednesday in the Ukrainian Cup semifinals. Eduardo came in at halftime and scored in the 105th minute with the game still scoreless. Shakhtar will face Dynamo Kiev in the final on May 15th.
Eduardo goal @ 2:45
Ognjen Vukojević got the start for Dynamo Kiev on Sunday in a 2-0 win over Illichivets and did not disappoint. In the 13th minute, he received a pass from the right side by Domagoj Vida and slotted the ball inside the right post from 18 yards out. Vukojević rarely scores goals, but when he does, they will surprise you. Both he and Vida played the full 90 minutes. The two will face off against Srna and Eduardo in the Ukrainian Cup Final on Thursday.
Ivan Strinić and Nikola Kalinić did not play for Dnipro in a 4-1 win over Vorskla.
ENGLAND
In the last match of the Premiership season, Dejan Lovren played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw vs. Manchester United. The Saints were already slated to finish eighth after being promoted last summer, but a win vs a struggling United would have been fitting. However, a Juan Mata free kick in the second half would deny the clean sheet and a force a draw. Lovren has been a force on defense this year after coming over from Lyon and it will be interesting to see who asks for his services once the transfer deadline opens. He is slated to start every game for Croatia at the World Cup.
Nikica Jelavić lined up against his former team Everton on Sunday but was kept scoreless again. Jela only played 54 minutes in the loss before being taken out in the 2-0 loss. He should be expected to be coming off the bench in Brazil with minimal minutes if any from manager Niko Kovač. It was a sub-par performance for him this second half of the season since coming over from Merseyside.
SPAIN
Luka Modric played the 90 minutes in Real Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo on Sunday. Modric was played out of his usual position at right winger, where he created one chance and completed 46 passes. He was brought down in the box early on in the second half but was not rewarded with a penalty. The loss end Real’s title hopes, and they will now turn all their efforts to the Champions League Final two weeks from now.
Modric Penalty Shot
Ivan Rakitic was left out of Sevilla’s squad as they fell 1-0 to Getafe on Sunday, with their attention focused on the Europa League Final, which will be played on Wednesday. There have been rumours floating around about Real Madrid’s interest in the Croatian playmaker, who has a chance to win his first trophy with Sevilla this week.
FRANCE
Danijel Subasic was left out of the squad for AS Monaco in their 2-1 win over Valenciennes on Saturday. Monaco finish the season at home against Bordeaux next weekend.
RUSSIA
Stipe Pletikosa and Vedran Corluka faced off against each other in the Russian Premier League on Sunday, with Pletikosa’s FC Rostov pulling out a 2-0 victory in a must-win match for Corluka’s Lokomotiv Moscow. Pletikosa made a few good saves to keep Lokomotiv off the scoresheet and earn a clean sheet. Corluka picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute. Loko sit third in the RPL with a game to go, two points behind leaders CSKA Moscow, whom they play in their final match. Rostov sit safely in seventh position.
Next Matches:
Wednesday, 5/14
Benfica vs. Sevilla (Europa League Final)
Thursday, 5/15
Rostov at Tom’ Tomsk, Lokomotiv Moskva at CSKA Moskva
Saturday, 5/17
Bayern München vs. Borussia Dortmund(DFB Pokal Final), Sampdoria at Udinese, Volyn at Shakhtar Donetsk, Zorya at Dynamo Kyiv, Metalurh Donetsk at Dnipro
Sunday, 5/18
Roma at Genoa, Atalanta at Catania, Hellas Verona at Napoli, Internazionale at Chievo, Torino at Fiorentina, Elche at Sevilla, Espanyol at Real Madrid,
~Ante Kvartuč and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California, Zach Gilfix reporting from Minneapolis, MN
Čestitamo and congrats to Mandžukić for winning this year’s Bundesliga with Bayern.
Ivan Rakitic Destined For Key World Cup Role:
http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2014/05/13/4814764/ivan-rakitic-sevilla-hero-destined-for-key-world-cup-role
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCaOs5tn6Zo#t=32
Perisic hits the crossbar and both posts – all in one shot.
Mamic is in Sarajevo to sign Amer Gojak, a 17-year old who is being touted as one of the best young Bosnian players in recent memory.
You still get to hear his opinions before and after the game. It’s still going to be funny.
Not really. He will be in studio, not at the game site.
Ziva your wish came true!
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/svjetsko-prvenstvo-pratit-cete-uz-igora-stimca-na-ekranu-/746000.aspx
Sjajni švicarski Hrvat pronašao klub: Drmić od ljeta u Leverkusenu!
http://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/svjetski_nogomet/josip-drmic-potpisao-za-bayer-leverkusen—335671.html
“If a fan threw a sandwhich on the field, you can bet Kranjcar (playing or on the bench) will run to grab it and eat it. This I am 100% sure of.”
LOL
modric better play good pesisic /n kovavic should not play
still Italia is the wrong side as the coastline from Istria through Montenegro is much nicer than on the west side
and funny enough wifey is Barese
Nobody from Trebinje refers to themselves as a bosanac. Those are hard core srbe in them hills.
luca toni for itlay its a shame it that going
“the wrong side of the Adriatic”
well said…
but hypothetically – if you were say a mix of southern Italian (say from Bari) and then Bosanac (say from Trebinje)
which side is the wrong side?
all soccer games are rigged n fake becuase of betting seria a of cousre all and all
I like what Croatia national team will look like only if the Neznalica was never hired the seedings would have been all different so thank the Neznalica aka Stimac for some of the groups at the World cup. so je tu je
Tommorow we will see the 30NK calls and then speculate the final 23, and start playing manager and name our 11
anyone plays proline picks it all rigeed i knw a trick to it
QPR and Wigan going to over time. Kranjcar to play 120 minutes….
croatia to win or tie brazil
win camroon
lose to mexico 4 ponits should be good to vs holland or spain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Kume
More or less, you’re probably right on that lineup.
Lovren hasn’t started for us under Kovač’s short tenure, but might be included in the back instead of Schifo. Kovač seems to like Perišić and Pranjić, but he might just play one of them as LW and try someone else on that RW spot.
We’ll see what those final tweaks are, but I’d be surprised if he deviated too mu
More and More i believe the 11 vs Brazil will be
Pletikosa-Strinic Sifo Carli Srna- Modric Rakitic-Kovacic Perisic Pranjic-Olic. 4-5-1
If a fan threw a sandwhich on the field, you can bet Kranjcar (playing or on the bench) will run to grab it and eat it. This I am 100% sure of. The only thing more likely to happen than that is a diapsora hrvat butchering his food and drink order when in Cro.
@Armada wifey is from the wrong side of the Adriatic, she’s Italian
Stimac zbilja nema srama.
Oberyn Martell should be our new DM in Brazil!
Re: the potential Za Dom Spremni chants this World Cup…
It’s a guarantee. I would be surprised if there were no Za Dom Spremni chants this summer.
Personally, I’d like to see them do something funny like throw a sandwich onto the field when a white guy is taking a corner kick. I’d love to see if and how FIFA reacts to that.
Family always tells me that HRT is purely run by the mafia in Cro.
Although Kranjcar is slow, he is doing alright in this match against wigan. He is showing offensive intent and wants to take the game on.
He might be an impact player off the bench at the WC
@ ziva that is going to be Komedija whn he breaks down NK tactics hahahahaha
Sebbie? Sebastian?
Is your wife Croatian?
@ Ziva guess whos the TV anylist for HRT for the 2014 World cup in Croatia studio?
TV alert……………QPR-Wigan playoff is on TV. Bein Sport here in the US. Kranjcar out on the field and out of breath after 15 minutes.
I put my name and number.
At time of purchase you cant put any letters with accents in the message. All you can do for instance is put name – SVIRCIC number – 9, then pay for it. Once you have paid you go under “your orders” click on the the order number and click on message seller. There you are able to say can you please spell my name SVIRČIĆ with the number – 9. You will get an email from them saying no problem, and it gets done. Like i said its a bit of a process/pain but they do it.
@nije bitno did you get your own name or a players name? I saw that players names have the appropriate accenting but the aliexpress site doesn’t allow non-English characters so I couldn’t put that in the request/comments section of my order. I didn’t think of emailing them outside of the comments section on the order, good tip. thanks again I am fine with mine (once my mom fixes the 3 rows of checkers anyways)
@Croatia v Antwerp perhaps Josip should request a trial by combat? that one could be cleared up before Brasil even if a Swiss Supreme Court case could not happen by then
nepoznat – Yeah i got ThailandA++++++ and it came pretty legit and it had the accents on the names.
You have to email them after you purchase it and request it. It’s a bit of a pain but worth it in my opinion.
@Nije bitno Hvala brate, I got my jersey today! Pics here (I’ll also post one of the jerseys my mom custom made for my boys):
http://imgur.com/a/hCMLU
Definitely not perfect (remember I bought the even cheaper version that came with the shorts), but for my purposes this is fine. You can see the old HNS logo (new one has 2 blue colors around the HNS) and they didn’t line up the checkers to have 3 rows of red/white as the 4th row is slightly there (my mom can likely fix that issue). Also no accent mark on the C in my last name but that was expected.
Took less than 1 month to make and ship it here so if anyone else is interested and they order real soon they should get theirs before the Brasil match!
@ IvicA
Lovren does look like Oberyn Martell. It would be awesome if he grew a mustache and beard for the Brazil match to pay homage to him.
And even though Simunic bears no resemblance to the Imp Tyrion Lannister, both share in common being unfairly condemned in a sham Trial.
In all seriousness, I doubt anything will happen. We will have a decent number of fans for Brazil game sitting together and you could hear us depending on how close the field microphones are. But, for the second and third matches, there wont be too many of us down there to even be heard.
I’d take a diff approach and prove that croats cant say anything in regards to being ready for their homeland.
I hope they chant “Za Dom…Spremni”……let FIFA bitch about. Then, FIFA issues some sort of statement after game 1 that if it continues they will stop the next time it takes place and empty the stands where it was chanted.
This way Puppet Suker is forced to take action or at least comment. He will say nothing and be very political. Then, the next game comes and our fans do it again. FIFA empties the section and then Puppet Suker has to answer even more questions and puts himself in a negative light.
or better yet they should chant ZAD DOM, SVI SMO!!!!
Should we raise money for Suspension Joe to buy him a comfortable couch/sofa and HD TV so he can view the World Cup games in style and luxary?
Should it be a recliner? Leather or microfiber? And how big should the TV be? 55 inches??? 70??? bigger????
ANd do we have enough time to collect the money, purchase the product and have it delivered to Suspension Joe?
Sad news to pass along…………… http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/veliki-povratak-omiljenog-sukomentatora-stimac-u-drustvu-prosineckog-analizira-utakmice-sa-sp-a-u-brazilu/1190926/
According to this, Strucnjak Stimac will not be in Brazil reprising his role of game analyst. Instead, he will be part of HRT’s studio team in Zagreb. This sucks on so many levels. I was looking forward to Strucnjak Stimac’s commentating on our matches and being critical during a bad period of play or a loss, just so we could see the awkwardness it would create when Kovac would have to answer questons in post-game or asked to comment about Strucnjak Stimac’s comments.
Damn you HRT, damn you for taking the funny away. Who here would not have loved for a chance to see some good TV when the fomer coach is critical of the current coach, who happend to take his job only a few months ago. This could have been some good manufactured awkwardness on live TV.
They should chant “ZA HRVATSKU SPREMNI” and see what kind of reaction they get out of that! i can almost guarantee you it would be the same as if they chanted ZA DOM SPREMNI. Your not allowed to be ready for your homeland anymore, its a shame.
Friends,
Now that Suspension Joe is all out of options and its set in stone that he wont be able to play for the repka in Brazil, what will he do. I offer you the following suggestions on what Suspension Joe should consider during the World Cup. Am I missing any? What say you, croatian-sports-dot-com-nation:
a. teach the croatian language to diaspora hrvati in Australia or N. America
b. have a heart-to-heart talk with Corluka on the negatives of STDs
c. be part of a raffle where first prize is sitting next to Joe in his “dom” during the World Cup matches
d. lead a site-seeing tour at Jasenovac; serb tourists get 50% off on t-shirts and other souvenirs
e. teach a financial literacy class to middle school kids in Zagreb and educate them on how to launder money, the Mamic way.
f. Show up at various World Cup vieiwng parties throught Croatia and lead the crowd in chants of “za dom”
Ziva,
For sure. Serbs do have a leg up on us when it comes to the media and politicians backing them up.
@Ante B…………here is the kicker. If anyone bitches about serbs wearing the CCCC and Srbija do Tokija tshirts (to be honest, they really dont bother me), you can bet their leadership will be in front of it and defend their actions. Our sports and political leadership will not.
@Ante B good idea, I was thinking the same thing that if I was going to the games I would scream Za Dom constantly until I lost my voice or the match was over
Maybe we could buy Joe a baseball cap with two hands on the top that clap when he pulls a piece of string.
If anything, I hope our fans scream Za Dom every five minutes. Sham of a decision. Joe screams Za Dom and gets banned, Serbs hang a huge Vukovar banner in cirilica and now wear Srbija do Tokija and CCCC shirts. Anything from our media or politicians? Nothing except congratulatory banter. Sramota.
Should we start another collection for Suspension Joe. Maybe we can collect money to buy him a top notch HD Tv so jhe can watch the World Cup games. Just a thought. Who is with me?
@ Doktor
The government in Croatia is so twisted that the common folk are better off remaining in small towns enjoying the simplicity of country life. It’s a more honest living.
Dida always used to say: “Bolje biti prvi becar u selu, nego li zadnji momak u gradu.”
*comprise
Joe lives in Australia in the off season? Thought he lived in Cro?
What about guys like Rakitic, Illicevic, Kovacic, i.e. guys born outside Hrvatska…. these guys live in their country of birth or in the domovina?
Its fair game by the commentators if they do bring it up. We had a player who dsaid something and was suspended 10 games for it and missed the World Cup. That is newsworthy and deserves to be mentioned.
Suspension Joey’s own government and own savez did not nothing to help him. Puppet Suker was more concerned about being neutral and not destroyiing his chances at the FIFA executive committee.
Forty-Seven percent (47%) of the current “Croatian” government is in fact Serbian. Serbs compromise under 5% of the Croatian population
You people love statistics, no? Have fun with that one.
The poor Serbs are not exclusively to blame for a social climate in which it is dangerous to shout a Croatian slogan (they’re reaping the benefits), much more to blame are passive Croats and very active Yugoslavs (those would-be Croats that are so anti-Croatian they should be Serbs). They set the stage, at least at home, for Joe Simunic to face bans and expulsions.
Croatia is a country with a prevailing political and social climate that is hostile to Croatianhood. How the country even exists is an unsolved mystery.
@jm……….Mandza is ten times the player of Pizarro. My use of that stat was to point out that anyone can use and twist stats to make an argument go in their favor, especially when they already have drawn their conclusions about a topic.
Ugh. The commentators in Canada are gonna love bringing up this court ruling during the pre-game, halftime report, and in-game commentary in all of Croatia’s matches.
They couldn’t stop talking about the neo Nazi NDH state when Croatia made that run in France ’98. They’re gonna love this.
On another note… Did anyone notice that Lovren looks like a clean shaven version of Oberyn Martell?
DJ KRMAK should do the world cup song!
@ ziva
careful with your stat talk. its true stats can sometimes be misleading and can be twisted. push too hard though and you start to sound like an outdated, in the past old man who’s relevancy and relative knoweldge in the sports world declines by the day.
pizzaro’s stats are something to be noted. perhaps he should’ve played more than mandzo. a clearer picture yet could probably be presented though, if the goals were adjusted for level of competitions as well
It goes back to the point I raised earlier. Legal or illegal, there are always consequences for your actions. The World Cup is FIFA’s party, so you have to play by their rules no matter how much we think those rules are ridiculous.
For Suspension Joey “za dom” means going to his “dom” to watch the games.
@Ziva
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, if i see Joe i’ll thank him for what he done for the repka. If he could see into the future i’m sure it would have been different, but he is no Michael J Fox, people make mistakes and i’m sure if he knew the consequences he would choose wisely.
Joe could take Stimac’s s hat and go in disguise as Stimac.
@Kreso……..nope. He is not allowed to be in any official FIFA facility during the World Cup. I’d guess that Suspension Joey will be back home in Australia to watch the games. If you are a friend of his, how could you not tell him the following if you run into him:…..”couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you? Now, you get to watch the World Cup next to all of us instead of actually playing in it.”
Going back to last week. What the hell was Simunic’s attorney so positive about? I know a lot of it is trying to spin things ahead of the hearing, but I just didn’t see anyway it would be overturned, especially when his own savez didn’t provide any help.
I hope haet enjoys the sites while in Switzerland!
I can take some solace about the Simunic decision because I know HAET is on his way to Switzerland right now to burning that anti-white racist courthouse to the fucking ground!!!
@Kreso banned from attending the matches even
@Ziva,
Is Joe aloud to buy a ticket and go watch the game?
If so he could shout Za Dom Spremni from the stands!
First time i seen a Kovacic highlight since Dinamo, i like it!
http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/slazete-li-se-s-konacnom-presudom-josipu-simunicu-/745935.aspx
Don’t blame the Americans for this. Put the blame on the liberals in Cro, the savez itself and self-hating hrvati.
Suspension Joey was never going to have his ban overturned. He got no support from his own savez, his own teammates and his was turned in by fellow hrvati. FIFA was confident in its decision that it basically just showed up to last week’s appeal and said nothing.
Those who were against Suspension Joey did more harm to his cause than those helping, because he had nobody in a position of power with in Cro soccer helping him.
Maybe next time Suspension Joey will celebrate with his teammates and not bring all the attention on himself. He knew saying “za dom…..spremni” would not be accepted by all and now he is paying the price. Too bad. I like Suspension Joey because he does believe in a “za dom….spremni” lifestyle that some of us follow.
I do have to say this……the silence by his teammates since this took place was telling to me. or am i reading too much into that?
Either way, do you know what I and some f you can do next month that Suspension Joey can not do????? We can go to watch World Cup games.
fucking ridiculous about Simunic!
top form of Croatia’s best players give the country hope:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sports/2014-05/12/c_133326503.htm
Simunic loses his appeal.
Political correctness wins, you Americans would be proud.
Happy Mothers Day ! A bit Late , but too busy Parting the Hajduk Win ,& Mario !! Hope All had a Beautiful Day as Me & My Hajduk Brothers Had !! Viskey Coke , & Coors are Flowing ! Bog, Hrvati , USA , Hajduk , i HNS !!!
Anybody know what time the Simunic decision is tomorrow?!
ZA JOE SPREMNI!
@Antwerp
Not Fernandinho. I was thinking of Ramires. I get these Brazilians all mixed up with their fake names and nicknames. But still, they could field a midfield with three Chelsea players if they want.
Also, yes, I did forget that Kovacic did play alongside Modric and Rakitic before in that Serbia game. Although it was a completely different formation with Kovacic playing as DM, and I think Rakitic was on Left Wing for some reason. I know that Niko Kranjcar started and had a terrible game. He got subbed out, but the substitutions were even worse and it got Serbia back in the game, lol. Fucking Stimac.
Fucko slerbs from the pashaluk of smerdevo..http://www.dnevno.hr/sport/nogomet/122435-srpski-igraci-proslavili-titulu-citya-majicom-srbija-do-tokija.html
Thank you Denis.I hope that there was no subtext in your wishes.
@ IvicA
May I remind you that those three components, Rakitic, Modric and Kovacic also played together in our glorious victory over the Serbs in Zagreb. So the Iceland match wasn’t the first.
Furthermore, Oscar and Willian play on Chelsea and Fernandinho plays for Man City, so they don’t play together.
Yes, it’s pretty cool we can compare the two midfields. I would still take our midfield starters over theirs.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS ON THIS SITE!
@Antwerp
Yea, the Spaniards were talking about how Croatia’s midfield is stronger than Brazil’s, obviously due to Modric and Rakitic being superstars in La Liga, as well as many knowing about Kovacic too.
But these three components of our midfield have only played together in that second Iceland match. Oscar, Willian, and Fernandinho play together on Chelsea on a regular basis.
So even if Modric is the best midfielder on both teams, and you can maybe even argue Rakitic as being second best…their chemistry is gonna hurt us.
Nevertheless, it’s pretty cool to even be able to compare our midfield to Brazil’s, let alone making a solid argument of it being even better than theirs.
We will see,but I doubt the coach will allow them to get ahead of themselves due to “at home expectations” in the very first match.I still expect them to generally increase their tempo through the tournament.Generally,they simply have enough class to be able to do this rather than playing their best stuff early.
Brazil will be firing all cylinders as it is the opening match on their home soil. So they are the favorite. If we get a draw–I ain’t complaining.
But Seeing Kovacic explode yesterday got me thinking how Batshit insane would it be if he skinned Brazil alive on opening night?
Oh and I would take our midfield of Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, and Kovacic over Brazil’s of Oscar, Willian, Luiz Gustavo, and Fernandinho.
@Mali Ante-Time for Kais indeed.I am mellowing in my old age though and will hold off.Ziva is splitting hairs with me at the moment about exactly how something was worded,but its ok,my point is quite valid about brazil pacing themselves for tournaments.I wouldnt like to meet them with their backs to the wall!
He has been ok lately,still himself of course,but not such a ass.I want to give him more space and if possible support him more and just be quiet more often!
@ Soul Champ
Agreed. I truly believe we have enough talent to beat any team. I have a good feeling about us in this World Cup and we will do some damage! I would love a Spain rematch in the round of 16…I think this time around the score will be different!!!
@Ante(Zivas step dad)
I think it’s time for the kais…this back talking needs to be put to an end lol
Thats also great that Brazil has won so many opening games,as one would expect.It means they are closer to a loss eventually,hopefully soon!
So they lost to Yugo in the first world cup,still celebrating are we?? 😉
Sorry son,maybe “typically slow”was a little strong,but they dont tend to go all out in their opening match,they do tend to cruise a little at first and build up their tempo as the tournament progresses.They know they can win and tend to play for the tournament,not going ape in their first match.I would rather we play them first up than the 3rd match even.I dont make that s#*t up.(Watch your language,you used to be so well behaved)
Kovacic vs Lazio this weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vEXq-10NFo
Typically a little slow in their first game?????????? Do you just make up stuff to fit your narrative. Brazil has won something like 8 consecutive opening match games at the World Cup and their only loss ever in an opening match took place at the first World Cup against Yugo.
@Ziva,”pre determined narrative” lol,not that you would do that!,interesting stat though!
@Soul Champ-Its all speculative,but I can see us having a reasonable crack at a 1-1 draw,which would be a great result first up against Brazil.If we are to pull off a big upset,then maybe 2-1.If we manage to keep it tight and Brazil are typically a little slow in their first game,I can see us limiting them to just a single goal,as we did the last time we played them in a world cup.If we start to slip up,then forget about it!!
well, most teams who score two goal usually get a point or even more.
Also, weekly reminder to those of you who use stats to carve out an argument to fit your predetermined narrative…….Pizarro finished with 10 goals in 684 minutes and 25 attempts on goal. While Mandza had 18 goals in 2,018 minutes and 77 attempts on goal.
@ Mali ante
We have enough quality to compete and that is all we can ask for.
Rather play Brazil to open the World Cup then any other time in he group.
I feel we can get a point if we can score 2 goals.
Perisic has just turned 25 yeras old.
Rakitic has justed 26 years old.
Both have a heap of talent, just need to mature, Rakitic seems to have matured quicker.
Modric: Croatia’s magician in midfield
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140511/football-modric-croatias-midfield-magician
@ Laknat
Interesting lineup for the first game…it gives both Kovacic and Rakitic a chance to move ahead but has the flexibility to have the wingers adjust and play back or be aggressive and go forward. I have to say that I kinda like it but it does leave Modric to play a much more defensive role to protect the middle.
@ Soul Champ
Love your enthusiasm brother!
I’ve bashed Perisic as he’s been non-existent for the repka but it’s nice to see his form the best it’s been (that I can remember).
I really think this team could surprise Brazil and keep things tight. Everyone’s form seems to be coming around at the right time…just wish our boy Rebic was fit and getting some PT…I think he would have been our wildcard as I’ve loved what little I’ve seen from him so far.
Spremni!!!
Well Real lost today, Renaldo and Bale were out and Morata sucked and two mistakes by the defense, one by Alonso and by Ramos. Looked rigged to me.
—————-Olic———–Manzukic—————-
Perisic——-Modric———Rakitic———Kovacic
Corluka—–Baldej———Lovren——–Srna—–
———————Pletikosa—————————
Laknat
Im liking that line up. 5 on the back line with two that can also play a midfield game against Brazil
i bravo kova. .
Yo Yo Yo …. MATEO…Kovačić !
Trangle of destiny:
________Kovačić_________
___Rakitic_______Modric____
Olić up top running his heart out.
Perišić has a pulse these days.
Need someone at RW.
Vrsaljko, Halilovic for 20 minutes.
Our counter game could me money in the bank.
You press our creative midfield and you will be punished.
This will be just the buffer that our weaker back line needs to survive.
Kovač is just the coach to utilize our world-class midfielders for maximum effect.
Spremni !
it was decent, gets you pumped up for sure.. the boys are firing strong and kovac going to make sure they are confident without being cocky and will leave it all out on the field
Croatia preview starts after 13 min mark
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/soccer/video/#id=2455521889&tab=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj34U34_l4E
its an interestying lineup but we will play 1 striker vs brazil im pretty sure
wouldne be surprised if mateo tore them apart and set up a goal tho
…………….Olic…………………………………..Perisic…………
……………………Kovacic………….Rakitic……………………..
Pranjic……………………..Modric…………………………Srna
…………..Strinic………….Lovren…………..Corluka………..
………………………………Subasic……………………………….
Congrats to Vancouver Croatia today, they won the provincial championship and will be going to the Canadian Championship representing BC!
Odlicni Mateo Kovacic!!
http://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/svjetski_nogomet/pogledajte-cudesnu-partiju-kovacica-to-nikome-nije-uspjelo-ove-sezone—335407.html
wow! how about that kovacic performance. i saw the first two assists. high quality. didn’t see the last. here’s to cro firing on all cylinders
3 assists for Mateo
Kovačic* not Kočić
Iggy,
I think the “welcome to Liverpool” comments were inspired by hopes/rumors of Kovačić departing Inter back when their coach kept benching him.
Now that he’s starting regularly, and doing well (2 assists so far today I think), the prospects of him leaving inter may be diminishing.
3-1 Inter at the half.
Kovacic with 2 assists now!
if u look at the comments on the kovacic vid i posted
half of them are “welcome to liverpool”
have a look
is there something we dont know ?
@ante
Yea, he played bad in Euro2012, but that was two years ago. He also wasn’t playing first team football that season with Borussia either. He barely played that year (playing something like 30 minutes per game as a sub).
This season was his best since his Brugge days, and he looks to be heating up. He may shit the bed, and if he does, then he’ll get benched and Olic can play on that left side instead. But if he puts in a good performance, we’re in a very good situation as it will open things up for Rakitic and Modric, and he can finally provide some service to headhunter Mandzukic up front.
Kovacic with an assist on Inter’s first goal!
1-1 30 minutes in.
ivica no it wont he shit rbr euro 2012 when he played garbage
Perisic with 10 goals to finish the season (6 of them coming in the past month).
This guy heated up at the right time. He’s a major ex-factor for us this World Cup (along with Rakitic and whoever we play on the right side).
Hopefully this shit carries over for the World Cup.
pletikosa
srna strinic loveren Schildenfeld
ratkic modric pranjic krancjar
olic edurado vs brazil after /mandzukic for dudu
croatia to tie brazil
lose to cameroon
lose to mexico
any proline.ca picks
barce tie
sevllia tie
newcastle tie
cardif win
geona w/tie 2 dollarsbet win 8000-$13 000
@ Poglavnik
Their all hitting form at the right time. And they all seem to be having some success at club level.
Just recently: Pranjic & Schifo: Greek Cup. Pletikosa & Milic: Russian Cup.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed this form carries over to the WC. If it does, we’ll make a big splash.
I think rakitic would fit. Granted he took a while to get to as in form as he is now, but he seems as if hes the type of player that would be able to adjust and establish presence on any team.
On another note, I think it is a blessing in disguise that Mandzo cant play against brazil. in that match were going to need someone who is capable of doing more than just waiting for the ball in the box. Olic, the man runs like a horse. I will take him over mandzo for Brazil.
@Cro vs Ant
It’s aaaaall coming together at just the right time!
Can’t fucking wait!!!
8 years is looooong time and I’m still bitter about that Australia draw and our potential path through those knock-out stages.
(Let me put on my homer glasses now…) We could have played Italy and maybe Germany, 2 teams that we’re good against, on our way to the finals!
^ ^
I would agree about Olic having a better season.
Can’t wait to see what he does for us in Brazil.
Love his energy and i could definitely see him scoring, hopefully against Brazil.
I dont care about Mandzukic beating Lewndowski either because I feel like Lewandowski is more deserving.
I would take Olic over Mandza against Brazil. As we can utilize Ola’s raw pace and power on the counter.
Against Cameroon and Mexico, prolly go with Mandza due to his height advantage.
Perisic has hit another level–one goal and he hit the post twice today. Let’s hope this form carriers over to the WC.
And talk about plowing a Polje like my Dida’s Mazga, Badelj was a freakin’ beast today. He put in multiple tackles and worked the engine room.
ilicevic and drmic both with goals today as well. disappointed that mario couldn’t take the scoring crown, would’ve been a nice accomplishment for him. ultimately a combo of a slippage in form and not getting much playing time down the stretch cost him (the two might be somewhat related)
perisic is putting in quite a decent season now with this late season run
olic 14 goals playing for wolfsburg vs mandzo 18 for bayern…could it be argued olic has had the better season?
^ ^
Rakitic just needs to push out that old man Xabi Alonso and he’ll be fine.
will raktic fit there? im really thinking he should just stay at seville since he is comfortable there… they can probably keep most of the team intact and do well for couple seasons
but if he wants to try to become a superstar maybe he needs another team but will he get lost in the sea of stars at Real?
I’m hearing the Real Madrid is ready with 40 mil for Rakitic.
Mateo is starting to heat up, just at the right time. I think he’ll have a good World Cup.
Also…it looks like we have three Croats that are in the top-10 in the Bundesliga scoring race. Good for them.
mateo’s pretty good ay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ327AO9kZ8