Mario Pašalić was supposed to be Croatia’s next big midfielder in 2014 when Hajduk Split sold him to Chelsea for £3 million. But it never happened.
As Chelsea does to many of their smaller signings, Pašalić was loaned out immediately and never got a chance to put on a Chelsea shirt. At only 24 years-old, Pašalić has already been a ‘journey man’ in Europe. He has played for Elche in Spain, Monaco in France, AC Milan in Italy, Spartak Moscow in Russia and now plays for Atalanta in the Italian Serie A; where Pašalić has finally found a home as far as results go. He has a starting spot for a Champions League club (they are currently in Dinamo Zagreb’s group) and is producing. On Saturday, Pašalić scored twice in Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Brescia; bringing them to 6th place on the Serie A table.
They say Croatians start off their careers late. Could this season be the spark that Pašalić has needed?
Pašalić Double
Andrej Kramarić has scored again. Since returning from knee injury in October, Krama has been on fire and this could only be good news fir Croatia leading up to Euro 2020. See the goal here. Hoffenheim drew Fortuna Dusseldorf 1-1.
In other news around Europe, Dejan Lovren has regained his spot in the Liverpool defense and has been playing full matches. On Saturday, Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-1 to keep an 8-point lead atop the Premier League table. Ivan Rakitić got the start and played the full 90 minutes Sunday as Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 through an 86th minute Messi goal. Barcelona remain tied with Real Madrid atop the La Liga table. It was a rare start for Rakitić who has seen more time on the bench this season than on the pitch.
Good point I can see us using as a utility player who can plug in gaps although Andrej might have something to say about that
Krama plays on the wing at times and could replace Rebic before Petkovic….Brekalo playing consistently??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0TSZHWvoFo
The link to Krama goal is asking me to login?
Krama has worse chance of embracing the bench than Ziva did twitter.
Something tells me Krama going to try to pull rank on Petkovic.
Perhaps Dalic will N. Kalinic him right before Euros, if Krama doth complain too much.
Our best games post-Mandzukic, have all come via Petkovic.
And you can start now calling Krama a bench warmer too
Good depth in quality
Nice goal by Pasalic
Almost had the Hatrick
Nice to have another sub doing well
When u got a guy like Kova on the bench things look ok!
Go Inter!
Look at sarri juve struggle without Mandzukic.
Stats spreadsheet for anyone interested:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SoccerCRO/comments/csikns/youngnot_established_croatian_footballers/
Young Player of the Week Thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/SoccerCRO/comments/cxqsge/croatian_young_player_of_the_week_thread/