Ante Rebić: Won’t Stop, Can’t Stop.
Ante Rebić remains En Fuego as he scored AC Milan’s lone goal Saturday in a 1-1 draw vs. Fiorentina. The man has become possessed in 2020 and cannot stay off the scoresheet. Rebić slammed home a shot – which took a deflection – in the 56th minute to open up the scoring. It looked as if it would be the game winner, however, Fiorentina were given a questionable penalty kick in the 85th minute to force a 1-1 draw. The point puts AC Milan and Napoli tied for 6th place in Serie A.
Matches in Northern Italy – including Inter Milan’s – were postponed on Sunday due to the coronavirus outbreak, CNN reports. It is the largest outbreak outside of mainland China. What could this mean for the rest of the European league and Euro 2020 this summer?
Rebić scores again for AC Milan
Josip Brekalo scored a fantastic goal in Europa League on Thursday; and he did it again Sunday in a 4-0 win over Mainz. Brekalo fired off a shot from 28 yards away to open the scoring for Wolfsburg. The Mainz goalie should have done better but you can’t take anything away from Brekalo’s zest for goal. I can’t state this enough CroatianSports.com nation, it’s going to be rockets in red glare when Brekalo and Vlašić are starting for Croatia regularly. Goggles sold separately.
Brekalo Rocket
Marko Pjaca scored his first goal in the Belgian league for Anderlecht in a 6-1 victory over Eupen. He is currently on loan from Juventus after sustaining a second serious knee injury. Šime Vrsaljko and Ivan Rakitić both assisted this weekend as Atletico Madrid and Barcelona won. Domagoj Vida scored a goal for Besiktas on Saturday; knocking in a rebound three yards in front of goal.
@maminjo I do recall hearing niko speak and being impressed with his command of English as well.
It’s actually impressive most guys on the NT can speak at least 3 languages and some 5 like Kovacic,even though the fool Dani Alves Tried to mock Mateos Spanish a few years back.
I wonder how sancho has picked up German or trippier Spanish?
For some reason we are shocked when a limey can pick up a second language,not sure why that is.
Pjaca had an EXPLOSIVE first step which he used to blow by defenders in two steps.
Plus, he is built like Ante Rebić and is unaffected by defenders who try to grab and pull him back to prevent that blow by move.
I wish he never got injured, because I think he was set to become a star. Dude had a playing style like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hopefully he took advantage of whatever modern medicine has to offer, but I’m not gonna get my hopes up for him being starting NT material again.
@Medo
Purgeri all speak fluent English, many of them with American accents.
When Kranjčar was at Spurs, he along with another English player were giving an interview to SkySports and he was speaking like he lived in the US his whole life. The Englishman, on the other hand, sounded like he was choking on his own throat with that accent. His own countryman (the interviewer) had trouble understanding, lol.
Marko Pjaca on the pitch !!
He is 24 years old.
He can stabilize his core and regain all his movement.
He does a little jump after scoring which is a great sign that his body is feeling good.
He can learn to move with a more natural alignment that does not stress your knees.
The lower torso is meant for shock absorption for the body NOT your knees.
Dado Prso was left for dead with a knee problem and he went from fixing cars to starting in a World Cup, dribbling attacking Brazil.
@ Svima
Kramaric is a natural finisher and was much more valuable when we were limited in many attacking areas.
Seems now we are building a squad that is more dynamic then in the last two decades.
Hate to get Kalinic’d!!
@ Maminjo
Great point on the full squad needs to be utilized for certain opponents.
@ Faux
Kovačić is an excellent number 8 who is gaining more and more confidence in the final third.
He actually attempted a bicycle kick off a rebound.
Not sure why folks expect him to play like a #10 ?
He has been better this year than the last 4 combined!
Thanks for the video Andrej! It seems like Pjaca played more centrally from those highlights. I’ve said before that doing something like that might benefit his career overall as he may have lost his explosiveness after all of those knee injuries. He might not get national team minutes there, but could end up being most effective at club level there. He seems to be near the ball every time there was a goal scored indicating decent positioning.
Another thing that I noticed after watching an old highlight video from his Dinamo days just now is that while, yes his speed was valuable, it was not his main asset. It seems like just about all of his goals at Dinamo came from him simply making one quick move by a defender and taking the shot. This doesn’t necessarily require speed, more just technique and fast reactions. I can see the argument that his fast twitch motions have been affected by the injuries, but I think the main thing he will have to overcome if he is to reach anything close to what his original potential was is his own mind. A lot of times it just takes mental toughness for an athlete to trust that their body has healed correctly and push themselves just as they did before the injury occurred. I could be wrong and he does have a problem that cannot be fixed, but I keep saying I’m not going to write him off completely until it’s proven that he cannot become a decent player.
Pjaca speaks better English than most Englishmen.
Dalic gave an interview with SN: Basically Brekalo will be with the U21s for the March games. The fourth CB spot is very open and the candidates are Pongracic, Mitrovic, Katic, Benkovic, Barac and Skoric. Barisic’s injury isn’t serious. Pasalic for once seems to be a lock for the NT but Dalic says it’s hard to play him due to the competition in his position. As for goalkeepers as long as Sluga and Kalinic play they will be in the squad, if not he specifically mentioned Grbic and Posavec who seem to be next in line
Don’t expect many new names in the next friedlies but Croatia is having some sort of “U23” tournament in Dubai and some players Dalic is keeping an eye on will be on that team (SN suspects HNL top scorer Mirko Maric)
He won’t call an extended squad pre-Euro, pretty much when the training camp opens in Istra he will have no more than 25-26 players and pretty much the squad is known by now
Great to see Pjaca playing again.
Hopefully he can salvage his career.
Damn shame what happened to him.
I’ve been in more than 100 street fights. Trust me when I say a fighter who eye pokes is no less a bitch than a pussy who attacks the nuts.
None of my opponents did this. Imagine the desperation of DC to do that to Stipe.
There should be a second VAR to oversee the VAR.
Yes, Miocic doesn’t need to jeopardize his career and eyesight for another fight with that fatass cheat DC. All of the pundits like Sonnen who don’t call out the eyepokes can fuck off.
@ Vuki
Pjaca highlights; almost had 2nd goal and an assist. Got the start at least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aiGFFQrazg
hahahaha….Kalinic’d!
@SfC- I know Petko is twice the willing defender than Kramaric is. Kramaric is unwilling and unable to defend, and has horrible defensive awareness.
I think it will be Perisic and Rebic that will ultimately decide who starts. Rebic in particular will call Petko or Kramaric out if they are not covering their responsibilities (he did it at Frankfurt and kinda does it at Milan, except he doesn’t dare call out whiny-ass Ibra.)
If Kramaric is not linking well, Perisic, Modric, and Rebic have the clout to get him Kalinic’d.
To soon to know how good Petkovic is for sure. He looks like a very good player (dribbler, passer, etc..), however, he scores way too few goals. Sure, he has done well with the national team so far, but look at his stats with Dinamo.
I think he can become a great player if he starts scoring more goals. For now, it’s too soon to judge how good he is or will be.
Petković has a huge opportunity to secure a lucrative contract if he manages to start.
He should be running his ass off to make certain that he gets that exposure.
Kramarić is in a somewhat similar situation. He should be on a bigger club. He will likely get offers too. Hopefully they both step it up this summer.
If you have possession, then play Petković
If you are going for the counter, then play Kramarić
I can see Petković doing great against the Czechs and the Serbs, but he may have trouble against England, where more open field running is required.
It’s a good problem to have, and you can always start with one and see how it goes (then make a sub).
tough situation regarding Kramaric or Petkovic.
Kramaric scores goals but doesn’t really play as a team player…won’t give the ball unless he’s completely covered.
Petkovic doesn’t score as often but holds the ball up incredibly well and passes very well. He’s a great playmaker that can score.
the question is…can Kramaric play well with Perisic/Rebic/Brekalo and help them also score or will Petkovic be able to chip in with goals and make the players around himself even better?
Neither Petkovic nor Kramaric press very well so we will have challenges. Perisic and Rebic were both effective at the World Cup doing their pressing duties but they had Mandzukic who worked tirelessly and the three of them created several turnovers…lets not forget Rebic’s goal vs Argentina.
There’s a lot to consider.
@Soul-if Trippier is healthy enough, no way Simeone doesn’t start Trippier in England.
I’d go Vrsaljko cause of his World Class pedigree. 😉
@ BZ
Agreed on the return of Trippier.
We need Vrsaljko healthy.
He looked even more confident on the ball and seems to have his burst of speed back?
Athletico look to have a fully fit squad going into Anfield against Liverpool.
Joao Felix is a game changer and Costa is an animal.
That game is going to be on fire.
They will force the Liverpool midfield to create something through stacked defensive lines.
Athletico has enough quality to play through LFC pressing.
Felix in the final third brings an X factor.
I do hope Simeone sees Vrsaljko as his starter for that one and rests him accordingly.
Be great to have him play in that atmosphere.
Kramaric or Petko is gonna cause Dalic many sleepless nights.
Our best qualifying games (by far) consisted of Rebic-Petko-Perisic-Vlasic-Modric
Petko clearly thrives at striker in the space our studs provide him. But then again, we will face stiffer competition, and perhaps Petko can’t hang at that level.
Just wonder if Kramaric’s scoring ability will make up for Petko’s advantages in link up play and pressure.
Vrsaljko wire:
Sent in a few nice “live” balls, and got an assist.
Vrsaljko got subbed out for Trippier. I am assuming this is to get Trippier minutes as he just returned from injury. Hoping it wasn’t bc Vrsaljko was hurt.
Like I said last week, I welcome Trippier back with open arms. Have seen enough of Vrsaljko to know he has recovered enough to start at RB. Less minutes = less chance of injuries (usually)
Google top 20 players who use both feet equally well and shockingly Luka comes up.Not someone I would think of
Perisic has a great right leg but is definitely a lefty.
Brek is impressive with both that’s for sure.
Croatia’s forwards are unreal right now. Rebic has 6 goals in 5 matches. Brekalo is doing well, Kramaric has 7, Budimir has 9 goals, Perisic should be back in time. They have so much offence now it’s unbelievable. Even there back end has been more impressive. Vida, Vrsaljko, Barisic, and Benkovic. They should call up Budimir for friendlies. He’s top 15 in La Liga for scoring and on a shit team. Who knows? Maybe he can add a spark upfront. No doubt Rebic, Kramaric and Perisic should be there 3.
They can paly the Euro with empty
Stadiums. The game must go on.
Also Pjaca scored in what I believe was his first start for Anderlecht. It was a 6-1 thumping though and can’t seem to find any highlights.
Getting the ball on goal, so smart. I laughed at the announcers a few weeks ago criticizing Rebic’s two shots on goal that required saves, whilst other players launching balls into the stands or shanking them into the corner of the pitch. (of course Rebic went on to score later in the game.)
For you golfers out there, the analogy is never leave a putt short, as it doesn’t have a chance of going in.
@Medo
I think you’re forgetting about the guy who many have compared Brekalo to. Perisic is deadly with both feet. Crossing and shooting. That’s what makes him so hard to defend
Tako Ante, samo naprijed! Mozemo dobiti Euro!
wow. brekalo goal and halilovic goal are impressive
@Maminjo
I just had the same conversation with a friend who said he was not effective because he didn’t score or have an assist.
Horvat good observation on his last 2 goals being with his opposite foot…I can only think of Ronaldo off hand who is as lethal with his left as he is with his right.
The sky is the limit for this kid, and as far as god given talent I don’t think any of our young players have as much as he does.
Yea, Krama is probably our most lethal finisher and is very accurate. He just doesn’t like to share.
Vlasic always simply just tries to get it on goal, and most of the time it works out well. May not be the most beautiful goal, but he scores a lot for club and country despite not being a striker.
Brekalo is so talented that even though he shoots for the moon, his generally get it on target too.
Most importantly, these guys do NOT hesitate when they have a chance.
This is the only thing holding Kovacic back in that he hesitates a lot. Rakitic is also the type that would prefer to wait for the perfect opportunity (that never comes).
Modric in recent years has moved away from being hesitant, and looks to throw bombs onto goal more often. He’s been better in his 30s than in his 20s.
Guys like Perišić, Brozovic and even Rakitić can score some nice goals, however, they also send a lot of balls to the moon.
I find Brekalo, Kramarić and Vlasic have very potent but also accurate shots.
Would anyone else agree?
Note: he’s got a potent left footed shot as well. His last two goals have been left footed rockets.
https://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/brekalo-zabio-strasan-gol-u-bundesligi-pogledajte-bombu-ljevicom-iz-daljine/2159182.aspx
Rebić, Vrsaljko, and Brekalo are all heating up.
Good timing. Our wings/flanks will be very effective in June.
Hopefully Perišić can get back to fitness.
He probably won’t be able to beat either Cormier or Jones, due to his eye injury and the UFC’s unwillingness to protect Miočić’s eyes in the next fight.
He should just hold out for a payout fight with Fury and call it a career.
Maminjo-Definitely leave Cormier out to dry! No money there. No notoriety. No excitement. Only thing he can get from a Cormier fight is a permanently damaged pupil.
Jones would be good, so would Fury. Beating both would be a perfect way to leave the sport.
I am just concerned his eyes are too fucked to beat Jones.
Brekalo scores!
The corona virus is now in Italy.
Croatia must ban Chinese travel
Into her. The Chinese have disgusting
And repulsive eating habits. Truly
Vulgar.
@Faux Cro
How many goals did he score? 😉
Now that Fury has beaten Wilder and he’s trending, Stipe should really start pushing for a Fury vs Miocic superfight.
If Stipe were to fight Jones, and actually win, that would pretty much guarantee a Fury/Stipe fight.
I would leave Cormier out to dry if I were Stipe.
Kovacic was on fire against Spurs.
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1231226533014097922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1231226533014097922&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.squawka.com%2Fen%2Fchelsea-tottenham-player-ratings-giroud-alonso-lo-celso%2F
Better link to the Halilovic goal;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mO5Z6km1Gk
“The fluency between Rakitic and Messi is like Lennon and McCartney”, BeIN Sports colour commentary.
@ Svima
Have you noticed how the vast majority of signings at Real Madrid since Modrić signed have been BUSTS.
No idea the challenge to thrive at Real Madrid.
Farca is whole other story.
Respect to Rakitić as well!
“Go tell those russian muslims that negro muslims are the same so they should allow the negroes to immigrate to russia.”
Both people are members of the Ummah so it makes sense that white Russian Mohammedans should allow the negro Mohammedans into Russia, better there than Catholic Croatia.
Are you suggesting that the white Russian Mohammedans are less than open to allowing their negro Mohammedan brothers into Russia?
I thought stipe is supposed to fight Jones?
Rebić can prob take on fury right now
Guy is straight beast mode
I hope he doesn’t peak too early for summer
If euros start right now
What’s starting line up?
U can leave Perisic in or out
We all know he is a beast and gonna be battling hard to get back for Euros
I saw posts where Milan fans used to say he only shows up for national team. That really doesn’t but me at all;)
Congrats to Fury beating Wilder to a pulp.
Stipe,
When your eyes get better, fight Fury in the cage, he wants it.
Get your payday and call it a day.
Speaking of Halilovic, everytime I watch my boy Rebic dominate high level Serie A opponents, I see what Halilovic’s upside:
Samu Castillejo
Dominant left foot that sticks like glue, but Castillejo has 2 things that Halilovic doesn’t have:
1) A good final touch
2) A slight will to hustle/scrap
@Soul-That was beyond a BS penalty on Milan. That said, the Fiorentina red card was suspect too.
Go tell those russian muslims that negro muslims are the same so they should allow the negroes to immigrate to russia.
In all seriousness, Halilovic still has the talent to be a very good player. We’ve said it a million times but he just doesn’t have the right mentality now. He is miles better than almost everyone on Heerenveen, but still only comes off the bench. He’s never really impressed me tactically, but when it comes to technique he is top class.
Rebic is unplayable at the moment. He’s walking on water!
“With yet another goal, Rebic proved once again that he’s an important player for this team.”
Rebić maturing into a man to finally match his beast mode talent.
BS penalty by the way called against Milan.
Look what Halilović is still capable off
https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/desporto/1419481/erro-monumental-de-guardiao-do-toulouse-acaba-em-golo-de-renato-sanches
WE ARE GONNA DO IT BOYS
WE GONNA WIN EURO 2020 !
🙂
@ Maminjo
Considering Rog was a loanee, I thought he got some decent minutes at Sevilla. I was hoping he would breakout a bit at Caligari. And we definitely have a lot of young talent at lower level clubs. I know Balic, Coric, and Halilovic seemed to have been over-hyped but I’m not ready to give up on Rog and Pjaca. I just think that Rog/Pjaca have the physical tools along with good attitudes, that once they get some consistent playing time, they should be decent enough to at least make the NT roster….just maybe not this summer
@Andrej
I think that following Marko Rog is a waste of time.
He’s been a benchwarmer for Napoli and Sevilla since 2016. Now, after four long years, he finally is playing some first team football…but for Cagliari (which is a worse team than Dinamo).
He’s turning 25 and we have way too many players younger and much better than him on the NT already. Our current midfield has guys like Pasalic, Kovacic, and Vlasic are all around the same age or younger. Even our U21s (Moro, Ivanusec, Basic) play on better teams and I would give them time above him.
Within a year or two from now, we’ll see more youngsters (like Ante Palaversa, who actually starts in Belgium) start to make strides and break into our U21 and senior squad.
At this point, Rog, along with guys like Balic, Coric, Halilovic and Pjaca (who is actually a benchwarmer for Anderlecht) are all pretty much pointless to keep tabs on until they manage to transfer to a good club and get playing time there.
And in other news.
Filip Zubcic | Men’s Giant Slalom | Yuzawa Naeba | 1st place | FIS Alpine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hEX5SHXUA8&feature=emb_title
Great stuff Vuki.
I watch Pasalic play earlier this week and he looked really good. Just moving the ball into great areas. He seems to play the CAM/False 9 position a lot for Atalanta. I think it’s because his defensive game is kinda weak. Then I watch Rakitic today and he was sloppy in possession at times and over committed on defence at times as well. He got an assist but it was more Messi’s brilliance. In terms of post Euros, it seems that Pasalic and Kova could take the reigns from Modric and Rakitic (if they retire and Vlasic plays on the wing). Has anyone watched Rog as of yet? He’s got the motor to be a better defender than Pasalic.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted this, but I’ve still been updating the stats spreadsheet. Added some new players and updated some of the pictures for anyone interested. The other document (‘player card doc’) will hopefully be fully updated in the next month or so with new potentials based on the players’ performances in the first half of the season.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SoccerCRO/comments/csikns/youngnot_established_croatian_footballers/