Dinamo pulled off a 2-0 win over Inter Zaprešić Saturday at Maksimir thanks to goals from Josip Pivarić and Amir Hodžić.
Pivarić opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a spectacular free kick from nearly 30 yards out. Several attempts on goal were made by the Modri, but Inter keeper, Ivan Čović impressed with several key saves to keep his team’s hopes alive.
Čović was beaten for a second time despite a valiant effort in the 88th minute bu Armin Hodžić. Hodžic chipped the keeper for a cheeky goal to cap off a convincing and easy 2-0 win. Dinamo remain six points behind league leaders, Rijeka.
HNK Rijeka secured three more points Saturday in a come-from-behind win, NK Lokomotiva.
Josip Čorić scored for the visitors to lead 1-0 over the current front runners, but Rijeka’s Filip Bradarić evened the match with his 41st minute goal.
Alexander Gorgon finished the match off with the game winner in the 57th minute to retain the six-point lead Rijeka has on the table.
Rijeka will face another tough test next week when they travel to Poljud.
NK Osijek celebrated their 70th birthday with a 2-1 victory over Hajduk Split.
Two goals from Muzafer Ejupi solidified a crucial three. With the win, Osijek are now tied with Hajduk for third place on points. Hajduk remains in the third spot on goal differential.
Marko Fuktacs scored the consolation goal for Hajduk in the 90th minute.
RNK Split fought hard for their second-consecutive win on Sunday against fellow bottom-dwellers, Cibalia.
Cibalia traveled to Split, the one of the longest journeys in the Prva Liga, on Sunday in search of their second win of the season, but were unable to even score a goal on the struggling Split side. Instead, Cibalia’s own Filip Zđerić was credited with an own goal in the 18th minute to give Split the ultimate lead. The Reds road that one-goal lead all the way to the final whistled for their third win of the season.
NK Istra 1961 and Slaven Belupo played to a scoreless draw to kick the match week off on Friday. The match ended in such thick fog, it was difficult to tell if a match was even taking place. The fog didn’t hinder the defense of either team, but very possibly hindered anyone’s ability to find the net.
Three of the last six meetings between these two teams ended in scoreless draws. All three of those scoreless draws were played in Pula. Of the other three matches, they all ended in 2-0 victories for Slaven.
@BZ
I think Cacic is smart enough to realize that Mandzo should start, and probably on that left side vs Ukraine.
However, he might just go with a Pjaca-Mandzo combo up front at LW and CF which isn’t terrible.
He can also throw Pjaca on the right, Mandzo on the left, with Kalinic in the spica role. Lots of options.
Gotta play who hot, in form, and has chemistry with one another. We’ll see what happens.
Mandzukic in poor form is better than many!
Mandzukic over Santini all day everyday imho. A guy that Juve cannot bench even with Dybala & Higuain.
All Juve fans know how important Mandzukic has been to this wonderful run Juve has been enjoying. They are flying under the radar, but I am sure Real, Barca, & Bayern Munich are rooting for Porto.
Vs Ukraine w/o Perisic Mando should play LW in a similar way to how Juve is using him.
Mandzukic or Santini for the big striker spot?
Mandzukic was in poor form there for a while, and Santini still wasn’t getting a look in.
I believe Santini should’ve been given an opportunity, but I think Crnkovic is right, our chances of seeing Santini don the checkers are minimal.
Livaja, if he keeps going the way he’s going, maybe he gets a chance after the world cup, not before in my opinion.
Good friendly to make a name for yourself.
Denis says:
“PLAYERS:
We won’t know who is playing until we get closer to the game.
Serie A ends that weekend, but some of the players might be excused for the friendly.
Modric and Kovacic should be there since the spanish league will be over by then.”
in response:
Modric, Kovacic and potentially a few more can still be involved in the Champions League final.
Also, May 27 is the big Dinamo – Rijeka match in HNL1. They will be relunctant to send anyone off to the match against Mexico.
Expect a 1/2 B, 1/2 C team. Would have made more sense to play on the East coast before Iceland, but, the savez went for the payday.
^^
yeah difficult at the moment. mandzukic and kalinic both at their peak but those guys can’t go on forever. i think if livaja keeps a good attitude he will get a chance. he’s a good player. the generaction that is coming through play a more modern game. more interchange of positions, so strikers with technical ability are needed. kramaric, livaja and pjaca…i like Santini but with his age and being a big striker like we already have it doubt we’ll see him in the colours
@Crnkovic
I am intrigued by your asking the question, “Livaja still doing well at las palmas, will he get a chance for the NT soon?”
Do you believe he has something to offer the NT? I like his game and believe he could fit in nicely with the NT, but in saying that, I can’t see him getting a chance with the NT anytime soon.
Will Santini ever get a chance?
Kovacic playing well now. Halilovic back in spain. Kramaric still scoring assisting. Perisic on form. Rakitic playing well. Brozovic top player. Vrsaljko playing more and more. Pjaca involved more and more for juve, still adapting. Surely marko pjaca will flourish in the English premier league or in spain eventually. No doubt he is learning a lot at juve. Coric still growing. Tin jedvaj moving to his natural position at leverkusen. Livaja still doing well at las palmas, will he get a chance for the NT soon?….
Anybody see that marko rog has started napoli’s last two games against juventus and against roma. Apparently he was man of the match against roma in the big serie a clash. On merit too not due to injuries. Very exciting
Here’s the truth about the political correct left:
http://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-the-arrogant-left
article on Bojans 3 point onslaught with the wizards please, first reserve in history to make 8 3’s in a game. 🙂