Most leagues haven’t started, yet Luka Modrić and Real Madrid already have another trophy to put up on their mantle. On Tuesday, Real Madrid faced an almost revamped Manchester United side in Macedonia in the UEFA SuperCup, which pits last season’s Champions League and Europa League winners against each other. Real Madrid won the match 2-1 with Modrić playing the full 90 minutes while Mateo Kovačić remained on the bench.
On Sunday, Real Madrid were at it again in the first leg of the Spanish Supercup. They defeated bitter rivals Barcelona 3-1 at Camp Nou with Pique opening the scoring in the second half with an own goal. Messi would convert a penalty in the 77th minute only for Ronaldo to take the air out of the stadium three minutes later. He would be sent off moments later for a second yellow card from a dive. The second leg in Madrid will take place Wednesday.
This year CroatiansSports will take a different approach to our weekly Croatians Around Europe report. Instead of reporting on every Croatian player, whether they played or not, we will take the ‘Top 5’ performances from the weekend and report on that player with a review and video. Serious injuries will also be reported.
Zach Gilfix and I will be writing the weekly segment. Please feel free to chime in throughout the weekend at Ante@CroatianSports.com with any breaking news or updates from smaller leagues.
Here is the main list of players we will be covering this year. Please feel free to chime in on anyone else you would like to see reported on:
SPAIN
Luka Modrić-Real Madrid
Ivan Rakitić-Barcelona
Mateo Kovačić-Real Madrid
Šime Vrsaljko-Atletico Madrid
Alen Halilović-Las Palmas
ITALY
Ivan Perišić-Inter Milan
Mario Mandžukić-Juventus
Marcelo Brozović-Inter Milan
Marko Pjaca-Juventus
Nikola Kalinić-Fiorentina
Milan Badelj-Fiorentina
Ivan Strinić-Napoli
Duje Čop-Cagliari
GERMANY
Andrej Kramarić-Hoffenheim
Tin Jedvaj-Bayer Leverkusen
ENGLAND
Dejan Lovren-Liverpool
FRANCE
Danijel Subašić-Monaco
UKRAINE
Domagoj Vida-Dynamo Kiev
Josip Pivarić-Dynamo Kiev
RUSSIA
Vedran Ćorluka-Lokomotiva Moscow
Don’t feed the Truth Troll Ante.
Just tell him to F off and go eat a D
I also think with this idea the comments will turn into reporting
@Mr. Black
Caleta-Car is playing for the U-21. Otherwise Benkovic could be there instead of Nizic as well.
Jedvaj is also injured. So there is plenty of promising young CBs who will probably turn out better Mr. Simunovic (not played a game yet for BiH).
I’ll give it to truth. That pivaric comment at least gave me a chuckle
Portugal:
Filip Krovinovic. He is only 21 years old and Benfica Lisbon bought him from Rio Ave this summer. Krovinovic is an attacking midfielder and was probably the best player of Rio Ave last season. Rio Ave finished sixth or seventh last season in the Portugese League. He didn’t play yet because of a hernia but he’ll be back.
Austria:
Duje Caleta-Car. Young player and he was very decent for RB Salzburg against Rijeka. At least twice as good as Rijeka defenders Elez and Zuparic. Why Cacic picked Nizic above in Caleta-Car for his selection for the next two Croatia-games, I don’t get.
Pasalic-Moscow
@TRUTH SUCK A D
Bozo simunovic plays for Bosnia because of his own doing
Like all,, my biggest regret is that pivaric did not have Bosnian roots as well
Interesting to see the change in approach. The old one seemed to work well but it seems the site has less manpower nowadays
This concept of only highlighting the good performances should jive well with the general hype train of the media. It s good at keeping the diaspora happy and excited on hope.
Don’t worry though. The truth will try to make an appearance every now and then to keep everyone grounded, balanced, and rooted in the facts
Jozo Simunovic becomes Bosnian because of Stupid Cacic!
Jozo Simunovic is a Bosnian.
Pasalic?
If you putting in Milic then you might as well throw in Jozo Simunovic and Matej Mitrovic. And if Andrijasevic is in then you should have Mario Pasalic and Marko Rog. Rog is in Champions League so he’s gotta be in.
Don’t forget the Josip Brekalos of this world. Should be interesting to see if him or Halilovic will do something this year.
Belgian first devision
Lovre Kalinic – KAA Gent
Franko Andrijasevic- KAA Gent
Antonio Milic- KV Oostende
French Ligue 1
Ivan Santini- SM Caen