Luka Modrić made the trip to Paris; returning from injury, but did not play in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over PSG. Instead, Mateo Kovačić got the start and had a light night as Real Madrid will limp into the Champions League quarterfinals; 5-2 on aggregate. Dejan Lovren and Liverpool will also be in the quarterfinal draw next friday after posting two clean sheets against FC Porto; winning 5-0 on aggregate. Lovren played the full 90 minutes Tuesday night.
Wednesday night, Mario Mandžukić did not make the trip to London due to a muscle spasm. However, Juventus came back from a 1-0 deficit to score twice in the second half to defeat Tottenham 4-3 on aggregate. The reigning Italian champs will be in the Champions League quarterfinal draw while Tottenham will be disappointed at the result at home.
Don’t feed the troll. Simply ignore him. Mods here can delete posts but choose to see drama for some reason. Children.
You might be right, i just posed it as a Q more than anything. I don’t really know anything about bball so dont know those ppl u mentioned, tho 😉
For sure u would expect science to come along, didnt Mirko have stem-cell surgery on his knees? Now he’s fighting in Bellator v Nelson soon! amazing ! and he’s 43 ! So maybe you’re right 😉
I know how much of a fan you are of “backyard fight clubs” 😀
Dear Brothers residing in America,
Mexiputos vs Croatia being broadcast on foxdports 1.
Haven’t heard anything regarding Peru, but will let you know when my source at the TV Guide fills me in.
@ iggy
If you just look at the nba for example, i thin you’ll see the age curve of performance shifting a bit. Even take LeBron for example at 33 , maybe at his best ever
Look at a guy like curry who 25 years ago would’ve likely been out of the league in six years because of unsolvable ankle Issues
Even look at joel embiid. This was Greg oden. But Greg oden wss never able to play again just 10 years ago. Embiid actually has a chance
The truth is a poor man’s version of Ziva
Our Achilles heel this summer might be Dalic’s insistence on Corluka. I am hopeful Corluka isn’t showing his age/injury/time away from game, come this summer, but that would be virtually impossible to expect.
Corluka started and played the full game as Atletico shredded Loko Moscow.
Dalic should be testing out more defenders between now and then.
@the Truth-stick with shredding a kite surf schtick, it’syourbest stuff yet. seriously.
I wonder about that, Truth. There’s a lot more money involved, pressure to play, and cortisone and other injectables available today. Not 100% sure they take as good care of the players as you seem to think.
Well, I’ve been retired for a while note, but those years of playing have definitely left their mark
Back then it wasn’t like today, we’re sports teams are religious about player fitness, rest and recovery
We’d go out, play a game, get knocked up, and then go out and drink beer and smoke cigarettes. If i was playing in today’s world, I’m sure I’d be feeling a lot better right now
That’s part of the reason i like kite boarding so much. When you’re out their shredding, it’s easy on the body
Dim mak this
It’s ‘sometimes’ the simple answer… Sometimes. Dick. That beating that your body supposedly took apparently was mostly from the neck up. Clever or witty??? Hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah.
Dick.
@Soul Champ- Very happy to have Kovacic linking Rakitic and Modric, but he still has been making a few mistakes that would get exploited at the World Cup. Tidy up Mateo, and we will make some noise.
The Truth- Cool story bro! To protect my family I tie a rope to a paint can and hang it by the door. When intruders open the door, WHAMMMYYYY
I have slick hair i wear a gold chain im a straight up G.
Ahh yes. I missed an obvious one . Badelj actually has the word bad in his name….. Something the simple answer is right in front of you
Milka Bad_ehhlj
I picture The Truth practicing Rex-Kwon-Do in Idaho.
Kovačić brings explosive speed to the center of the park.
He starts.
Modrić in pushed up needs to be freed of all tracking back and defending. He has magic every where on the ptich, but we need goals or assists from him this summer.
Rakitic has to lay the wood for us back as a CDM.
Badelj and Brozovic etc …
Provide the needed depth to make a run this summer.
Kovačić cane of age in Paris.
He will play regularly the rest of the campaign.
His growth allows Modrić to flourish.
Watch what you say anonymous or i might have to use the dim mak on you
Um, not having anything clever or witty hasn’t stopped you before
Haha. Some of those replies were actually funny. I’m probably due for a rewatching of blood sport.
In terms of where I learned krav maga, there was a center for it in nyc by ever I used to live. My body was a bit beaten up from years of sports, so i thought this was lower impact than soccer or basketball. I also wanted some functional training to protect my family if ever need be. Krav maga does a much better job of that than traditional karates
In terms of the badelj nickname….i don’t know… That’s a tough name to make something out of…. And my general rule of thumb is if i don’t have something clever or witty then i don’t really go for it
Kova is solid but I still think Badelj is just too good of a true DMF. I prefer this midfield line up;
Perisic – Modric – Rakitic (old RM position)
— Kova – Badelj —
– Remember that Dalic plays with this formation; 4-2-3-1
@Anonymous; I stopped reading Ziva’s posts but am very entertained with your chirps towards him. Please keep it going hahha
Truth troll is probably from st Petersburg or Belgrade etc…
Bow to your sensei Truth Troll!
Young truth troll was just flying his little kite (“shredding it” as he calls it), just trying to make himself feel better after all the other kids at school called him names (as did his Tata). Then, a bunch of Croatian soccer players from club Cobra Kai showed up and beat him up, and broke his little kite. He then joined a dojo, and vowed to call croatian athletes names on the internet.
My “computer simulations” tell me there is a 68% chance that this is exactly what happened.
Krav Maga! Now I’ve heard it all. You’re the best Truth, at least you’re entertaining somehwat. You can’t be a real person. This whole most interesting man in Dalmacija or wherever you’re from bullshit you’ve concocted is sureal.
Hey how come Milan Badelj doesn’t get a nick name?
And where did you learn Krav Maga? Was it before or after your first Kumate?
More Truth Troll fantasy and lies. Go back to your Xbox games and 4th grade studies Truth Troll
@ poglavnik
Well i think i could probably take mateo krotch-does-itch. I’m about 6’2” and although well off my peak from my soccer days, i stay in decent shape. I’ve also trained in krav maga. Krotch-does-itch is rather tiny at 5’10. So i think i should be ok
Old lady of Italy is through without mandzo. Nice!
To be fair it’s hardly Kovacic’s job to be able to compete physically with Lukaku on a 1 on 1 like that, he shouldnt have been in that position. Lukaku would bully most guys off the ball there.
@Truth
Would love to see you call those players those names to their faces.
Maybe Kovacic would “step up his physicality” to your head?
I know I would..
What is WRONG with you Truth Troll?
Grow up already you douchebag.
Mateo krotch-does-itch, marcelo bozo-vic or milan badelj
Seems like big question for this summer
At least these friendlies will give dalic some opportunity to Experiment
One can be a little more optimistic on krotch-does-itch in that he seems to have stepped up his physicality and come a long way since being bullied by lukaku….. Is there a chance he can watch modric back enough?
super Mario is so important to juve
cue juve first important match of the year
no super Mario
@CJC – Exactly, I feel like he is at times the only guy for the repka whose willing to shoot from distance/not the greatest angles when we’re in a lull and actually make the goalie sweat. We have a few guys that can rip it but don’t have the balls in certain moments. Funny how it’s always the headcases who do. I guess its that self belief you need to have. He had a few great shots vs Czechs at the Euro’s that were very close and no one else was letting them go like he was but as you mentioned he easily turns into a sourpuss.
Here in Aussie Land ABC rated us as #7
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-07/world-cup-power-rankings-all-32-teams-rated-from-best-to-worst/9507136
i like brozos aggressiveness and ability to score. but too often he turns off and keep giving the ball away. and his attitude is livaja status.
Brozo runs like he’s being forced too. You know the guy at practise doing suicide sprints who runs begrudgingly like his feet are nailed to the ground. His arms move faster than his legs. I agree. Not sure if Kova has played more than Brozo but he’s delivered more often than Brozo has for club (ok a few assists and a brace a while back for Brozo). At least in my opinion.
Healthy competition is good for everyone. Nothing is worse than watching an average/decent player walk around with an attitude because they feel so secure in the their position. Brozovic has been that guy as of late/almost a year at least for club.
this season i think kova has surpassed brozovic. but will kova start over badelj at the world cup?
Hmmmm I don’t know Soul Champ – The truth is 100% with his if they score more goals they win, if they score less goals they lose and they score the same amount of goals as the other team they tie predictions. I can’t figure out how he does it but he’s always right. Thank God he posts on this site or I wouldn’t know what to do.
Great post BZ, good stat.
@ BZ
God bless you …
Best stat ever posted.
Zidane shows trust in Kova. Modric sits, & Kroos cam in for Kova late (Kova had a yellow).
Stat of the day: What has 15 wins 2 draws and 0 losses?
Real in the Champions League when Kova is in the side.