Ivan Perišić finally ended his dreadful scoring drought with a beautiful header in the 26th minute to open the scoring in a 5-0 win over Sampdoria Sunday. Both Perišić and Marcelo Brozović played the full 90 minutes as Icardi accounted for the rest of the scoring with four goals. Inter Milan are currently holding fourth position in Italy which would be good enough for a Champions League berth. If Croatia wants to make a run in Russia, Perišić will have to be firing on all cylinders.
Perišić header vs. Sampdoria
Alen Halilović scored a beauty with his left on Saturday in Las Palmas’ 1-1 draw against Deportivo. The point keeps Las Palmas in the relegation zone although Halilović has not done much with his season and was not called up for the U.S. friendlies, meaning he won’t be playing in the World Cup. Halilović was supposed to be the chosen son but still hasn’t panned out in Europe.
Halilović rips a shot with his patented left foot
Rebić scores inside the left post (2:30)
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ante Rebić capped the scoring for his club late in the first half with a run down the middle of the field followed by a perfect shot to the left post and in. Both Rebić and Frankfurt have over-performed this year and he should be ready to come off the bench, if not start, come World Cup time.
Andrej Kramarić converted a penalty and assisted on another Hoffenheim goal in their 3-3 draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach Saturday. Kramarić has been red hot the past two months and should be considered as a start for Croatia in the World Cup.
I don’t expect our boys to play well with the time change and heat.
Bad move chosing these friendlies.
I’d like to see Rakitic play CDM, he has done really well for Barca in that position.
@the truth- speaking of, Gibraltar has some good spots for shredding on my razor scooter. Worked on my fakey 180 there.
Perisic LW, Pjaca RW, Mandzukic back up for Perisic.
That’s the way it should be.
@ bz
You might as well watch Croatia gibraltar
Andrej- Given a choice it is definitely Mandzukic at LW and Perisic at Rw. Mandzukic never plays RW for club or country. Perisic’s ambidexterity let’s him play both. Perisic tries to cut inside and strike with his left foot from RW(ala Robben & Halilovic;), but without much success for country yet.
People will point to the Iceland loss to say Mandzukic & Perisic should not be our wings, but that was a small sample size. Hence why these friendlies are awesome, and perfect for experimenting.
I would like to watch a friendly between that U-21 team and our first team. That would be must see tv.
Actually my comment was letting ppl know i’ll prolly be watching the game and commenting on the site simultaneously so i was letting ppl know i’ll be around : )
Plus it’s no secret Iggy doesn’t mind a dwinky ! 😀
@BZ
I like Krama at CF and Mandza at RM (or LM w/ Perisic at RM). And ya eventually Pjaca hopefully takes over for Mandza.
BTW Benkovic, Duje C-C, Halilovic, Brekalo, and Vlasic all should be playing for the U21s on the 23rd and 27th. I would definitely love to see Benkovic at the WC over Mitrovic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgjjKPMFgbO/
God bless all the Hrvati who get to party in Miami and watch the A-team.
Epic !
@Andrej- At the moment, I think Dalic has confidence in Mandzukic at the wing. I think he will also have Kramaric and Mandzukic swap between wing and CF during the game. Much like vs Ukraine I believe.
I like Mandzukic, but I love the idea of Perisic and a healthy Pjaca on the wings with Kramaric at CF and Modric playing the 10. Hope Dalic can figure out the perfect chemistry in our upcoming friendlies, including Brazil. Definitely think he might use Mandzukic at wing vs Argentina to help shutdown their offensive onslaught.
@BZ, what are you doing here? Blacks need Whitey to save them from Whitey! And dogs need people to save them from people!
Iggy said “I might get smashed and watch this Peru game, it’s 10 am Aus time so not too bad for once”
Thanks Iggy, that’s so enlightening, such a necessary comment to be made to a bunch of strangers over the over internet, we were all so curious if and how “Iggy” would watch the game. What inspired you to post such an important comment?
And we know Ante Kvartuc will never delete Iggy’s comment nor the Hilarious comments about kiting because he only deletes gibberish. Ante is such a morally strong person, has such balls. Notice how he never erases unpopular comments that can’t be contradicted? You’re a hero Ante, a true leader!
@BZ
Sorry forgot about Lovren’s injury, Vida will probably start then.
LB is an issue but Vrsaljko only played there once for him. I think he has faith in Strinic even though Strinic doesn’t play regularly but we’ll see over these next exhibition games.
I really am curious to see what he does with the RM but you may be right about Brozo. However, I know he likes Kramaric as a CF and don’t see him starting Pjaca just yet.
I definitely feel Badelj is our one true DMF but could see Brozo or better yet Kovacic play that role too.
@Andrej-I’d take that bet at 1000-1 cause Lovren is not comng to the US.
Also Vrsalko played LB vs Ukraine, so not as constant at RB as you recall under Dalic.
Slim chance Dalic plays Brozo at RW. That experiment ended Cacic’s career. Brozo played well linking Rakitic & Modric, can see him starting over Badelj, but maybe not Kovacic.
I might get smashed and watch this Peru game, it’s 10 am Aus time so not too bad for once
@LAknat how would they play like that
…………..A Rebic……..Kramaric…….…….
….…….…Modric…..…..Rakitic…………….
….Vrsaljko….…..Badelj……….Halilovic….
..….D Vida…….Simunovic…..Corluka……
………………….L Kalinic………………….
LAknat best formation.
I guarante you, things would change!
Every game Dalic coached so far, the formation has been 4231. Perisic playing LM, Modric playing CAM, Rakitic playing CDM, and Vrsaljko playing RB seem to be the only constants.
I feel like the CF and RM is up for grabs between Mandza/Kalinic and Kramaric/Brozovic. Dalic did say that Krama plays his best as a CF though and he’s been in form recently. The other CDM role is also up for grabs between Badelj, Kovacic, and Brozovic. The two CBs look to be Lovren and Vida depending on Corluka’s form.
I’m not sure if he’ll put out a strong line up for the first half against Peru but if I was to bet, it would be this;
—Mandza—
Perisic-Modric-Brozovic
–Rakitic-Badelj–
Strinic-Lovren-Corluka-Vrsaljko
seeing you guys have some favorite players and Dalic tends to set the formation base on the club favorable, the like Mandzukic and Rakitic will be there.Yeah, of course, I create such formation to facilitate a potential player yet effective to win the match!
Mandzukic is a typical defensive midfielder, therefore I point out him and prefer a full attacking player like Kalinic. Regarding the squad that He has already announced, this is the best suggestion that worth try.
@LAKnat – you really aren’t crazy about Mandza huh? You prefer Kalinic over him?
…………Kramaric…….N Kalinic…..……..
….Perisic………Modric…..…..Vrsaljko…
….……….Badelj……….Rakitic……………
..…….Vida……..Corluka…….Jedvaj….….
…………………….L Kalinic………………………..
The trouble is You guys have fixed on your heart in a particular player, like Perisic. So I (Professor LAknat) suggest this formation which helping Perisic to develop. He will know his position and know how hard to create a chance. Beforehand He just received the ball from the backline and threw it away over the post with his clumsy shoot!
BTW Dalic mentioned that he wanted to try 3 in the back to practice a defensive minded formation to prepare in case they want to use it against Argentina
@ Gemišt
Dalic did say that he wanted to try 3 in the back; I would assume Vida Corluka Lovren for now. I hope that Benkovic finally gets a look now that Mitrovic is injured.
He also mentioned that he sent a scout to look at Livaja but he was suspended for cards.
Full interview in Croatian;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSw4GjR8PYw
Count me in for WING BACK ATTACK!
Vrsaljko is WB natural.
Perišić is going to want to show the world is class … I hope this header starts a new run of form for him and us.
Call me crazy … as some do here over the years… but
Kovačić has to put in the first eleven.
He has come of age as a CM. His ball winning and explosive speed out the back is superior to what ever Badelj does at Fiorentina.
I like Badelj off the bench to spell Rakitic or Kovacic.
But Barca and Real Madrid and champions league experience is beyond serie a.
Robo Rebić … Niko Kovač plus one by revitalizing his career.
T-4 days to the Mambo in Miami.
Notice how the shredding truth ain’t making bets on if our guys gonna score outside the box??
@Gemist-I hope we do see 3 back, but with that lineup it is essentially 4 back. Vrsaljko’s value is in speedy overlapping runs. A lineup without a forced entry (ie Strinic, Pivaric is a breath of fresh air.)
I think Dalic will be hard pressed removing Rakitic from the defensive midfield role he played so in the Ukraine and Greek games.
Apparently Dalić is going to try 3 at the back for the friendly.
Some like
———–mandza–krama——-
——————modric————–
Perisic–rakitic–badelj–vrsaljko
——–vida—-nizic—corluka——–
Good idea, perisic’s defending is underrated and Vida is fast do he can cover whatever perisic can’t.
Kram can drift wide when vrsaljko is back defending or can cut in when vrsa is overlapping to cross.
@CiganJeCigan
Good points. I’d like to see the wingers switch sides too, confuse the opponent and make options
@Gemist
thats pretty much the exact lineup i had in mind. but i wouldnt move perisic out of his natural position. rebic or pjaca should play right wing, or kramaric if mandza is forward. although, mandza playing winger for us doesnt work well, him playing forward doesnt work well either but hes gonna get the start cuz he plays for juventus.
i think vida and corluka is a better pairing than lovren, also you cant have strinic and lovren on the same side cuz theyve gone into heated arguments before.
i watched badelj and kovacic play today, i wouldnt mind either playing cdm, i guess it depends on which team we are playing.
I’m thinking (if they’re all healthy)
—————kramaric—————-
—Rebic——————–perisic—
——————-modric—————-
————rakitic————————-
———————–badelj————-
Strinic————————-vrsaljko
———–lovren–corluka————
———————————————–
—————subasic——————-
Wing backs to overlap wingers. String to join the midfield when rakiti moves high up. Badelj to play as a defensive playmaker. Perisic to cut in or cross, rebic to cut in, kramaric to play centrally as striker but also drop to help create chances. Modric as cam, rakitic box to box.
Maybe mandza to play instead of rebic against Argentina to help out on defense
Highly suggest flying your little kite in a lightning storm Truth Troll.
Lovren messed up shaving his goatee and his latest tattoo isn’t completely finished apparently so he asked to be dropped from the roster.
Kiting lol nice one Truth. Ya my ultimate frisbee league has lost a few to horse flies. It’s close to an epidemic but I wouldn’t call it that just yet.
Just got back from shredding on my Razor Scooter. We too don’t think strapping meat to our legs is funny. Lost too many in our community to Pit Bull attacks.
Dalic’s coaching skills getting better. He cut Santini from the Peru/Mex roster. Lovren & Mitrovic also out due to injuries. (Mitrovic has hamstring strain and Lovren has a bruised ego.)
Maybe we’ll all get lucky and you’re next…. it will sutfu.
Not a joking matter. Us in the kiter community have lost some members to shark attack. But can’t be deterred. The way we live, if you love shredding, you just gotta shred and not worry about the rest
Truth should strap some raw steaks to his legs while ‘shredding’
Kalinic not even called to the game by his manager today. Coach said won’t call a player who’s not committed
A shame kalinic couldn’t build on his season the year before. Three big clubs rarely seem to serve Croats well. Shouldn’t stayed at fiorentina
Perišić and Kramarić should always start for us.
If Mandžo must start up top, then you go with Perišić/Kramarić on the wings.
If Kramarić is starting up top, then you go with Perišić/Pjaca on the wings.
Off the bench, Rebić is our most in-form winger, so he gets the callup. But he’s not as talented as Vlašić, Brekalo and Halilović. I’d call up both Vlašić and Brekalo already and see what they can offer. They’re a better fit for our NT abd would likely do well.
Either way, these backups won’t play anyway as Perišić, Kramarić and Pjaca will eat whatever minutes exist on the wing. They’d probably even go with Brozović there before reaching out to the bench.
He scored a beauty header today too!
Perisic shows up for NT. best player when the checkers come on
A fear there is not enough fear about what a disaster perosic has been
This was supposed to be our x factor
First 13-games, 7 goals and six assists
Last three months, 0 of either!. An absolute unprecedented drop in form that is an off the charts standard deviation from his previous production
Is this guy done?
Let’s hope perisic plays with chip on his shoulder
World stage let him show em what he’s got
Nice to see our forwards scoring
Modrić is in the #10 hole for us.
We need wingers to create an outlet when teams attempt to clog our midfield technicians.
We don’t play through the wing but we need to spread out the defense a bit.
Man I hope Perišić gets come back from Man U longing and gets ready for World Cup now in an Inter shirt.
You know he wishes he was out of Inter and that punk Icardi who pretends to be a “leader.”
You guys think that young Truth Troll wears a beanie with a propellor on it while he flies his little kite?
^ ^
You should check out some newly constructed bridges while you’re there.
Anyone going down to Miami in a week? Getting close. I’m getting pretty excited to do some shredding on my kite board and watch the nt on the side
Truth Troll predicted Halilovic would do “some things”.
He’s as much an oracle as he is witty amd clever
I was reading some statistical research papers the other day on soccer
They discussed how attacking from the wings was a very ineffective way of scoring goals and how playing through the middle with shorter passes was much more effective
Rebic, Halilovic, Kramaric, Brekalo, Perisic, Vlasic, Pjaca can all play winger. who do you guys think should be the two starters and who should come off the bench?
^ ^
You should call yourself The Hedger.
As in one who hedges his bets/predictions.
Much more fitting.
Well i told you marko pee-ass-on-bench-a was going back there. Hes still not favored by the coach. He would be smart to get out of there quick…. Scarily there are talks of him signing there medium term
One of my predictions for this year was that haliloshit would do some things to get the diaspora on this site excited and start calling for his inclusion on the national team….
Can i add this to the correct prediction list yet or should i wait a little more?
Also interesting to see that Brekalo started and played 89 minutes against Schalke while Pjaca couldn’t even get off the bench
Was Halilović one of the guys that were mean to poor young Truth Troll? Or is Truth Troll just taking out his personal inadequacies and pain on poor Halilović?
Somebody tell Truth Troll’s parents to give give a good spanking, and then a hug… he needs to learn to stop calling people bad names.
Agreed las palmas is a terrible team not an average team
Haliloshit still shows promise, but still hasn’t proven anything beyond what he’s always been
That goal today is that tempting potential that get so many people excited, but that’s the same goal he’s now scored for years
Till he can develop his consistency and depth of game, he’ll still just be a prospect on an ever fast ticking clock of hope
Cmon Dalic pull a Spike Lee and do the right thing:
————-Kramaric——–
Rebic—-Pjaca—-Perisic
———–Modric————
—-Kovacic—–Rakitic—-
-Vida-Corluka-Vrsaljko-
————-Kalinic————
Subs:
Mandzukic
Badelj
Brozovic
Halilovic
Mitrovic
Anyone know if Vlasic is still alive? Hasn’t even made the bench for Everton for quite some time now.
@Maminjo I’d go as far to say that Las Palmas is a poor team and there’s a good chance that they will be relegated this year.
Was playing great to start season before ankle injury.
Should be in squad for these next two friendlies.
He is a dynamic left footed winger who is learning to pass this year.
I hope there is room for in form young players to make a case at the end of the season.
It’s not that fishy.
He plays for a very average Las Palmas team and has only scored 2 goals this season (and has only started like 6 games).
He’s a good prospect, and only recently has he been playing more first team football. If he continues this form, then he’ll get a call up.
Won’t start for us, but can be a solid option off the bench for some offensive and creative flair.
Yeah sounds fishy how Alen Halilovic is not in the national team squad even though he is playing well for his club side.
Ante Rebic has been killing it, goal and assist today
Kramaric once again with a goal ( penalty) and assist
Halilovic with an amazing solo goal to kick off the weekend!