Luka Modrić scored a stunning first goal of the La Liga season Sunday as Real Madrid defeated Real Betis to keep pace with the big boys in Spain. In the 13th minute, Modrić slammed home a deflected shot in the box from 18 years out to open the scoring in the match. The 2018 Ballon D’or winner has had some spectacular long-range shots in his career and he will certainly be able to add this one to the list. The win keeps Real Madrid 10 points behind leaders Barcelona, however, now there are rumors of a Modrić transfer to Juventus, where he would rejoin former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Croatia striker Mario Mandžukić, Goal.com reports. Inter Milan is still an option as well.
Modrić strike vs. Real Betis
Ivan Perišić had a hat trick of assists (3) Sunday as Inter Milan pummeled Benevento 6-2 in the Copa Italia Round of 16. Perišić, Brozović and Vrsaljko all got the start for Inter Milan as they will now play Lazio in the Copa Italia quarterfinals at the end of January. Perišić had two silky assists on the day and has started out 2019 on a solid note.
Perišić bags 3 assists for Inter Milan
In his second match in an Aston Villa shirt, Lovre Kalinić conceded three goals once again, however, this time there was a huge silver lining. Villa lost 3-0 to Wigan Athletic on Saturday but fans were praising Kalinić’s performance, HitC reports. Many Villa supporters were saying that it could have easily been 6-0 Wigan if not for Kalinić which is huge praise coming in a big loss.
Kalinić makes multiple saves in 3-0 loss to Wigan
looks decent good long range passer, deep playmaker
Looks like Man City are getting set to sign Ante Palaversa from Hajduk. Anyone know anything about this kid?
It’s time for our guys to stop accepting shitty offers from clubs. They’re always worth more to their clubs than what they are currently paid.
Inter’s offer of $9 million per year for Modric is an insult.
Kovacic never should have left Inter. They seemed to have let him play his style, where he was dominant.
@Lamont
Modric going to Inter would be great.
Developing even more chemistry with several starters in Perisic, Brozovic and Vrsaljko would benefit our NT greatly.
@Andrej
Yes, Kovacic has more talent than anyone not named Luka Modric. He’s more talented than Rakitic even.
The problem with him is that he does look pedestrian at times, and he is no longer regarded as a complete midfielder (since he rarely does anything in the opponent’s third).
He’s still an excellent midfielder, but no longer above players like Brozovic and Vlasic who have already caught up to him and surpassed him.
Kovacic definitely has the talent to make a step forward and take back the starting spot from them…but it will be tough. Brozovic gets better every passing year, and Vlasic comes from a family who have injected him with a winner’s mentality.
The way Vlasic told Everton that he was the best midfielder on the team, then went on loan to CSKA and killed it over there (making Everton look stupid) proved this to me. Kovacic would have never done something like that.
Kovacic will have a tough time trying to win back whatever starting spot he feels he deserves. He’s not that young anymore (he turns 25 in a few months). It’s now or never for him.
But I’m perfectly fine with him being a supersub for us off the bench. It’s a good problem to have (especially since we have even MORE high end prospects coming in).
If Luka goes to Inter how will they manage all those Croats on NT duty. They will have to much of a voice complianing and shit.
If the goalie situation doesn’t work out, we have Livaković, Horkaš (19), and Josipović (16) at Dinamo…we’re in good hands
Watched Kova on the weekend as well. He’s got unbelievable skill and is faster, better tackler, and maybe even stronger than Brozo. However, he tends to over dribble at times. His positioning and choice of passing is a bit strange to me. I think Brozo is better in this regard and is more efficient as a result.
Kova is still young and probably at a similar level to Luka at the same age. I still think he’s the future after Rakitic/Modric. However, I’m officially on the Brozo bandwagon. Besides being more efficient, Brozo can use both feet and score with both as well.
Looks like Soul Champ is drunk again.
Exactly
If lovre getting praise in a loss like that he on the right path
Getting the bigger shots to face and more attention will just further his path
I wish more of our boys would watch guys like rakitic and luka and see them take the slighter slower development
But I guess it’s their clubs making the sales
Lovre made some good saves there, and he got a hand on the penalty kick too. One can hardly fault him for the goals. Playing for such a weak team in England could well be the ideal training for him to improve his overall game, especially his aerial game.
Luka Modric wants out
https://www.legit.ng/1215217-croatia-international-luka-modric-a-move-juventus-real-madrid.html
On kovacic. Shame he had moved early was playing at huge clubs where there are big atracking players so he never had the chance to develop his attacking play over a period. If he had played at a slightly lower level his attacking play would have developed more. In any case his pass ratio is the best in the prem and his skills and energy are top top level. We should think of him as a kante type of player. Really useful for any team. He is doing well. He will never be a modric, much less a 10 but he one of the best in the world linking play and breaking play. There is no conundrum. He’s just a fantastic player. We have other talents to provide the creativity and penetration in the final third. Vlasic rebic brekalo and really hope coric and halilovic wake up soon too
Perišić still has a pulse !!
Luka Modrić legend still showing and growing !!
I hope Modrić shoots every time he gets the ball any where near the box.
Both Croatia and club need him to shoot and score.
Man the level he has reached and at 33 could have the goods for 2-3 more years?
He is a pure footballer.
His game is sourced from his Soul.
He is just like Dražen Petrović in that regard.
I wonder if folks realize just how important that is in being a sportsman?
Heart – character – presence or what ever you want to call it?
This is what I hope our young kids learn from Luka Modrić.
Yeah he is not perfect .. like some sanctimonious hating Hrvati .. but represents the best of ZDS.
This is the reason we are so good at so many team sports.
We are good athletes but let’s not pretend we are physically superior to others.
It is our collective feeling that we need be ready to serve our people to ensure that Croatia lives and prospers.
I would run over the little Portuguese German
Cunt.
I am a peaceful dude but if given the chance I’d freaking lay out griezeman with a fist to the glava
Watching that video of him erks me to no end
That world cup 2018 Amazon prime video is terrible… Could not make the commentary more dry on such high emotional moments
It was interesting to see how angry modric and the guys on the bench were about England being given four minutes of stoppage time in overtime
Cilic vs Tomic tonight in prime time at aussie open, should be fun
1-0 Real, courtesy Luka.
Nice to see know-it-all Gary Bailey eat dirt on commentary.
For anyone with an Amazon Prime membership..this looks like it could be a cool 2018 world cup movie.
https://youtu.be/QVyiX9zHvPc
Perhaps those who know how to view it without a membership can hook up everyone else with a link.
https://www.foxsportsasia.com/esports/fifa19/1016238/fifa-19-luka-modrics-team-of-the-year-card-is-the-strongest-in-fifa-ultimate-team-history__trashed/
Not sure if anyone posted this already.
Kovacic is pedestrian.
Lots of skill, zero impact.
Ive given up on him a long time ago. On to the next one.
Kovo looked pedestrian today
Kova played a decent game…gave up the ball on a few golden chances
Some coverage on the Handball World Cup would be nice on this croatian SPORTS website.
Croatia beat Iceland in their opener