Croatians Around Europe XXII
February 3, 2019
It was a slow week in Europe for Croatia’s internationals but Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramarić got on the score sheet with a penalty kick against Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday. Kramarić stepped up to the spot in the 16th minute and cooly rolled the ball to the left of the Fortuna keeper. With he draw, Hoffenheim remain two points back of a Europa League berth.
Kramarić Penalty
Ante Rebić had a strong performance against German leaders Borussia Dortmund; hitting the post with a right-footed bender in a 1-1 draw. Rebić has been on fire the past month and his stock is only rising. Where will the Eintracht Frankfurt go this summer? Clubs will be after him.
Lovre Kalinić posted his first clean sheet for Aston Villa in a scoreless draw against Reading on Saturday. Kalinić made two saves and had to defend five corner kicks. It’s slowly coming together for Croatia’s #1 keeper as he conceded three goals a piece in his first two matches for Villa after his transfer nearly four weeks ago.
Mateo Kovačić could have used a start to boost his morale on Saturday as Chelsea hammered Huddersfield Town 5-0. Instead, Kovačić came off the bench in the 70th minute with the match in hand 4-0. Kovačić will need to get on the score sheet sooner than later or have some Modrić-esque matches if he plans to leave Chelsea in the summer with a positive grade. He is currently on loan from Real Madrid.