Niko Kovač became the first person in Bayern Munich history to win the German double – the Bundesliga title and the German Cup in the same season – as both player and coach. In his first season as manager for Bayern Munich, Kovač locked up the German double with a 3-0 DFB Pokal win over RB Leipzig on Saturday. And remember, Kovač helped Eintracht Frankfurt win the German Cup last year. Although the former Croatia captain and manager underperformed in Champions League this season, if Bayern can get some key signings this summer, it will only raise Kovač’s profile moving forward.
Pašalić Goal Seals CL Berth For Atalanta
Mario Pašalić sealed the deal for Atalanta on Sunday with a 65th minute header to beat Sassuolo 3-1 and book the club’s first ever berth into the Champions League. Atalanta finished third in Serie A this season; level on points with 4th placed Inter Milan. It seems Pašalić has finally found a home at Atalanta but will parent club Chelsea sell him permanently this summer? Inter Milan needed an 81st minute Radja Nainggolan goal to beat Empoli 2-1 and book Italy’s last Champions League berth for next season. Both Ivan Perišić and Marcelo Brozović got the start with Atletico Madrid loanee Šime Vrsaljko out for the season due to a knee injury. With rumors of Perišić leaving Milan and the likes of Luka Modrić or Ivan Rakitić possibly joining the club; lots of activity is expected out of the Inter Milan front office in the upcoming months.
Ivan Rakitić was visibly upset on Saturday as he was subbed off in the second half of Barcelona’s 2-1 Copa del Rey Final loss to Valencia. After a season which was supposed to see mighty Barcelona lift three trophies; they will only have one title to their name: La Liga. In what may have been Rakitić’s last match with Barcelona, he was seen kicking bottles as he walked to the bench, Sportskeeda reports. There are reports Rakitić will end up in Inter Milan. It wouldn’t be the worst move for the highly tenured Raketa.
Vuki…100%.
That’s the Kovacic who I like. That’s how he played at Inter. Sarri better let him play like that or he’ll be sorry. A good coach exploits natural talents of each player. A mediocre bum coach can’t even identify natural talents.
Probably, “I wish I had your attacking talent.”
It looks like Kovacic will stay at Chelsea. When he meets Christian Pulisic what do you think his first words will be?
Jebo Ti Pas Mater?
Goal*
Kovacic is gonna score in the Europa league final!!!!!! Mark my words!!!! His first goals for Chelsea is gonna be a big one ;))))))
DannyJ-We all hope so too. Pasalic has a better leg than Kovacic, but that isn’t saying much.
Crnkovic-Even Dalic has tried Kovacic at RW (and LW as a sub.)
The problem is he hasn’t done much there, and we never have a comfortable lead in qualifying to give him more experience. That said, he’ll never have a good enough right or left leg, to be a viable attacking option. I am just hoping he can develop into a great defensive mid.
So pasalic is only average at best? He is 24 and might play champions league with Atalanta next year
I for sure have hope for him
I realize kovacic in diff league in England but has had like zero offense
Pasalic sounds like he is up in the play
I have hope for both
Why can’t we be more stacked up front or on D
@ Soul Champ
I’d have to agree with you, never right off a player until he reaches 29.
Just look at Mijo Catkas, arguably the best player in the league, and HNL’s leading scorer with 19 goals. He’s an attacking mid/second striker.
He kicked the can in Russia for a bit and was destined for Journeyman status, until he exploded this season. And he’s 27.
He also earned a call up for Repka for our upcoming matches. Hopefully he gets some minutes, ’cause I’d love to see what he can do.
Unfortunately too much pressure on managers to win every game. Plus he is on loan. Plus sarri doesn’t care about the repka. Lol
If I was sarri. Or any manager of kovacic. I would have practice shooting everyday. Then I would play him in I forward position for several games and just tell him to try and attack and score. Because eventually he would and that would give him confidence in the final third if the pitch. You could then move him back to the centre and reap the benefits of a complete midfielder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nL1en779qo
This is the Kovacic we need to see on a consistent basis. No it was not a spectacular pass, but that run from midfield created the opportunity as it caused a lot of players to close on him leaving Srna to have a clear shot on goal.
Kovačić has yet another opportunity to show his quality at the Europa League final.
With all of Chelsea’s injuries of late the crowded midfield is not razor thin.
I have seen too much in his game to write him off just yet.
Also have instituted a rule to never write off a nogometaš until they reach 29.
@ BZ
Your point is well taken has good is the enemy of great for us these days.
Still curious if Kovačić can deliver an inspired performance in Baku? Which sounds like a planet from Star Wars?
Kovačić has been too School for cool? Playing like a veteran in a friendly?
It’s a final .. your team needs you to BEAST. You have been getting regular minutes as of late.
You fighting for a new opportunity next year.
Where is the urgency?
Give us a few defining slalom runs .. and .. for shits and giggles attack the final third and create a scoring play!!
DannyJ-watch him play, you will be reminded of the average players of our darkest years, circa 2002-2006.
Good player, but we need great. We are the reigning world silver medalists.
Well kovacic starts at chelsea while pasalic is loaned out by them
Pasalic surely has to be higher on the mid field pecking order over kova?
Do u guys think he is ready for real minutes for the repka or still too much quality above him?
hrgovic precijenjen.
Bravo filip ZDS
Valverde sucks. Zidane sucks. Spanish football sucks.
Zidane’s nepotism for his son as #2 is disgusting and overshadows all of his decisions. If he’s so fucking good to be #2 for RM he can go play #1 somewhere else.
Pathetic. Spain used to be so dominant. Now they’re just a bunch of chumps.
Congrats to Kovac and Bayern, Inter.
Vultures are birds that are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals.
Never mind about Brozo, stupidly disallowed
Brozović and Pašalić both with goals to secure spots for Inter and Atalanta in Champions League. Great to see Atalanta go thru.
Hrgovic makes his debut with a splash! Tko’d Corbin in the first round.
I cant decide which part was my favorite…when i walked into the teams locker room and they were all in their underwear or when i pretended to cry at the final and kissed all the african french players
Rakitic would be a big piece for inter
Tho would hate to see perisic leave if rakitic went there
Hopefully vrsaljko gets back to himself and we have a legit cro team to cheer for in champions league!
^
You got some brownie points from the soccer team in Russia, your home away from home.
I woulda rather seen Zdravko Mamic celebrating with his team than you, you filthy whore.
@anon
How am i supposed to get my brownie points with all the dumb dijaspora hrvati that love me?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.jutarnji.hr/life/zivotne-price/filipu-je-sve-osigurala-obitelj-politicari-nista.-oni-su-obicni-lesinari-odvojeni-od-naroda/4647329/amp
“Odsvirat će ti himnu, sine, dići zastavu, političari će dočekati i fotografirati se za svoje niske potrebe. J… im mater svima, ne daj im da se slikaju s tobom…”. Rekao je to Petar Hrgović
These are the sort of people I like, people that don’t mince their words.
Congrats to Niko and Ivan just realised how expendable he really is within the Barca setup
Potential Croatian superstar is making his American debut tonight. Filip Hrgovic is fight for the first time in North America. Hrgovic has the biggest promoters and a world class coach in Pedro Diaz.