Croatia’s 4-0 thumping of Slovakia on Friday was a fantastic Euro 2020 qualifying result for the Vatreni, but it raises many questions moving forward.
Petković, Vlašić, and Brekalo showed the goods in Trnava – but how long can they keep up this form? And if they can, will they be able to take starting XI spots from Kovačić, Rakitić, and Kramarić?
Croatia will take on Azerbaijan Monday to conclude their September road trip. A win will put them in control of their Euro 2020 qualifying fate with Slovakia squaring off vs. Hungary only hours later. What were you most impressed with during the Slovakia match? And are Petković, Vlašić, and Brekalo ready for starting XI duties?
It is because the brits and Serbs royal family incest shit that went on….
@Mile
It’s only because the English think Serbs and Croats are the same thing.
Serbia indirectly benefits from all of Croatia’s success. How does Luka Jović get a transfer to Real, when there is a countless list of Serbian forwards who flopped whenever they transferred to a western club.
Not true that only Serbs think they are a great football nation. The English think it too. EVERY time I put on a Serb game, all I hear from the English broadcaster is how Serbia has great players and are a dangerous team. 30 seconds into the Portugal game, the guy says Serbia can beat any nation on a given day. Like Maminjo said, they have only beaten Germany once in a fluke game that eventually meant nothing. And they needed a first half red card against Klose to do it.
Hard to say no when Barca wants u
But prob tougher pill to swallow when they don’t need u anymore
Such is life
Get over it. You get paid millions to play football
Least u don’t got to dig for a living for nothing
Pick yourself up. You are a hero for Croatia
Enjoy it
I think he just feels like he is always bridesmaid never a bride..literally as his wife def carries his nuts for him
Raketa should go back to Sevilla or somewhere similar, that was when he was at his best. He was an unbelievable player when he was their captain, reminiscent of how good Suker was for them so many years earlier.
One of Serbia’s greatest footballers is Predrag Mijatovic and hes a Crnogorac. All they talk about is Djokovic and I overheard the conversation and said Tko ga jebe they look suspiciously over.
Rebic is a Hercegovac.
Rebic , Brekalo, our volk!
ZDS!
Well maybe he feels threatened as brekalo subbed him out??
I agree with Tomas but I feel like Rakitic feels slighted by both Repka and Barca
Let’s hope he finds a new team eventually and will decide to want to come back. But maybe too much has been made of the situation and he will feel like he can’t come back??
Can a player be loaned out after transfer window?
Rebic hates everyone and everything lol.
He also hates cevapi too. I saw that in an interview he gave to some German TV show, where they assumed that he would like them.
He also talked smack about Italy on facebook or twitter years ago when he was playing for Fiorentina.
He probably thinks Germans and Italians are a bunch of goofs and is just a die hard hinterland Dalmatinac that doesn’t like anybody, but his own. It’s probably why he did well when Kovac was coach, and probably why he went to AC Milan (because Boban was there).
Read some stuff that Rebic been acting out
Maybe something going on or maybe he just getting a bit too big for his undies??
I really hope he can settle and not cause probs with the Repka
But I guess as they say u can’t get the bull without the horns
Shit under 21s in Sibenik??
I’m 30 mins away
I got to go!
Not the Repka but at least I can say I saw the new luka before he became luka
@Maminjo
Maybe @Slavonac hangs out with different Serbs than you do?
Good win against Slovakia but we all know what happens when our boys dont feel like getting out of bed to play against weak teams such as Azerbaijan.
I’d like to see a pretty good thumping of them after the Slovakia performance.
Serbia’s greatest footballer is a cigan.
@Slavonac
No they don’t.
Serbs rarely want to talk about football. They’ve been humiliated too much, missing most tournaments, and finishing last in their group the rare times they do qualify.
They’ve crashed out of their qualifying campaigns hard too, regularly finishing near the bottom, losing to minnows and even being blown out at home by Estonia.
They still talk about the time they beat Germany 1-0 at the World Cup (despite finishing last in that tournament).
That’s their gold medal. Beating Germany once in a game that didn’t matter in the end. They’ve never beaten a good team other than that. Theyve drawn a few teams (but even the minnows draw good teams from time to time).
Germany, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, England, Argentina, Brazil… These are the elite teams throughout history and Croatia has a WINNING record against most of them… Even humiliated a few of them.
Other countries could only dream of that.
This site is built on speculation. I think
She is upset at the Barca situation.
Rakitic would leave he had been
Disrespected there. What is he sorting out?
Byrd trouble a think.
@Tomas are you saying if Rakitic had a Croatian wife it would be better for him you dont know that.
We are on the Cusp of having a very good
Euro next summer. Out last Run with Luka and Rakitic
Flakes?????? Unacceptable! His wife seems like a nice
Lady but I hope she isn’t in his head. She is not one of us.
@Ante Kvartuc,
Excellent round up on all the action on Friday. I agree Brozovic is like a Tiger–that’s his Spirit Animal.
@ Maminjo
Regional teams are struggling to qualify directly. It seems like only Kosovo have kicked things into gear. Now N. Macedonia, Bosnia, and Serbia can qualify via play-offs because of their performances in the nations league.
I’d love to see Kosovo vs. Serbia at the Euros–something tells me it would trigger the 3rd Balkan War.
RE: YOUTH UPDATE
If you thought tomorrow’s qualifying match was the only gig in town, guess again! ‘Cause Croatia’s U21 begin their qualifying for Euro ’21 in Sibenik vs. Scotland this Tuesday the 10th.
This ensemble of youth talent features the likes of: Majer, Moro, Marin, Cuze, Ivanusec, Kulenovic and more! Croatia have Greece, Czech and Scotland, and topping the group and qualifying should be doable.
Croatia defeated Azerbaijan just 2:1 and we played them 0:0 once under Niko Kovac away. Some people on here are dissing Ivan Rakitic he gave his all for Croatia in the World Cup. Don’t disrespect his wife by insulting her and blaming her. He always wears the Cro jersey with pride.
Only Serbs think Serbia is some powerful soccer nation!
Serbia got beat by Portugal in Beograd too.
Only Slovenia and Kosovo are doing decent…but will still probably miss out.
Even in this expanded Euro format, these former Yugo teams are struggling to qualify.
More bragging rights for us.
Armenia beat BiH and Prosinecki quit!
Balkan shit show!
I agree with truth! Although I like his passing style much better than Kramaric’s selfish style of play, I think Petkovic has a lot more to prove on a consistent basis. He was really good the other day, but that was only 1 game.
I liked pektovic a lot in that game and what he offered but I’m not ready to move him ahead of kramaric
Kramaric is similar and has quite a track record. Odds are he is still the better player but that petkovic performance made us wonder a bit. Will need greater body of work though
Question…
If Krama was healthy and started in place of Petkovic does he perform just as good or better?
Kramaric is equally (if not better) in tight spaces than Petkovic.
However, Petkovic appears to be a better teammate and would be more likely to pass the ball, and more likely to track back on defence.
What happens if it were Krama in his place on Friday?
Petković is a big dude up top and has great hold up play.
Škrinjar looked stressed by him and he is supposed to be a quality CB.
Petković also seems to feel comfortable dribbling around 3 players in tight spaces to shoot on frame!
Then you add Vlašić power and purpose on the ball.
Throw in our beloved power wings.
Then for good measure all service center mids and your have the bunker breakthrough crew.
Plus Lovren knows this is his last match for a while and he will be looking to score again!
Full backs will be a lot more confident this match as well and play even better.
BBB – Baku Bunker Breakthrough
Oh yeah .. if all above fail put in Brekalo who is a one man BBB!
Rog could be handy this match as well for fresh legs.
Also Brozovic looks due for trade mark golasso.
Petkovic and Vlasic impressed. Petkovic impressed differently then Rebic and Pjaca who once upon a time got their starts and ran around like wild chickens, made some fast moves and everyone proclaimed them as future stars. Petkovic was calm, deliberate, gentle even with the ball. I hope he keeps improving.
Vlasic is an operator, works vertically well. Nice to see, as it broke up our frequent static play.
Probably a good reason for Modric to be on fire Maminjo!
I’d live to see another good game from Petkovic, Vlasic and our two outside backs! Get some competition for the older guys!
Im here to spit FACTS and ante is a tool
He is not wearing pants in that photo .
Birthday*
@Slavonac
Nah, I’m just messing with you.
But aside from the RB position, our injuries have not impacted the other positions due to our depth.
We’ll be better than the first three games of this qualifying campaign, and it’s Luka’s bier on Monday, so I can see him stepping up and winning this game himself.
Great vid Ante.
So fun to watch our guys when they’re playing good. That second half was entertaining! Wasn’t able to catch the first but I’m glad I caught the second. Happy for Petković…he got a 9.0 rating. Defense was strong, Livaković looked good.
I haven’t watched the video above yet. Can someone give me the cliff notes?
Did ante propose the players walk off the field again because suker is still in charge?
You really think so Maminjo? I’m not doubting they can win, I’m just worried about getting the first goal.
Most impressed with the second half and with Vlasic
Vlasic can definitely take over duties off Rakitic
Goodbye Ivan thanks for your services over the years
😉
Easy 2-0 win on Monday
Yesterday’s win was fantastic but Monday’s game is against a stingy team that’ll most likely be very defensive and try to score on a set play or a broken play. We shouldn’t think it’s gonna be easy. Every team matches up differently against each other. Scoring that first goal will be important and I’m hoping we jump out pressing hard and forcing them to make mistakes.