Reports around the football world started swirling this weekend that former Croatia international – Mario Mandžukić – could be on his way to LAFC of the MLS, Yahoo Sports reports. The 33 year-old striker is currently at reigning Italian Serie A champions Juventus, who are trying to unload his contract. Mandžukić is only 14 months removed from scoring three goals at the World Cup and one of the most important goals in Croatian sports history: injury time vs. England in the semifinal. He surely has plenty left in the tank for the MLS. Qatari clubs are also in the running for his services. What is the best move for Mandzo at this point in his career?
With CroatianSports.com based in Los Angeles, we say, come on down to Hollywood Super Mario!
Josip Brekalo has been a man on a mission with Wolfsburg this season; and it will be much sooner than later when he breaks into Croatia’s permanent starting XI. On Friday, Brekalo got the start and played 90 minutes in Wolfsburg’s 1-1 draw vs. Fortuna Dusseldorf. In the 29th minute, Brekalo ‘nutmegged’ the Dusseldorf defender to get by him on the end line and put a perfect pass to Wout Weghorst in the middle of the box for the goal. Brekalo is quick and creative and will play perfectly alongside Nikola Vlašić in the Croatia midfielder during the next decade.
Brekalo Assist @ 2:20
Mateo Kovačić had a fantastic return from injury Saturday as his Chelsea side defeated Wolverhampton 5-2 on the road. Kovačić was given an ‘8’ graded as he “absolutely bossed the midfield in the first half. Just seemed to be everywhere, winning the ball and then controlling the play when he had possession. Looked a completely different player this season to last, and he was excellent throughout the contest, with Wolves’ midfield struggling to make an impact.”
Ante Rebić made his AC Milan debut on Sunday; coming off the bench at halftime in a 1-0 victory over Verona. Rebić picked up a yellow card in the second half and missed a ‘sitter’ in front of the goal which should have given him his first goal in Milan.
My post above.
Rebic is the new Ivica Olic.
Inter Milan will win the A.
Juve and Sarri suck. The team peaked with Mandzukic and will never be a contender for the big trophy.
Spain is probably Croatia’s biggest Sports rival, since they happen to be good at all the sports we’re good at. Hence we tend to meet each other in later stages of competitions.
we are making progress. WC was a throw of the dice. we need to use it to further our prospects, our reach. dalic is over seeing a revolution in our playing style. we were defensive minded ever since yugo days. now we know we can use our skill set, but it takes time. the boys like to play quick clever football. young talents are coming through. confidence.
waiting for rebic to get his mojo back. then we’ll see
tramp
da fuck. lmfao
i dont think so. central americans will support croatia before spain. more likely a serb with a spanish mum
Spaniards love Croats, and respect them.
Spain has lost a lot to Croatia in sports (football, basketball, waterpolo, handball, tennis) despite Spain having 10 times the population of Croatia. It’s a good friendly rivalry.
This dude posting here is not from Spain.
He’s just one of those American born Central American dudes who thinks that makes him Spanish, and just cheers for Spain because his own country can’t qualify for tournaments.
Hahha offside goal Spain? get out
Of here maricon
Why is a Spaniard on a Croatian sports site? And Spain “won” the World Cup just like France last year in the football World Cup – with an assist from FIBA, which is located in Spain. The Aussies were robbed by the refs in the semis. Spain should have played for bronze. I remember years ago how Croatia was majorly screwed against Spain in a Euro game. We’re used to it.
@Anonymous
Where do you see this ‘relieved of their U21 duties’ stuff? Bradaric, Sosa, and Katic were all on the last U21 team and have a qualifying match next month against San Marino. Does it say somewhere that they won’t be playing with the U21s anymore? If so, I haven’t seen it. I personally do think Bradaric and/or Sosa should be called up. Definitely over at least Melnjak and maybe Barisic. However, like I’ve said recently in another post, if they are just going to be on the bench and not play, really no point in calling them up. Let them be the stars of the U21s.
Spaniards desperately want to be like Croats thats why Barcelona copied the Croatia sahovnica design after the World Cup.
With several players relieved of their U21s duty, Dalic certainly has some good problems going forward in relation to starters and call ups;
Petkovic vs Krama
Rebic vs Brekalo
Orisic vs Pjaca (call up)
Vlasic vs Rakitic
Pasalic vs Rog (call up)
Barisic/Melnjak vs Bradaric/Sosa
Bartolec vs Vrsaljko
Mitrovic/Skoric vs Caleta-Car/Katic or Benkovic/Pongracic
Regardless of your opinion, these are good problems to have.
@Spaniard no one cares about the Basketball World Cup that’s why America wasnt serious.Olmo.isnt the best prospect ever at Dinamo Zagreb.
Haha Croats! Glory to Spain again! Fiba world cup champs and you didn’t even qualify! A Spaniard comes to dinamo and becomes the best prospect dinamo has ever had and has all the Croatians begging him to play for them. So sad! Just give up on sports Croats. It’s ok if it’s not your thing. Leave the sports playing to Spain!
Rebic “sitter” was actual a really difficult chance as it came at him at thigh level with pace. Brekalo shined again for Wolfsburg was the best player on the pitch for either team will be a star in the near future.
Brekalo is slick and quick with the ball at his feet.
He needs to start or at the very least gets a solid 45 minutes.
@ Dannyj
He is #1 on the potential world class list of young Croatian footballers.
His technique is on the level right now.
He needs to keep on playing and ripping up Bundesliga.
He flashed the goods at the u17 World Cup a few years back.
I remember seeing Luka Modrić at the 2006 word cup, we all were thinking why doesn’t he play more?
The Kranjčar nepotism was slightly in the way.
I get that same Modrić feeling when I see the ball at Brekalo’s feet.
Prosinečki had that same look with the ball and running movement as ONE.
Rebic is our new Olic.
Speed, heart, and questionable finishing.
Love em both by the way.
Kovacic came off the bench late against argentina
Hard to not play brekalo
He didn’t have nuff time to get anything going vs Azerbaijan but a short history shows he can make something happen
His quickness and seems to have this mental advantage of making stuff happen offensively that looks To be dare I say it world class potential
Let’s hope kova can get a string ot sold games together
Will be interesting how dalic lines up the midfield
I suppose all depends if Rakitic is going to play or not
Prob follows very close to World Cup squad as he can
Did we start with kova Rakitic Modric in Argentina game or did kova come later?
I think Rebić hits the bench next game for us.
Brekalo and Perišić need to start. Vlašić is good where he is behind the striker. Two of Brozović, Modrić, Kovačić or Rakitić (whoever isn’t injured or bailing on us) will play behind them. Up top, either Kramarić or Petković (but would like to see Krama play if he’s 100% healthy).
On a side note, ac Milan is not that good of a team.
Rebic had two or three nice plays and like 5 plays he screwed up.
Hah, I thought Kovacic was injured
Rebic played aweful today
I think they had malo too much vino celebrating Luka’s bday
Or ya maybe some nasty Azerbaijan food lol
Dirty ass Muslimani
Rebic just missed an arguable sitter.
Some youth updates: Tonio Teklić scores for Hajduk in their 1-1 draw vs. Rijeka. Kristijan Bistrović scores for CSKA Moscow in their 2-0 victory, Vlašić played a strong game.
Anyone have a Milan stream link? Rebic just got on the pitch.
Rumor from back home is that we had a few
Players with direreaa last match. Anyone hear this?
Whats going on with the Mandzukic situation at Juventus
It’s becoming a bit of a joke all just promote this sarri type football
No respect
I can see why Barca don’t give Rakitic any respect because he has none but with Mario can’t understand it
Too blinded by ronaldo for Pete’s sake hope they win nothing this year
I follow Chelsea but from what I remember
I have seen two attempts on goal this year.
Both blocked but he is trying.
Has anyone been watching Kovačić play?
Has he actually been venturing into the opponent’s third and creating chances?
Or has he simply been a good defensive midfielder?
Mateo Kovacic
Absolutely bossed the midfield in the first half. Just seemed to be everywhere, winning the ball and then controlling the play when he had possession.
Looked a completely different player this season to last, and he was excellent throughout the contest, with Wolves’ midfield struggling to make an impact. 8
I think mandzu will go to Man U in January
LAFC looking at Mandzukic also.
Elvis, that site posted on the same day another article:
https://sports.yahoo.com/juventus-confirm-mandzukic-missing-fiorentina-133213138.html
Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici has confirmed that Mario Mandzukic did not travel with the rest of the squad to face Fiorentina as the striker is currently locked in talks with an unnamed Qatari team
Mateo with another very good game…is this the year for him finally?
Are you kidding me?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/report-lafc-hot-pursuit-juventus-202458981.html
We do def have more experience in pressure type games then prob all these teams combined right now
Let’s hope it can serve us well
There’s no fucking way to know of the outcome of the hungry or azerbajan game..they those controls will fail.cro will prevail..I think our boys play better under pressure.
Brekalo needs to start against Hungary (and not at RB).
Hungary will bunker.
They only need a draw to ensure they win the head-to-head matchup against us… and they should be able to secure qualification by beating Azerbaijan and drawing Wales. It’s very do-able despite their loss to Slovakia.
Rebić is not a good fit for a game like this.
We need skilled guys who finish well in tight spaces. There probably won’t be much room to run.
We really should be looking at Brekalo and Kramarić starting. Hopefully Rakitić will report to the team, especially if Modrić is not 100%.
Amazing with him attacking Azerbaijan for ninety minutes wr only scored no goals in open play… Oh wait
Kid has so much upside
Should have quite the highlight reel one day
Let’s just hope he can do it week in and week out for a long time to come
https://youtu.be/8iaoVwFWDek
What a beautiful play. I feel like everything Brekalo does is with such precision and swag.
Brekalo with another start today and another assist.