kpain16 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Nickname: Vatreni (The Blazers) Head coach: Niko Kovač Asst coach: Robert Kovač Captain: Darijo Srna Most caps 1. Darijo Srna (111) 2. Stipe Pletikosa (109) 3. Josip Šimunić (105) 4. Dario Šimić (100) 5. Ivica Olić (90) Top scorers 1. Davor Šuker (45) 2. Eduardo (29) 3. Darijo Srna (21) 4. Ivica Olić (18) 5. Niko Kranjčar (16) World Cup group A: Brazil Cameroon Croatia Mexico World Cup final squad Pos Name Club GK Stipe Pletikosa Rostov GK Danijel Subašić Monaco GK Oliver Zelenika Lokomotiva (on loan from Dinamo) RB Darijo Srna (c) Shakhtar Donetsk RB Šime Vrsaljko Genoa LB Danijel Pranjić Panathinaikos CB Vedran Ćorluka Lokomotiv Moscow CB Dejan Lovren Southampton CB Domagoj Vida Dynamo Kyiv CB Gordon Schildenfeld Panathinaikos CM Luka Modrić Real Madrid CM Ivan Rakitić Sevilla CM Mateo Kovačić Internazionale CM Marcelo Brozović Dinamo DM Ognjen Vukojević Dynamo Kyiv DM Ivan Močinić Rijeka AM Sammir Getafe WG Ivan Perišić Wolfsburg WG Ante Rebić Fiorentina ST Ivica Olić Wolfsburg ST Eduardo Shakhtar Donetsk ST Mario Mandžukić Bayern Munich ST Nikica Jelavić Hull City Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShyBaldBuddhist Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Always had a soft spot for Croatia and generally get behind them. Suker one of my favourite players. Loved the chip against Schmeichel and the goal where he rolled it past the out rushing German keeper in Euro 96. Had some great players back then but unfortunately don't appear to have the same quality these days. Think they have a chance of getting through the group but don't think they will get much further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Jeroen Thijssen Posted May 26, 2014 SI Staff Share Posted May 26, 2014 Kranjcar won't make it for the World Cup, which is probably a shame for Croatia... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Yeah. He's adored by many Croatian fans and could have been a good option from the bench. Shame, I guess Sammir seems certain to go now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancev Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I think Croatia will qualify out of their group, but they will face a tough team in the round of 16 so that's probably as far as they'll go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Srna Who's your backup LB ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 Probably Bubnjić, a bulky left footed CB. If Kovač doesn't call up someone else. Strinić was our first LB but he got injured. Pranjić is poor in defense (and not a natural LB) and should be molested by Hulk and the likes. So all in all we have a traditional LB problem we had ever since Jarni retired. Two players he might call up (god forbid) are Pivarić from Dinamo and Milić from Rostov. Both are Croatian league level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 No chance of Srna at LB and Vrsaljko at RB (or vice versa)? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 Srna can't play a LB and Vrsaljko did play it for Dinamo and the U21 team at some point so it's not impossible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted May 27, 2014 Administrators Share Posted May 27, 2014 Come on Pašalić. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 27, 2014 Author Share Posted May 27, 2014 I doubt Kovač will take him. He'll say he's young and that his time is arriving in the following years. Wait and see Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 Final squad updated. Bubnjić, Badelj (injury), Pašalić, Čop are out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Pasalic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 Yeah He's taking Brozović and Močinić and both have lower potential than him. But they are defensively somewhat better and more aggressive and he felt he needed those as only such player is Vukojević. I'm almost certain Pašalić will have a better career than these two, especially the numbskull Brozović. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Filho Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 Looks like Pranjić might be out, at least for the first game. Was injured in a friendly against Australia. So now we officially have no left backs in the squad. Seems most likely Vrsaljko will play it, possibly Vida. I doubt he'll go with Ćorluka (who played there once or twice). How is as ****ing footballing nation like us unable to develop one decent left back in 20 years. World class midfielders, strikers, whatever. But a bloody left footed defender that has a decent pace is a mystery to us :@ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Hall Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 What was the view in Croatia on the friendly? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 I haven't seen the game personally. There wasn't much about the game, more about Pranjić's injury (he might be OK as it now looks). We were supposedly very average and the only thing that's positive is that you didn't have a serious scoring opportunity. Also they say your team was very aggressive for a friendly but nothing too much to talk about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 7, 2014 Administrators Share Posted June 7, 2014 How dare you forget Robert Jarni Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 He's the last one. He was developed 20+ years ago Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG17 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Will Lovren play? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share Posted June 10, 2014 He might, but then again there is a good chance he won't. Especially if Kovač decides to sit deep in his own half. Schildenfeld is better in such gameplan than Lovren. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Badelj is back to the NT. Močinić was injured so Kovač got a permission to call Badelj back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancev Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 You ready, Hrvati? Spotlight is on in 24 hours! Kpain what do you think of this game realistically? I don't know if you have enough to get a result, but with your best players being who they are who knows what magic you could do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UTT Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Looks like Pranjić might be out, at least for the first game. Was injured in a friendly against Australia. So now we officially have no left backs in the squad. Seems most likely Vrsaljko will play it, possibly Vida. I doubt he'll go with Ćorluka (who played there once or twice). How is as ****ing footballing nation like us unable to develop one decent left back in 20 years. World class midfielders, strikers, whatever. But a bloody left footed defender that has a decent pace is a mystery to us :@ Should have capped Luis Ibanez! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 At least most of the pressure is on Brazil, Croatia need to frustrate their opponents and let them nervous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I suspect that is what we'll try to do. Defend deep, frustrate Brazil and try to break on counters. We have several set piece specialists so that might do us good as well. Efficiency has usually been a trademark of ours for some time. Shame Mandžukić isn't playing, we'll miss him badly. I just hope Jelavić isn't involved. He's a one player less on the pitch. We got firepower to hurt Brazil, that's for sure. And we usually perform well in big games. But who knows, let's just wait and see. And I can't wait... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabio MVP Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Best of luck tonight kpain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks Good luck to you against the Argies too. Our media claim Kovač is not willing to park the bus. Not sure why not if it works. Get a result, who cares how. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabio MVP Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Thanks! Gonna need it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Nothing to worry about. Them South Americans got nothing on Balkan flair Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
headshotbg Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I think Croatia had a nice game last night - really unlucky with the referee decisions. Might have ended with a loss even without that, but still generally good. One thing I noticed is Ivica Olic seems really past it... Too slow both physically and with the decision making. Srna also seemed slow and was below par. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Unlucky yesterday, but think you have enough to get past Cameroon and Mexico. Mandzukic back is a big plus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Yeah, Olić and Srna looked poor. But I wouldn't blame Olić much. He's a clear striker that had to be played out of position as we have no wingers. He isn't quick as he used to be but he still has a poacher's instinct in him and scores regularly. Nothing much he can do playing on the left wing. He never had the skill to dribble, can only get on his bike and cross the ball. His FIFA skilling is mostly hilarious Rebić should take that left wing position as he has more to offer and is one for the future. Srna is in a downward spiral for the last 2-3 years. He manages to play a good game here and there but overall as a player he's not what he used to be. Mostly because he is becoming slower and less agile which is tough for a RB. But we have Vrsaljko and some other decent RBs so at least that position is covered for the future. We were unlucky with the ref, he decided an even game. But we were pretty blunt going forward and would be more than happy with a draw. Nothing strange considering we had Jelavić up front. I'm pretty sure any Croatian centre-back can match his technical qualities. Not sure about Mexico and Cameroon. We can't count on 3 points in any of these games IMO and they have a power to hurt last nights Brazil too. Especially Mexico. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kontermann Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Unlucky defeat yesterday but you will make the next round, youre way better than Mexiko and Cameroon. Olic was good yesterday i think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
headshotbg Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Nah... Olic lost the ball a lot of times, obviously he's 34 and you can't depend on his speed and kpain is right that it's not all his fault, but he was just out of his depth yesterday. I do believe Croatia have their chances both against Mexico and Cameroon, it will be quite an open group this one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Do you have a defensive midfielder? I would play with a defensive midfielder behind Modrić and Rakitić, with Kovačić behind Jelavić and Olić. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorando Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Vukojevic is a defensive midfielder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kontermann Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I think the young striker who came on yesterday was showing promise, what was his name again EDIT: Rebic! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anti Spiral Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Who was the guy wearing Modrics shirt? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 He never had the skill to dribble, can only get on his bike and cross the ball. His FIFA skilling is mostly hilarious Loved it when he was skilling in the Croatian half and ended up losing the ball Like a 12 year old on fifa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Do you have a defensive midfielder? I would play with a defensive midfielder behind Modrić and Rakitić, with Kovačić behind Jelavić and Olić. Yeah, Vukojević is a DM. But he's useless for anything other than fouling players so no one is keen on using him much. Loved it when he was skilling in the Croatian half and ended up losing the ball Like a 12 year old on fifa He does things like that all the time. Tries tricks even though he gains nothing with them. At times you can see him do elasticos and heel chops like he's some kind of skiller while in reality it looks like it was done by someone that learned the trick before the game and is keen on showing it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kontermann Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Loved it when he was skilling in the Croatian half and ended up losing the ball Like a 12 year old on fifa Yeah I was thinking exactly the same i was like wtf is he doing there in his own half Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Was expecting more of Rakitic yesterday. Might of been the way he was instructed to play but was underwhelmed by his performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Yeah, though no one was really that good. A midfield trio of Modrić, Rakitić and Kovačić is expected to do a lot more than they did last night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kontermann Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Let Rebic play in the next game! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 I'd let him play too. Him on the left, Perišić on the right, Mandžukić on top. Olić to come afterwards and cause some havoc while being fresh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebirds4life Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Perisic had a great game. Shame about your keeper Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baptista_8 Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 He does things like that all the time. Tries tricks even though he gains nothing with them. At times you can see him do elasticos and heel chops like he's some kind of skiller while in reality it looks like it was done by someone that learned the trick before the game and is keen on showing it This cracked me up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoW Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Was pretty sure of Croatia's chances to progress, but with Pletikosa in goal... Jesus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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