Croatia coach Slaven Bilić has called on uncapped goalkeeper Danijel Subasić and midfielder Ivo Ilicević in a 23-man squad for 2010 World Cup qualifiers at Ukraine on October 11th and four days later at home to Andorra.
Bilić said that 21-year-old Ilicević, has shined for Greuther Fuerth in the German second division, and deserves a call up. "Ilicević has undoubtedly been one of the main players in our under-21 team in the last few years," Bilić said on Monday.
Hajduk Split keeper Subasić, 23, has done well this season following a transfer from Zadar last summer.
Bilić said the Ukraine game had become a key qualifier following the humiliating 4-1 defeat at home by England earlier this month."The game in Ukraine is particularly important as Ukraine are our direct rivals for qualifying. The defeat against England has somewhat upset us but we are not giving up our goal to qualify," Bilić told reporters.
Croatia, looking to bounce back after last months humiliating 4-1 defeat at home to England, will be without suspended defender Robert Kovač for both games. Robert's suspension opened the door for Dinamo Zagreb hitman Dino Drpić for a possible first cap.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moscow), Vedran Runje (RC Lens), Danijel Subašić (Hajduk Split)
Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Tottenham), Josip Šimunić (Hertha Berlin), Dario Knežević (Juventus), Hrvoje Vejić (Tom Tomsk), Ivica Križanac (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dino Drpić (Dinamo Zagreb)
Midfielders: Danijel Pranjić (Heerenveen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Niko Kovač (Salzburg), Luka Modrić (Tottenham), Jerko Leko (AS Monaco), Ivan Rakitić (Schalke 04), Ognjen Vukojević (Dynamo Kiev), Nikola Pokrivač (AS Monaco), Ivo Ilicević (Greuther Fuerth)
Forwards: Mladen Petrić (Hamburg SV), Ivica Olić (Hamburg SV), Ivan Klasnić (Nantes), Nikola Kalinić (Hajduk Split), Mario Mandžukić (Dinamo Zagreb)
2 questions for you: How do you like the squad? Who should start?
~Denis Svirčić, reporting from Lakerville
33 comments:
--------------Runje----------------
Corluka-Knezevic--Krizanac--Simunic
-----------------------------------
Pranjic---Rakitic---Modric---Srna--
-----------------------------------
---------Olic--Klasnic-------------
Pletikosa was horrible against England and Pranjic belongs as a mid. Hopefully Klasnic isn't injured.
petric will definitely start because he's been on fire for hamburg lately...i dont see pleti getting the boot quite yet and for this young team to be out there, niko kovac will still lead the eam....bilic hasnt abbouned the starting 11 quite yet....but an upgrade for the new generation is slowly lipping in...
Pletikosa
corluka-krizanac-simunic-pranjic
srna-modric-kovac-rakitic
mandzukic(he will play olic)-petric
The Ukraine game is essentially a must win, or at the very least a must tie. A loss would almost certainly see us miss the world cup (as unbelievable as that may seem). Any word on Kranjcar and Eduardo? Also, what is going on with Cvitanic???
I agree with Joze except that Petric should start since he's doing really well right now
Runje
Corluka-Knezevic--Krizanac--Simunic
Pranjic---Rakitic---Modric---Srna--
Olic--Petric
I dont think Pranjic should play Defence, and also it might be wise to play Vukojevic since he has experience with the ukraine players.
i bet u guys cant wait for eddie to come back. Dont worry i 2 cant wait, Arsenal will be great when he does return.
Denis, where u been?? havent seen yeh at work.
Silviano,
yup we sure miss "Eddie", hopefully, he will return to 100% for our next set of qualifiers in March. Arsenal is looking good even without Eddie.
Haven't worked at HDC in a few weeks. Money isn't that good, considering I dish out just about $20 for gas. I might not return. How's work?
It's been khool. we had Boxing last week. Chivas are in 2ed place and the Galaxy r in hope of making the play-off for like the third year in a row. Kevin Keegen was seen the other week at the HDC.
Best team weve got at the moment
Runje
Srna Corluka Krizanac Simunic
Leko Vukojevic
Raketic Pranjic
Modric
Petric
Kovac brothers thanks but mother time is knocking at the door, pranjic is one of our best scoring midfielders at the moment he shouldnt be playing defence, 442 is not for us were not brazil this is the team that should play against ukraine
is luka good to go for this game? he hasnt played for a few weeks after being injured while playing for tottenham hotspurs
Ivica,
Luka will be ready for the game. He was fit for Tottenham, however, wasn't subbed in by the soon to be fired manager. Barring any new injures, Luka will start for the Vatreni.
Silviano,
Kevin Keegan was at the match? Thats cool. What happened to Lalas? Has he filed unemployment yet?
I got tickets for the MLS cup final, so I will be there. As far as work, I don't think I am coming back this year.
Stipa
Interesting lineup. Jerko Leko, never got a chance with Croatia, so I would be shocked to see him start. I followed him since the Dynamo Kiev days. Good player, never had a chance.
Niko Kovac is a horse. He always gives 110% and deserves to start over the inexperienced Vukojevic. Vuki will get his chance.
Pranjic definately should start on the left mid side until Krancar returns. I'm not sure about Srna dropping to defense.
Rob
"The Ukraine game is essentially a must win, or at the very least a must tie. A loss would almost certainly see us miss the world cup"
Even a 1-0 loss would not throw us out of the world cup. This would only mean that we must beat Ukraine at home.
Also, remember, we are hurting right now. Kranjcar, eduardo, and Kovac are out.
Just like bilic said, a draw would not be a terrible result in Ukraine. However, even a 1-0 loss is nothing to panic about. A 1-0 loss most certainly throws 1st place in the group out the window.
As far as Cvitanich is concerned, Croatian media has reported that Bilic will visit him in Amsterdam sometime in November. I wouldn't be surprised if he calls him for a friendly sometime in February.
My Lineup:
Pletikosa
(Runje deserves to start, however, remember when England benched Robinson against Croatia? If Pleti doesn't come through against Ukraine, Runje starts on wednesday)
Corluka---Krizanac--Simunic
--------N.Kovac--------------
Srna---Rakitic---Modric---Pranjic--
Olic--Petric
Paluka,
Good points. After reconsidering a bit, I think I would give Runje a shot. But I could understand why Bilic would want to go with Pletikosa. I have been hoping for some time to see Croatia go with a 3-5-2 lineup with the holding mid...I just feel like the greatest strength and skill of our players is in midfield, so you should play to your strengths. For us, that should be ball posession and carefully built counter-attacks up the field.
Ultimately (considering the current injury situation) I feel this would be our best lineup, but i know we will never see it.
Runje
Corluka- Krizanac- Simunic
Kovac
Srna-Rakitic-Modric-Pranjic
Olic-Petric
*note* maybe switch krizanac and simunic...not sure of krizanac's pace, but I am not sure I trust a new defender as the lone central back...he cannot be much slower than simunic, however.
Also, when Dudu and Kranjcar are healthy, I would switch Eduardo in for Petric, Kranjcar for Rakitic, and move Rakitic into a trailing striker role behind Eduardo (I feel this would be Rakitic's ideal position, ultimately).
Also Paluka, I know a loss does not put us out. But let's say we do lose 1-0 in Ukraine, and win against them 1-0 in Maskimir. Our qualification would likely come down to how Ukraine does vs England. We must keep in mind that our goal difference because of that game is very poor. Potentially, that late goal by Mandzukic against the English could end up being huge. You guys are right though. One step at a time, right now these are all hypotheticals. But something to think about none the less.
Bilic' mandate was to take the tactics into the 21st century. For too long we've had coaches like Kranjcar who believed 3-5-2 to be part of the Croatian "national charectar". Bilic would sooner play W-M than 3-5-2. Still, Capello showed the weaknesses of playing 4-4-2 against a midfield 5- esp. when the two CM's are a 37yr old and a featherweight playmaker...
Let's thank the Kovac bros and move on. Plus, since our (fit) strikers don't score, why play 2 up top anyway?!? It's a waste. We've got great midfielders so let's use them- sometimes I think Bilic has such a hard-on for all things English that he'll only play 4-4-2.
Anyhow, here's my (4-1-4-1) formation...
Runje
Corluka. Krizanac. Knezevic. Simunic
Vukojevic/Leko
Srna. Modric. Rakitic. Pranjic
Olic
On a side note,
Why is croatia not scheduled any friendly matches yet? Alot of teams have already 3 friendlys scheduled within the next 9 months, I think its a good idea for bilic or whoever to set them up so we can get more experience playing as a team.
I agree with a single forward up front. This has as much to do with their inability to work with one another (as evidenced in the last several matches) as any particular forward's skill at this point. Why not mix in an attacking midfielder and utilize 5? The question then becomes which one to start? I would personally endorse starting Olic and subbing Petric(as we've seen to great effectiveness at times) late in games as needed.
i agree with alex, though i wouldnt play knezevic he's been riding the bench and only playing half a game in juve, that is not good enough to start.I dont understand why its so hard for people to see srna should be playing as fullback, he's been playing it every game in ukraine for the last 4 years and dominates more as a fullback than a midfielder, id start petric because i think the chances of him scoreing are greater than olic, id put olic in the seceond half once weve got the lead and he can pressure the tired defenders
Stipa,
While I agree that Srna would do best as a right back( in a backline with Krizanac-Corluka-Simunic), the only formation that would make sense would be a 4-2-3-1 with Leko and Vukojevic as holding mids and Pranjic, Modric, and Raki as the AM's. That said, it looks a decent option.
Joze, Ante, Rob, Matt, Silviano, Paluka, Ivica, Stipa, Alex, Anonymous(get a name dude), and Pintar,
Wow! That is 11 of you that have contributed to the latest and most important Croatian soccer debate in recent memory.
Not since the retirement of our golden generation of Suker, Boban, Prosinecki, and Asanovic has there been such a strong debate as to who deserves to wear the checkers.
Keeper
Many of you have decided to give Pletikosa the boot and give Runje a chance.
Defense
With the recent retirement of Dario Simic, a four game suspension handed out to Robert Kovac, and giving up 4 goals at home, our defense was highly criticized and due for a change.
Krizanac-Corluka-Simunic-knezevic-Pranjic-Srna all have been named by you the people, as possible defenders. All in all that is 6 defenders for 3 or possibly 4 that will line up next Saturday in Ukraine. Corluka, barring injury, will start 100%, the rest are all question marks. Some might start in mid, while others might sit on the pine
Midfielders
Leko-Vukojevic-Pranjic-Modric-Rakitic-Kovac-Srna are all mentioned as possible midfielders for Ukraine. Should we play a 3, 4 or 5 player midfield? Should we play Srna or Pranjic or Both? There could be a huge shakeup in midfield.
Forwards
For some reason, we didn't have a problem deciding on a forward. All of you either went for Olic, Petric, or both. So now the question is do we go back to starting both, or strengthen the midfield with an extra player because our strikers can not find the net anyhow?
First, I would like to thank each and every one of you for contributing. Each and every one of you have a valid argument. I haven't seen so many combinations since the last time I played chess.
After reading all of your responses(Yes, I know its not fair), I have come up with my team.
Pletikosa
Pleti played in Ukraine and might be familiar with some of the players. Another Pleti blunder and Runje shows up the following wednesday.
Corluka-----Simunic---Krizanac
As much as I would hate to see a shaky Simunic in the center of the defense, with Robi on the bench, we don't have an experienced defender. Corluka is irreplaceable and Krizanac deserves the chance.
--------N.Kovac--------------
Srna---Rakitic---Modric---Pranjic--
Niko Kovac has given everything to the checkered shirt and I don't remember him having a terrible game. Vukojevic is still young and untested. He will get his shot.
Pranjic has been scoring almost every league game in Holland. He shouldn't be stuck in defense. The Beckham of the Balkans (Srna) shouldn't be in defense. Modric and Rakitic are a lock to start with Kranjcar nursing an injury.
Olic--Petric
I thought about going with a solo striker, however, Olic has had a wonderful season so far, and Petirc has woken up from a post EURO coma. I dont have a choice but to start both.
Nice to hear from all of you Croatian fans. I think Slaven Bilic would have to think twice about his lineup after reading our analysis. : )
Good to hear your opinions too, Denis. Seems like we agree on the line-up other then the keeper. I feel like after Stipe's performance, Runje has earned the chance (or perhaps more accurately, Pletikosa has lost it). Perhaps this is not the right game to do it in, but maybe at least against Andorra depending on the performance.
start mandzukic
fuck eduardo hes a little black monkey
denis, while i agree with five in the midfield i dont like three in the back line. The game is to fast today to leave holes in the back,if u remember un cico we played a 3-5-2 system and often srna and babic were playing like defenders rather than midfielders, esp in ukraine u know there will be times will be under pressure and the wing players will be forced to drop back leaving holes in the midfield. The strength of this team is Modric he has to be freed up rather than covering kovacs tracks, to often hes playing like a defensive mid which hes not, i love kovac hes given his all for the national team, but its a privlage to play for croatia not a rite every good national team plays their best players who are ready and in game shape, theo walcott was 19 and he killed us last game while the ex captain with 100 caps was sitting on the bench "beckham" Ronaldinhio one of the best players in the world wasent called for brazil next week because hes not in game shape, that is a good coach, bilic is a great man and leader but is to loyal to his players we always play the same eleven no matter what, hes not a good tactican. as for gsha eduardo makes croatia 20% better when he play's and loves croatia, married a croatian women and lived there since he was 14 and speaks croatian as good as any croatian.
Rob,
As of today, I would start Runje, however, as a fellow by the name of "Agent Argentina" would say "now is not the time."
I am pretty sure that Bilic would like to start Runje. However, let just say hypothetically that Runje lets in a few goals, or just one bad one. People will be asking for Slaven's head.
I can't stress how important this Ukraine match is for the vatreni. I would start Runje on Wednesday, unless Pleti gets a shutout.
Coza,
Not a bad idea to start Mandukic. My guess is that you are hoping another Walcott shows up this time for Croatia. However, with the way Petric has been playing for Hamburg, I don't see this happening.
Mandukic played well in the limited minutes he saw against England.
GSHA,
No F bombs please. If you have something intelligent to bring too the board you are more then welcome, otherwise stay with the crowd making monkey noises. However, don't make the monkey noises when Croatia is playing. It would be a shame to have Croatia thrown out of qualifying because of one of your monkey noises.
stipa,
I would prefer 4 in the back line as well. However, with Robi out and Pranjic most likely moving up as a midfielder, I am not so sure that I would like to see the 2 K's Simunic and Corluka as our back line. We can try this for the Wednesday game, not for Ukraine.
If we have to go with 4 on the back line, I would keep Pranjic on the left wing. For as much as people blamed him for the loss, he wasn't at fault for all the goals. He was unfortunate for the first goal, the rest were not his fault. I would like to see him in his natural position as a midfielder.
Beckham was called into the England squad just so he can get his 100th cap ala Dario Simic. Brazil has so much talent they can field 4 teams and all four teams have a decent chance to qualify. Besides playing in Austria, Niko comes to play for Croatia. Night in night out, he puts in 100% and hasn't lost much of a step the last few years. Vukojevic or Leko might be able to fill in one day, however, for Ukraine, I wouldn't even think about it twice.
If you look at our team overall everyone besides the Kovac brothers and Simunic is young. It doesnt hurt to have some experience on the team. Robi is most likely done, this will open up the door for both of the K's.
Theo had one good game and now he is considered God in England. In my book, he still hasn't done anything. All of his goals came due to the fact that he was in the right place at the right time. Not to take anything away from him, the kid has game. It wasn't only Walcott that one the game for England. The entire English team was on point and performed brilliantly.
Bilic is a smart man, was outcoached by Capello, and will return with a bang!
I'm not worried boys. Ukraine will be difficult, but I will go out on a limb and predict a 2-1 victory for the Vatreni.
Good posts fellas, keep it going. N
No F bombs, and no monkey noises, we will save those for Zagreb.
dennis, i agree the last thing i would do in ukraine is play the two k's, but i wouldnt play with three defenders or pranjic, id play with srna droping back because hes not a liability as he plays fullback with his club and put in one k krizanac
Walcott and ronaldinho were just two examples of many, i dont think walcott is anything above average, just saying a coach has to play the best players fit and ready, also croatia is a young team but they are not kids, all the players who actually have a chance of playing are 25 or older everyone except modric corluka and kranjcar,kallinic mandukic and ilicevic wont be playing in ukraine.
dennis check this website www.net.hr shows the highlights from the dinamo kiev game vucko got the first dont really care about the goal, but check out the through ball he gave for the fourth goal.Just because you havent seen niko kovac play a terrible game dosent mean we dont have better options, that said he will play in ukraine but i ask you if he's so important when is it time to call it a day everygame is important and we cant afford to lose another game so when do you make the change after the world cup
did anyone know that Liverpool actually sent an offer for Srna last August? Apparantly if Pennant leaves they are interested again and I also read that Real Madrid could want him on sportske novosti. I know its all rumours but atleast people are finally taking notice of him as a good player.
Stipa,
I guess I wouldn't mind seeing Srna dropping back to defense. He play a Sinisa Mihaljovic role. For those of you unfamiliar with Sinisa, he was a Serbian defender that wasn't much of a defender, but can take free kicks ten times better than David Beckham and holds the Serie A record for most free kick goals.
You are also right about our national team not being young. Most of our team besides Modric and Corluka have just now reached their prime.
I would have preferred that both Kovac brothers have retired after EURO 2008. However, it is what it is. I am 50-50 wether to start Vuki or Kovac. Thanks for the highlight update. Yes, unbelievable pass..
Joze,
There was a rumor floating around about a possible Real Madrid switch for Srna. Take a look at this:
http://www.net.hr/sport/page/2008/10/03/0359006.html
Madrid Sports Director, Predrag Mijatovic, said, "Srna is fantastic, however, Real doesn't need him."
Real Madrid's B team can play in the champions league. I would much rather have Srna play with a mid table level team in a better league. The last thing I want is to watch Srna ride the pine at Real.
I don't remember the Liverpool rumor, however, the past few years Srna has been rumored all over Europe.
Maybe the Kovac red is a blessing in disguise. I think it's time for Krizanac and Vukojevic to become full time starters. Every great player must end his career and the Kovac brothers were legends for Croatia. They might be good right now but no way they would be fit in another 18 months. Robert maybe, but with this suspension (which is bull**** by the way) it's tough to see him keep his starting gig. Simic and Kovac should have planned something to retire together right after the Kazakstan game in Zagreb. That would have been fitting. Simic's retirement is nice because he got the 100 cap recognition which he deserved. I just hope captain Niko doesnt force anything when other better players could be taking his spot. We win in Ukraine and well be fine, a tie isnt even bad when Kranjcar and Dudu will bw back for next year's conclusion.
Pletikosa
Srna-Corluka-Krizanac-Simunic
Rakitic-Vukojevic-Modric-Pranjic
Mandzukic-Petric
When Kranjcar comes back we are going to have quite a problem with the left and right midfield positions with four guys able to play them (Srna, Kranjcar, Pranjic, Rakitic) so someone has to be moved.
When Bilic first took the job he was highly criticized for moving Corluka, Modric, and Eduardo straight to the senior team. Now they are all unquestionable starters so I think we must take a chance with our young talent such as Vukojevic and Mandzukic. When Niko Kovac plays these days its like have three center backs and then Modric just gets dominated alone in the midfield like what Lampard and Barry did to him. Olic obviously isn't getting the job done up front but he should be subbed in the second half to put pressure on the Ukraine defense.
And this is Pletikosa's last chance I think. If he lets in one more goal because of his own fault hes gone. Andorra should be a good warm up game for Runje.
after reading some articles looks like bilic might go with a 4-4-1-1
formation with either leko or vukojevic gonna parter with niko kovac in the middle, and rakitic or petric behind olic
Stipa,
I read the same rumors. However, nothing has been confirmed. Only the media is guessing at what Bilic will do.
Tomorrow, Bilic will have everyone in camp in training evaluating everyone. I am not sure that Bilic will come up with a decision until gametime.
We will keep you posted if anything comes up. If Bilic confirms something, we will have it on the website, otherwise its just a rumor. We love rumors, they make you wonder.
Thanks for the update Stipa
Yeh, during the tennis tourney here at the HDC, i worked window 12 early in the morning and till late night, and on that saturday i saw lalas going in and out of the center with boxes of stuff. i didnt know why till that monday. btw i remember sukur in wc98, scoring v germany, also remember those two lilian thurams goals, and that was the first i heard of croatia, hey he even was an Arsenal player! did no good, he missed a pk in the shootout with galatasaray in denmark in the Uefa cup. And that why the reason he was sub-in for! dont worry Vieira missed also.
32 replies and hopefully counting :)
Unorthodox lineup from me with two DMs and Modric on the left. I would have picked Runje ahead of Pleti if both were available.
Pletikosa
Srna-Corluka-Simunic-Pranjic
Rakitic-Leko-Vukojevic-Modric
Olic-Petric
Warm regards,
darijo
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