Comments on CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT: MODRIĆ OUT SIX WEEKS

does it say they are saving him for the ukraine ga...

2009-09-01T12:38:10.398-07:00

does it say they are saving him for the ukraine game?

Yes, he is out. We need him to be healthy so he c...

2009-09-01T12:30:05.769-07:00

Yes, he is out.

We need him to be healthy so he can play against Ukraine.

In a perfect world I hope our guys win 1-0 or 2-0 on Saturday. I dont want a blowout win because that might destroy Belarus for their match with the Ukraine. I rather have them going into that match thinking they have a chance.

pardon my croatian but does this mean Hleb will no...

2009-09-01T12:12:40.579-07:00

pardon my croatian but does this mean Hleb will not be playing on Saturday

http://sportske.jutarnji.hr/index.php?cmd=show_clanak&clanak_id=13506

Ziva, if you mean holding play up with back to goa...

2009-09-01T11:29:22.196-07:00

Ziva, if you mean holding play up with back to goal, Mandukic is quite good. in fact that's one of his strengths. If you mean playing as a withdrawn striker/trequarista then no, only Eduardo and Kranjcar. Eduardo could easily play as a trequarista if needed although he's such a good goal scorer that that would be a waste (esp. since none of our other forwards can score). I've also seen Petric play there although I wouldn't take that route, personally. Yes, we need to play a bit negative and stifle their play. I imagine that if we can get to 60 minutes without them scoring their support will start to get on their case and they'll get frustrated and distracted.

stick to defense..... many forwards don't have the...

2009-09-01T10:48:06.294-07:00

stick to defense..... many forwards don't have the technical skill to come back in midfield, hold the ball, make a quick move and pass to the open guy, and then move to the open spot. Last thing we need is to put people out of position, especially against England.

In an emergency situation Da Silva could do it, but none of our other forwards could.

Regarding the first comment, if we don't have a ch...

2009-09-01T10:48:03.703-07:00

Regarding the first comment, if we don't have a chance and the team depends on just 1 player, then we don't deserve to reach the World Cup. We just have to suck it up and do some tweaks. Look at Euro '06, we didn't have DaSilva and would have probably made it to the final if we didn't fall asleep in the last seconds and Turkey got a fortunate bounce. This is the time when the best teams make it happen. We'll have to wait and see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3kulkIRJVY

Well, I guess time will tell. Although I think Mod...

2009-09-01T10:30:00.889-07:00

Well, I guess time will tell. Although I think Modric is a great player, I also think there are some good substitutes to choose from. Plus if it comes down to penalty kicks, Modric hasn't shown the killer instincts. :-p

If we attack from the back, any sub will do. When it comes to making the midfield passes and midfield attacks, Modric shines. Klasnic and Rakitic are very capable. Leko is also more than capable and adds some fire to the field when he comes on. Like I said before, it would be great if Petric and Mandukic could be versatile enough to play the midfield too. That's alot of talent on the bench. I'm a defender by nature so I don't see the issues with a striker falling back to being an offensive midfielder. You see defenders score too, don't you?

I know bilic wont change pranjic's position, but i...

2009-09-01T10:25:23.440-07:00

I know bilic wont change pranjic's position, but im a little woried of a repeat like in zagreb, araon lennon isn't the best in the world but his speed could dominate a defender like pranjic who dosent know how to defend, also regards olic playing the wing, im a little scepticle, ya he runs alot but its diffrent running alot playing striker, you can run bez veze playing in the mid with the loss of modric were gonna need guys wo can hold the ball and slow the game down, my biggest worries is that olic will give the ball cheapely, which will convert to counter attacks, also if he plays the wing then hell have to come back deep to help pranjic, olic is the last guy i want to have the ball in our 16 yard box.

Yes, there is no way to get around it- Luka is our...

2009-09-01T10:14:02.010-07:00

Yes, there is no way to get around it- Luka is our most influential player, which is why it is important for Bilic to change the tactics accordingly and not just try to stick someone into Modrics position and attempt to play the same way as with Modric.

Re: Ziva Agree regards Mandzo. Also am worried abo...

2009-09-01T10:11:02.008-07:00

Re: Ziva
Agree regards Mandzo. Also am worried about not having Modric too as i'd prefer we didn't play defensively, but its something we have to do.

I'm actually mad at Leko that he turns up to national team without proper football when he had bids on the table. We may need him and don't even know if he's fit. As i say we need to freshen up the bench. We've had some guys there for too long who not pushed hard enough into team or have gone backwards and others who good knows why they even there.

When was the last time Mandzukic played offensive ...

2009-09-01T09:29:50.378-07:00

When was the last time Mandzukic played offensive midfield. And you want him to do this against Engalnd.

Our bench is not deep, or at least I do not think it is deep. The guys who occupy the spots on the bench are mostly guys that can be spot starters and play 30 min on the international level without us being hurt too much.

When healthy we are a tough team. our first 11 can play with anyone, but when we lose a few peices the spare parts cant compensate.

Depending on how we do against England, I'll be the first to come here and say I was wrong about the bench. But, to say you are not worried about Modric being out, is a bit comical to me. Remeber the Ukraine game in ZG and how we played in the first half even with Modric before he woke up and showed up in the 2nd half. Luka is the motor of this team. We might survive and pull out a fluke win in England, but we are drastically better with him in the line up. Who will hold the ball and make the smart passes in Wembley with no Luka.

I think Mandzukic is a fantastic playmaker. Maybe ...

2009-09-01T09:12:38.339-07:00

I think Mandzukic is a fantastic playmaker. Maybe he should start as Modric's replacement. I think Mandzukic has the skills to play an offensive midfielder. Kind of a 4-3-3/4-4-2 formation. The game against Belarus might be a good place to try it to see if it has the potential.

I think our bench is alright, but it could be bett...

2009-09-01T08:50:05.952-07:00

I think our bench is alright, but it could be better. I'd only keep Subasic, Petric, Mandzo, Rakitic, Pokrivac, Anas, Juric, Klasnic and Cale from what is on the bench. Many play at good quality clubs and are good players. The others we should be looking to replace. They are Vejic, Drpic and Leko. Time to look at Dujmovic, Badelj and Lovren.

I disagree. Our bench is deep and the loss of Modr...

2009-09-01T08:18:49.033-07:00

I disagree. Our bench is deep and the loss of Modric for the next two games is bad but I'm not concerned. You'll see.

We have no faith in the bench because these are no...

2009-09-01T07:27:32.838-07:00

We have no faith in the bench because these are not guys that can perform at the top of international soccer. Most national teams would be in the same position if they were missing their playmaker. Only a few countries have the quality to make up for such losses.

To be honest this is why we need friendlies so we ...

2009-09-01T00:40:14.983-07:00

To be honest this is why we need friendlies so we don't think of plan B at the last minute. In some ways i'm looking forward to us trying new player in Anas Sharbini against Belarus. We've been playing the same players for so long, its good to see a new player come in. Its a shame he's had no friendly match, but its good to see him there.
I also want to see us arrange a friendly and put Milan Badelj in the mid. I think we need a similar type of player to Modric to come in as Leko is the only replacement. Leko really should be sent out the squad and told to go and find a transfer and first team football. If he's not gonna transfer by 5pm and think we can't play him anymore. After 5pm he'll have to negotiate with Monaco to be released from the club. Bilic explained now why he leaves out Galinovic which is fine. He says he agreed not to call him unless he was first choice. Galinovic does not want to be called to be second or particularly third choice. I think its getting to stage now where we have to seriously look at Tomislav Dujmovic. His performances at Lokomotive Moscow are prob spot on for international duty. Friendly featuring new players need soon i think. Modric incident is a bit of a wake up call. Lets face it we barely have any faith in whats on the bench.

Theres talk of us playing Kranjcar in Modric's pos...

2009-09-01T00:26:44.197-07:00

Theres talk of us playing Kranjcar in Modric's position and Anas Sharbini on the left. I'm not against Anas starting. He's better option than right footed Rakitic and has more speed than Raki. Kranjcar in central mid still worries, but they can try it if they want. See how it goes. Can't play Juric and Vuko in Belarus as would be bit pointless. Belarus also can still beat us. We have to take that game serious. We're in danger of taking our eye off the ball.
Considering our B team contains Vejic and Drpic i think it prob wouldn't beat Belarus. Croatia's B team of best players would, but not Bilic's B team.

I say we gamble and start the same formation for E...

2009-09-01T00:18:27.818-07:00

I say we gamble and start the same formation for England against Belarus as well. Lets play with two defensive midfielders. Lets win 1-0, or 2-0.

The last thing we Croats need is a 5-0 victory. The media will have a boner and "convince" our players that we can compete with England.

Lets face it, our B team can beat Belarus in Zagreb.

We need a victory on Saturday, but we can use this game as a practice game for England. Lets set up a formation that we would use against England as well. Lets try Juric and Vukojevic together on the pitch. If it doesnt work, we still win against Belarus and change the lineup against England.

This is no time for hating on Juric. We'll leave t...

2009-09-01T00:06:44.681-07:00

This is no time for hating on Juric. We'll leave that for another. Opinion is he should not start over Vukojevic, but for the England match we need to play an Italian type way sadly and Juric is much needed in this formation. The other options are a out of condition Leko or Pokrivac. Basically Juric is certain over those two. We also need a second def mid to protect Pranjic. Olic also needs to work hard down that left. I also think Olic must start over Raki as we need goalscoring power. I can't see Kranjcar and Raki getting in the box as much as Olic will.

Yes you're right there, we are forgetting the Belarus game which is after all first. To be honest i'm not keen on Kranjcar taking Modric's place. I just don't think Kranjcar is that type of player to play central. There is a lot of talk of it happening with Rakitic on left wing, but am not keen myself. Raki is not a left winger and defensively down the left we'll be feeble. Whatever we do will be risky as we have no natural replacement cos Badelj and Ilicevic was not called to the squad. We've too many defensive mids and too many wide playmakers or widemen. I would say Leko but he's out of condition so even thats a risk. Pranjic should be able to play there if Barry can. Vukojevic could also adapt his game and try to play attacking like he did at Dinamo where scored 8 goals in a season. Beats me what we do against Belarus. Ideally would help if we had a natural replacement who was fit. I'd prob say Jerko Leko is the most natural replacement who can defend and attack in equal measure. Anything else and we're playing people out of position.

@JP, I like your attitude kid. Lets stay optimist...

2009-08-31T21:49:47.797-07:00

@JP,

I like your attitude kid. Lets stay optimistic. We do have plenty of telent in midfield and should be able to overcome the loss of Modric for a game or two.

Eduardo attracted double teams leaving Olic unguarded most of the Belarus game turning him into a star. Once Eduardo goes out, Olic goes to shit.

Lets take this step by step. Belarus are first on board.

@Ivica

"No one has the creativity and vision that Luka has. I am in total shock right now. Things can't get any worse than this."

I agree with your first sentence and disagree with the second. Actually, the second one quite frankly scares me. Never say that again. It can always get worse my friend.

@Ziva Istina

"Come on guys.....how long have you watched soccer....If Dudu is banned it is only for UEFA matches (meaning Chmapions League). makes me think some of you guys have no clue about soccer."

Easy dude! Lets not put down the uneducated football fans. Everyone is welcome.

"Pokrivac, Leko, Ilicevic wont see the time of day against England"

I agree.

@Dinamofan

I think for the first time in a long long while I agree with you.

Runje, Corluka, Krizanac, Simunic, Pranjic

Juric, Vukojevic

Srna, Kranjcar, Olic

Eduardo

Exactly what I was thing. However, I wasnt sure between Olic and Rakitic.

Also, are all of your formations same for both Belarus and England? I am only thinking about England.

For Belarus, take out Juric, throw in Rakitic, and move up Olic to partner Eduardo.

"Anyone that's worried about Juric in a 4-2-3-1 system i'd encourage watching a Genoa match. He is fine in this formation, similar with Vukojevic who has played it well at Kiev."

Well said.

Just a question for everyone? What happened to all those Ivan Juric haters?

Yes, Modric went out. If he were to play, I would still field Juric and Vukojevic together with modric Srna and Kranjcar in front of them

Re: Vlad I agree with your formation, but Olic ha...

2009-08-31T13:52:47.129-07:00

Re: Vlad

I agree with your formation, but Olic has to play as Raki and Kranjcar can't be counted on to work hard enough. No room for Rakitic. Olic can play from left mid. Kranjcar can float behind striker.

I can see why you altered the defence, but its unlikely Bilic will do that. Everyones trying to pick something Bilic will do i think. I reckon Pranjic will be left back. Srna will be where you got Raki and Olic will be where you got Pranjic.

I think against england we have to play with five ...

2009-08-31T13:33:49.166-07:00

I think against england we have to play with five in the midfield know,with the loss of modric we cant play 4-4-2, as we dont have an obvious replacement. Were gonna have to kill the game with five midfielders. just an idea

Runje
srna corluka krizanac simunic

vukojevic juric
rakitic pranjic
kranjcar

Da silva

Re: johnson Yeah but thats not the job of a right ...

2009-08-31T08:18:17.051-07:00

Re: johnson
Yeah but thats not the job of a right back. Ryan Babel gave him a rotten time in Holland game and at Liverpool he is scoring and creating but team is conceding all over the place all of a sudden. Johnson is definitely not a solid right back. I think we can get through him easy enough.

re: dinamofan:) are you kidding me about glen joh...

2009-08-31T07:40:15.574-07:00

re: dinamofan:)

are you kidding me about glen johnson, he is being praised by the media as being on of the best right backs in the epl in the moment, and from the games i saw he looks damn good a real threat to the opposition, hes similar to pranjic, but he actually scores goals from the right back position and he can defend good.
We need olic to cause him problems to keep him out of the game and in his own half at all times, not making him able to join the rest of englands attacks.

We'll still beat England.

2009-08-31T07:06:19.623-07:00

We'll still beat England.