While the rest of Europe is still on summer vacation, Croatian central defender Ivica Križanac made the most of his return from a one month break in the Russian Premier League with the lone goal in Zenit's win over FC Moscow. Križanac doesn't score often, but when he does he certainly makes the highlight reel. Check out Ivica's bicycle kick goal from earlier in the season:
Križanac will certainly make a difference when he returns to the Croatian national team in August as he was injured for the match against Ukraine. We all know that Križanac, Kranjčar and Eduardo will give the team a huge boost when they return.
In other Russian news, Stipe Pletikosa sat on the bench once again in Spartak Moscow's 1-0 win over Rostov.
Niko Kranjčar had another good game as his Portsmouth side stunned Everton 2-1 with a late Peter Crouch goal. Kranjčar flipped the ball into the box which led to Pompey's first goal. Niko's stock is still rising as he plans to leave the club in the summer for a better opportunity. Does anyone think Kranjčar will stay with Portsmouth past this season?
With this win, Portsmouth has temporarily delayed any relegation worries.
Eduardo was part of the bench Saturday evening but never used as a substitute in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Looks like Eduardo is all healed up with his latest leg injury. The next chance he will get to play is against Manchester City on April 4th. Expect so see 'Dudu' on the pitch!
FOR A FULL REPORT ON LUKA MODRIĆ, VEDRAN ĆORLUKA AND TOTTENHAM, click here.
Germany
ŠIMUNIĆ FEELING ALONE AFTER HERTHA'S LOSS
Josip Šimunić and Marko Babić were stunned in Stuttgart as the home side beat current German leaders, Hertha Berlin, 2-0. Babić couldn't muster up anything in the first half and was subbed out at halftime. Šimunić played his usual 90 minutes, yellow card free, but lost a crucial header that lead to Stuttgart's first goal. Not entirely his fault but most days he would take care of that ball in the air.
With this loss, Hertha remains in first by only one point. Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and Hamburg are all right behind Berlin for the BundesLiga title.
Hamburg were without Croatian duo Ivica Olić and Mladen Petrić in their match against Schalke and fellow Croat, Ivan Rakitić. Petrić is still out after tearing his thigh muscle in last week's game. I was a bit surprised Olić did not play but did read in a few articles that he was very tired after Thursday's UEFA Cup match in Turkey. Does anyone know 100% why Olić didn't play? Hamburg are now only one point behind leaders Hertha Berlin.
Ivan Rakitić only played the first 60 minutes for Schalke as they ultimately lost 2-1 to Hamburg. Less and less playing time for Raki is not helping him at all as he should be moving clubs this summer.
Check out the scuffle in net after Schalke scores. Simply hilarious!
Dino Drpić played the entire game for Karlsruhe in their 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Karlsruhe sit by themselves at the bottom of the BundesLiga table waiting to be officially relegated. Where will Drpić play next season now that he'll be playing with the Croatian national team?
Russia
Ivica Krizanac scored a beautiful bicycle kick goal in the 9th minute to put Zenit St. Petersburg up early. I didn't think the guy had it in him. It's even harder to do with a defender on your back like that.
If Petrić and Olić keep disappointing up front for Croatia, we can always put Križanac up there to see what he can do with Eduardo. Zenit won the game 2-1.
Stipe Pletikosa let a goal go by in Spartak Moscow's 1-0 loss to Kuban Krasnodar. With absolutely no offense and only one goal in two games, Spartak hasn't started the way they had planned this season.
I apologize as I could not find a video for this game. However, here is Stipe's penalty save over the weekend.
Ukraine
Darijo Srna scored a very nice free kick for Shakhtar Donetsk as they squeezed by Vorskla Poltava 1-0. The shot completely froze the goalie as it started dipping once it cleared the wall. Bravo Darijo!
THANK YOU ADRIEN FOR THE VIDEOS
Ognjen Vukojević and his Dynamo Kyiv side cruised by Arsenal Kyiv on March 23rd with a 3-0 win.
France
Ivan Klasnić was said to have had his most disappointing performance yet in a Nantes jersey by French media. They completely tore him up as Nantes lost 2-0 to Marseille.
For all of you who can't wait for 'Killer' to return to the Croatian squad, do you still feel the same way?
Vedran Runje once again posted a shutout in Lens' 0-0 draw with Guingamp. Lens will be promoted to French Ligue 1 next season as they currently sit in first in the second division. Runje has been playing exceptionally; can he be bought by a much larger club around Europe?
The Croatian triplets of Dario Simić, Nikola Pokrivač and Jerko Leko played the entire match for Monaco in their 1-0 win over AS Nancy. There are no goals or bookings to report for the Croatians, but it is nice to hear that the three of them got a chance to play with each other for a full game.
Earlier in the week, Monaco was ousted from the Coupe de France competition by a 2-0 loss to Grenoble. Pokrivač was the only Croat to play in that game.
Greece
Mario Galinović, Ante Rukavina and Panathinaikos slipped up against Asteras Tripoli in a 1-1 draw. Panathinaikos' defense completely fell asleep as Galinović was not at fault for the goal. Rukavina was once again subbed in late (85') and could not do anything with the few minutes he was given on the pitch.
What does the Greek coach expect from Rukavina? He gives him 3-5 minutes to play every game. At least give the kid a solid 15 minutes to establish his presence on the field between him and his teammates. Panathinaikos are now being pressured by two other teams for that last Champion's League spot.
Italy
Ivan Jurić and Genoa keep on rolling as they easily cruised past a 10-man Udinese club, 2-0. This is Genoa's second shutout in a row that Jurić has contributed to. He didn't even receive a yellow card in this game.
Genoa sit by themselves in fourth place; two points in front of Fiorentina and four points behind AC Milan. The top four teams from Italy receive a Champion's League spot for next season; can Genoa hold on?
Netherlands
Danijel Pranjić and Heerenveen were upset 2-0 by second to last place team in the Erdivisie, De Graafschap. Heerenveen has been stuck in fourth position the entire season and do not look like they will lock up a Champion's League spot for next season. Is it officially time for Pranjić to get out of there?
Next Matches:
ALL CLUB TEAMS WILL BE TAKING A TWO WEEK BREAK IN ORDER TO RETURN PLAYERS TO THEIR INTERNATIONAL SQUADS. CLUB COMPETITION WILL RESUME THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 3RD.
Former Hajduk and current Croatian starting goalkeeper, Stipe Pletikosa, made some key saves down the stretch to give Spartak Moscow a 1-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at Maksimir. Dinamo wasted many chances to go ahead in the first half. In the 75th minute, Spartak went ahead on an Ivan Saenko strike which silenced the crowd of 12,000 in Zagreb.
With three points from three matches, Dinamo need at least a point in their final match at group leading Udinese on December 3rd to finish in the top 3 and qualify for the next round.
In other UEFA Cup news, Ivica Olić played the full 90 minutes and Mladen Petrić came on in the 74th minute as Hamburg fell at home 1-0 to Amsterdam. Ivica Olić once again had plenty of chances to score, but once again failed to make the scoresheet. For those of you keeping track at home, Ivica didn't manage to hit the post today.
Ivan Rakitić started for Schalke today at home to Manchester City. Ivan once again had a dull performance as he was subbed out in the 63rd minute in a 2-0 defeat.
Former Dinamo Zagreb players, Luka Modrić and Vedran Ćorluka are thrilled to have the chance to play against the Croatian champion in the UEFA Cup group stage starting October 23rd. Dinamo Zagreb was paired with Tottenham, Spartak Moscow, Udinese and Nijmegen following Today's UEFA Cup group stage draw in Nyon.
Modrić moved to White Hart Lane from Dinamo Zagreb in a £16 million deal during the summer and said: “We were given quite a powerful group with attractive opponents and all I can say is that I'm exceptionally happy to be playing against my old club.”
Former Hajduk keeper Stipe Pletikosa still has fond memories of the Hajduk-Dinamo clashes. His Spartak Moskow team will make a visit to Maksimir on November 27th.
"I think that I should be happy to return to Maksimir and play in Croatia. Our league is almost at the end and we are all fatigued. Our last three matches are derbies, so we have a lot to look forward to”, concluded the Croatian keeper.
Dinamo starter Mario Mandžukić was also delighted with the draw. "I can’t wait for the group matches to start. I have faith in the fans and in our team and we have a great chance to progress. Also, it is great to play against my friends from the national team, where we can see who is stronger," concluded Mario.
Slaven Belupo turned a one-nil lead into a two-one defeat at the hands of CSKA Moskow in Koprivnica. With 3,500 on hand at the Gradski stadium for this UEFA cup encounter, Mario Jurić put Slaven ahead just before half-time scoring off a Kaja Rogulj corner in the the 43rd minute. Slaven was the better team in the first 75 minutes, however, fell asleep for the final fifteen minutes which led to defeat.
Vagner Love was the star of the night, as his two goals in the final 10 minutes secured victory for the Russians. 150 Russian fans were on hand to witness CSKA Moscow get the result.
CSKA Moskow trainer Valery Gazajev had this to say:
"I have to say that Slaven Belupo was very motivated for the match. This was clear at the whistle. However, we had to win and that was the difference between the two sides. Tonight, our football players were better and this was shown in the second half and ultimately in the final fifteen minutes."
Slaven Belupo trainer Mile Petković had this to say:
"We played with the same energy that we have played with in the HNL this year. The first 75 minutes we were the better side. With quite a few chances, it was a shame that we couldn't have scored another goal during the first 75 minutes. However, the match lasts 90 minutes and we fell asleep the last fifteen or so minutes and paid with the result. CSKA pressured us and our young defenders made some silly errors."
Now Slaven travel to Moscow, knowing that they must put at least two in the onion bag to progress.
