UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2018/2019

The 2018–19 UEFA Nations League

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League

The 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League_A

Ante Coric

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante_Ćorić

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Spain - Croatia 6-0. Back to reality.
Good opponents at World Cup 2018 served Croatia well: Nigeria, Iceland, Denmark, Russia, weaker Argentina with Messi as the only figure.
The only serious opponents were England and France.
The next match is against England.

 

The problem with Spain is that they can form 2-3 great teams and this continues.
The problem with Croatia is that Croatian mentality came once again, that usual negative mentality. Head in clouds, we are the best, no one can win against us. Usual reputation sale on discount prices. Something that one great team won't make. The new Croatian players seem questionable: all three goalkeepers, Pivaric, Jedvaj, Mitrovic, Barisic, Milic, Kovacic, Bradaric, Cop, Santini, Livaja.
Some of them are talents, but they never came out as professionals. Milic was already in the team when Igor Stimac trained them. Barisic was invited just because he is in Glasgow Rangers. So what, few Croats play in Scottish league, but this league is out of focus for years.
Filip Bradaric is in Cagliari, clubs just above relegation zone and it feels like Croatian players have nice connections there to place the "talents": Bradaric, Pajac and punished Darijo Srna, who was removed from Shakhtar, because of his doping affair.
I could place Domagoj Vida among those weaker players. So much false stories was implemented, that he will go in Premier League after the World Cup, but he remained in Besiktas, his reality. He was already removed from Leverkusen in 2010. Another kafana, turbo folk, cajka guy. You can't buy the music taste.

I could respect only Ivan Santini, if we observe the new players. Player who had much more difficult road in matter of clubs. He fought alone and came above the surface. But he is not Nikola Kalinic material, or Mandzukic. That's why they should bring back Nikola Kalinic. If Diego Simeone wants him, who is an actual coach, why can't Zlatko Dalic take him and forget the "pride".

Marko Livaja has deeper issues. Person who could destroy his Inter Milano career with behaviour is just one big headed body mass. He even destroyed Atalanta career. Why?

Defence with only 2 great players isn't enough: Vrsaljko, Lovren.

My hopes are with Mario Pasalic, Marko Pjaca and Ante Rebic as the new triangle.

 

Filip Krovinovic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filip_Krovinović

Ante Coric
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante_Ćorić

Alen Halilovic - maybe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alen_Halilović

Borna Sosa
Nikola Vlasic

These players could be introduced in short-term future.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League_A#Group_4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_national_football_team

"Croatia v. England: Croatia and England have played each other eight times, six in competitive matches, some of which are regarded as the most notable matches in both teams' histories. During Euro 2008 qualifying, in addition to a 2–0 victory over England in Zagreb, Croatia were the first team to defeat England at the newly-built Wembley Stadium. The 3–2 defeat to Croatia meant England failed to qualify for their first major competition since hosting Euro 1996 twelve years earlier,[198] which was also Croatia's debut tournament. England in turn went on to defeat Croatia twice during qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which caused Croatia to miss their first World Cup since gaining independence. This included a 5–1 defeat at the Wembley Stadium, which was Croatia's biggest defeat in the modern era.[199] The two teams also competed for a place in the quarter-finals at the 2004 European Championships, with England winning 4–2.[200] Most recently, they played again at the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, with Croatia winning 2–1 and ending England's best run at the tournament in 28 years. It also marked Croatia's first World Cup final, their best ever achievement at the competition.[201]"

It would be interesting to see Karlo Bartolec. One of the rare players who actually has origins from Zagreb and Zagorje / Prigorje regions.

The stadim in Rijeka will be empty. Another fan incident. I wonder what's this time...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League_A

Spain - Croatia 6-0

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Spain - England 2-3

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Croatia - England 0-0

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Is it possible to win against Spain at home and to win against England at Wembley?

 

Croatia - Spain 3-2

https://gol.dnevnik.hr

Domagoj Vida was a problematic defender once again. Ante Rebic should use his open chance.
What is the problem with Andrej Kramaric, he doesn't want to pass, Rakitic and Perisic don't want to pass to Kramaric.

.....the next stop - Wembley.



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Missed the game today but great win after losing 6-0 last time. Nice to see a full Maksimir supporting our heroes once again.

 

Check the videos of Maksimirska and Bukovacka Streets, entire Svetice was occupied with fans, bars offered great atmosphere, traffic lights blinked yellow only. Impossible to go through.

Tin Jedvaj scored two goals, another Herzegovina contribution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zdenko_Jedvaj

 

Croatian goalkeepers seem very good. Lovre Kalinic demonstrated safety and authority in that part. Dominik Livakovic and Karlo Letica have bright future.

Defensive lineup seems nice, only without Domagoj Vida. Tin Jedvaj played nice on his new LB position. For sure, better than Pivaric and often more confident than Strinic. Lovren is also great, modern defender with technical abilities.
I don't know, will Dalic count on Antonio Milic and Matej Mitrovic? Belgian league isn't so strong at the moment. Brugge and Anderlecht don't have that strength from earlier years.
Sime Vrsaljko learned how to make nice centre shots. Something that he didn't knew earlier. He could avoid handball moments. Not so bright solutions from him. Strong perspective is Duje Caleta Car. He is in Marseille, I don't like that club (PSG) but they have nice scouting.

Ivan Rakitic won't play against England. Huge relief for England in my opinion. Because Mateo Kovacic doesn't have that quality at all. Nikola Vlasic wasn't good against Spain, ordinary player, that's why he doesn't play in top national leagues. Maybe he played short, maybe he needs more time.

There are solutions to replace Rakitic, with Badelj and Pjaca who are just Rakitic, but split in two persons. Modric, Brozovic and Perisic should play with Pjaca and Badelj in 3-5-2 formation once again.

Josip Brekalo showed some interesting moves in small period of his participation.
Ante Rebic makes too many fouls, some day he will get the red card because of that. He makes this, because he is aware of his technical abilities. His unused chance could cost Croatia a lot, it would be 2-2.
Andrej Kramaric became FW leader. I doubt that Nikola Kalinic might return.

https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/newsid=2569365.html

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin

This competition reveals authentic European roots, mostly because of anthem lyrics.

" Croatia – Latin was the official language of Croatian Parliament (Sabor) from the 13th to the 19th century (1847). The oldest preserved records of the parliamentary sessions (Congregatio Regni totius Sclavonie generalis) – held in Zagreb (Zagabria), Croatia – date from 19 April 1273. An extensive Croatian Latin literature exists. Latin is still used on Croatian coins on even years.[34]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_Latin_literature

 

Benjamin Kuscevic Jaramillo, evidently from Brac island in Croatia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamín_Kuscevic

 

Vlasic has been one of the best players in Russian league. Also score a nice goal to beat Real Madrid in champions league. I watched Vlasic a lot in hajduk very talented player. Kovacic for me would start vs England. He has never played all that good for Croatia but has been pretty good so far in Chelsea. Either Kovacic or Badelj will probably start if I were to guess. Gonna go with experience rather then a young player like Vlasic

 

Vlasic played in Everton, when someone ends his career in England and starts again in weaker league, it means that he is a weaker player. He, Vida, Lovren, Kalinic were weak yesterday. Lovren started to talk that he is the best defender in the world, silly statements, that he fouled Ramos intentionally, because of Champions League finals. There was a lot of swimming against England, Vrsaljko was nice, before he got his injure. Kovacic obviously had an conflict with Dalic, he wasn't listed among 23,24 players at all. I wouldn't place him either. Annoying person, he can't pass to anyone normally, he just runs with the ball and nothing comes out of it.

https://www.uefa.com/uefanationslea...0959/match=2024037/lineups/index.html?iv=true

The words about one team, one dream, some players are unhappy there: Nikola Kalinic, Marko Pjaca, Milan Badelj should play instead of Vlasic. Defence accepted 10 goals in three matches. Ante Rebic was invisible, he had 2,3 silly moves, completely missed the goal. He can attract 1,2 players on himself to make free some of co-players, but when he wants to make something alone, 1 on 1, that ends badly.

Media in Croatia started to write, that Croatia is read book and it's true. Same players, same style, it would be nice that Strinic returns faster and they get better defender instead of Vida. Lovren has quality, but yesterday it was his mistake, together with Kalinic and other defenders.

The coach ended in populism once again. The team will play for Vukovar. Another heavy burden for the players, that's why they are not relaxed, like other teams. In every sport, they need to play for someone else, to prove a point. Vukovar happened in 1991. That's why all national team have problems in key matches, Davis Cup final is soon in France, only if they avoid all delicate themes and start to involve in sports sentiments for themselves, not for someone else.

League B doesn't seem as interesting at all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League#League_B

Wales, Austria, Sweden, Czechs...even here, Croatia could lose points, away in Wales, Sweden, Austria can be complicated. 12 minutes from final four in A league.... Even luck followed them, goal of Kramaric, ball touched their defender, everything was prevented somehow, it was bad, but they prevented. And interruptions came, English best weapon and everything went bad.

 

Kovacic was injured that is why he didn’t play. If Brozovic finishes his chance at 1-0 England was finished. Vlasic played well not sure what game you were watching. Highest rated player most dribbles and created chances. England were the better team as they could have been winning 3-0. Once Croatia took the lead they should have won. A bit more composure on chances they had. Also there concentration on set pieces is terrible. Lovren just let Kane go on the second goal.

 

Vlasic was fine in first half time, after that several of them collapsed in physical moment, among them Modric. people say that important players retired, but Corluka wasn't standard player in last 2 years, Rebic replaced Mandzukic in running abilities, they are both weaker in technical sense.

Rakitic missed a lot against England. In majority of matches, he is the game carrier. The defenders are the loudest in media, but the are the weakest in the team. After 6-0 defeat against Spain, Lovren started to talk that this Nations League isn't important.

https://www.goal.com/hr-ba/vijesti/hrvatska-engleska-liga-nacija/1myfqrtlgbinq11yn22c39yh2m

"Ovo je smiješno natjecanje! Nema smisla igrati sad ovakve utakmice, nije to neko natjecanje pa da moraš pobijediti. Kvalifikacije nam počinju tek u ožujku i ovo jesu utakmice koje se svatko može nazvati kako ga god volja, ali zapravo su - prijateljske utakmice"

Someone who turned pro, doesn't speak like this, especially not against competitions from his own continental organization. Only he ended as smijesan. Maybe he dislikes the lower prize money award. Qualifications are important for him? So, why additional qualifications are becoming more often, same as those defeats in June, because they are tired and all others are not.

England is better, because they have great coach who had great playing career. Observe our coaches: Slaven Bilic vanished, Niko Kovac is destroying Bayern Munchen with Hasan Salihamidzic as sports director, who recommended Kovac.
Observe how Switzerland ended great with Croatian coach Vladimir Petkovic, final four. He made compact team with individuals from at least 6,7 different countries, races, religions. That's an expert, who thinks as a sports person, he doesn't use populism like Dalic.

Antonio Milic is a weak player. Old enough to be discovered from great clubs.

I'll always have doubts with defenders: Mitrovic, Vida, Pivaric.

I would give more chances to Duje Caleta Car, Tin Jedvaj, they seem more talented. Lovren makes cardinal mistakes and yells on referees, he needs to resolve his private life problems, and focus on the games.

Vrsaljko is a great player but it seems that he gets injuries easy,

Rog doesn't play in his club. The only good thing that Dalic said is: Only players who play in their clubs, will play.

Perisic is becoming the leader in attack, in Italy they noticed that he plays better in national team, than in his club. Kramaric evolved in hard working, cold and rational player with northern Croatian mentality, which is nice.

Rebic dreams about Bayern, Manchester United, he isn't the material for these clubs. Lewandowski is also weak attacker, nothing interesting, but Rebic seems weaker than Lewandowski.

Josip Brekalo seems great in some technical aspects, his Bosnian relaxed approach makes him creative.

Pjaca needs to be in the game, he gives him 5 minutes maybe.

I see that Dalic gave up from Karlo Bartolec.

Barisic, Sosa, Strinic should improve the defence. Santini, Livaja, Cop are not that good. Livaja could not satisfy Inter, Atalanta. Greek league is his reality.

Nikola Kalinic will return probably, only if Dalic leaves, usual decision, obviously Dalic hurt his feelings.

Marin Leovac, 30 years, still in Dinamo Zagreb. Devoted to the national league, he doesn't want to play in England, Spain, Italy... Obviously weak player.

It would be easier to stay in the A League, it's much harder to return. 12 minutes from Final Four. They could get mabe Switzerland and be in the final against Portugal probably.

Now they will meet weak teams in B League, like: Norway, Finland who already took points from Croatia in previous matches. Serbia could end in B League, another weaker team.

Ukraine, Russia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Denmark will be in the A League. With them Croatia has nice tradition of winning. The next season edition will be much more easier in League A.

 

Croatia was also tired and you could tell England was fresher as they played B team against USA.Spain game took a lot out of players as they really wanted to win that game at home with a full Maksimir. Having no Rakitic was a big loss as they struggled to keep possession. Perisic was done after 60 minutes and was asked to be subbed out. Croatia despite being outplayed still could have won if they had kept there concentration on set pieces. This is a good team when healthy and fresh but missing key players they just don’t have the depth England has. I have seen Croatia finish third and second on the World Cup. Never thought that would happen.

 

England is also tired, their players play in Premierleague, only Sancho plays in Dortmund. Kyle Walker can play all day, concentrated, focused. He is the carrier of defence in Tottenham and now in the Manchester City.
Pickford is focused, he doesn't punch the ball without precision. Chilwell was good, he even made great shot and Kalinic defended.

Their entire central part is extremely active, Dier, Alli, excellent Barkley, Lingard, maybe Delph seems as weaker.

Sterling, Rashford and Sancho also great. I don't like Kane, because he is too static. Sterling and Rashford maybe don't score often, but they create great chances.

Badelj could replace Rakitic. Pjaca could enter instead of Badelj, so that they get more creativity in central part. It might work.

Draws helped Croatia at World Cup, if Croatia had clashes against Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Colombia, even Peru, Mexico, things might become weaker. The group was nice for Croatia, matches with Denmark, Russia and experience against England prevailed. England seemed better in all three matches when Croatia met them. Their chances are much more effective, worked automatically.

Can't forgive bad reactions of Croatian players in interruption moments, they have height, strength, but they make wrong decisions. That's why Vida can't improve and play in better league.

Jedvaj can be on RB and LB positions, depending on situations, but he is better on LB; since they have Vrsaljko.

So, my ideal defensive line is: Jedvaj, Lovren, Duje Caleta Car or Borna Sosa, or Borna Barisic on that CB position, with Vrsaljko as RB.

I doubt that we should count on Vida in Qatar 2022, he will be 32. Lovren also 32, but his Premierleague experience has strong value.

Team needs to be rejuvenated through these upcoming EURO Qualifications 2020.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_qualifying

Worse scenario. Germany will be in POT1, because Portugal will win against Poland.

So, potential Croatian opponents, which could made the toughest group are:
Croatia, Denmark, Norway, Scotland, Greece, Azerbaijan, Latvia.

With some teams wasn't easy, Denmark was tough in Russia, Norway won once, Scotland has never lost against Croatia and complicated Greece with defensive style, with compact Azerbaijan.

Schedule will be much more tighter now, Croatia will have probably 5 teams as opponents, these better ones from Nations League, will have 4 opponents.

June 2019 will be problematic, two matches, Croatia always losses or plays a draw in that month. Excuse is: end of season, tired...just like all other players who end their season in June.

Potential new players:

Lorenco Simic, Sampdoria: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatia_national_under-21_football_team
Filip Benkovic, Leicester: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filip_Benković
Ante Coric, Roma: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante_Ćorić
Andrija Balic, Udinese: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrija_Balić
Toma Basic, Bordeaux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toma_Bašić
Nikola Moro, Dinamo Zagreb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Moro
Alen Halilovic, Milan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alen_Halilović

 

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Lovren left Kane completely alone. And Lovren was guilty for their first goal. Every English interruption created problems for Croatia. Tin Jedvaj returns slowly, ball behind him. Only if Rebic scored that almost empty goal or Vida with his header, or Perisic in his solo move.

 

Sweden won promotion to the A League instead of Russia...