September 8, 2020 - Zlatko Dalic and Ivan Perisic addressed the press ahead of the Nations League rematch against France on Tuesday evening in Paris.

Ivan Perisic has fond memories of the Stade de France. Perisic played for the first time for the Croatia A national team at Saint-Denis on March 29, 2011, in a friendly match that ended without goals in front of seventy thousand spectators. Tonight, he and the Vatreni will replay the World Cup final in Russia, unfortunately without spectators. The Nations League meeting between France and Croatia begins at 8:45 pm.

Slobodan Kadic

"When you play for Croatia, it doesn't matter who is on the other side, this match is special because it is the first against France after the Moscow final during which we dominated in the first half, but we, unfortunately, received two goals. We tried to change things in the second half, but it didn’t work. There is no rematch; this is a new game for me. There are a lot of new players on both sides, France will play in the new system, so this is a completely different story. I hope that we will be ready; we have to give our best," says Ivan, who is just getting in the right shape after a hard but successful season and a few days off until the start of new obligations.

"After the Champions League final, I only had seven days off, in general, neither of us is one hundred percent, but that should not be a reason not to get something positive out of these two games. We didn't get into the game against Portugal well; we didn't stand well on the pitch, there wasn't enough aggression, we didn't even try to play, which is one of our best traits, we just kicked the ball… There are many things we need to fix and do better because it won't end well if we continue like that. We spoke, we know where we went wrong, tomorrow is a new day, a new game, and we will get something positive. Not even France is one hundred percent, because most of the players, almost no one has played games. However, we have to give the maximum be it 45, 60, or 90 minutes. We are playing for Croatia against the World Cup finalists, every game must be like the last one for us," points out Ivan and points out the strength of the next opponent.

Slobodan Kadic

"France is a football force and, regardless of the character of the match, they have a player staff of about forty or fifty top players. Simply, whoever they put you don't know where the greater danger will come from, and they also have a great coach, and we will really have to be at a high level if we want to get a positive result."

Coach Zlatko Dalic spoke in selected words about Perisic's contribution to Croatia's game.

"Ivan is one of our most important players, the holder of the game, this year he had a great season with Bayern, which he crowned by winning the Champions League. When there are not a few main players, Modric, Rakitic, and Vrsaljko, he is the one who, as captain, will be the main one on the pitch on our side. He said that he is not very well prepared, which is normal considering that he recently played in the Champions League final. Still, I expect him to be the team leader, get a new impetus with him, and raise the level of our game compared to the game against Portugal," says Zlatko Dalic, who is aware of the fact that the team failed in Porto.

Slobodan Kadic

"We suffered a very difficult and painful defeat that we absolutely deserved. There were many bad things, it was not a game at the level of the Croatia national team, but we must understand that it is the beginning of the season, that there are a lot of new players in the national team. After all, our goal is the European Championship; we have to make a selection of players through these matches and try to find what is best. This is not the same team that played in the World Cup in Russia, which is normal; we had to make a slight change of generations. I repeat, we were not good in Porto. The players' physical condition is not at the level; there was not enough energy and aggression, we simply overslept in the game. We will make some team changes because some players who played first cannot run in another strong game in three days. We will have to change the way we play and approach; we have to be much more responsible; there has to be a lot more discipline in our game. Anyway, I expect a better match than in Portugal. I have tremendous respect for the French world champions who have great players. We have to set ourselves up much better, helping each other in the defense phase. Against Portugal, we lacked that compactness and homogeneity; we were not together; we were not close; there was no support. We stayed in situations where the opponent had a surplus; it looked like Portugal was playing with 15, and we with 10 players. Even harder work awaits us against France."

Of course, everyone misses the fans.

"We all miss the fans, and football doesn't make sense without them. We are all handicapped, but, given the overall situation, we need to adapt to the new measures. It is not easy for us; football is played because of the fans. I hope they will return to the stands soon," concluded Dalic.

Source: HNS

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August 23, 2020 - Croatia national team representative Ivan Perisic was an important part of the Bayern Munich team that won the Champions League final on Sunday in Lisbon.

Ivan Perisic won the Champions League title with Bayern Munich and thus continued the incredible streak of Croatian footballers to achieve the same success.

This is the eighth year in a row that Croatia has had a representative in the Champions League final. 

This fantastic series began in 2013 when Mario Mandzukic won the Champions League with Bayern. Mario was succeeded by Luka Modric and Real Madrid, then Ivan Rakitic with Barcelona before Modric, Kovacic, and the Real team conquered the European title for three years in a row.

Last year, Dejan Lovren and Liverpool conquered Europe, and now Perisic has entered this prestigious list, winning the legendary Cup with Bayern Munich.  

Bayern Munich topped Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon on Sunday night. The match was played without the presence of spectators. 

Croatians in Champions League final:

1993. ALEN BOKŠIĆ (Marseille)
1994. ZVONIMIR BOBAN (Milan)
1995. Zvonimir Boban (Milan)
1997. Alen Bokšić (Juventus)
1998. DAVOR ŠUKER (Real Madrid)
2002. Boris Živković, Marko Babić, Jurica Vranješ (Bayer Leverkusen)
2003. DARIO ŠIMIĆ (Milan), Igor Tudor (Juventus)
2004. Dado Pršo (Monaco)
2005. IGOR BIŠĆAN (Liverpool)
2007. DARIO ŠIMIĆ (Milan)
2010. Ivica Olić, Danijel Pranjić (Bayern)
2012. Ivica Olić, Danijel Pranjić (Bayern)
2013. MARIO MANDŽUKIĆ (Bayern)
2014. LUKA MODRIĆ (Real Madrid)
2015. IVAN RAKITIĆ (Barcelona)
2016. LUKA KOVAČ, MATEO KOVAČIĆ (Real Madrid)
2017. LUKA MODRIĆ, MATEO KOVAČIĆ (Real Madrid), Mario Mandžukić, Marko Pjaca (Juventus)
2018. LUKA MODRIĆ, MATEO KOVAČIĆ (Real Madrid), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
2019. DEJAN LOVREN (Liverpool)
2020. IVAN PERIŠIĆ (Bayern)

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September 6, 2019 - Croatia and Slovakia met in Trnava on Friday night as part of the Euro 2020 qualifiers. Three thousand Croatia fans made the trip to Slovakia to cheer on the 2018 World Cup finalists. 

The Croatia national football team returned on Friday to kick off the next round of the Euro 2020 qualifications. There are five games scheduled over the next three months, each of which could be decisive for Croatia’s spot in the competition next summer. The first in the series was played on Friday in Slovakia, which is followed by a visit to Baku against Azerbaijan three days later.

Croatia had an opportunity to move to the top of the group with Hungary, though Slovakia had the same plan in mind. Recall, Slovakia opened the qualifiers with a win against Hungary and a loss to Wales, but thanks to a 5:1 victory in Azerbaijan, they had a better goal differential than Croatia going into Friday’s qualifier. 

The World Cup finalists had not proven their true worth during these qualifications, though their win against Wales in Osijek gave coach Zlatko Dalic a bit of ease this summer. On Friday, however, Croatia was left without Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic, and a back injury for Tin Jedvaj put Croatia’s defense into question even more.

Croatia went into Friday’s game without the superstar lineup of the World Cup - and the starting 11 featured only captain Luka Modric, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, and Ante Rebic from the silver-medalist squad. Dalic instead had to rely on Dinamo goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in goal, Karlo Bartolec and Borna Barisic in the defense, and Nikola Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic in the attack. 

Croatia had their first real chance of the game in the 8th minute when Modric shot over the goal, which was followed by a Brozovic crossbar moments later. Livakovic saved Slovakia’s first chance at goal in the 11th minute. 

Croatia came out playing the attacking game Dalic said they would, and spent most of the first half pressuring Slovakia’s defense. However, Croatia’s biggest chance came in the 28th minute off a Modric corner when Vida missed directly in front of the goal. Croatia had three corners to Slovakia’s zero by then.

Petkovic dribbled through Slovakia’s defense in the 30th minute for a one-on-one chance with the keeper, though the goalie’s leg saved his weak shot. Just four minutes later, Perisic hit the crossbar - and in the 37th minute, Petkovic missed another chance from the penalty area. 

Opportunity after opportunity, Croatia was left without luck, that is, until the 45th minute when the young Nikola Vlasic nailed a goal in the far corner for 0:1 Croatia at the half.

The World Cup finalists kept their momentum in the second half, which shocked all spectators as a goal by Ivan Perisic increased the lead to 0:2 in the 46th minute! 

Slovakia had a chance in the 51st minute, which Livakovic had no problem saving. Petkovic had yet another chance a few minutes later but hit over the goal. An incredible play between Rebic and Perisic saw Brozovic miss. Croatia's attacking game showed no signs of slowing down, and by the 60th minute, they were running circles around Slovakia's defense. 

And then it finally happened for Dinamo star Bruno Petkovic in the 73rd minute, who danced around Slovakia's stopper to score for 0:3! 

Substitute Brekalo's fancy footwork almost increased the lead even more in the last 10 minutes of the game, and Pasalic hit just wide of the goal with five minutes to go. 

It was more than clear that Croatia wasn't done scoring yet, and a diving header by defender Dejan Lovren increased the lead to 0:4 in the 87th minute, which was the final score of the game.

The 'Vatreni' will play Azerbaijan next on Monday at 6 pm in Baku.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

August 13, 2019 - Ivan Perišić is a new member of Bayern Munich! 

#FCBayern have signed Croatia international Ivan Perišić. The World Cup runner up will join the club on loan from Inter Milan with immediate effect. #ServusIvan #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/gHJVZtxYOC

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 13, 2019

Croatia national team player Ivan Perišić is officially a new player of Bayern Munich. According to German media, Bayern will pay five million euros for a one-year loan for Perišić, with the option of buying his contract at the end of the season for 20 million euros, reports HRT.

Perišić has spent the last four seasons in Inter Milan, collecting 163 appearances with 40 goals scored. 

“I am overjoyed to be in Germany again. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. We will attack not only the Bundesliga and the Cup, but also the Champions League,” Perišić said after the signing.

Prior to joining Inter, Perišić had already played in the Bundesliga for a season and a half for Borussia Dortmund, and two and a half seasons for Wolfsburg.

“Ivan will immediately help us with years of international experience. He is technically strong and flexible in the attack. I'm sure he'll fit in quickly because he knows the Bundesliga and our coach very well,” said Bayern Munich sports director Hasan Salihamidžić.

In the Croatia national team jersey, with which he became World Cup finalists in Russia last year, Perišić has so far collected 82 appearances with 23 goals scored.

Recall, the attacking winger of Inter and Croatia missed Friday’s game between Inter and Valencia due to precaution. And it only makes sense, since Bayern turned to Perišić as a backup option after their first-choice, Leroy Sane, was badly injured in his last game for Manchester City after his transfer to Bayern was virtually settled. Instead of going to a new club, Sane is forced to take a break for half of the year.

This transfer news confirms that Perišić is just one of the victims of Inter's new coach Antonio Conte and his major cleanup of the Inter dressing room. 

But while Icardi and Nainggolan are being chased away for their poor character, Ivan Perišić is out thanks to his overpaid salary, which amounts to 8 million euros a year, and because he does not fit into the new Inter concept. Namely, Conte plays in a 3-5-2 system that has no room for wingers like Perišić.

Fortunately for Perišić, Bayern desperately needed a winger after the departure of the legendary Ribéry, and the injuries of Coman and Leroy Sane.

Niko Kovač thinks Ivan is an excellent plan B. He is experienced but not too old (30), proven himself in top football, and although he is a foreigner, he will not need to adapt to a new country, language, and league.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

August 10, 2019 - All signs are pointing to a move back to Bundesliga for Croatian footballer Ivan Perišić. 

Ivan Perišić did not travel with Inter Milan to Saturday’s friendly match against Valencia, so as not to risk injury before moving to Bayern, according to reliable media sources from Italy.

Inter and Bayern have agreed on the details of the loan, which should turn into a transfer at the end of next season. La Gazetta dello Sport and Sky Sport write that Bayern will pay 5 million euros for Perišić’s loan, with another 20 million euros for his contract, reports Index.hr.

The media reported that the big move only needed Perišić’s consent, which just happened. Sky Sport states that it did not occur on Friday when the clubs had already agreed, because he insisted on a transfer, not a loan with an obligation to purchase as the first option would give him more security.

Perišić’s move from Inter, which bought the Croatian representative over four years ago from Wolfsburg for €19 million, will cost Bayern a total of €25 million.

The attacking winger of Inter and the Croatia national team, therefore, will miss Friday’s game due to precaution. And it only makes sense, since Bayern also turned to Perišić as a backup option after their first-choice, Leroy Sane, was badly injured in his last game for Manchester City after his transfer to Bayern was virtually settled. Instead of going to a new club, Sane is forced to take a break for half of the year.

This transfer news confirms that Perišić is just one of the victims of Inter's new coach Antonio Conte and his major cleanup of Inter dressing room. Recall, some key players left already on Friday.

But while Icardi and Nainggolan are being chased away for their weak character, Ivan Perišić is out thanks to his overpaid salary, which amounts to 8 million euros a year, and because he does not fit into the new Inter concept. Namely, the Conte plays in a 3-5-2 system that has no room for wingers like Perišić.

Fortunately for Perišić, Bayern desperately needed a winger after the departure of the legendary Ribéry, injury to Coman and severe injury to Leroy Sane, who was to come as one of the replacements.

Niko Kovač, who led Perišić as the Croatia coach, thinks Ivan is an excellent plan B. He is experienced but not too old (30), proven himself in top football, and although he is a foreigner, he will not need to adapt to a new country, language, and league. For four years (2011-2015), Perišić lived and played in Germany for Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg. From there, he moved to Inter for €19 million. He played 163 games for the Milan club, scoring 40 goals and 37 assists. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

For Croatian footballers, the winter transfer period promised significant things. Domagoj Vida was meant to go to an ‘Italian Giant’, Ivan Perišić was to live his dream in the Premier League, and the story of Nikola Kalinić was as up and down as ever. In the end, however, only a few Croatian footballers managed to secure deals that have them switching clubs in the middle of the season. 

After all the talk and media speculation, here is what really happened in this winter transfer window, as reported by T.portal on February 1, 2019. 

Ivan Perišić

Perhaps the biggest disappointment is felt by Ivan Perišić, who failed to achieve his dream to play in the English Premier League after his transfer to Arsenal (if there was a contract on the table at all) fell through. Perišić has hit the bottom of the barrel for Inter Milan fans, who whistled at Perišić in the last game against Lazio. 

Because Perišić was not shy about showing his desire to leave the Serie A club, restoring confidence in the fans won’t be easy - and he is currently in disagreement with coach Luciano Spalletti, who even benched him against Lazio. 

Domagoj Vida

Croatian defender Domagoj Vida was very close to a transfer from Turkish club Beşiktaş to Roma, though no agreement was made. The 29-year-old defender showed no remorse, and instead took to his Instagram to show his love to the Turkish club.

“I am privileged to be coveted by several well-respected European clubs, but I am also very grateful and thankful to the president @forman1903 and club management for seeing me as an important part of @besiktas. Together with my family, I feel very welcomed and respected here in Turkey and I am looking forward to fighting for Black Eagles and our fans.”

Nikola Kalinić

Nikola Kalinić’s departure from Atletico Madrid after only half a year was also expected, as Alvaro Morata left Chelsea to join the club. Atletico coach Diego Simeone decided to keep Kalinić in the end, although the forward saw the interest of Valencia, Schalke, and Tottenham. The question, however, is just how good staying at Atletico is for Kalinić, as he could see far less playing time in the spring season. 

Šime Vrsaljko

There were even talks about Croatian defender Šime Vrsaljako returning to Atletico Madrid from Inter Milan, though he awaits an upcoming knee operation and should see a long recovery in 2019.

Marko Rog

There are some happy endings to the winter transfer window, and Marko Rog is one of them. The 23-year-old has agreed to leave Napoli and head to Sevilla on loan until the end of the season. While the first news from the transfer reported that Sevilla would have the option to buy the Croatian for some 20 million euros once the loan is complete, we’ve learned that Rog will return to his carer in Naples in June. The good news is that Rog should see more playing time at Sevilla than  Napoli, which should also help his chances of falling in favor with Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić, too. 

Alen Halilović

Alen Halilović managed to secure a deal in the final minutes of the transfer window, which will see him go on loan from Milan to Belgian club Standard Liège. It is undoubtedly a good move for the 22-year-old who has long been without continuous performances in competitive games. 

Franko Andrijašević

Former top player of the Croatian First League, Franko Andrijašević, has also managed a successful move from Gent to Waasland-Beveren, where he will play on loan. 

Lovre Kalinić

Former Hajduk goalkeeper and current first keeper of the Croatia national team Lovre Kalinić has left Gent to continue his career at Aston Villa, who play in the second tier of the English football league system - the Championship. 

Croatian First League transfers

Perhaps the most powerful signing in Croatia was by young Hajduk midfielder Ante Palaversa who agreed with Manchester City for just over six million euro, while Dinamo’s Mario Budimir has gone to Persepolis. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

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