Marin Pongračić Explained

Marin Pongračić
Upright:0.9
Birth Date:1997 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
Height:1.90 m[1]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Fiorentina
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:–2013
Youthclubs1:Bayern Munich
Youthyears2:2013–2016
Youthclubs2:FC Ingolstadt 04
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:1860 Munich II
Caps1:17
Goals1:1
Years2:2017
Clubs2:1860 Munich
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Years3:2017–2020
Clubs3:Red Bull Salzburg
Caps3:35
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2023
Clubs4:VfL Wolfsburg
Caps4:21
Goals4:2
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Borussia Dortmund (loan)
Caps5:17
Goals5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Lecce (loan)
Caps6:9
Goals6:0
Years7:2023–2024
Clubs7:Lecce
Caps7:36
Goals7:0
Years8:2024–
Clubs8:Fiorentina
Caps8:1
Goals8:0
Nationalyears1:2017–2018
Nationalteam1:Croatia U21
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2020–
Nationalteam2:Croatia
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:0
Pcupdate:19:47, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:23:27, 24 June 2024 (UTC)

Marin Pongračić (pronounced as /hr/;[2] born 11 September 1997) is a Croatian footballer who plays as a defender for club Fiorentina and the Croatia national team. Pongračić is principally a centre-back but can also play at right-back or as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

1860 Munich

Pongračić started his football career as a product of Bayern Munich academy, before moving to FC Ingolstadt 04 in 2013 at the age of 16. He made 38 appearances at under-17 and under-19 levels, before moving to 1860 Munich in 2016 in search of professional football. After establishing himself in the reserve team, he made his 2. Bundesliga debut on 16 April 2017 in a 1–1 draw with Sandhausen. He made seven appearances for the first team, including an appearance in a relegation play-off against Jahn Regensburg. Pongračić was sent off in the 80th minute, as the match ended up as a 1–1 draw.[3] [4] [5]

Red Bull Salzburg

In summer 2017, he joined Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deal.[6] He made his debut for the club on 22 July in a 2–0 victory over Wolfsberger AC.[7] However, due to an abductor muscle injury, he missed thirteen games for the club. He returned to the team for the 5 November game against St. Pölten. He made his UEFA Europa League debut on 23 November in a 3–0 victory over Vitória Guimarães.[8] He then featured throughout Salzburg's Europa League campaign as they reached the semi-final, where they were eliminated by Marseille.[9] Salzburg ended the season as the Austrian champions.

On 29 August 2018, in a Champions League play-off against Red Star Belgrade, Pongračić fouled Milan Pavkov and received a yellow card. The game ended as a 2–2 draw and Red Star qualified on away goals. Red Star captain Vujadin Savić later credited Pongračić's foul as the reason for his club's triumph, calling Pongračić out for "provocations during the whole match."[10] [11] On 21 February 2019, he provided Patson Daka with an assist for the second goal as Salzburg defeated Club Brugge 4–0 in Europa League round of 32.[12] In his second season at the club, Pongračić helped Salzburg win the double.

During the first half of the 2019–20 season, he made only seven appearances for the club due to injuries. On 5 November, he made his Champions League debut in a 1–1 draw with Napoli.[13]

VfL Wolfsburg

After the injury-stricken stint at Salzburg, Pongračić joined VfL Wolfsburg on 15 January 2020 on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a fee believed to be €10 million.[14] [15] On 8 February, in his second appearance for the club, he was sent off after elbowing Alfredo Morales, as Wolfsburg drew 1–1 with Fortuna Düsseldorf.[16] [17] On 26 May, Pongračić scored twice as Wolfsburg defeated Bayer Leverkusen by a score of 4–1.[18]

After he missed the beginning of the new season due to mononucleosis, Pongračić returned to the team on 8 November as an injury time substitute for Xaver Schlager in the 2–1 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim.[19] However, on 18 November, he tested positive for COVID-19.[20] [21] On 27 February 2021, he was sent off in the injury time of a 2–0 victory over Hertha Berlin.

Borussia Dortmund (loan)

On 31 August 2021, Pongračić joined Borussia Dortmund on loan for the duration of the 2021–22 season.[22] He made his Dortmund debut on 11 September in a 4–3 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Lecce

On 22 August 2022, Pongračić moved on loan to Lecce in Italy, with an option to buy.[23]

On 30 June 2023, Lecce announced that they had exercised their option to buy with the defender signing an initial two-year deal with the option for a further year.[24]

Fiorentina

On 19 July 2024, Pongračić joined fellow Serie A club Fiorentina.[25]

International career

Eligible to represent Germany and Croatia, Pongračić was called up to a training camp for the Croatia U17s in 2014.[26] He was capped three times on under-21 level, against Moldova, Austria and France.[27] He was dropped from Croatia's squad for UEFA Under-21 Euro 2019 due to injuries.[28]

He received his first call-up for the senior team on 17 August 2020 for September Nations League fixtures against Portugal and France.[29] However, ten days later, he withdrew from the squad due to mononucleosis and was replaced by Mile Škorić.[30] [31] He was called up once again on 4 November for same-month fixtures against Turkey, Sweden and Portugal.[32] He made his debut on 11 November in a friendly 3–3 draw with Turkey, having been named in the starting lineup.[33] [34]

On 17 May 2021, Pongračić was named in the preliminary 34-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020,[35] but did not make the final 26.[36] On 31 October 2022, he was named in the preliminary 34-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,[37] but did not make the final 26 again.[38]

Personal life

Pongračić was born in Landshut, Germany. His parents Stribor and Anđelka fled from Slavonski Brod, Croatia to Germany during the Croatian War of Independence.[39]

Pongračić named Kalidou Koulibaly and Virgil van Dijk his football idols.[39] He is also a fan of Dinamo Zagreb.[40]

Career statistics

Club

[41]

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1860 Munich II2016–17Regionalliga Bayern171171
1860 Munich2016–172. Bundesliga601070
Red Bull Salzburg2017–18Austrian Bundesliga1603040230
2018–1914020100260
2019–2050101070
Total35060150560
VfL Wolfsburg2019–20Bundesliga11210122
2020–2110010110
Total2121010232
Borussia Dortmund (loan)2021–22Bundesliga1701050230
Lecce (loan)2022–23Serie A900090
Lecce2023–24Serie A36020380
Total45020470
Fiorentina2024–25Serie A10000010
Career total1423100210101743

International

[42]

Appearances and goals by national team and year!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
Croatia202020
202230
202450
Total100

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg

2017–18, 2018–19

2018–19

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marin Pongračić . Borussia Dortmund . 10 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220109011946/https://www.bvb.de/Mannschaften/Profis/Marin-Pongracic . 9 January 2022.
  2. Web site: Mȁrīn. Mȁrīn. Hrvatski jezični portal. 2018-03-17. hr.
  3. Web site: 2020-01-15. Marin Pongracic: Who is Wolfsburg's Croatia U21 international?. 2020-08-18. Bundesliga. en.
  4. Web site: 2017-04-16. TSV 1860 Munich vs. SV Sandhausen - Football Match Report. 2020-08-18. ESPN. en.
  5. Web site: 2017-05-26. Neuhaus gibt den Löwen wieder Puls. 2020-08-18. Kicker. de-DE.
  6. Web site: 2017-06-20. Salzburg doveo mladog Hrvata koji je karijeru počeo u Bayernu. 2020-08-18. Germanijak.
  7. Web site: 2017-07-22. Wolfsberger vs. FC Salzburg - Football Match Summary. 2020-08-18. ESPN. en.
  8. Web site: 2017-11-23. LIVE Red Bull Salzburg - Vitória Guimarães - Europa League. 2020-08-18. Eurosport.
  9. Web site: 2018-05-03. Atletico uništio Arsenalove snove o Ligi prvaka, Marseille preživio Salzburg. 2020-08-18. Gol.hr. hr.
  10. Web site: Lovrić. Dejan. Ćubel. Jelena. 2018-08-30. Crvena zvezda u Ligi prvaka: Pongračić je u nama probudio srpski inat!. 2020-08-18. Goal.com. hr.
  11. Web site: Buškulić. Ante. 2020-08-29. Crvena zvezda prvi put u Ligi prvaka, Salzburg najveći luzer!. 2020-08-18. Goal.com. hr.
  12. Web site: Hina. 2019-02-22. Dalić može mirno spavati: Perišić i Rebić zabili, stoper Pongračić asistirao za gol. 2020-08-18. Gol.hr. hr.
  13. Web site: B. M.. 2019-11-05. Pongračić od prve minute protiv Napolija!. 2020-08-18. ARTinfo. hr-hr.
  14. Web site: Marin Pongračić joins Wolfsburg for €10m. One Football. 15 January 2020. 27 May 2020.
  15. Web site: 2020-01-15. Pongracic leaves for Wolfsburg. 2020-08-18. FC Red Bull Salzburg. en.
  16. Web site: Hina. 2020-02-08. Pongračić dobio crveni karton, Brekalo ostao na klupi Vukova. 2020-08-18. 24sata. hr.
  17. Web site: D. L.. 2020-02-11. Pongračić dobio crveni karton pa udario po kameri: "Nismo na seoskoj utakmici". 2020-08-18. Index.hr. hr.
  18. Web site: Wolfsburg stuns Leverkusen in 4-1 blowout behind two goals from Marin Pongra. FOX Sports. 26 May 2020. 27 May 2020.
  19. Web site: Dobrinić. Damir. Hina. 2020-11-08. Lovren izborio penal, Juranović zabio autogol, veliki hrvatski talent vratio se na teren nakon 95 dana!. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  20. Web site: 2020-11-18. Marin Pongračić pozitivan na koronavirus. 2020-11-18. Hrvatski nogometni savez. hr.
  21. Web site: Positiver Corona-Test bei Pongracic. 18 November 2020. 29 May 2021. vfl-wolfsburg.de. de.
  22. Web site: Borussia Dortmund verpflichtet Pongracic. www.bvb.de. German. 31 August 2021.
  23. Web site: Lecce. MARIN PONGRAČIĆ È UN NUOVO CALCIATORE DEL LECCE. 22 August 2022. 24 August 2022. it.
  24. Web site: PONGRACIC IN GIALLOROSSO. PONGRACIC IN YELLOW AND RED. Italian. www.uslecce.it. 30 June 2023. 30 June 2023.
  25. Web site: PONGRACIC È UN NUOVO CALCIATORE DELLA FIORENTINA. IRST TEAM PONGRACIC IS A NEW FIORENTINA PLAYER. Italian. www.acffiorentina.com. 19 July 2024. 19 July 2024.
  26. Web site: Kamp U-17 reprezentacije u Slavonskom Brodu. Croatian Football Federation.
  27. Web site: Marin Pongračić. 2020-08-18. Croatian Football Federation . hr.
  28. Web site: Škrlec. Silvijo. 2020-05-25. Nenad Gračan otkrio nam najveću vrlinu mladog Hrvata koji je zaludio njemačku Bundesligu i nameće se izborniku Daliću: Ima brzinu, ali ima i.... 2020-08-18. Tportal.hr. hr.
  29. Web site: Kovačević. Davor. 2020-08-17. Dalić pozvao dva debitanta za Ligu nacija: Idemo na Portugal i Francuze s najjačim sastavom. 2020-08-18. 24sata. hr.
  30. Web site: J. B.. 2020-08-27. Modrić i Rakitić propuštaju okupljanje: Dalić pozvao dva igrača iz HNL-a i napadača iz Primere. Gol.hr. hr.
  31. Web site: Olivari. Davorin. 2020-08-28. Šok iz Njemačke: Umjesto ostvarenja snova, noćna mora – novi Vatreni ima mononukleozu!. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  32. Web site: Croatian News Agency. HINA. 2020-11-04. Dalić aktivirao pet pretpoziva s liste kandidata: Dvojici će to biti prvo okupljanje. 2020-11-11. Gol.hr. hr.
  33. Web site: 2020-11-11. ANKETA Tko vas je oduševio, a tko razočarao u nikad viđenom sastavu Hrvatske?. 2020-11-11. Index.hr. hr.
  34. Web site: 2020-11-11. PONGRAČIĆ: 'Nemam riječi, ispunio mi se san'. 2020-11-11. Sport Klub. hr.
  35. Web site: Dalić objavio popis za Euro 2020: Poznato svih 26 imena, izbornik objasnio iznenađenje . Gol.hr . 2021-05-17 . 2022-12-21 . hr.
  36. Web site: Sada je konačno: Dalić potvrdio popis od 26 igrača za Euro 2020 . Gol.hr . 2021-06-01 . 2022-12-21 . hr . HINA . Croatian News Agency.
  37. Web site: Dalić objavio prošireni popis za Svjetsko prvenstvo: Evo tko ima šansu putovati u Katar . Gol.hr . 2022-10-31 . 2022-12-21 . hr.
  38. Web site: Zlatko Dalić objavio popis igrača za SP, ovo su 26 imena koje vodi u Katar . Večernji list . 2022-11-09 . 2022-12-21 . hr.
  39. Web site: Antolić. Dražen. 2020-05-21. 'Modrić i Rakitić nikad nisu čuli za mene!' Najbrži stoper priznao: Dalić mi je rekao da me prati!. 2020-08-18. Sportske novosti. hr-hr.
  40. Web site: Antolić . Dražen . 2022-03-28 . Igrač Borussije i navijač Dinama koji je iskoristio svoju priliku: 'Hrvatska ima veliki potencijal' . 2022-03-28 . Sportske novosti . hr-hr.
  41. Web site: Marin Pongračić. Soccerway. 27 May 2020.
  42. Web site: Marin Pongračić profile. EU-Football.info. 11 November 2020.