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Aljoša Asanović (born December 14, 1965 in Split, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia) is a retired Croatian soccer player best known from his performances in the mid-to-late 90's when he played for Derby County and for Croatia during Euro 96 and World Cup 98. He was nicknamed "Vatreni Lakat" (meaning "fiery elbow") for his style of running with elbow pointed out, moving opposing players.

[edit] International career

The talented left-footed midfielder was one of the most important players for the Croatian football team during their golden age from 1994-1998. He was arguably Croatia's most intelligent player in midfield, yet lacked the complete package of skills possessed by his fellow midfielder Robert Prosinečki. In his national team debut on October 17, 1990, in a 2-1 victory against the USA which also was Croatia's first international since the independence from Yugoslavia, Asanović even netted the first goal.

He participated in the Euro 1996 as well as the1998 FIFA World Cup, where Croatia won the bronze medal. In semi-final of the world cup, Asanović made the assist to Davor Šuker from the centre of the field with a loop pass, for Croatia to take the lead against the host France.

His last international match was a May 28, 2000 friendly against France. In total he was capped 62 times, scoring 4 goals, thus ranking among the top five Croatian national players.^[1] Asanović ended his active career in 2002 while with Hajduk Split, the club in which his career had started almost twenty years earlier.

[edit] Management career

At the moment he is assistant manager of Croatian national football team, working alongside his former teammates Slaven Bilić, Robert Prosinečki, Nikola Jurčević and Marijan Mrmić. On 29 December 2008 Asanović was linked to the Derby County job after Paul Jewell resigned.

[edit] References

v • d • e Croatia squad – UEFA Euro 1996 1 Ladić • 2 Jurčević • 3 Jarni • 4 Štimac • 5 Jerkan • 6 Bilić • 7 Asanović • 8 Prosinečki • 9 Šuker • 10 Boban • 11 Bokšić • 12 Mrmić • 13 Stanić • 14 Soldo • 15 Pavličić • 16 Mladenović • 17 Pamić • 18 Brajković • 19 Vlaović • 20 Šimić • 21 Cvitanović • 22 Gabrić • Coach: Blažević

v • d • e Croatia squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup Third Place 1 Ladić • 2 Krpan • 3 Šerić • 4 Štimac • 5 Jurić • 6 Bilić • 7 Asanović • 8 Prosinečki • 9 Šuker • 10 Boban • 11 Marić • 12 Mrmić • 13 Stanić • 14 Soldo • 15 Tudor • 16 Kozniku • 17 Jarni • 18 Mamić • 19 Vlaović • 20 Šimić • 21 Jurčić • 22 Vasilj • Coach: Blažević