Marin Pongračić

Marin Pongračić (Croatian pronunciation: [mâriːn pǒnɡratʃitɕ];[2] born 11 September 1997) is a Croatian footballer who plays as a defender for Italian Serie A club Lecce. He also represents the Croatia national team. Pongračić is principally a centre-back but can also play at right-back or as a defensive midfielder.

Marin Pongračić
Pongračić playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-09-11) 11 September 1997
Place of birth Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Lecce
Number 5
Youth career
0000–2013 Bayern Munich
2013–2016 FC Ingolstadt
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 1860 Munich II 17 (1)
2017 1860 Munich 6 (0)
2017–2020 Red Bull Salzburg 35 (0)
2020–2023 VfL Wolfsburg 21 (2)
2021–2022 → Borussia Dortmund (loan) 17 (0)
2022–2023 → Lecce (loan) 9 (0)
2023– Lecce 2 (0)
International career‡
2017–2018 Croatia U21 3 (0)
2020– Croatia 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 August 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:42, 3 June 2022 (UTC)

Club career

1860 Munich

Pongračić started his football career as a product of Bayern Munich academy, before moving to Ingolstadt 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.[3]

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.[3]

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]

International career

Eligible to represent Germany and Croatia, Pongračić was called up to a training camp for the Croatia U17s in 2014.[25] He was capped three times on under-21 level, against Moldova, Austria and France.[26] He was dropped from Croatia's squad for UEFA Under-21 Euro 2019 due to injuries.[27]

He received his first call-up for the senior team on 17 August 2020 for September Nations League fixtures against Portugal and France.[28] However, ten days later, he withdrew from the squad due to mononucleosis and was replaced by Mile Škorić.[29][30] He was called up once again on 4 November for same-month fixtures against Turkey, Sweden and Portugal.[31] He made his debut on 11 November in a friendly 3–3 draw with Turkey, having been named in the starting lineup.[32][33]

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

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.[27][38]

Pongračić named Kalidou Koulibaly and Virgil van Dijk his football idols.[38] He is also a fan of Dinamo Zagreb.[39]

Career statistics

Club
As of end of 2022–23 season[40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1860 Munich II 2016–17 Regionalliga Bayern 171———171
1860 Munich 2016–17 2. Bundesliga 60——1[lower-alpha 2]070
Red Bull Salzburg 2017–18 Austrian Bundesliga 160304[lower-alpha 3]0—230
2018–19 1402010[lower-alpha 4]0—260
2019–20 50101[lower-alpha 5]0—70
Total 35060150—560
VfL Wolfsburg 2019–20 Bundesliga 112—1[lower-alpha 3]0—122
2020–21 10010——110
Total 2121010—232
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 2021–22 Bundesliga 170105[lower-alpha 5]0—230
Lecce (loan) 2022–23 Serie A 900000—90
Career total 105380210101353
  1. Includes Austrian Cup and DFB-Pokal
  2. Appearance in relegation play-offs
  3. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 3 June 2022[41]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Croatia 202020
202100
202230
Total50

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg[40]

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