Mario Gavranović

Mario Gavranović (Croatian pronunciation: [mâːrio ɡaʋrǎːnoʋitɕ];[3][4] born 24 November 1989) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a forward for Prva HNL side Dinamo Zagreb and the Switzerland national team.[5]

Mario Gavranović
Gavranović with Schalke 04 in 2011
Personal information
Full name Mario Gavranović[1]
Date of birth (1989-11-24) 24 November 1989
Place of birth Lugano, Switzerland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Dinamo Zagreb
Number 11
Youth career
1996–2000 AS Vezia
2000–2006 Team Ticino
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Lugano 21 (8)
2008–2010 Yverdon-Sport 20 (8)
2009–2010 → Neuchâtel Xamax (loan) 17 (8)
2010–2012 Schalke 04 10 (0)
2010–2011 → Schalke 04 II 5 (2)
2011–2012 → Mainz 05 (loan) 5 (0)
2012–2016 Zürich 90 (26)
2016–2018 Rijeka 59 (25)
2018– Dinamo Zagreb 75 (33)
National team‡
2005 Switzerland U17 1 (2)
2007–2008 Switzerland U19 8 (6)
2008–2011 Switzerland U21 14 (3)
2011– Switzerland 26 (10)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 November 2020

Club career

Gavranović began his football career with AS Vezia, before he was scouted by Team Ticino U18, the youth academy of FC Lugano.[6] In the 2006–07 season, he played his first professional games in the Swiss Challenge League for FC Lugano. In his second season he scored eight goals in 21 games. In the summer of 2008 he signed for Yverdon-Sport and scored another eight goals in only 20 games. For the 2008–09 season, he moved to Neuchâtel Xamax.[7]

Schalke

After a successful start at Neuchâtel Xamax having scored eight goals in 17 games,[8] Gavranović left his team to sign for Schalke 04 on 1 February 2010.[9] He scored a vital goal for Schalke 04 in the Round of 16 in the Champions League against Valencia, which led his team to a 4–2 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.[10] Gavranović joined fellow Bundesliga side Mainz on a season-long loan deal on 31 August 2011.[11] Mainz reportedly paid €200,000 to secure his services and the loan included a deal for a permanent transfer worth €1.5 million.[12]

FC Zürich

After only making five appearances during his loan spell, Gavranović returned to Schalke at which point he agreed to cancel his contract in May 2012 and moved on a free transfer to FC Zürich in the summer.[13] He made his debut for Zürich on 15 July 2012, and scored his first goal from the penalty spot in the same match, a 1–1 draw with FC Luzern.[14]

Gavranović scored Zürich's winning goal against reigning champions FC Basel on 11 August 2013 in the fifth round of the Swiss Super League.[15] He scored Zürich's first goal as the club twice came from behind to defeat FC Stade Lausanne Ouchy 3-2 in the second round of the Swiss Cup on 15 September.[16] On 24 November, Gavranović netted twice in the second half of Zürich's Super League clash with FC Sion, inspiring his side to a 4–1 victory.[17]

In the Zürich Derby match against Grasshoppers on 1 March 2014, Gavranović scored a goal in either half to give Zürich a 3-1 win.[18] On 21 April 2014, Gavranović scored twice in extra-time to lead Zürich to a 2–0 victory over Basel in the final of the Swiss Cup.[19]

After suffering a knee injury in training at the World Cup, Gavranović was sidelined for the rest of 2014.[20]

Rijeka

On 18 January 2016, Gavranović moved to HNK Rijeka in Croatia. He signed a ​2 1⁄2-year contract with the club and joined their pre-season training camp in Dubai.[21] Gavranović scored on his official club début on 12 February 2016, converting a cross by Roman Bezjak in the 25th minute to double Rijeka's lead against Lokomotiva.[22] In two years with the club Gavranović scored 40 goals in 80 appearances.

Dinamo Zagreb

On 5 January 2018, Gavranović joined Dinamo Zagreb as part of player exchange deal involving Domagoj Pavičić and Luka Capan. He signed a 3-year contract with the club and selected the number 11 jersey. With a move to the new club and a successful spring season, Gavranović was determined to secure a place in Switzerland's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[23] During his official presentation in Zagreb Gavranović revealed that all of his family members are Dinamo supporters and since the early age he was also encouraged to support the club.[24]

He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Slaven Belupo on 4 March. On 7 March, he scored against his former club Rijeka, but Dinamo would go on to lose the match 4–1. He scored again in a 2–0 win over Rudeš on 17 March[25] and then scored against Istra 1961 in a 4–0 away win on 8 April.[26] Gavranović scored twice in a 2–1 away win over rivals Hajduk Split, which moved Dinamo closer to securing a 19th league title.[27]

He was released from Dinamo at the end of his contract on 30 July 2020. However, he returned to the club just three weeks later due to injury of club's first striker Bruno Petković.[28] On 17 October, he scored his first hat-trick for Dinamo as they defeated Gorica 3–2.[29]

International career

Gavranović represented Switzerland on U-21 level in 14 games and scored three goals. On 26 March 2011, he made senior team debut in the 0–0 draw with Bulgaria in a Euro 2012 qualifier.[30] His first goals arrived in a brace scored in a 4–2 friendly win over Croatia on 15 August 2012.[31]

Gavranović was named in the final 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil on 13 May 2014.[32] On 29 June, he sustained a serious knee injury in training, ruling him out for the rest of the World Cup and until early 2015.[33]

Gavranović was named in manager Vladimir Petković's 23-man Swiss squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[34] He played his first ever World Cup match in the second Group E match versus Serbia, entering at the start of the second half and giving an injury time assist which was finished by Xherdan Shaqiri for a 2–1 comeback win.[35]

Personal life

Gavranović is an ethnic Bosnian Croat, hailing from Gradačac.[36] As of 2016, Gavranović is married to Anita, a Bosnian Croat from Derventa.[37][38] In May 2019, Anita gave birth to a baby girl whom they named Leonie.[39]

Gavranović is a polyglot, he speaks Croatian, Italian, French, German and English.[38]

Career statistics

Club
As of 2 February 2021[40]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lugano 2006–07 Challenge League 20——20
2007–08 21810—228
Total 2381000248
Yverdon Sport 2008–09 Challenge League 20820—228
Neuchâtel Xamax 2009–10 Super League 17832—2010
Schalke 04 2009–10 Bundesliga 20——20
2010–11 80111[lower-alpha 1]1102
2011–12 —121[lower-alpha 2]022
Total 1002321144
Mainz 05 2011–12 Bundesliga 5010—60
Zürich 2012–13 Super League 32946—3615
2013–14 3113642[lower-alpha 2]03917
2014–15 11120—131
2015–16 163412[lower-alpha 2]0224
Total 902616114011037
Rijeka 2015–16 Prva HNL 13720—157
2016–17 2911572[lower-alpha 2]03618
2017–18 1772210[lower-alpha 3]62915
Total 5925991268040
Dinamo Zagreb 2017–18 Prva HNL 15821—179
2018–19 2493113[lower-alpha 4]24012
2019–20 1944[lower-alpha 5]38[lower-alpha 1]0317
2020–21 1712107[lower-alpha 6]12513
Total 753310528311341
Career total 29910844304610389148
  1. All appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. All appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. Six appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
  4. Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  5. Includes an appearance in 2019 Croatian Super Cup
  6. Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League

International
As of 11 November 2020[41]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Switzerland
201120
201234
201340
201420
201500
201600
201700
201892
201921
202043
Total2610

International goals
As of 13 October 2020. Switzerland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Gavranović goal.[42]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 15 August 2012Stadion Poljud, Split, Croatia3 Croatia3–14–2Friendly
2 4–2
3 12 October 2012Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland4 Norway1–01–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
4 16 October 2012Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland5 Iceland2–02–0
5 27 March 2018Swissporarena, Luzern, Switzerland13 Panama5–06–0Friendly
6 12 October 2018King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium18 Belgium1–11–22018–19 UEFA Nations League A
7 8 September 2019Stade Tourbillon, Sion, Switzerland22 Gibraltar4–04–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
8 7 October 2020Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland23 Croatia1–01–2Friendly
9 13 October 2020RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany25 Germany1–03–32020–21 UEFA Nations League A
10 3–2

Honours

Club

Schalke 04

FC Zürich

HNK Rijeka

Dinamo Zagreb

International

Switzerland U21

Individual

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 30. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  2. "Mario Gavranovic" (in German). schalke04.de. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  3. "Mȃrio". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  4. "gȁvrān". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 February 2020. Gavránović
  5. "Nikad ne bih mogao slaviti golove protiv Hrvatske, osjećam se Hrvatom koliko i Švicarcem" (in Croatian). jutarnji.hr. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  6. "Neuchâtel Xamax". rotweiss24.ch. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010.
  7. "Xamax verliert weiteren Stürmer" (in German). NZZ Online. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  8. "Kuljic zu Xamax, aber Gavranovic geht ebenfalls" (in German). football.ch. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  9. "Schweizer U21-Nationalspieler Mario Gavranovic jetzt ein Schalker" (in German). schalke04.de. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  10. "Farfán leads Schalke past Valencia". UEFA. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  11. "Gavranovic moves to Mainz on loan". FIFA. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  12. "Mainz capture Gavranovic". Sky Sports. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  13. "Schalke end Gavranovic stay". Sky Sports. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  14. "Luzern vs. Zürich 1-1". Soccerway. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  15. "Basel vs. Zürich 1-2". Soccerway. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  16. "FC Zurich Wins Cup Match against FC Stade Lausanne Ouchy 3-2". FCZ. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  17. "Zürich vs. Sion 4-1". Soccerway. 24 November 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  18. "Zürich vs. Grasshopper 3-1". Soccerway. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  19. "Gavranovic edges Zürich past nine-man Basel". UEFA. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  20. "Swiss Gavranovic going home due to injured knee". Yahoo Sports. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  21. "Gavranović se pridružio momčadi u Dubaiju" (in Croatian). Radio Rijeka. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  22. "Pobjeda za otvaranje sezone lova na naslov prvaka" (in Croatian). HoćuRi.com. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  23. "Gavranović: Želim duplu krunu s Dinamom, a onda na Svjetsko prvenstvo" (in Croatian). Sportarena.hr. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  24. "GAVRANOVIĆ: JAKO SAM ŽELIO DOĆI U DINAMO". GNK Dinamo Zagreb (in Croatian). 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  25. "Dinamo - Rudeš 2:0 - Hrvatski Telekom Prva liga". prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  26. "Istra 1961 - Dinamo 0:4 - Hrvatski Telekom Prva liga". prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  27. "Dinamo slavio na Poljudu, približio se naslovu prvaka - Hrvatski Telekom Prva liga". prvahnl.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  28. Ničota, Tomo (22 July 2020). "Pozadina nevjerojatnog povratka: Evo koga su zapravo željeli dovesti u Dinamu, dok nisu čuli cijenu!". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  29. Ničota, Tomo (17 October 2020). "VIDEO: Kako je heroj dana spasio Dinamo, ali i Mamića! Jedan potez trenera Modrih bio je veliki promašaj". Sportske novosti (in Croatian).
  30. "Bulgaria and Switzerland draw a blank". UEFA. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  31. "Switzerland 4-2 Croatia". UEFA. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  32. "Hitzfeld selects predicted Swiss squad". FIFA. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  33. "World Cup: Switzerland forward Mario Gavranovic ruled out by serious knee injury". Sky Sports. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  34. "2018 World Cup: Switzerland name Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri in squad". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  35. Danny Wittenberg (22 June 2018). "Serbia 1-2 Switzerland REPORT: Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri complete comeback to give Swiss hope at World Cup 2018". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  36. Puđa, Stipe (3 June 2012). "Oduvijek sam htio igrati za Hrvatsku, ali oni su oklijevali..." Večernji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  37. Volarić, Ivan (30 December 2016). "Igrači "Rijeke" uspješni i na privatnom planu: Gavranović se oženio, Bradarić zaručio". Novi list (in Croatian). Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  38. Benčić, Luka (11 March 2017). "MARIO GAVRANOVIĆ: 'Svjetski sam tip, pričam šest jezika, ženu sam upoznao u butiku u Zürichu'". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  39. Ivanković, Helena (12 May 2019). "Žena dinamovca Gavranovića rodila curicu: Stigla je Leonie". 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  40. "M. Gavranović". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  41. "Mario Gavranović". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  42. "Mario Gavranović - national football team player". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  43. "Season review: Switzerland". UEFA. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
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