Video: Iličić scores a beauty against Malta

Poor old Josip Iličić comes in for a lot of abuse around here. In fairness, a lot of the criticism is pretty well founded. He’s a on trick pony who always tries to cut inside and shoot with his left. His decision making on the break is frequently terrible and has robbed Fiorentina of countless goals over the past several years. His first touch sometimes has the delicacy of a sledgehammer. He’s about as fast and maneuverable as a thee-legged hippopotamus on a frozen lake.

But even with these frustrating qualities, he’s a tremendously talented footballer. If you still don’t believe it, have a look at this stunner he just scored for Slovenia against Malta.

“Sure,” the haters will say, “He scored a goal against Malta, who draw their internationals from a population of 450,000. Whatever. Anyone could do that.” And I will respond, “Yeah, but not very many people do.” Say what you will about him, Lurch has some magic. Unfortunately, he’s not in control of when it appears, but when it does, look out.