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Weaknesses of the set-piece could play in the hands of England
Luka Modric reported a soft spot for Croatia without being asked. "We watched the match [England] today, we saw how good they are in dead ball situations, we need to improve this element of our game." Drag the late equalization of the Russia from a free kick and it is alarming to see how much Croatia has given space to his opponents.Several of the 10 Croatian players in the zone have taken extremely deep starting positions, almost on the edge of the six-yard area.Also significantly, none of them were "narrowed" on any of the Russian players.
Whether it's because they scored zonally, worried about being penalized for holding or just too exhausted to think straight at the end of a long evening is not clear.But it was ridiculously easy for the unmarked Mário Fernandes to go home and this is not an isolated case A long throw against the Dan emark, in the previous round, led to the goal of Mathias Jørgensen. Iceland also had some joy against Croatia through set-pieces – Sverrir Ingason's headed against the bar when he should have scored and long throws again provoked consternation. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida, the two central defenders, do not command enough by attacking bullets in their own zone.
That said, Vida managed to score on the other end against Russia, so there is a cautionary note here for England. Nevertheless, with five of England's 11 World Cup goals coming from corners or free kicks, Gareth Southgate's players should be encouraged
Neglected Perisic leaves the flank exposed
Ivan Strinic, l & rsquo; Left back of Croatia, has long been scapegoat of the national team. "I've learned to do that," Sampdoria's defender said recently, fully aware that the finger of the foul is usually directed in his direction whenever things go wrong. Whether it was fair or not, it was clear that Russia was targeting Strinic. Russia had a lot of joy on its right flank, where Fernandes, galloping from behind, and Alexander Samedov, man wide in front of him, caused a lot of problems in the first period.
Zlatko Dalic, coach of Croatia, acknowledged that this was the case afterwards and said that there was "a lot of pressure" on the part of Fernandes, who stood out deeply from Kieran Trippier.Strinic has picked up a yellow card for a cynical tug on Samedov and was later removed perhaps with this caution in mind, he will almost certainly start against England. In fairness to the 30-year-old, who won 47 caps, there were extenuating circumstances against Russia. Ivan Perisic, who took off on the left and was also replaced, offers little defensive protection and often left the left-back outnumbered. Trippier, working in tandem with one of Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli and Sterling Raheem, must seek to create surcharges on the right of England.
Rakitic and Modric can orchestrate with style
The one plays for Real Madrid, the other for Barcelona, which is not a bad starting point. Aged 30 and 32, Ivan Rakitic and Modric are now in the territory of Croatia. They play as they do, too.
Croatia controlled its possession in four of its five matches, peaking at 65% against Russia, which is largely due to the influence of Rakitic and Modric. The only match where Croatia saw less of the ball than their opponents was against Argentina. On this occasion, Croatia won 3-0
The only dilemma for Dalic is how to set up his midfield to maximize Modric's talent. When he took over last year, Dalic pushed Modric further, in role # 10, to try to give the team more penetration, and it worked. Against Russia, however, Dalic resorted to tactics more often deployed by his predecessors – and not always successfully – since Modric first sat down more deeply, alongside Rakitic, in order accommodate an extra attacker. Croatia was invaded for 45 minutes. "We lacked a body in midfield," admitted Dalic. The coach of Croatia introduced Marcelo Brozovic as a midfielder selection, to release Modric and Rakitic, and his team controlled the match thereafter. This 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 training, depending on how you interpret it, is likely to be the way Croatia is going to install against it. England, giving Southgate an enigma on its own because Jordan Henderson will, without question
A first serious test for the defense of England
With Belgium playing its reserves against England , Colombia misses James Rodríguez and Sweden's attack led by a striker who failed To score at this World Cup, there is an argument that Southgate's three / five-man defense is not the only goal in the game. has not been really tested in Russia yet. This should not lose all credit of the way Harry Maguire et al played until now, just a reminder that the bar will be lifted Wednesday in Moscow. Although Croatia does not have the offensive prowess of Belgium or France, Dalic still has talented individuals at his disposal, each bringing something different to the team. Andrej Kramaric, who can play anywhere on the front, is a much better player than he has shown in Leicester City. The altruistic Mario Mandzukic will throw himself into the ground. Perisic, who was close to joining Manchester United last summer, provides craftsmanship and cunning on the left, and Ante Rebic is pacy and direct. All four started against Russia. Dalic will not resume this path because of the space he conceded to the midfield, but England will be stretched despite everything, especially in the vast areas behind Trippier and Ashley Young.
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