2018 World Cup: How Croatia can make the most of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic – but England could still be too

Much of what will happen in the semifinal on Wednesday night will depend on the composition of midfielder Croatia rather than that of England. I expect that Gareth Southgate will not change his midfield to face the threat of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, but no longer to Zlatko Dalic for it to completely change his game

For me, Croatia must leave with Marcelo Brozovic. to allow the two Croatian star players to have a greater influence higher on the pitch, where they are the most dangerous. In the last game against Russia, they played Andrej Kramaric in Zone # 10 which pushed Modric and Rakitic on the toes of the center back, which meant they were less likely to help or to mark

. As he did against Denmark and Argentina, he allows Modric and Rakitic to play 10 meters more on the ground. They are two of the most complete players of their generation and Croatia needs that they play in the right areas to succeed the game.

Modric and Rakitic can both defend, attack and score goals, which is very rare, and with Brozovic, they have three midfielders who can protect the defense and keep the ball. If Kramaric plays, they lose that security and that would allow Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling to find room behind them as they turn between deep and advanced positions.

Even though they play for two big rivals in Spain – Barcelona and Real Madrid – it's no surprise to me that Modric and Rakitic complement each other so well. For example, Philip Cocu and I went so far off the pitch, even when we were at Ajax and PSV. It will be a big problem in Spain but not in Croatia.

The player that I can most compare to the one I played with is Xavi. He was more defensive, but like Rakitic and Modric, he always knew where he needed to be. He was the first to play so easily in small spaces, and no matter who was around him, he always found the right solution. They are a little more dynamic and score more goals but they have similar styles.

For me, the most interesting thing about this match, from the point of view of the coach, is how Croatia will push 3-4-3 / 3-5-2 system when they n & # 39; Do not have the ball. I am curious to see how they solve the problem of preventing John Stones, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker from leaving the bottom. Will they press three strikers – one man each? If this is not the case, England will dominate the game.

I love the way Colombia handled the defense of England. They played three in front and gave them a lot of trouble when they tried to play between the lines. Without this pressure, it is very easy for a third back to distribute the ball.

That's why I do not think Southgate will change its line-up of Sweden's game, and why I do not think it's needed. I would continue to play their own game, with Jordan Henderson as sole holder midfielder, with Eric Dier on the bench again.

Alli and Lingard will find shortcomings to hurt Croatia and Sterling will continue to do what it has been with smart runs to stretch the defenders and give Harry Kane more space to shoot.

I think that England is the favorite and it will be more a case of Croatia that needs to stop them, rather than the other way around.

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