Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group D - Croatia Team Review

[FastGoal]

Croatia

FIFA World Ranking: 18
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 1.50
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 0.40
Qualifying Top Scorer: Mario Mandzukic (5)
World Cup Best Performance: Third Place (1998)

Group D Opponents: Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria


The Manager: Zlatko Dalic
With little to no experience in big time management, Dalic was far from an obvious appointment. He has however done excellent work in the Saudi Arabian league since 2010 and has responded well since being handed the reins. His first game in charge was effectively a world cup knockout against the Ukraine, and he managed to guide Croatia though that and also the subsequent playoff against Greece in impressive style. The conspiracy theorists suggest he only has the job due to his close ties with those in power, but perhaps in Russia, Dalic will silence the doubters.


The Squad:
Rather than try anything too new or experimental, Dalic has placed his faith in the old guard. Few sides in the tournament will have played as many minutes together as this Croatia outfit who can be an impressive unit when able to get into a rhythm.

Many sides would kill for a dominant midfield passing influence, but Croatia have two in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic. Often bossing games for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, it is Modirc who has proved the more influential for his country, but if Dalic can find a way to also get the best from Rakitic, Croatia could really be in business. Ivan Perisic’s direct threat from the wing adds to what is a stellar midfield.

Mario Mandzukic – who invariably performs well on the big stage for both club and country – Andrej Kramaric and Nikola Kalinic provide plenty of threat up front and look to have the potential to rack up the goals in this Group.

At the other end of the pitch things aren’t quite so rosy although perhaps not quite as bad as some fans make out. Croatia did after all only concede an average of 0.4 goals per game in qualifying and Dejan Lovren’s excellent late season form for Liverpool is an encouraging sign for his partnership with Domagoj Vida at the heart of the defence.


Star Man: Luka Modric
It takes a special talent to hold their place in the heart of the Real Madrid midfield for so long, and Luka Modric is exactly that. Possessed of an outstanding range of passing and vision, Modric generally plays in a slightly more advanced role for the National side and has an eye for a pass that can open up any defence as well as providing a legitimate goal threat in and around the box himself.

Outlook:
We have been here before with Croatia who invariably arrive at these big tournaments touted as one of the outsiders for glory. One day perhaps they will get it all together again, but their preparation for this event looks to be far from ideal. Internal wrangling with the FA, a prospective perjury charge against their star man, and a disillusioned fanbase all add to the pressure and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise should it all come unstuck in Russia.


Group D Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2466.0

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]

[FastGoal]