Projected Croatia lineup vs. Argentina: Subašić – Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinić – Rakitić, Badelj – Rebić, Modrić, Perišić – Mandžukić.
Sportske Novosti is reporting that Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić has already chosen his starting XI for Argentina and it will be the same lineup that went up against Nigeria; with one major switch.
Striker Andrej Kramarić will sit while center defensive midfielder maestro Milan Badelj gets the nod. This will allow Luka Modrić to play further up the field with less defensive responsibilities. This move takes a more defensive approach for Argentina, who are looking for all three points against the Vatreni after a 1-1 draw vs. Iceland in their first World Cup match.
A Croatia victory on Thursday will put the Vatreni through to the final 16; but a draw versus the Argentines should also be considered a success.
Badelj successfully played 61 minutes against Brazil on June 3rd in their Anfield friendly; not conceding any goals while he was on the field.
***Actually Modric started the goal with a well hit corner kick. So the goal is even better with direct and indirect involvement of 3 + 1 Croats.
@ the truth
To.call Mandzus goal against Nigeria ‘flukey’ is a bit much. That goal was fantastic. Here’s why: first off it was a combination goal between rebic, mandzu and Kramar not withstanding the Nigerian defender involvement. Rebic starts it with a nice flick on, Mandzu reacts with an almost Van Persie like flying Croat header to redirect the ball further, Kramar is there lurking to put whatever ball was just put in his way by his attacking cohorts in the net. Great thing was the trajectory from Mandzus header made Kramars.s finish unecessary. That was not a fluke goal as the Nigerian defender had no time or space with Kramar on him to react to the redirected double header. Thank you for.your time.
This is the game that Modric has been waiting for- he looked super pumped against Nigeria- he played OK but it was his encouragement of other players that was different- it is likely his last World Cup- I say he’s the man of the match with a Croatian 2-1 victory- I just see how he has matured as a leader and we’ll need that against a desperate Argentina- that’s the prediction- trust it like Lika fist to the head
Looks like a 3 4 3 formation for Argentina… It will be difficult to counter a formation like that.
Much Badelj bashing. Perhaps I am wrong to give him a break.
His turn to step up or sit down.
Personally, I’d like to see Rakitic holding, Luka Attacking, and Kovacic slaloming if we go with 3 mids. Last game’s starting lineup would be fine too. It will likely be Kramaric on fir Badelj if we are losing.
@Truth- I do see potential for the usual Strinic, Badelj, and Mandzukic meltdowns on this board…but that is ok, it’s what we do. You think Eric, from work, wants to hear you bitch about Ivan and Milan?
Hopefully Rebic can bag a goal or two like he did against Bayern a month ago: https://youtu.be/gXsOjkRSCII at 1:20 and 7:40. We will be counter attacking in a similar manner no doubt.
Soul champ, Perisic is a pure athlete…he just goes through players when he is playing well…extremely hard to get off the ball. Pace…skill…we need him tomorrow.
@Mixed grill
I agree, with this lineup, the best we can hope for is a 0-0 tie. shouldhave been same lineup as last game except Kovacic for Rebic
But aren’t we back where we didn’t want to be, with a lost Mandzukic as lone forward? I appreciate the argument that we have to play defensively, but what about arguments that we are at the world cup and we should go out to play and win with our best players? I’d like to see Kovacic and Kramaric start. If we go out we should go out in style and not with the announcers saying “ Badelj to Strinic back to Badelj to Subasic and back to Badelj…..”
@ Lika
Agreed.
This game is screaming for him to run into the left flank and either score or assist.
Perišić plays under the radar and then BAM he looks like Ronaldo!
3-2 Hrvatska!!
Perisic is the most important player for tomorrows game for goals…we need him at his best! He is our game changer.
FYI, TURKEY is a Bosnian Serb who lives in Italy – confirmed
Turkey, say hi to mama.
Turkey your mama has lots of experience! Loves loves kobasa! Lol…
Hopefully Badelj nutmegs Messi again
Turkey you have no football insight and knowledge.
Who do you support Iran you sound like a towel head.
Croatia won their group at Euro 2008 and Euro 2016 douche bag.
DALIC……has no international experience.
Didn’t he come out of house league coaching????
Hey Turkey Croatia weren’t humiliated at the Euros be more specific loser.
@ slavonac
I get what dalic is doing
It’s Argentina. Gotta go defensive. No way can you play that four forward line up against them
Which means it’s either mandz, kramaric, or rebic to the bench
Rebic and mandzukic definitely more aggressive pressers and defenders
I get it
Something just uncomfortable and disappointing about taking off by far your best goal scorer when your team can’t score goals!
I have a feeling i know how this game will go. Argentina will bag a couple and Croatia will likely barely finish with a shot on goal again
And this site will light up with outrage of how mandzukic played over kramaric
Best hope is rebic sneaks one in on the counter
I’m not a Turkey supporter. You got to be smarter than that no???
Actually, your not! Forgot who I was dealing with.
2-0 Argentina
3-1 Iceland you watch!!!!
Dalić is thinking of plans A, B and C, for 90+ minutes.
Kramaric can come on at half time.
But first I need to see MANdzukic eat Otomendi alive.
LMFAO … still hear that BS that Super Mario scores flukey goals!
Argentina have no answer for him. Dalmatinci going to run hard down those flanks and feed the beast a steady diet of crosses.
It is time for a statement match.
Dalić is coaching to produce a result.
Operation Oluja.
Dalić is thinking of plans A, B and C, for 90+ minutes.
Kramaric can come on at half time.
But first I need to see MANdzukic eat Otomendi alive.
LMFAO … still hear that BS that Super Mario scores flukey goals!
Argentina have no answer for him. Dalmatinci going to run hard down those flanks and feed the beast a steady diet of crosses.
It is time for a statement match.
Dalić is coaching to produce a result.
Operation Oluja.
U boj ..
Can Badelj actually dish ball? That would be nice. Strinic can’t and that is why opponents give him free reign when he has ball.
And in the end, what does Croatia have to show for itself ……..with all these great superstars you talk about. I will tell you, …….nothing. I just love it how we humiliated you cabbage heads during the Euro!!!!
– Watch how Croatia plays against Arg. Then the loss vs Iceland. This is a perfect set up for another so called failure for Croatia….But for real soccer fans……Croatia’s inabilities is so expected!!!!Can’t wait for all the excuses!!!!!
Hey TURKEY please Turkey havent even made a World Cup since 2002 funny hey. Turkey have missed out on Euro 2012 as well funny bad team. Worry about your own dodgy side not ours. We won our group in Euro 2016 we defeated Spain. They are not potential superstars they are already stars around the World Modric Rakitic Mandzukic Perisic Brozovic.
All these potential Croatian superstars on major European teams are little minnows against the real European countries in international play. Croatia…..pallllease…..It’s been 20 years since they have seen the knockout Phase in a World Cup.
Kramaric is not Croatias second best player its Modric then Rakitic Perisic Mandzukic then maybe Kramaric. Croatia win 2:1 or lose by the 1998 score line 1:0. Do you guys Russia will help us out in the World Cup because we defeated England at Wembley 3:2 in the Euro 2008 qualifying.
We played Argentina in the third match in 1998. We had already beaten Jamaica and Japan. The playoff spot was assured, so we were OK with the loss. Croatia didn’t really play hard in that match because 2nd in the group matched them up with Romania instead of England, as England lost to Romania in their group match.
This lineup is designed for a high press if you ask me. I do like the idea of playing Modric in the hole because he is so intelligent in reading what the opposition wants to do and cutting it off. I expect a handful of intercepted passes by him giving us a great chance to counter.
That leaves either Kramaric or Mandzukic for the striker role and I agree with Slavonac that Mandzukic will be a better fit in ensuring the Argentina defenders are not comfortable.
I think the plan is to win the ball high up the pitch amd isolate Messi.
If they sit back, I will be disappointed.
thanks Lika!!
Slavonac, awesome post bang on brate!!
we are all full of ideas and opinions but looking at this from a managerial perspective, I kinda understand this…if its true that Krama is out and Badelj is in.
Badelj is not only a good defensive player, he’s also a good role player that understands his assignment. He doesn’t have to be “the distributor”, he’s fine with breaking down the play and dishing off the ball while playing simple.
I can also see why Dalic has opted for Mandzukic to start! He’s looking for pressing, physical presence and a lot of grit…along with someone that can challenge in the box.
truth (troll), you obviously missed the fact that Mandzukic fought for positioning on the header that was deflected and that he was pretty much molested while that player tried to hold onto him for the penalty called…but I don’t expect you to recognize that!
I feel horrible for Kramaric, but I know this is necessary.
Kovacic and Kramaric come on from the bench.
God is shining on Croatia to give us so many good players that starters and guys coming off the bench are starters at almost every club level- nice problem to have
Watched Portugal today- so many so called top level teams have no depth like Nasi momci
Just want to see our guys go for it- don’t bunker down – just counter those chumps from Argentina-
Don’t cry for us Argentina- were going thru and your not
^^^^^^^^^
I agree
but mandza played well
if mandza is sucking krama may come on as early as half time
Modric and rakitic will still have to play deep because our back line is so hopeless in advancing the ball. This will render Mandzukic isolated and useless. Watch all this be changed out of desperation in the second half. Why do we produce such one dimensional defensive players? This factor has, up until now, undermined this talented generation and the role of Mandzukic on team. Kovacic needs to play not Badelj.
The Croatian media was praising Brozovic in the last game for adding stability in the last game and rightfully so.
I understand what Dalic is thinking here, but, adding Badelj and removing Kramaric is not his best option IMHO.
Adding Brozovic and removing Mandzukic would have been my move.
We played Argentina in the second match in 1998 as well. A loss will not hurt us. We will likely need to beat Iceland anyway.
same ref from the mexico match in 2014
Duck this hurts me
I am badeljs cousin but I really like krama
I understand the defensive mindset of having Badelj on the field but I’d still prefer to see Kramaric out there. If they do bring him on fresh at some point ..that could still work.
I’m afraid again .
Turkey, we have beat them before — unlike Turkey.
Have faith in the line up.
Croatia 2 -1
C’MON. YOU REALLY DONT THINK CROATIA COULD BEAT ARGENTINA???
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!
Badelj got destroyed vs Peru, what’s Messi gonna do to him?
I would have rolled the dice with Kovacic. We would be more dangerous on the counter attack.
Not time for me to go on my usual Badelj rant, bc at this point I support all our players. I hope we get the best Badelj can give, but it is a tough assignment for him, or for anyone really.
Good news is Modric and Rakitic can play more attacking from the get go. In Badelj I trust! Subasic, not so much.
Should be a great game. Also interested in the Peru vs France result.
This is the last world cup with a competitive 32 format and all of the participants are from a tight qualification! so we will be proud like 98’s generation if we beat team like Argentine and another one in knock out!
I’ve said it once, and i’ll say it again….you’re simply not playing the right tactics if you have kramaric on the bench
arguably Croatia’s second best player
I warned after last game about being fooled by mandzukic fools gold
I thought mandzukic did a real good job in the game, especially with some layoffs and hold up play
but both goals he was involved with were flukey
the first one he completely missed the net and got a lucky deflection
the second one, the Nigeria defender simply made an egregious error
kramaric has added another striker scalp to his belt. jelavic once quit the national team because he didn’t like kramaric playing in front of him….now add kalinic to the list
obviously, Croatia cannot play that same midfield devoid line up against argentina. but I would still recommend removing mandzukic for kramaric
Argentina is going to come out like their tournament lives depend on it.
Badelj will provide cushion to absorb their initial attack and then we will hit them on the counter.
Kramaric will come on in the second half and will atttack a tired and stressed out defense.
This game will be battle for 90+ minutes.
All 14 players will play their part.
Iggy, I agree. Thank god for SBS!!!
Not sure with the Krama change. Best form of defence is attack!!! We have failed numerous times when we go into games with defensive mindset.
May Badelj run his heart and lungs out for the Vatreni.
Then when he tires put in Kovačić.
After MANdzukic puts in his shift, bring on Kramaric.
Third sub will TBD given the flow of the game, either Brozovic or Pjaca.
Dalić spot on.
Boys feel this stability in rotation and will perform at there best.
We need at least 3 goals to come away with a result.
Modrić will be creating the magic in the offensive half for 90 minutes!
@iggy
Commie fag
Pretty much expected.
Good news to all Aussies, all group games now on SBS since Optus fucked up so bad.
First WC to be privatised and it’s a disaster. At least i get my moolah back. But anyways, the main thing is it’s another win for socialism.
Socialism 1 – 0 unfettered capitalism
We did it boys ! 😉