Mateo Kovačić to start vs. England in a 4-5-1 formation per @croatiafooty via Sportske Novosti.
Dalić will start him due to his chemistry with Modrić, his Premier League know-how, and his deep understanding of Tuchel’s tactics, making him key to Croatia controlling possession.
Andrej Kramarić, still managing fitness issues, is expected to start on the bench.
lol cape verde 0 spain 0.
cape verde keep disposessing Lamal lol
75 minutes and spain hasnt managed to score against Cape Verde
The other thing to consider is that this goes beyond game management for Dalić. This is tournament management. Losing to England by a goal is ok. Losing by 3 or 4 could be fatal if we stumble anywhere else. 3 points with an even or better than even goal differential has a 96% chance of advancing. Dalić has always coached tournaments with the first goal being advancing to the knock-outs.
Starting the Senators is a can’t lose strategy . We’re not “supposed” to beat England. If the old-timers get the job done, great, Dalić is brilliant. If not, bring in the youth. Win-win.
Modric and all the kids. It’s time to pull the plug on the Dalic facade. He is getting far too much credit for all the coaching that Modric has done. Play Modric and load it up with the kids in every position where they are on par with the senior member of the team . Sucic over Kova almost everyday now. Kova was a good soldier but time has passed.
Thank you for this comment Crotown ! 100 percent agree with you !
England will press. Who is better on the NT at moving the ball from the defensive end to the middle third of the pitch other than Kovacic? Even Modric can scare you with occasional errant passes. Kova needs to start this game. He will help in transition, pace and possession.
Not sure if this will be good or bad news for us… Maybe good that Tuchel dislikes this ref… But maybe bad if this ref dishes out yellow and red cards like Halloween candy https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckg8z2k2yplo
According to HRT TV World Cup program Americana, we have had the French ref 4 times and have won all four matches.
Let’s hope the trend continues.
The enemy (France) of your enemy (England) is your friend
The process of watching Croatia previews from the media in the World Cup goes like this
Turn on coverage
Hear them talk about England for ten minutes
Get to Croatia
Anticipate some in depth breakdown of tactics and new players coming up
Get two minutes where they mention Croatias overachieving and that this is likely one world cup too many for Croatias aging roster
Onto Panama
They did say this in 18 and 22 as well.
Kovacic looked very shaky for MC when he came back. Even if he’s fit, he & Modric by now give up a lot defensively in central midfield. They weren’t bad but hardly convincing vs Belgium in the last friendly. A Sutalo howler gave Belgium their 1st goal.
I think England overruns us with these 2. Look at how the USA press unhinged Paraguay. England plays that in spades. Possession can break the press, assuming you have to speed, stamina, & strength. Modric & Kovacic just don’t have that anymore.
They couldn’t get us out of the 2024 Euro. They will 2 years later? I love these guys, but they can’t beat Father Time…especially American summer heat & humidity.
I’d honestly work in Marco Pasalic over Kovacic. I’d also consider Moving out Sutalo, bringing in Jakic. Sutalo is a wild card for me.
I hope I’m wrong. I’ll be at the game. As always, rooting for Croatia.
Dalic – MUST WATCH re: England formation and tactics
Lots of “opinions” on here about Croatia formation in possession/attack
But none re: formation and shape in OOP/defence which is 100x more important
***.youtube.com/watch?v=1t3r-vRl3fc
I figured it out guys… All Dalic needs to do is take a lesson or two out Joachim Lowe’s playbook…The Smell of Success
Just type it on YouTube it’s hilarious! I was gonna upload the video but wasn’t able to.
Looks like line up is shaping to be
Musa
Baturina modric kovacic sucic
Perisic gvardiol vuskovic sutalo stanisic
5-4-1
Nothing wrong with this
England is a far superior team. So I have no issue playing to our cohesive block and possession style of play and trying to draw out a tie or get lucky with a win
As part of this, kovacic is clearly logical.
For all the concern of age, with budimir and kramaric dropped, the line up is actually crazy young when you look at average and median age
People ignorantly only see Modrić when they think of Croatia.
You could pair Modrić with ten teenagers in the lineup and they’ll still call Croatia an old team.
Both Brazil and Argentina were older than Croatia in the last 2022 World Cup, but they nauseatingly kept saying how old Croatia was while we were playing these two older teams.
Sutalo can’t start makes so many mistakes highly overated.
Has cost us so many goals
Sutalo also started the war with Iran man
Against England let’s go with the 10–0–0 formation man
I think Kova should start vs England. He is experienced in the PL. If he gets gassed at some point sub in Petar Sucic.
Petar Sučić is one of our best and definitely most consistent players.
If he doesn’t start, Dalić needs to be fired at halftime.
I like the experienced guys to start to maybe get it 0-0 at half. We can throw in the young guys after the 55th minute. Sucic had some great games off the bench for Inter Milan this year.
Anon… would you not want England to think that too.. Experience is important but when you lack speed already and these other young guns have proven enough over the last year or two that they can handle it then why?? A good mix of each is great.. you could be right just the Moro RB maybe you meant Jakic? Do you think this is the way to approach the match I think balance is key if so I hope I’m wrong anything but a loss would be a result
It doesn’t matter what you and I think
Dalic is set in his ways and keeps saying he’s had success doing it his way
He’s also said all the 5 senators deserve to and will start ahead of any young player due to seniority
It’s old school Yugo way of thinking – it is what it is
To answer you’re question though – no I would put out a different lineup w speed – but Dalic wants to slow the game down to snails pace to take the air out of the ball – hence why all 5 senators will start
The young guys may be star struck from this game. Put them in the second half to give a change a pace. I respect Vosch Dalic’s decision.
Star struck?
Our youngest player has faced off with Harry Kane more times than any of these senatori.
Gotta go with our most in-form and talented players.
Baturina being a questionable starter is a travesty.
I like Vuskovic, Sucic, Mario, and Baturina coming in the second half to change the pace of the game. I back Coach Dalic on his selections as he is seeing these guys on a daily basis.
From reading yourz previous posts I expect vuskovic to score 5 goals against England
second half? Bit će nam 3:0 do poluvrime, isto ka šta je bilo protiv Španjolske u Berlinu. Onda će već bit kasno.
BTW. Ima li koga u Dallasu? Danas san doša. Centar grada je baš bezveze, očekiva san puno puno više.
Malo nas je al nas ima!!!
Bit ce nas u Dallasu dolazimo u utorak… al mozda je bolje da se ne javljas jer si previse pesimistican! Buzz kill
Dalic is a fool . Kovacic is not in form and should not be starting. Dalic has gotten credit for things he had nothing to do with . This is not anything new for us . Before Dalic it was mamic making us start players who had no business being on the pitch . When we crash and burn he needs to go . I cannot believe he is stupid enough to say something like that . Coaching was another huge reason we lost big tournaments. I wonder how long his contract is for . I hope he won’t be around for Euro
P.S.
I also think it’s rediculous for Dalic to say Luka Vuskovic won’t start in any of the WC matches – I think it doesn’t help with the incessant transfer news on him every day
Hell established CBs like Virgil today and Gabriel yesterday made massive mistakes leading to goals – and they start for Liverpool and Arsenal and are a decade older than Luka
But I guess Dalic knows best as he observes them 24/7
Dalić knows the brand of underwear they wear man
Another tie in this tournament between Netherlands and Japan.
Japan always surprises.
I’m not surprised.
Neither was I . We know Japan very well . They can play and they got a good team
Dalic has confirmed that all 5 senators will start vs. England
Also Gvardiol not fit enough yet to start
And Luka Vuskovic not ready yet for the big stage
Putting it all together – the line-up will 100% be as follows vs. England
——————————Budimir——————————
——Perisic—————————Mario Pasalic——
——————————Kramaric—————————
——————Modric————Kovacic—————
Stanisic——————————————Moro
——————Erlic——Caleta-Car——————
—————————Livakovic—————————
Don’t forget – Anonymous has 100% accuracy and hit rate – never wrong in their life – not once !!!!
Never wrong? Not once?
OMG Forgot Vlasic he will most likely start I think over Marco Pasalic anyways…
——————————Musa——————————
——Perisic———————————Vlasic———
——————————P.Sucic—————————
——————Modric————Kovacic—————
Gvardiol——————————————Stanisic
——————Vuskovic——Sutalo——————
—————————Livakovic—————————
————————(Matanovic)————————
—————————-Budimir—————————
——Baturina—(L.Sucic/Fruk)—Marco.P.—
—————————Kramaric—————————
——————Moro—————Pasalic—————
Pograncic—————————————Jakic—
———————DCC————Erlic———————
—————————Kotarski———————
I would have preferred Markus lineup recommendation, but having Kovacic in there could be good for this match. I also like Krama starting from the bench.
——————————Musa——————————
——Baturina———————————Perisic—
——————————P.Sucic—————————
——————Modric————Kovacic—————
Gvardiol——————————————Stanisic
——————Vuskovic——Sutalo——————
—————————Livakovic—————————
—————-———Matanovic—————————
—————————-Budimir—————————
——L.Sucic————(Fruk)———Marco.P.——
—————————Kramaric—————————
——————Moro—————Pasalic—————
Pograncic—————————————Jakic—
———————DCC————Erlic———————
—————————Kotarski—————————
I believe this is how Dalic will setup
4-3-3 offence defence 4-5-1
Yea, he will play it safe similar to our first 0-0 game against Morocco in the last World Cup.
First game could end up being a snoozefest.
I don’t think any of us liked the way Kovačić played in the friendlies, but fitness and touch are two things that he may have had time to regain before the opening match. He is usually a better possession-holder than Moro, and he is one of Croatia’s only fast players. Petar Sučić and Modrić have both played in 4-5-1 formations all season, and the formation Dalić used to close out the friendlies was also 4-5-1. Stifling England’s attack is a good strategy because Croatia cannot compete with their speed at all. A 4-5-1 without Kramarić allows Perišić and Marco Pašalić to both start and play their natural positions. Any of the three strikers can hold the ball up well, and any of then can score a goal off a well-placed cross. Pašalić, Perišić, Modrić (plus Luka Sučić, Vlašić, Kramarić, Mario Pašalić) can all score from outside the box if there is an opening (I don’t expect England to bunker), so England could be hit with a nasty surprise coming from 20 meters out. It was good to play friendlies against Courtois and Oblak too.
Should’ve known better than to get excited, Ante.
It doesn’t matter what we think he should do, the sad reality is he was always going to start Kovacic.
👎
Well said . I’m not really sure how anyone can defend Dalic at this point …
I suspected he would do this. He is a play it safe kinda of coach.
Where is bila lisica?? Lol. I am waiting for a comment.
You’d prefer he takes a risk so early in the tournament and play an attacking style against a team that rarely concedes goals?
Momentum is a real thing. Getting a decent result is better than losing and having to play with desperation
It’s not so much that he is playing it safe but playing a guy who hasn’t played in 18 months over Petar Sučić. I don’t know that I agree.
I wouldn’t mind seeing two guys up front and my 4-4-2 suggestion could have actually worked. You have enough people at the back and some people up ahead to score.
One guy at the front to score is hoping for a miracle really.
I dunno is there a difference between this and a 4-4-2 in your opinion when it comes to defence? You still have enough people to defend in a 4-4-2.
With this set up all England need to do is put us on the back foot and we are done. Given that we have a lone striker up top it is very unlikely we would score because it is giving us less options up front abd we don’t have a solid striker to make this work if things go bad.
But yes I get it play to your strengths I suppose.
Oh I really hope Sucic starts. I think we desperately need him in a game like this.
I was thinking if Sucic starts then Baturina may have to sit….have Mordic push a little more forward.
At the end of the day I am going to support the lineup. This is my team and I don’t believe I’m qualified to criticize Dalić.
I am not criticizing him and his accolades he deserves to continue on as the coach. Look I could be way wrong and Dalic could surprise me with this one. Who knows, he is the one on the ground and sees things I don’t. I am happy at least that it is a back four, I think hat is a good choice on his part.
It is just tough to accept that we have been lacking as much as we have in the final third. I wonder if this means that Marco Pašalić had to sit out. I hate the idea of Perišić alone out there creating opportunities.
I wonder if it’s better to have Modric play further back and for Baturina to play a more advanced role in this setup?
Well . . . Would it definitely have to be instead of Petar Sucic?
If Kova starts, could you perhaps be looking at:
Perisic, Musa/Budimir, Baturina
Kova, Modric, Petar
Gvardiol, Vuskovic, Sutalo, Stani
Liva
Baturina won’t play as a pure winger. He will cut inside, play more in a Krama role, or something like Bernardo Silva does when he lines up at wing for ManCity.
The width on the left will be provided by Perisic who will attack down the left and put those crosses in with his left foot . . . and on the right it will be provided by Stanisic attacking up the right touch line. Perisic and Baturina will probably switch sides from time to time anyway, and change their attack, with both of them then cutting in and rifling shots, Baturina switching to the left wing and giving him the ability to cut into the middle as he has effectively at Como and firing with his right foot, and Perisic doing the same down the right side, but cutting in and firing with his left . . . And Stani still proving width down the right side and an outlet pass for Perisic if the defenders shut him down and plug the middle if he cuts inside. Stani can then take the ball don the right.
Striker? That is a big question.
Musa is the only player out of 22 who will feel right at home in Dallas. I know it’s a different stadium, but nonetheless, they are using his usual training grounds for practices, and he’s back in the city that he lives in. He will feel at home. I wouldn’t normally start him over Budimir, who plays in a better league, but there are some reasons to start with the Moose against England, particularly given that you’re playing in Dallas.
Just see this other post . . . Yeah, it probably means Marco coming off the bench. . .
Modric is the real coach all this time-
Dalic is just a praying mantis
as much as this surprises me, I do understand this is a tactical decision Dalic is making. once again, he wants possession, hard work defensively and force England to commit to chase the ball. I doubt Kovacic will play 90 minutes but I am ok with this approach. lets just hope Kovacic has one of his better games and I think everyone should be satisfied.
Playing for the 0-0 draw I guess
I honestly don’t think so. I just think Dalić is considering how difficult it is to defend for long periods if we are constantly defending so he’s probably going to have Sucic and Kovacic do a lot of defensive responsibilities and try to keep the ball as much as possible.
I don’t believe Kovacic will be able to keep a high tempo for more than 45 minutes but we will see.
Re: some thoughts on Kova for consideration.
I throw out the game against Slovenia, the second friendly. Just toss it.
The class game was against the top team: Belgium. That’s the one to probably focus on to assess performance and class.
Not that they are the be all end all, and I’m not saying they are, but look at FOTMOB and Sofascore. Some people have made it sound like Kova was a complete and total disaster.
It’s just not the case.
Look at the Belgium game. Sofascore has Kova third for Croatia, behind only two other players who tied first. Out of the 21 Croatian players, Kova is third at 6.9 and only Perisic and Luka Sucic are higher at 7.0.
Fotmob: Again Kova is in 3rd spot (tied). Only Luka Sucic and Gvardiol rated higher.
In any event, in the Belgium game Kova got higher ratings than, say, Marco Pasalic from both Fotmob and Sofascore, and yet Marco got high reviews, even rave reviews, from many here, while Kova was thrashed for his performance in the friendlies. Sometimes it can be an expectations thing. I’ve been impressed with Marco Pasalic too, and I hope he has a great WC, but to be completely fair, I’ve had fairly low expectations with Marco coming out of the MLS. But yes, he has had some jump, good speed, and has been impressive.
On the other hand, with Kova, many consider him one of the better midfielders in the world, and so with that starting point in mind, he probably disappointed a little against Belgium.When you have a player who is this good, there are expectations.
Kova is used to playing against the Premier league players. Fully 21 out of 26 players on the English team play in the Premier league. Kova is used to playing against top class company. Marco, on the other hand, is coming out of the MLS and before that the HNL. Speed and pace are easy to measure. Class is more difficult to measure. Part of it can be assessed from the company (the level) that a player normally plays against. Part of it can be assessed by transfermarket values. Obviously age makes an impact on those values, I get that. But even with Marco’s big age advantage, Kova’s transfer value on Fotmob is still double Marco’s . . . It’s one measure of class. I like Marco, don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping he has a good World Cup and I’m hoping that it will give him an opportunity for a top five league in Europe. But, he still has to do it. He has to play well against higher class competition than he has ever been up against before. I hope he does prove himself, but he hasn’t yet. This is a big step up in class. (Step up company as they say at the horse races, the thoroughbred track). Personally, I don’t start him against England, and certainly not instead of Kovacic starting.
The point here is that Kovacic is a class midfielder, who has enormous experience playing against these same Premier league players we are up against, and it would be difficult to see how a coach like Dalic would not start him against England. The only way I see that, is if Kova himself tells Dalic that he’s not fit to start.
Lastly, Kova’s first game back with ManCity was early April. He has been back in their lineup for two months. Yes, not a lot of playing time but some. He had a couple of games close to 60 minutes. With the extra time since, the two friendlies, he should be ready to potentially have the best WC of his career.