Here are the XI Croatian players that “should” start versus Denmark on Sunday.
It’s the same lineup manager Zlatko Dalić started against Nigeria in Croatia’s 2-0 World Cup opener. So why start these guys?
Denmark, just like Nigeria, do not score tons of goals: read about Denmark here.
The Danish defense is what they rely on to get results. Denmark typically averages one goal per game; if that. The last time they scored more than one goal was a pre-World Cup friendly vs. Mexico on June 9th in a 2-0 win. The last competitive match where Denmark scored 2+ goals, you have to go all the way back to their second leg World Cup playoff match against Ireland in November of 2017, where the Danes broke open the floodgates and scored five unanswered goals from the 29th minute on to shatter Irish hearts in Dublin.
Croatia has way too much firepower not to utilize against a team like Denmark. Sure, they have an extremely talented midfielder in Christian Eriksen, who needs to be contained, but he’s no Lionel Messi either.
The only other tweak I would make to the above mentioned lineup would be to start Brozović as the CDM (central defensive midfielder) in place of Kramarić. Kramarić has been cold this World Cup and needs a jolt to get back to his true 2018 self where he was scoring left and right for Hoffenheim. Brozović is a much more offensively skilled player than Badelj but can still be a solid defensive midfielder; allowing Modrić and Rakitić to conduct the midfield as they please with smaller defensive responsibilities. It would be the same Starting XI Croatia had against Argentina, I just don’t think we need a true CDM.
If the Vatreni can score first, Denmark will have to uncharacteristically open up and chase the game.
If this Croatian team learned anything from Euro 2016 against Portugal, it’s to play their game and not to bunker down in a knockout game situation. Don’t give the other side “too much” respect because it’s “win or go home.”
Croatia has more than enough talent to take down Denmark. Dalić needs to show to firepower right from the opening whistle!
UPDATE:
Sportske Novosti is reporting that Croatia will go with a 4-1-4-1 formation against Denmark. It’s an identical starting XI to the Argentina match with Brozović playing the lone CDM.
MOMCI AJMOOOOOOOO
I read Dalic hasn’t put much emphasis on penalties….this could be a mistake. We need to cover everything.
Here are some fun facts. For every World Cup this century from 2002 to 2014, the four semifinalists all won their final group games. That’s sixteen semifinalists. In Croatia’s quarter, they are the only ones that won their last group game. Hopefully that trends continues. Another one: all 8 second round winners in 2014 were the group winners. In 2010, it was 7 out of 8. And that trend continued today, so it’s 17 out of the last 18.
@Toronto Croatia
I was thinking exactly the same thing. What a piece of work. Was hoping someone would take him out hard but justice was served having his dirty ass sent packing.
Getting closer to tomorrow boys…
Football is ruthless:
Chile .. back to back copa champions – didn’t qualify.
Germany .. 2014 champions – out in the group.
Portugal .. 2016 Euro champs – second round exit.
Seize your moment .. Vatreni !!
Go Uruguay. Knock these clowns out!
Is the game on 11 or 12
We had Sammir Eduardo Alves Da Silva Crna Rasa.
Dalić > Sampaoli !!
Man this dude won the copa with Chile and was an accomplished coach at club level?
He couldn’t figure out how to get the most out of Argentina?!
My 10 year old son was confirming with me that we haven’t made out of the group “in like 15 years?”
I told him we have shit coaches .. BUT now we have an excellent coach. “Yeah you’re right Dad!”
Ronaldo hype to eclipse Messi once again today!
While I’m no France fan glad they took out Argentina
Man that mbappe is crazy fast
We should breed some with the blacks and make super players…relax HAET I’m trolling
Ya man he should be disciplined
Argentina’s Otamendi kicked the ball at a French player when he was down …just like he kicked the ball at Rakitic when he was down. The guy is a piece of shit.
Zizou + Ronaldinho > Messi + Ronaldo
What a slice by Pavard!
My 2 favourite non Croatian goals so far have come from right backs. Nacho against Portugal and now Pavard against Argentina.
Can not wait til tomorrow!
@ BZ
Aligned!
Winning teams form rhythms within the squad.
Modrić and Rakitic creating the attack is unparalleled this World Cup.
We have known this and have been praying for this performance for years.
CDM we have been calling for has shown up in both Badelj and
now Brozovic.
Kramaric has to make way.
Mandžukić starts.
Kovačić becomes the joker.
T – minus 24 hours
In theory, I like that lineup.
In practice, all of our success under Dalic has come with Luka in an attacking role.
Just go with Brozo or Badelj at cdm, tell Strinic to not vacate too much, and release the hounds (Luka and Rakitic) to serve up Rebic, Mandzukic, Perisic.
Kramaric is going to be best used coming off the bench.
Kovacic too.
@dejan I agree
Wish Lovre Kalinic could start
In Dalic we trust. He’s proven to consistently select good lineups and formations for our opponent. I could actually buy the 4-1-4-1 formation against the Danes with either Brozo or Badelj as the CDM. We can always adjust the formation to our usual 4-2-3-1. I do think the Danes defend well and are hoping for a quick counter goal or taking it to penalties as their strategy to take us down. We need to be a little more offensive in our formation and not sit back like we did against Portugal in the Euro’s.
T – 28 hrs and counting…can’t wait! U Boj!!
Halilovic to Milan a done deal.