Zlatko Dalić is set to make a series of puzzling changes for the match against Panama. Clearly, he has different takeaways from the England game than most fans do, so let’s break this down.
The shift back to a more natural 4-back is refreshing. But this is where the good news ends. Star young defender Luka Vušković is set to be DROPPED for the match against Panama. Is this punishment for his England performance (in which he helped cause Baturina’s goal, but also should have done better against Bellingham), or does Dalić truly think Vušković is incapable of playing in a back four? Does Dalić forget that Luka played in back fours nearly his entire career, at Hajduk, Radomiak and Westerlo? One season in a back three surely means he’s lost the ability to understand a simple footballing system. We here at Croatiansports.com are also certain that Fiorentina (relegation-threatened) defender Pongračić and soon-to-be Real Sociedad reject Ćaleta-Car are better suited to this style than 70M-euro Vušković! Not to mention, an out-of-form Šutalo being higher in the pecking order than Luka.
This change is really puzzling when the main issue against England was not personnel. It was tactics. Why are we playing a high line with a 3-back against one of the best and fastest teams in the world? It was a miracle we only got punished for this in the second half, as there were enormous gaps any time England countered the ball. Luckily, we play Panama, which should not be the same quality as England. Pongračić and DCC should be fine here. But also, this could trick Dalić into a false sense of security, causing him to continue starting them into the knockout rounds, where a more talented team will punish us.
The issue with the England match was Dalić trying to go toe-to-toe with a team of superior overall quality. These chaotic fixtures never work out in our favour; think 2021/2024 Spain and 2022 Argentina. Croatia needs to set the tempo, defend deep, and lull the opposition into a boring chess match where we win 1-0 or 2-1. Especially against big teams like England. Scrap the high line NOW!
Additionally, Dalić wants to shoehorn Kovačić back into the starting eleven, knowing that replacing Modrić and Sučić is a no-go. The result? Marco Pašalić is once again wrongfully benched. Petar Sučić is our best runner in the midfield, but Dalić would rather opt for the old legs in the pivot and isolate Petar on an island where he is out of position and touches the ball much less. What more will it take for Marco Pašalić to prove he MUST start on the wing? Must he score every time he gets subbed on for 20 minutes? Marco has hardly had a poor performance in the checkers, yet Dalić just refuses to acknowledge this. If we do not start two true wingers, this Panama match can turn into a “toothless attack” against a “low-block” type of game… which has the dangerous potential of becoming a draw.
Finally, Petar Musa is set to be benched. The first time a striker has scored for us since Matanović against Colombia, he gets benched the next match. We looked fast, and we pressed well with Musa. He is confident and motivated after scoring on his World Cup debut. What does Dalić do? Benches him for Budimir. This is a true head-scratcher.
Here’s what Croatiansports.com would prefer:
Defence
The position in which Croatia has their most talented up-and-coming superstars in Joško Gvardiol, Luka Vušković and Josip Stanišić was also their biggest Achilles’ heel against the Three Lions. Zlatko Dalić implemented a 3-back, which has notoriously failed for us in recent times, and a high line with minimal defensive instruction, which created spaces the size of the Grand Canyon in our defence. England obviously exploited these areas and punished us on the counter, specifically in the second half.
These are our four best defenders. Play a 4-back and play responsible, defence-first football. There is no need to switch any of these guys out for lesser players.
Midfield
We need legs. Petar Sučić is an 8, not a RW. Dalić should swap Modrić for Kovačić at the 55-60th minute mark. There was no problem here otherwise.
Baturina and Perišić showed their qualities against England, and they will start. As for Marco Pašalić, don’t get me started again.
Attack
Ante Budimir brings no pace, and he’s out of form. Play the hot hand; play the Moose.
What are your thoughts on Dalić’s projected lineup? What did he get right, and what did he get wrong?
The reported line-up for last game ended up being wrong, how do we know this one is correct?
One thing most people aren’t taking in to consideration… Croatia have a short break between games 2 and 3 – and both are must win ( 4 points most likely needed) and both are outdoors – cycling players and starters that work for both games is vital, but it should be the vets not the kids in their early 20s
Gotta win this game, but can’t kill your veterans for the game 4 days later
Apologies to Ante I see it was Markus who posted this article. I wouldn’t start Marco as you need his legs in the second half not the first with a fresh legged Panama.
Dalic’s biggest mistake was not going to a back 4 at halftime. He should have set us up to preserve the 2-2 instead of acting like it was 0-0 and continued to take unnecessary risks with the back 3 pushing up and leaving us exposed for the Bellingham 3rd goal. Yes I’d like to see Musa start but Musa cost us the Kane free header second goal as he missed his marking assignment. Watch the goal replay and you can see Stanisic yelling at him. Panama’s back line looks height deficient so Budimir should get a heck of a lot of chances. Kvartuc as usual you are exaggerating the problems with the lineup. I do think that Dalic is notorious for taking a long ass time to make his subs. Let’s see Marco P. sub in at the 60 min mark. In the England match he kept Perisic in way too long and should have given Jakic an appearance. Panama are not a powerhouse and we should execute a gameplan to frustrate them, make them foul and get behind the refs 8-ball. Anything less than a 2 or 3 goal win will be a Ziva Sramota.
Musa looked good
T-BAG never looks good
I have no words other than what I have been saying since forever . Dalic really does not know what he is doing .
Do you know when this guys contract is up ? He really needs to go? Enough is enough already . This campaign will end in disaster.
Careful what you wish for. Next in line is most likely Olic. If that’s the case, I’ll take Dalić.
Dalic or Olic it’s all the same when in actual fact it’s Modric running the show. Maybe one day far into the future Croatia will have an actual coach but it’s not going to happen anytime soon.