The international break is back, and that means more Vatreni footy! Croatia travels to Glasgow to face the Scots on Friday, at 2:45pm EST. Last month, Croatia won a gritty come-from-behind match by the score of 2 to 1, with a last minute Scottish equalizer saved by VAR. With a win, Croatia is through to the quarterfinals of the Nations League, but a draw will do should Poland tie or lose to Portugal. How should Dalić line up against the Scots, considering player availability, injury status and the upcoming match against Portugal in Split just a few days later?
Goalkeeper: Kotarski is the most in-form and honestly, the best option after Livaković to keep the goal for Croatia. Labrović currently holds the worst save percentage in the Bundesliga, and Ivušić is playing in Cyprus. No debate here for me but expect Dalić to most likely go Labrović.
Defence: Yes, the 3 at back formation has been highly polarizing. Firstly, it has caused many gaps in communication and structure with our back line and many strange goals have leaked through. However, I would argue it suits our players quite well, as we now have room for an additional midfielder on the pitch, and no wingers is great for a team that only has one or two wingers in their entire squad. We must have patience because this is not a club team and the players haven’t had much time to gel with a new formation. Whether or not you believe Dalić has the tactical acumen to field this kind of a formation is a valid question. But the reality in terms of defence is that Gvardiol’s most natural position is that LCB role. DCC looks solid as the anchor in a 3 centre back formation, and with Gvardiol and Šutalo surrounding him, his lack of pace is covered up for. Šutalo has been very messy lately, and needs to elevate his game for Croatia right now. But we just don’t have the luxury of putting anyone else in place of him (Luka Vušković could make a case for it in the VERY near future). All in all, with more familiarity and better communication between the three players, this formation could genuinely work out, especially when Stanišić is healthy again for the wingback role. Also, we need Gvardiol to step up his game to his recent City level, because he’s been one of the best defenders in the world and the best left-back without doubt. His last two Croatian performances were quite poor.
Wingbacks: Sosa is the best option at LWB right now and he’s looked fine. He’s enjoying a decent season for Torino and is coming off a wonder strike against Poland last matchday. The RWB position is the glaring issue with this formation. Until Stanišić (and Juranović) returns, we have Jakić, Perišić, and Pjaca. 35 year old Ivan Perišić simply cannot run like he used to, and his defensive output in this role has been very weak. However, he was excellent in the 2-1 victory over Scotland, providing an assist and contributing to the second goal. Marko Pjaca has gotten his career back on track at Dinamo but he is definitely more of a winger, and won’t be much more productive on the defensive side than Perišić would be, which could cause Modrić to have to drop into that right defensive space to support Šutalo a lot. Kristijan Jakić is probably the most suited for this role, but he is simply the weakest in footballing ability out of the three. He won’t provide much going forward and even if he is rather defensive, it does not mean he is actually good at it. For this match, if I were Dalić I am fielding Pjaca. He is the only one that hasn’t gotten a fair chance in this role and he will provide the most threat going up in attack. Against Portugal, I would not run this risk, but for this game his upside is worth it. Perišić still goes into duels and 1v1s as if he is 25 years old and will ultimately lose the ball causing tons of counterattacks. We saw that last time against Scotland, but his two goal contributions levelled this out. There is also the issue of fitness with him, and while I think Dalić will likely start him, I don’t believe he should play two 90 minute matches so I’d like to see Pjaca here.
Midfield: Modrić and Kovačić. Need I say more? Kovačić is an absolute engine for Manchester City right now and is the only player keeping them (relatively) afloat without Rodri in that midfield. Is he Rodri? No… but who is? He’s been absolutely dynamic for City and has contributed tons in terms of controlling that midfield and moving the ball up the pitch almost seamlessly. He provided a wonderful through pass to assist Haaland and is coming off a recent brace. Modrić is still class for Real Madrid in limited minutes and has created the most key chances of any Los Blancos player at the young age of 39. I’d like to see him in a 60-70 minute role for Croatia, where he can play his heart out and then make room for one of the Sučić cousins. These youngsters have been so so good, and I’d love to see them keep getting minutes despite Kovačić’s return.
Attack: Kramarić is nearly undroppable for Dalić but I’m not necessarily complaining as this role is his best. Right behind the striker and ahead of the midfield, he can flourish. Martin Baturina has been Dinamo’s main man on the international stage and has recently turned Real Madrid down. He is the future of Croatian football and this recent news about him has solidified that for me. Let him go to a stepping stone club in the Bundesliga, and then if Real still come knocking maybe he’ll be open to it ;). Luka Sučić could definitely start here too, coming off an assist in a 1-0 victory over in-form Barcelona. Either of these two make a great case for the start but ultimately it’s up to Dalić. I say give Bati the 60-70 minutes here, then bring on little Luka. Igor Matanović has struggled for game-time in Frankfurt since he has the unfortunate luck of playing behind two of the most in-form strikers in the WORLD, in Oscar Marmoush and Hugo Ekitiké. Marmoush is expected to make a big move in January or in the summer, and this will clear up space for Matanović to start. The good news is he is coming off the bench every single match and starts the less important games, like cup matches or weaker Europa League opponents, proving he is in their plans and they hold him in high regard. When you have two players playing that well and you still see minutes, that says something about Igor’s drive and talent. He recently scored his first international goal for Croatia and expect Dalić to give him the start once more.
How do you think Dalić will field the Vatreni. What changes would you make? How do you think Croatia will do in Scotland, which has proven to be a very difficult place to play?
Yo Dalic
Please disregard the England highlights today
Sure 1st goal due to a winger Madueke making a run down the wing and cutting in before passing it to Ollie Watkins
And the 2nd from a winger JARROD BOWEN leading the rush and getting a hockey assist
But that’s how morons play
We’re better off sticking with playing 8 “#10s” peppered all over the field (mostly centrally of course) and clogging the central channel – that’s the smart thing to continue doing
T- <1
#EveryWingerDoesn'tMatter
No clue why folks talking about wide/flank-play – what’s wrong with you ?
We need to be VERY narrow the entire game (none of our players outside the central 1/3 channel the whole game) w/ a 2-2-2-2-1-1
If any one of players goes wide at any point they get Squid Gamed instantly
Kotarski
Sutalo Gvardiol
Moro Jakic
Modric Kova
P Sucic Baturina
Krama
Igor
#EveryWingerDoesn’tMatter
Kotarski will be in goal, and I would prefer if we played 4 at the back. Our defence has been poor when playing 3 at the back with Gvardiol and Sutalo error prone and our wingbacks also getting caught out of position.
When Livakovic got red carded against Poland we switched to 4 at the back for the last 20 minutes or so and were able to hold out for a draw with Poland struggling to create much. Playing 3 at the back will leave too much space for Scotland to attack us on the flanks.
My lineup would be:
…………..Kotarski…………..
Jakic, Sutalo, DCC, Gvardiol
……. Modric, Kovacic………..
Baturina, Kramaric, Pjaca
(Dalic will probably start with Perisic on the Right or Left and leave Pjaca out)
…………..Matanovic………..
I’d go four at the back, but Dalić didn’t call up enough defenders for these two games.
Scotland are a physical team who will play hard in front of their fans in a do-or-die match.
I hope we start guys who will RUN and work hard (like P Sučić, Baturina, Pjaca) and not guys who will coast around the field jogging.
I think we should play up the flanks. Scotland sucks at defending the flank.
I’m afraid we’ll give the full 90 minutes to guys like Perišić or Sosa, but we’ll see them coasting around the field and not defending or sending any balls into the box.
If Dalic was able to, he would be starting Suker and Boksic up front.
4-4-2, no need for anything fancy against scotland
…………….Krama…Budimir………………
Pjaca……………………………….Baturina
……………..Kova……Modric………………
Sosa…………………………………….Jakic
………………Gvar…….DCC…………………
…………………………………………………….
……………………..Lab………………………..
First half Labrovic and 2nd half Kotarski. No need for 3 Cbs this game. Budimir needs to be given a real chance where he plays with the starting lineup and is actually given service like in the Armenia game. I like matanovic too but he just cant finish. Pjaca is in form again. I don’t see Baturina as a CM, very poor decision making when in the center, I see him as one of those players in between the CAM and winger position. Defensively Jakic is our 2nd best RB player behind Stanisic, problem is Jakic has no offense.
Subs Sucic, Sucic, Matanovic
Budimir has 3 goals for Croatia in 27 games. Matanovic just scored his first last month and has played 23 less games.
I thought Budimir wasn’t available for this game…too many yellows?
Yes he is suspended. Petković is out. That likely means Matanović starts.
lol, yes matanovic scored his first goal after playing 160 mins and 3 caps, meanwhile budimir scored his first first goal on his 2nd cap after 60 minutes total. So what?
Also, caps doesnt mean anything, its better to look at minutes played. And as a striker its tough to get rhythm when your only playing 35 mins every other game, just ask igor at frankfurt. Looking at their clubs Matanovic has ONE goal this season, while budimir has 6! Last year Budimir had 17 goals in La Liga while Matanovic had 14 in 2nd division lmao.
Any striker will look shittier if not given service. And in our case its not the strikers fault, its Dalics fault for not playing wingers
I believe dalic said in his interview that kotarski will be starting tomorrow
Good problem to have, we have some kids that are playing well internationally. Let them compete and fight for the spots.
And delete Pjaca and replace w Moro please – we don’t want paper trail of Winger on the team sheet (otherwise Dalic will not start them)
#EveryWingerDoesn’tMatter
Meant to write Jakic not Moro
But it’s going to be Perisic on “RW” not pjaca
Perisic played 180 minutes last 2 games (pjaca didn’t even see the field last 2 games and only got 14 min in October – so doesn’t make sense he starts all of a sudden)
Petar Sucic is one of the first names on team sheet now (ahead of Baturina and Sucic Luka)
If you don’t yet understand this you don’t have understand football (nb Anonymous pointed out him as outstanding in that first 15 min cameo for the NT)
Delete Krama and insert Petar Sucic ahead of Modric and Kova and just behind Baturina – the four of them can interchange as needed during game eg modric and kova make runs Petar drops back into double pivot, etc
Dude there’s no way you think Dalic is dropping Krama for Petar Sucic. I agree Petar has been phenomenal but we don’t need to try and fit everyone into a starting role. Every top country has top guys on the bench and Petar is still very young. He will be a fringe starter for now and get good minutes off the bench. No need to rush him in, especially not at CAM where Kramaric is in his best role…
I do think he’ll start them
They have tremendous chemistry for DZ and last game set each others goals up – that was some of the best chemistry we’ve seen in midfield since prime Modric and Rakitic
So you continue that chemistry on the NT again
What happened the one game Baturina started without Petar ?
He was a ghost and unsure of himself and got yanked at HT for Petar to come on in his place (who was very good in that half)
So u can’t risk Baturina starting without him again – they are a packaged deal from Baturina perspective – but not from Petar perspective
Dalic will start Perisic tomorrow (unfortunately) so someone will need to make way for Petar and Baturina to start together
Karma isn’t a CAM btw he’s a false #9 – completely different position and responsibilities
If Dalic decides he wants Krama (who was a ghost last two games) than modric or Kova could sit
But in pecking order modric kova krama if he’s forced to choose one – krama sits
These NL games are just glorified friendlies NB – 9 England withdrew to rest
During the break – so it’s Dalic
Responsibility to use these games to showcase Petar and Baturina to add to their portfolio – to help them secure good transfers (maybe as early as January) – the NT benefits from them playing at good clubs like Luka Sucic with eyes on WC 2026 qualifying
Yeah he should showcase them but you’re talking as if Dalic always does what he “should”. I don’t think he will start two youngsters tomorrow. Modric and Kova midfield and Kramaric will never sit in an “important” match for Dalic so that leaves room for one more at CAM. Petar is not a CAM so it will be Luka or Baturina. Petar will sub in for someone in the second half most likely.
The two CAMs don’t have to play the same role, Krama can operate as a false 9 if he pleases. You’re basing Baturina’s “reliance” on Petar from a ONE game sample size? Very weird. Baturina was a break-out star for Dinamo before Petar was ever starting so what makes you think he relies on him. Maybe Baturina just had an off-game. Not everything can be analyzed logically or statistically especially not when dealing with such small sample sizes.
Well one data point is more useful observation (it’s the Portugal game when he had his first start) where there are zero data points proving the opposite (ie that Baturina can thrive without PS)
Nb for DZ the
Bayern blow-out
Slaven Belupo 4-1
Guess what was the common denominator ?
Those were the two (and onnly) games Peter Sucic missed and Baturina was terrible
So we actually 3 data points in last couple months where Baturina was Anonymous (and played his worst) when Petar Sucic wasn’t next to him
Yo Dalic
Did you see those English morons starting two pure wingers Anthony Gordon and Madueke today
And in the 2nd half no doubt we’ll Jarrod Bowen come on
lol
Only a moron would start pure wingers on the flanks
And geniuses start 8 CAMs and pepper them all over the field a la Alf Ramsey Wingless Wonders
T-1
#EveryWingerDoesn’tMatter
Cousins not brothers you dummy
Little typo that was fixed, take a deep breath my friend. Sometimes the fingers type faster than the mind.
I like Baturina and L Sucic. Need some speed here to draw some penalties in the box. Good news is we have some offensive players who have some speed. Watching games across leagues you see so many more ball chasing one on one battles where the offensive player just runs so fast pass the D man and gets a clear break. Speed kills so let our fast players play fast.