Croatia has finally accomplished a feat we have not seen for some time: a convincing qualifying campaign (so far) in which results have been consistently achieved with minimal self-inflicted hurdles. And the cherry on top is that Dalić finally seems to have discovered the Vatreni’s strongest current XI, with Petković up top, Kramarić on the right and Perišić on the left. We currently have the best midfield trio in Europe, and what happens when Mateo Kovačić, a key midfielder for the best club in the world, gets injured? We have another midfielder who can step right up in Luka Ivanušec! Did I mention he can also provide his services on the left wing? All that being said, what could possibly be the problem now?
Well, here’s the current injury list:
- Ivan Perišić might be out until next summer’s Euros
- Bruno Petković is out for this qualifying campaign
- Andrej Kramarić is out for this qualifying campaign
- Livaja left the National Team for real this time
- Ivanušec is 50/50
- Šutalo is potentially out as he wasn’t on Ajax’s squad list this weekend
This throws the newfound tactical balance quite off scale, and adjustments will have to be made. Here are some of Dalić’s options…
Plug and Play
The “Plug and Play” formation outlines the most likely tactical approach, the “Plug” being Dalić fielding the next best players in Croatia’s current squad to replace those missing and the “Play” being Dalić’s probable reluctancy to stray from the recent game plan, hence, whatever tactical instructions the Vatreni have been performing under recently remaining constant. This is the safest option, and while not ideal, still equates to a strong eleven players. Should Ivanušec be available, he would slot into the left-wing position over Torino’s Vlašić, and the other two would essentially be Musa and Pašalić if we go for the next two most valued players in the squad. If the Šutalo injury rumours are not true, of course we would see him slot in at the right centre-back role. There is also a chance we see the more natural winger in Josip Brekalo have his chance on the left wing following some good performances for Fiorentina and a goal against Napoli over the weekend. 75% chance.
New System
This probably represents the best-looking lineup out of the three, truly optimizing every one of our best players (left) on the pitch at the same time. However, these two games are quite crucial as we face the two “strongest” teams besides us in the group. And to field a formation and tactics never seen before with this set of players with mere days of preparation would not be the wisest and would take a certain level of tactical flexibility that I’m just not convinced Croatia’s coaching staff possesses. However, that’s not to say I would be opposed to experimentation with this kind of a lineup in the near future, especially considering our upcoming strength in the central defensive areas of the pitch. 5-10% chance.
Tactical adjustments could be seen between the two matches, but I would say there’s simply no solidified eleven at the moment, and perhaps performances in the Turkey match would influence Dalić’s game plan for the Wales match-up. Regardless, both opponents are of inferior individual quality, even with our notable losses, and two victories here would surely send us onto the real tournament in June.
How would you lineup if you were Dalić?
Simic out at Dinamo
Get Mamić back in there. Clean all this ish up. 😉
Dinamo and the national team need mamic back in the fold
the “new system” lineup/formation with sosa and jj as wingbacks is a no-brainer. knowing dalic however, he will play pasalic and vlasic out of position as wingers
If you’re going to play guys out of position, at least put in players who are creative and can jive well with our creative midfielders and feed our striker (assuming we’re going with a lone špica up top in Musa).
Pašalić is good as a guy who can feed off others, but not as a creator. Vlašić is similar in that regard.
If not Sosa or Juranović on the wing, then we might as well go with Brekalo or Majer. At least they have the technical ability and creativity to work some magic offensively.
If we’re doing well on the flank (with Sosa and Juranović) then Musa should have a good game, and we can always throw in Pašalić off the bench to crash the box (like he always does).
We’re lucky we have such depth.
10-15 years ago, if we had 7-8 injuries (like we do right now) we would have been in trouble. It cost us qualification in 2010.
You can bet on not deviating from the regular 4-3-3 we’ve been playing as of late. Pasalic/Vlasic playing RW for this game is very likely. It’ll be interesting to see what he does on the left. He should play Brekalo as he’s the only true LW we have at this time. He could push Sosa up to LW and play Barisic at LB…wouldn’t surprise me as a more defensive setup.
This game is screaming 3-5-2 with our injuries, using Sosa and Juranovic on the wings but since we really haven’t played it, it’s too much of a risk to try it in a game that will decide the group winner.
I like it, I 2nd that notion, I hope you are wrong though.
Sosa and Juranovic should thrive at the wing back position, and be very productive, with still a very tight defense to boot, backing them up. The middle speaks for itself. Pasalic would be the lucky charm, and Musa is the Kracker Jack surprise at the bottom of the box.
Do it Dalic!
Perhaps Perisic can explain to Dalic how Tottenham has been playing
In attack – two CBs looking to move it up the middle – full-backs completely inverting (both of them into central mid-field alongside Luka – ahead of a double pivot e.g. Brozovic and Kovacic)
Than utilizing the UNDER-lapping run w/ the wingers, etc
It’s cutting edge-stuff – a couple of tweaks along these lines – and we’d completely catch Turkey off guard as they won’t expect it
The days of “wing-back” sticking to the wings (a la Jarni and Stanic) is so tired at this point (and very predictable to defend against – unless they can throw in incredible crosses to target(s)) – unless you have Srna out there (or Juranovic vs. Brazil)
Luka:
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38615540/luka-modric-real-madrid-role-masterstroke
Pinnacle:
Croatia -148
Draw +282
Turkey +462
That’s actually a pretty high payout for a draw.
Turkey just got a new Italian coach, so that’s a wildcard. Maybe he impresses and makes an impact. Plus, we have a bunch of injuries and Dalic may pull out a predictable lineup.
I could never bet against a Croatian win though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWJjIM_ZYxk
-for those who don’t know about the story of Jews-
https://twitter.com/HNS_CFF/status/1711632844232012052
Looks like Petkovic might actually end up being available. He’s training with the team. My guess is that he may be trying to get healthy enough to play a part in the Wales match. I only want him to play if he’s healthy enough to actually play his game. We all know how ‘enjoyable’ he is to watch when he’s not up for it. If he isn’t healthy enough to play it will be trial by fire for Musa and/or Beljo.
As for Brekalo, as much as he didn’t deserve this call up, he has produced for us previously and he has the talent to do produce something. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts given all of the injuries.
Overall, I’m still confident we can and should get all 3 points in both of these matches. We just need someone to step up and score the goals.
With Perišić and Oršić gone, this would be the golden opportunity for him to reclaim what’s left of his National Team career.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a great game. He’s always had the talent.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyNpRFJtRP1/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
It seems as though Sutalo isn’t injured. Drama might be the culprit. If true, this is not good.
Dutch media has been basically blaming Sutalo and Sosa for all there problems. Both did not play this weekend and Ajax was horrible again. So who does Ajax media attack for the performance being crap Medic of course lol. There is a lot of problems at Ajax but the Croatian players are made to ne the scapegoats by the Dutch media
I have played in the Netherlands, and my experience was that the Dutch always think they are good at football, even if they make obvious tactical or technical mistakes. When all is said and done, the players who can win gsmes earn time on the field, but the attitude about foreigners playing football in the Netherlands will remain negative.
Ajax stunk it up last season too.
This has been going on for a while now.
Also Weather looks to be dry and pleasant which will suit our technical players.
Brekalo has game and sometimes a national team opportunity can jumpstart your career again.
Musa scores goals in Portugal. He can score with Croatia at home vs Turkey.
Pasalic is a proven goal scorer.
Majer is due as well.
Midfield is the best and should all be ready physically and fresh mentally.
Sosa has to step up.
JJ is built for these two matches with his speed and industry. I wonder if he has a breakout moment?!
Dalic has to dial up two winning game plans. Which after all the big matches I trust he can do.
We have been reliant on Perišić over the years with good reason but we were going to have to deal with his age at some point.
Cro city boys have to be world class.
Gvardiol and Kovačić have to bring their quality beyond their position and take on big moments.
Osijek is the best place for the challenge of this match as our fans their are the most supportive within a brand new stadion!
U boj ..
Per Gol, Musa is going to be the starter at the 9. Wonder who gets the 2 other spots up front…
You can take that satanic quaran and your paedophile prophet and shove it you know where.
What are you hoping to achieve? Especially given that Croatian’s are predominantly Catholic and your on a Croatian website.
Wales will be missing Brennan Johnson (probably their best offensive player RW very quick and direct to goal – which considering our situation on left-side is massive) and Aaron Ramsey
I think whoever takes the position of the injured players will definitely be bringing their best. It definitely sucks having so many injuries but sometimes trying something new works out great. Let’s go 🇭🇷🔥💪⚽️
You can still stick with the plug-and-play lineup (4-5-1) but push Juranovic up to RW and have Stanisic playing RB. If there’s any time to try this, it would be now.
You could probably do the same on the left side too (with Barisic and Sosa) but it’s a lot riskier since we’ve never tried and it and neither player is particularly good right now.
That left side is the big wildcard now, since we lost both our LW options, plus we don’t even have Orsic either. Brekalo may get the start by default, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dalic just went with one of Vlasic or Pasalic there instead. Probably Pasalic, because he’s been Dalic’s good luck charm.
Musa up top is a no-brainer now.
Since we don’t have Petkovic, Perisic, Ivanusec or Kramaric (to help Musa in the box), Modric will probably play a more offensive role with Broz and Kova sitting back.
It’s not a terrible situation to be in. It’s really just that left side that will suffer, but we may get surprised by guys like Sosa, Brekalo or some other plug-in.
A few of the cynical posters here are probably licking their chops for a loss, but they may get disappointed.
I am usually on maminjos side and I go with this as well
I’ve been calling for the right side of stanisic and jj in front for a while but in the 3-5-2 but this may force dalic to try even in our system
I think he would do brekalo on the left with barisic
But like you said more like pasalic with sosa option as Pašalić will take more defensive responsibility coming back
But here is brekalos potential to really wake up his career
He needs to put in hard hustle on both ends of the ball
We know he has offensive skill. He has shown it in spurts but can’t seem to be consistent
Is it an effort thing??
What about
Gvardiol, erlic, stanisic,JJ?
Then put sosa/brekalo as lw
Pasalic/vlasic as rw
Musa up front alone with Luka behind somehow?
DannyJ,
I don’t know if you saw the City-Arsenal game in the weekend.
Guardiola had Gvardiol play on the outside left, with Ake on the inside left on the back line. I think they were four across the back.
Gvardiol was moving up that left side and getting in on the attack throughout the game. ( Such as there was any attack, there weren’t a lot chances at either end). You have Gvardiol there on the outside left on your proposed lineup, and maybe you feel he could help develop the attack in that role. I was wondering about that possibility….is there any advantage, with these injuries, to having Gvardiol play at outside left back? Maybe he is too good defensively for us to put there…..?? Perhaps you or Maminjo or some of the others can weigh in on that possibility….advantages and disadvantages.
As for Brekalo, I watched a good bit of that game against Napoli. He seemed very excited but even more, he looked relieved, when he scored that goal…..it looked like it took a load off his shoulders. He was also doing a good job getting back when Napoli had the ball and, I thought in any event, he was working hard both offensively and defensively on the field, and defending well…..I have barely seen him play before, so I have nothing to compare it to. But he was putting in an honest effort out there (like a good North Burnaby guy….LOL).
Some of had we can’t take gvardi from cb duty
But I do think If sutalo is ok we can roll with him and erlic in the middle like we did against in nations league
Heck I’m ok with and he will play hard against Turkey is going with vida
Gvardi/erlic/vida/JJ
Let gvardi run up and down the flank to try for something
Also with going brekalo, the speed and dynamic could prove to cause trouble
I would prefer stanisic over JJ and really want to see JJ in that rw role
But I’m ok with the plug and play lineup we have up top but yup I’ll say it again
Throw vida In CB and slot gvardi to the left
Sosa or brekalo on lw(brekalo for his speed, or sosa for his cross)