Two Croatia strikers have officially been ruled out for the Turkey match on Tuesday: Hajduk’s Marko Livaja (who started against Wales) and Dinamo Zagreb’s Bruno Petković.
That means there will only be two true strikers on the roster for the match: Andrej Kramarić and Petar Musa.
So what does Dalić do with half of his strike force out? Without tinkering too much with the starting XI he put out versus Wales, Dalić really only two options:
Option #1
Start Kramarić up top as the lone striker/False 9. Since Dalić started Krama on the right wing versus Wales, that would require filling that spot as well. The move is strategically obvious for me. If Krama moves to the #9 role, you play Juranović at right wing (his natural position for Union Berlin) and you insert Josip Stanišić at right back behind Juranović (his natural position for Bayern Munich). That ensures everyone is playing in their natural “club” positions and Croatia have a strong right side offensively and defensively.
Option #2
Start Petar Musa. Dalić can absolutely keep the same lineup he started against Wales with Krama on the right wing. We can complain about Wales scoring on the last kick of the match but that was an absolute fluke that caught an unfocused Croatian defense off guard for a split second. That starting XI absolutely dominated Wales start to finish minus the goal. With Livaja out due to injury, Benfica’s Petar Musa could slip into the #9 role at 6’3″. He’s good in the air and models his game after Croatian idol, Mario Mandžukić. Musa is still “green” on the international stage as he made his debut for Croatia this week versus Wales; coming off the bench just after halftime. Sure, the 25 year-old Musa is still inexperienced, but what has any Croatian striker done in the past two years in the #9 position. Dalić can take the gamble and give Musa the reigns at #9 with Krama supporting on the right wing.
This is an absolute toss-up for me as I want to see more of Musa but I also want to see Juranović play on the right wing with less defensive responsibilities. Give me Musa!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqTeP0trsBe/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
And there you have it. Kramaric is starting for sure.
Yea, but not necessarily up top.
He may start him at RW, meaning Juranovic continues to start at RB…or we go with Stanisic at RB this game (since Jura didn’t have the best game last time and is on a yellow).
But, yea, maybe he just sticks Krama up top, and does his Pasalic/Vlasic pick for RW.
I don’t think Musa starts either way. Dalic likes to slowly integrate youth and probably thinks giving the kid 40 minutes last game was enough for this qualifying round.
Musa is 25, a bit old to be called a kid.
Agree with you, he won’t be starting the match.
Musa was quiet last game because he was not given any chances, and the second half was slower than first for Vatreni. Would like to see what he can do this game, given the oppurtunity. He has to prove himself.
Hoping Krama has learned for the last game, he scored a goal and then cost us the game with his selfish tactics. More passing this time, be aware of your teammates. You cannot win games if you prioritize individualism.
As stubborn as Dalic can be, there is NO doubt Musa is starting upfront.
We all rave about our midfield, but the reality is that we are not very good at setting up our strikers. We even had a significant amount of ball possession vs Argentina before the first goal, but other than Luka, we can’t do anything to create chances for our strikers.
In the first half vs Wales, Livaja is trying to time his run to the goal for a cross, but being ignored by Kramaric, who makes a senseless cross into the box to no one specific.
We have no stud backup at midfield who you can put in to shake things up for a goal. If you start Majer vs Turkey, does anything REALLY change?
Start Musa and let’s actually start looking for the guy and not ignoring him as if he’s one of the squeegie guys in front of the Port Authority in New York.
To be fair, our midfield and wingers were good at creating chances for themselves and others. We just need a Mandzukic type who can clean up the messes in the box. Livaja isn’t that guy, and actually cost a Perisic goal (which was called back because of a foul).
Brozovic had a really good chance (he botched the shot) and Kovacic made a few runs (he had a great close range chance too from one of his runs). Perisic hit the crossbar, and was wide open and onside for that non-pass from Krama in front of goal. Perisic also had that early goal called back too. Krama of course had his goal, but he also sailed that good chance over the bar too.
Our talent is very obvious, and even if we’re not jiving well chemistry-wise, it’s good to see that we can create like 5-10 chances a game out of nothing.
We just need to hope that Musa or Beljo (or anyone) can develop into a target man up top who can mix it up with the opposing CBs, get his head on a Sosa or Juranovic cross, and clean up any messes in the box (caused by our creative midfielders and wingers).
Whatever chances Wales had came at Juranovic’s expense. I think he is too small to play right back. Given his speed and work ethic he should be given a chance at right wing.
I thought Perisic had a great game and Livaja was dreadful. Modric was Modric. Kramaric puts his head down with the philosophy of shoot first, pass second. He needs to be more aware of the presence of his teammates and be less trigger-happy.
Majer and Orsic need to have bigger roles.
Yea, he doesn’t play in a 4-4-2 at Union Berlin at all.
Berlin plays a 3-5-2 with Juranovic playing RM (or RWB if you want to call it that) along the midfield line with three CBs in the back.
He played RB (and even some LB) at Celtic, but he had a bit of an up and down period with Celtic this season (scoring an own goal too).
My guess is Berlin saw this and figured he was a better fit in a 3-5-2 formation instead of a 4-4-2.
It’s time to let Musa start and take his role as the next #9 striker
Kramaric can be an accessory I guess for now.
We should win this game and Musa should score. These are the games that you have chances to give players a chance to make a name for themselves. Let’s hope we get the win and keep moving!
Let Modric coach like he does during the World Cup events. We get in trouble when we ask Dalic to be the actual coach. He’s a figure head and nothing more so we’ll see Modric thinks.
there is no way Dalic will use this 3-5-2
I told you from a long ~ long time ago `
…………………Petar Musa…………………….
……….Luk Modric….Lovo Majer…………..
Perisic…Brozovic….Kovacic…Juranov
…….Gvardiol….Erlic….Stanisic………..
…………………..Livakovic……………………….
|| 0-3 for Croatia || of course with this1
I hate to say this, but it’s not a bad lineup, lol.
Benching Sosa might give him a bit of a wakeup call.
it’s a good lineup for your health
as you eat toxic things from Dalic ~
that makes you became a delusional
denying the fact –> we are lucky so far
[[Dalic will bring this shit lines up]]
…………………….Kramaric…………………….
….Perisic………..Modric…………Vlasic….
…………….Kovacic….Brozovic……………… || 3-0 for Turkey ||
B Sosa….Gvardiol…..Sutalo….Juranovic
…………………….Livakovic…………………….
it is supposed to be like this –>
…………………Petar Musa…………………….
……….Luk Modric….Lovo Majer…………..
Perisic…Brozovic….Kovacic…Juranovic || 0-3 for Croatia ||
…………Erlic….Gvardiol….Stanisic………..
………………….Livakovic……………………….
Option 2. Kramarić is much more effective as a winger than as a striker. Musa is good enough to start.
Yea, I used to hate Krama on the wing, but since the World Cup he’s actually been a lot better there than up top.
I really, really hope Dalic doesn’t go with Krama as our spica up top…but at the same time, I can’t see him starting Musa in such an important away game. He’ll probably opt for the experience, regardless of position.
I don’t think that Dalic will start with Musa, he’ll come on in the second half.
Musa is nothing special, however he is much better than Livaja and Petkovic.
We just don’t have any forwards at the moment. I watched the recent U21 friendly against Israel and Beljo has improved and looks a lot quicker than when at Osijek. He has shed a few kilos and that could explain why he is a bit quicker. Roko Simic came on in the 75 minute and did not impress. Sadly, I think that he has gone backwards in the last year or so. Ljubicic came on for the last ten minutes but hardly touched the ball in dour 0 – 0 draw in a match where Israel had more chances to score. Our U21 play a friendly against England on Tuesday and it will be interesting to see how they go especially our forwards.
In regards to Turkey match, I think that Dalic will be happy with a draw. It will depend on Turkey as well if they decide to attack and go for win it might leave some space for us to counter attack and hopefully score some goals.
Beljo actually moves pretty well. He also has deceptive skill with the ball at his feet.
He looks like a legitimate prospect, and I like that he got a haircut and ditched that emo hairstyle.
Worried that Dalić will just play it safe and go for the draw (since it’s in Turkey).
Really hoping we don’t see a game similar to our opening match at the past World Cup.
Knowing it’s an important game, he probably fields a more experienced and predictable lineup with Krama up top
and Vlasic or Pasalic on RW. I’d be surprised if he changed things up and started Musa even though he’s the only true striker we have.
He has the see that Juranovic is a defensive liability. If he puts Krama up top, I hope he at least goes with Stanisic at RB and plays Juranovic on RW.
We were the better team, but I don’t agree that we dominated the whole game. Certainly the first half, but after that the possession dipped, we lost the ball cheaply, created fewer chances, and basically gave Musa no service. Worse, Kramaric got cocky after scoring and proceeded to piss away some great opportunities. He looked serviceable on the right wing, but he’s not the type of player to throw himself into the back post. He’s there for the pull back or a shot just inside the box, not daring or muscle. I’d rather take plan B, and give Musa 65 minutes to show something with Perisic and Juranovic.
Wales was the perfect team to give Majer minutes against, in that they didn’t have a threat that necessitated Brozovic’s usual defensive contribution. It was odd then that Pasalic and Vlasic came on instead of Stanisic, if the plan was to ride out 1-0.
100% go with the second option, there’s no point putting Kramaric through the middle where he can’t perform and where he hasn’t performed for both club and country for years now.
At least when he plays on the right wing in a free role, he looks lively and dangerous.
It’s Musa time 🍆
One thing is for sure
Musa is much fitter and faster and hungrier then both petko and livaja
Perhaps combined;)
That can’t be even up for debate
I totally agree to give MUSA the playing time and get him experience. I can’t stand watching Petko or Livaja on the field. They look like f-ing amateurs from the second they jog onto the field. Both are slow, have no touch, they look like their going to shit their shorts everytime the ball comes their way.
Unless we go 3-5-2
But maybe he tries that on at least on paper easier opponent
Maybe if we got there points it may be different
My guess is Dalić will stick with krama up front alone and keep the same line up
Hoping he at least does the JJ rw and stanisic behind and not put vlasic next to krama and keep JJ on RB
Surely Perisic is in dalic ear
Musa may defer to Perisic and pass it off rather then take a legit chance if playing tho…
I would love to see Musa
I saw him hustling back on one play
Kids got some pace