This Croatia squad is packed with star power which is comprised of 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić, 2022 Serie A ‘Midfielder of the Year’ Marcelo Brozović, and Champions League winner Ivan Perišić. It’s always easier to talk about goal scorers and play makers on any given team compared to their defensive counterparts; in any sport across the board. Scoring is sexy. Defense is not.
But it’s time to give Croatia’s defense at this World Cup the spotlight. They have been near perfect in five matches with two clean sheets to their name. The Vatreni defense shut out Morocco and Belgium before holding the extremely powerful offensive attack of Brazil scoreless for 105 minutes. Croatia has yet to concede more than one goal to their opposition the entire tournament. Once again, “In Dalić We Trust.”
Every decision Dalić has made this World Cup has worked out. Despite my claims. For months I have been saying that Livaković should not be our goalie at this World Cup and Lovren was too old and reckless at age 33; especially only having the Russian league to challenge him this season. We know Gvardiol will become a defensive star one day, but would he ready to take on the world’s best at age 20 in 2022? Sosa was suppose to whip in countless crosses into the box, but how would he look defensively? Juranović knowingly would be Croatia’s ‘Achilles Heel’ on defense but could he somehow find a rhythm like Strinić did in 2018?
CROATIA’S DEFENSIVE GRADES THROUGH 5 MATCHES:
GOALIE: DOMINIK LIVAKOVIĆ (9.5/10)
Liva became a man this month at the World Cup. He couldn’t have proved me more wrong. Livaković earned ‘Man of the Match’ honors in two straight games for his penalty shootout wins against Japan and Brazil. On top of that, Liva stood on his head to block 11 Brazilian shots across 120 minutes; only conceding once. Could he have done better to angle off Neymar on the Brazil goal? Sure. But it appeared he also didn’t want to foul Neymar for a penalty shot.
Liva has to be on the 2-man shortlist for the World Cup ‘Golden Glove’ award, which is given to the tournament’s best goalkeeper. Liva has two penalty shootout wins to go along two clean sheets in five matches. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou has only played in four matches but has only conceded once with three clean sheets to his name. He also won a penalty kick shootout vs. Spain in the Round of 16. Which goalie has the better stat line this tournament? You have to give it to Livaković with two shootout wins and 11 saves versus Brazil. Plain and simple. Out of all the goalies to play in this tournament, who would have thought Livaković would be at the top? Not me.
CENTER-BACK: JOŠKO GVARDIOL (9/10)
Gvardiol is officially ahead of schedule! There’s a reason RB Leipzig was offered $95 million for Gvardiol this past summer. He’s the real deal. Gvardiol is quick, physical, and smart in all facets of the game. Remember the knee pass he sent back to Livaković in the Brazil match? Brazilians were immediately complaining for an indirect kick in the box. However, Gvardiol knew the rules of the game. Kicking the ball back to your goalie with your knee: OK. Foot. Not okay. Gvardiol should have been named ‘Man of the Match’ versus Belgium. He blocked multiple Belgian attacks and was a presence on nearly every play. In the Brazil match, Gvardiol was a cornerstone in disrupting Brazil’s relentless pressure. Rumors have it that Gvardiol will be wooed by Real Madrid in 2023. Once again, he’s the real deal and ahead of schedule.
CENTER-BACK: DEJAN LOVREN (8.5/10)
A majority of us on CroatianSports called for Erlić or Šutalo instead of Lovren; including me. We knew Lovren had a reckless trait in his defense and it may very well be exposed during the 2022 World Cup. But guess what? The guy is playing well and doesn’t appear to have lost a step from Russia in 2018. He’s missed a couple of headers in the box that could have lead to danger but overall exceeding all expectations. You could blame him for missing his assignment on the Japan goal that Croatia conceded, but Lovren also made up for it int he 2nd half by assisting Perišić on the equalizer. He has paired well with the young Gvardiol to blank Belgium and hold Brazil to one goal in 120 minutes. That is no easy feat in a World Cup knockout game.
LEFT-BACK: BORNA SOSA (7.5/10)
It’s safe to say Sosa has met expectations defensively but has looked pedestrian moving up the field offensively. Every weekend for his club team Stuttgart, Sosa regularly swings in dangerous crosses from the left flank to ‘T Up’ his teammates in the box. We haven’t seen much of that this World Cup. The Japan match would have been perfect for Sosa to showcase his crossing ability, however, he was ruled out with a virus. He did well to contain the right side of the Brazilian attack for 90 minutes but was ultimately burned on Neymar’s ‘give n go’ goal in extra time. I would be shocked to see Sosa without an assist this World Cup. Could we see him provide some magic versus Argentina?
RIGHT-BACK: JOSIP JURANOVIĆ (8/10)
Juranović was always going to be Croatia’s weak spot defensively going into the World Cup. We knew that and every team Croatia played knew that. Going down the left flank (for the opposition) would be their ‘Golden Ticket’ in attack. This was immediately seen when Jura was completely exposed by Alfonso Davies on Canada’s opening goal. Jura completely lost track of the sprinting Davies who had a free header on goal. Nothing Livaković could do. However, Juranović made things right in assisting Livaja on Croatia’s game-winning goal in the same match. He has shown glimpses of shakiness and doubt during this World Cup but showed up to play in the biggest way possible versus Brazil. Juranović was ‘Man of the Half’ for me in the 1st half against Brazil. He played absolutely perfect defense and put Vinicius in his pocket for 64 minutes. Not enough credit will go to Juranović in the Brazil match because of what Petković and Livaković did, but he should receive high praise for his performance.
BONUS — CENTER DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: MARCELO BROZOVIĆ (8/10)
Technically not a defender, but Broz should get huge props so far this tournament as he helps structure the Croatian midfield and lets Modrić and Kovačić do what they do best. Broz has been relatively quiet but that’s a good thing if you’re playing his position. He should have done better with that shot from inside the box against Brazil in extra time. However, please remember that Broz hurt his thigh at the end of September and was nearly out for two months. Following the injury, he never played a full 90 minutes for Inter Milan and there were doubts he would be at 100% for the World Cup. I think we have our answer. Our star-studded midfield is allowed to operate the way they do because they can trust Brozović behind them. He’s usually an unsung hero so we need to give credit where credit is due in holding the Croatian midfielder together defensively the way Brozović does.
-5 matches played: including Brazil and Belgium (#1 & #2 in FIFA rankings)
-3 goals conceded
-2 clean sheets
Not bad.
If Dalic doesn’t care about playing players out of position why doesn’t he play Orsic at right wing. Kramaric has been utter garbage against everyone other then the Canada game. He is slow AF, does not press and is weak physically. Play Budimir CF and Orsic right wing. Sooner or later the horses shoes up Dalic’s ass are going to run out and he is going to have to play to take the lead in a game and note always play from behind or try to take every game into penalties.
Actually that midfield is where the game is decided:
https://youtu.be/65PxGYAgnHc
Petković is an ideal second half sub at Striker.
He is skilled and can make something happen against a tired defense for 20 to 30 minutes.
Budimir can run for 45 – 60 minutes.
Vlašić to start as well.
Pasalic is an ideal sub as he can come in for multiple positions as well as he is good for a goal.
Oršić is electric.
Kramaric is a finisher.
We are deeper than ever.
Dalic needs to call on these boys early and we need to take care of business before extra time.
Love to jump on them like we did Brazil and have them chase us.
I think any further immature posts about Dejan Lovren should be deleted.
Seems like it’s a handful of people with mental issues or typing from their mother’s basement.
The guy has been the backbone and veteran leader of the backline for TWO consecutive World Cup squads.
With Guardiol, Sosa & Juranovic, it’s been an absolute joy to watch! 🇭🇷👏
https://videocelts.com/2022/12/blogs/latest-news/juranovic-responds-to-transfer-speculation/
This dude has earned every move of his career.
La Liga is ideal for him.
He will get better and better.
Petkovic provided Marcelo Brozovic a pass which should been an assist to tie the game. He also was on the end of Orisic’s pass assist to win the Brazil game, which was the most amazing moment in croatia soccer history. With that said I am still not a fan of using Bruno Petkovic moving forward as striker. I would rather use an out of position Majer ,Orsic, Pasalic as a striker if need be.
actually, Lovren was getting exposed so badly –
those chances for Brazil came from him ~
he didn’t cover the area so well . . .
as someone who criticized Lovren…
I can only see –> he was so lucky! +
Who was the Brazilian defender Petkovic beat to give Brozovic that great opportunity to score, he was so lucky also. You see whenever someone misses his chance to score there is a lucky defender somewhere?
Only an idiot would’ve expected Brazil to not have any chances in a game, add in some dickhead whose sole focus is on CB Dejan Lovren, and Lovren is lucky, which then makes Dalic lucky for sticking with Lovren, and some dickhead watching somewhere still thinks he was right even though Croatia is in another SF and those two should’ve been the reason Croatia would do shit in Qatar!
What a moron is perorino
To whomever asked, Brozovic ran 15.5 km, he was subbed before the end remember.
I just rewatched Brazil match. I liked the game strategy but we were generally too fearful to attack the box. Kovacic and others pulled back rather than attempt penetration even when it seemed not too risky. After their goal we played more offensively and it was very effective. Majer was really good and was up to pairing with Modric and Broz. Not sure if he is a better started than Pasalic who scored 14 in Italy last year.
Well, I for one am not happy at all knowing an Italian ref will be reffing the game. I have some Italian clients from Argentina and I knew there was a decent Italian population there so it got me thinking. In doing a quick search apparently 60% of Argentina’s population has some Italian heritage. Did Messi’s bitching about the refs work!?!? Total BS if you ask me.
Agreed. I’m Leary about that ref too. But, we have lots of croats there too. Only Chile has more than 🇦🇷. They are all mixed there. We will be ok.
When you watch a match for the second time, it gives you a better perspective.
Mateo Kovacic was outstanding- all over the pitch – his help defensively was the difference
Agreed he played really well and contributed a lot defensively. I just feel he could have dribbled into the box area occasionally to try push the offense. He seems very risk averse as a player on the offensive end whereas on defense he is more aggressive and self confident.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZNjwgwIC1I
its a shame the Ballon dor has passed. if this cup were in June 2022 and we won does anyone think that Luka would off gotten another Ballon dor? Is another Ballon Dor in the cards for Luka
Daniele Orsato (ITA)
The ref for our match.
He should be able to hold it down.
I pray Lovren keeps is consistent play going and not get involved with Argentina BS.
I remember that elbow he gave to Ramos.
Brozovic got that fire going too and you know Martinez is talking shit about him to his crew.
Modrić has to center us to perform at our best.
He was the ref for our Denmark game in 2018, nothing major there. I’m hoping he doesn’t favor Messi or sympathize with the Argentinian diving and theatrics
Actually for the 2018 Denmark game, it was our old friend Nestor Pitana 🙂
Just checked and last time we had Orsato was the opener of Euro 2020/1 v England. Can’t remember anything controversial.
Old friend is right on. That piece of shit cost us the world cup. We destroyed him on social media. He still hasn’t tweeted since the final.
Pitana is an asshole! Yeah I carry a grudge.
Great summary- only thing I’d add is Gvardiol is an10/10 – I think we knew we had a key piece but the kid has been world class- God give us the strength to play our best against Argentina and maybe let us win during regular time- maybe asking too much but please let us put these terd gypsies to a deep sleep
Anyone know the distance JJ put in?? Had to be similar to broz
I love soul champs idea of bringing in
Orsic petko krama majer if we need the offence
This would totally change our forward display and could rock Argentina
Brazil saw the petko random dribbling skills. No one really expects that from him
And the fact orsic is so minimally used it’s hard to really get a read on him
He catches teams sleeping for whatever reason
Don’t forget Vlasic on the RW for offense
I am the biggest realest out there. After all I said Croatia had little chance to win against Brazil and that proved true. Even with a near perfect game, Croatia needed a wild turn of events to pull off.
None-the-less, I’m surprised by the lack of boldness of sports commentators generally who all by default pick Argentina to win the next game. Sports commentators are often not very smart people…like coaches….many often former players…who didn’t get to where they are on brains
So if Croatia was 50/50 to win each game, it’s title odds would be 25%.. Instead Croatia’s title odds are 11%, which means they are 33% odds to win each game roughly. I guess that’s not crazy.
But surely some commentators should look at Croatia beating #1 Brazil, tying #2 Belgium, giving world cup semi-finalist Morocco it’s toughest game in a tie, beating Japan who beat Spain and Germany, beating France in France, tying France in Split without a full team, beating Denmark twice, topping their qualifying group, only 1 loss in 20 matches since Euro 2021 and that was against Austria who they later beat 3-1, having beaten Argentina 3-0 in the last world cup……. look at an Argentina team that is a poor man’s Brazil and may run into the same issues….surely some sports commentator would look at all that and come up with an answer for once that Croatia will win the game.
I also get a kick out of commentators saying how Cindarella Croatia fell back to Earth against France in World Cup 2018…when even I as a realist, I saw that Croatia was actually better than France in that game and France just so happened to convert every single shot . ( 61% croatia possession, Croatia 15 shots to France’s 8. France with 6 shots on target, 4 of which went in.. 3 outside the box, and one off a questionable perisic penalty
I see this upcoming game as 50/50. In the same way I complain about too much homerism on this site though, I am seeing the opposite on TV.
In the USA fox sports…all 3 guys- Alexei, Landon, and Dempsey pick Croatia over Argentina. Made me uncomfortable lol
I think if Croatia scores more goals than Argentina, there is 100 % chance they can win.
next goal is the biggest goal!
I really want Croatia to win this one. I hate these Argentinian pricks and cry babies.
@the truth AKA Ziva Istina: you’re the biggest fraud on this site. Where are your neverending stories now about Croatians beimg mental midgets? Why don’t you just SHUT THE F*CK UP and crawl back into your cave? Za dom spremni. Čeka nas finaaaaaleeeeeeeee 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷
It was 0-0 and Croatia had little chance to win … and you think you’re proven right? The Truth, you need to just stop. Croatia always had a decent shot if they could keep Brazil goalless in the first half.
https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/nogomet/sp2022/argentinci-nam-spremaju-nesto-pokvareno-trojica-vatrenih-na-meti-sve-je-saznao-i-dalic-15285144
three Argentinian players allegedly received special instructions on how to provoke the three Croatian players whom they consider the weakest links of the team. Dalic does not want to reveal the names.
I believe it. Argentina will do whatever it takes to win, and are widely considered one of the dirtiest teams around. I would be infinitely more satisfied beating them than Brazil.
Don’t forget Otamendi’s shameful behaviour against Rakitic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT2ZdhrUU2o
Or that clown Mascherano stomping on Mazukic’s cleats because he hurt his feelings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyx7562eaCM
I feel if any Croatian team can keep their cool it’s this years edition
Dalic has shown he seems to keep order in his own way and has found a way to galvanize this team
Everyone knows we are gonna play against the dirtiest of teams and we are fighting the messi agenda
If we stay to our tactics as shown in Brazil we will frustrate them and then they will dig their own graves
This will be a battle but I feel we are ready for it
These greasy gauchos are starting to remind me of the bad boys of the Detroit pistons back in the day..cheap shots and classless acts during and after the game.
Even “MESSY!” Has joined in now how pathetic.
I recall seeing a video from our 3-0 beatdown of them when 8 of them jumped one of our fans outside a washroom in the stadium.
Classless pigs they are let’s hope our fans are safe in Qatar after we thrash them once again.
This might be a very good thing for us. Makes it personal and a rallying cry similar to the Canada game.
There is so much at stake, but no matter that- coming off a win vs Brazil, the odds-on favorite, there is big danger of a letdown…it’s only human. This could galvanize the team even more
I am hoping we are motivated to beat them, but not riled up to the extent where we let anger cloud our judgement. The key to the success with our team has been the calm demeanor which allows us to think clearly and make the right decisions.
Hey Ante , sent you a message on your Croatiansports email. Check it out and let me know what you think
I’d be interested in seeing what FIFA does to the various Argentinian players for their comments on the ref last game.
The reffing was atrocious, but it was bad both ways.
What got me the most is how horribly the Argentine players were during and after the game. Seeing Messi approach Van Gaal like that and chirp the ref in a post interview was classless.
The picture of them taunting the Dutch right after the last PK is a bad look. Seeing that actually has me losing respect for Messi. I’ve seen people posting that they like ‘evil Messi’….bunch of magare and utterly classless.
Even back in 2018, they played like cigane. I really want this one…arguably more than the Brazil game. I think the game gets a bit chippy and hope we keep our cool and stay as classy as we’ve been.
One hundred percent agree with comments on Brozovic that guy is an animal!! Not sure how he does what he does, it’s unfortunate that he got a yellow card. Hopefully he can work that off in the next match up.
It safe to say we can be proud.of the whole team with that result and they deserved to win.
For the semis his yellow gets wiped right?
Yes, clean slate for all is my understanding. Unless if you acquired 2 yellows up untill the end of the quartefinal game- in which case you miss the next game.
Does anyone know how far Brozo ran vs Brazil?
I’m still shocked there was no discipline for the episode where Nejmar kicked him, and then proceeded to keep trying to kick him as he went down. That was so clearly cynical, and I’m glad our boy kept his cool about it.
Almost 16km from what I read it was just under his last game
We have 4 world class players :
Modrić
Perišić
Gvardiol
Brozovic
They all defend when needed.
All create offense as a well.
They all play in different areas of the pitch from back to front.
We never look unbalanced because of these 4.
Then you add late bloomer Livakovic athletic shot stopping and golden glove performances and now we look dominant.
Speed motor guys like Juranovic and Kovacic compliment our core 4.
Sosa skills.
Lovren experience and heart and balls.
We need Budimir to start to start our D from the top like Mandžukić.
Vlašić on the RW to bring that industry as well.
Then you bring in the fresh attacking legs like Majer, Oršić, Petković, Kramaric.
What about Perišić?
Sorry, I thought you said the 4 world class players were the midfield 3 plus Gvardiol ( to me Kovačić should be included), and of course Perišić to arguably make 5.
Guys we used to have schildenfeld starting for us
Not that he was that bad at all
But we have fricking Batman now!
I have to say lovren looks good
He has beefed up a bit and doesn’t seem much slower at all if anything
Will lovren pull a lovren against Argentina
Find out next time, same bat time, same bat channel;)
LOL cmon dont be picking on the great Gordy !
This is unbelievable.
Go back and watch the buildup to Petkovic’s goal.
At the 115:52 minute mark, Modric gets fouled
The referee takes his whistle and ALMOST blows it, before letting advantage play on.
It will give you a heart attack.
Yikes, that was close. Also rewatched and have some appreciation for Vlasic bringing that ball down field before finding Orsic. And at the start of this play I think it was Majer who headed it to Modric back around our box. You then see Majer sprint the full field and was an option right behind Petkovic.
Those substitutions really worked out, especially in the penalties.
Also upon further review I have to give Vida a 10/10 for celebrating like a maniac after that goal.
LOL Vida is my favourite cheerleader ever
@ Bobby V
Just watched the OT again…crazy! Ref let the play go and Modric sprung Vlasic with the pass.
It feels like a bit of destiny…..
@Mali Ante – after the celebrations and restart of the game, the Fox commentator does give credit to the referee for not blowing the whistle – credit to him
Orsic-Kramaric-Vlasic to start against Argentina.
No chance, where’s Perisic?
Ante, you’re on the side of people who want to DESTROY the NATION of Croatia. Dude, you better watch your fucking mouth bro.
TO ALL THE BITCHES WHO SAID WE GOT OUTPLAYED, HOW MANY TIMES DID WE PUNT TO BALL?
We still need to do better defensively to win the whole thing
Yeah i’ve been thinking our defence has been rock solid too, haven’t considered many goals this tourney. Need to continue to be miserly in that regard.