What Changes Will Dalić Make Against Poland?

Croatia’s 2-1 loss to Portugal on Thursday certainly brought up loads of talking points, whether positive or negative. Dalić fielded a new formation and used fresh faces in the start of his Nations League campaign upon facing crucial National Team retirements and injuries. The 3-5-2 formation caused a lack of defensive cohesion in the first half but certainly utilizes the player profiles the Vatreni currently have in a more effective sense. The lack of wingers makes a 4 at back formation tricky to deploy and I’d certainly like to see Dalić continue this experiment in the match against Poland, BUT with certain changes.

Defence:

A three centre-back formation is sensible for this Croatian squad considering our lack of right-backs due to injury and no real left-back. Gvardiol was class once again in the Portugal match and Šutalo’s revitalized form was certainly visible. Pongračić on the other hand, is simply a failed experiment at this point in time. His defensive positioning and awareness was exposed against Spain in the Euros and once again in the Nations League against Portugal. Sosa had to over compensate for Pongračić’s man on the first Portuguese goal. Ćaleta-Car, although not a permanent solution, plugged that hole much better than Pongračić did upon coming in in the second half. Until Erlić can be tested in this formation, DCC is the way to go.

Wing-backs:

Borna Sosa was serviceable on the left side but without a natural striker on the pitch until Matanović was subbed on, his crosses were essentially useless. Should Matanović start against Poland, Sosa is our best current option on the left flank. Perišić is of course an option as well, but it seems as though he is best performing off the bench for 30 minutes. Kristijan Jakić was surprisingly good as he did not stand out in any sense but certainly held his own against Portugal’s quickest and most dangerous player in Rafael Leao. I would give him the start once more as he’s proven himself to be a decent Swiss army knife, and Pjaca has never played at the right wing-back before.

Midfield:

Mateo Kovačić is the best player (alongside Gvardiol) on this team right now. Pep has truly shaped him to become more impactful throughout the game and it was so visible against Portugal. Kralj Luka once again proves his eternal class and there is no reason to sit him. However, yesterday’s match was conclusive proof that taking him off at the 60-70th minute for fresh legs is now a possibility. The Sučić cousins are ballers. Plain and simple. Luka Sučić, when fit, MUST be a starter for this National Team. The moment he touches the pitch his positive attacking play is impactful and the mix of precision and threat in his passes is mystifying. However, Petar Sučić is certainly the more suitable profile to play with Modrić and Kovačić from the opening whistle. His composure on the ball and talent is so exciting. In my opinion, Luka is more suited for a game against an inferior opponent (like Poland) in which we must break a bunker or need more attacking prowess. Petar is perfect for a match-up like Portugal in which we prioritize midfield control and defensive stability. Martin Baturina was unfortunately disappointing in his first official start. But this means absolutely nothing. He does not typically play this kind of role for Dinamo and was not the number one midfield option (like he is for Dinamo) but the number THREE option. This takes some getting used to and his nerves must’ve impacted his play as well. Fret not, in time, Baturina will prove why he is currently the best player in the HNL. Start Luka Sučić against Poland but Baturina should be given 30 minutes in Modrić’s place at the end of the match.

Forwards:

Ahh yes… Croatia starts two strikers… but neither are strikers? Andrej Kramarić is the current top scorer in the Bundesliga and showed his class in the Portugal match but why start him next to Mario Pašalić, who once again showed why he is not of starting quality for the National Team? I love Pašalić and he is truly the definition of a super-sub, but time and time again he has shown that he cannot start for the Vatreni. When we had no right-winger, I could understand the experiment, but yesterday’s formation did not warrant him starting whatsoever. Igor Matanović came on for 30 minutes and found the cross/pass five times. Five. Could he have done better with two of them? Sure. But the kid is raw and it was his debut, he gets a pass. However, Matanović provided more serviceable striking presence than any of our strikers have since 2018 Mandžukić. His game IQ and ability to find space is frightening and I’d like to see him get the start against Poland with Kramarić in support. Ante Budimir is a decent option off the bench late in the game should Matanović struggle as well. We just need a real striker to provide a target in the box and who knows how to get on the other end of crosses, and he just proved he can, so why not start him? Who cares about age?

I’d also like to see Perišić and/or Pjaca off the bench to add dynamic elements from the wings should we struggle to score against Poland, however I don’t think this 3-5-2 is suited for classic wingers and the situation is dependent on the way the game develops.

Here are the changes Dalić should make against Poland for our second 3-5-2 experiment (which can shift into a 3-4-2-1 with Sučić pushing up), with some suggested subs below the starters: