Croatia would not have any direct options for scoring goals in Argentina vs. Croatia (Semifinal) at 12.30 a.m. on Tuesday at Lusail Stadium. They lack a world-class striker or an incisive frontline capable of creating one thing out of nothing. They haven’t demonstrated any unique capacity to create from width or reliability from set items.
However, none of their competitors at this year’s World Cup have taken pleasure in playing against them. Not even Brazil, the overwhelming favorite going into the tournament. Who was held to a 1-1 draw and lost in the quarterfinals on penalties. Although Brazil’s intricate attacking play is full of skill, it may not harm Croatia’s engine.
It appeared to be a heroically resilient performance. Dominik Livakovic stopped 11 shots. They kept Casemiro out of the midfield and prevented the ball from reaching Vinicius Jr… On the left wing by pressing the left side of the defense higher up the field. Both examples of smart sports management from coach Zlatko Dalic. However, Dalic had a unique perspective on the circumstances that led to his team’s upset victory.
“I referenced various events that Croatia has the ideal midfield on this planet,” he referenced post-match. ” I think the best part of our team is the midfield because they kept possession and stopped our opponents. The efficiency of this Croatian team’s midfield trio of Luka Modric. Mateo Kovacic, and Marcelo Brozovic are crucial to its success. They don’t sit deep and make heroic challenges or interventions to prevent the opposition from creating opportunities; rather, they just keep them off the ball.
The trio competes for possession not to exert pressure or pose a constant threat of attack. But rather to control the pace. Even in the face of a team as skilled as Brazil, Croatia’s midfield ensures that the game is played at Croatia’s pace regardless of the outcome. Holding the ball, in contrast to the majority of other possession-based teams, is more of a defensive strategy than an offensive one.
According to FIFA statistics, the two teams had exactly equal possession during the quarterfinal. Compared to Brazil’s 111 receptions between the midfield and defense, Croatia had 131, so despite Brazil creating more opportunities, Croatia bypassed their midfield 20 more times. The opponents can create opportunities through bursts of ingenuity – it would be difficult to find a burst higher than Neymar’s goal in extra time – but not through constant pressure or outplaying them in midfield.
Because they refuse to give up possession or territory, Croatia is content to play the entire match in the middle third of the field. The midfield trio’s pure method and stability are more impressive than their ferocious athleticism. Brozovic plays the deepest role, tying together attack and defense with quick passing to keep the team moving along and allowing him to intercept balls that try to get past the midfield.
Kovacic plays a little bit more forward and appreciates space like few other players in his position do. He is always able to switch sides and move the ball from midfield to attack and withstand pressure while dribbling. After that, Luka Modric might be involved. The winner of the 2018 Ballon D’or is probably one of the best technicians in his field.
The game seems to play out entirely in his head. With him dropping deep to get the ball and keeping possession to stop an opponent’s attack, moving ahead by beating a few players and making inch-perfect passes, putting from a long-range, and making late runs into the field. Always invigorated and never inactive.
Their flimsy spot is that all of the midfield executives, don’t have the individual mastery to undermine going for it. Instead, they play the prepared game, controlling the pace, getting ready for the best chance, conserving power for more time, and changing all of their penalties. They have lost only one of their last nine games.
Which was against France in the final of the 2018 World Cup. Eight of those games have gone past 90 minutes. Next up is Argentina, who have changed their midfield midway through the tournament and dropped Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park to teach more control. Unlike Brazil, Argentina will play Croatia one-on-one in the midfield.
They have improved sport by sport and appear more settled than they did at the beginning of the match. However, for individual inspiration, a lot of their attacking play has relied on Lionel Messi, and he has delivered. The main question is: with Croatia’s capacity to baffle their resistance through midfield, will that continue to be adequate?