Croatia are a force to be reckoned with
By Aman Sridhar
Croatia took apart Argentina with confidence and ease. After a fairly underwhelming Euros, Croatia look like they mean business this time round.
Croatia faced their biggest test so far against Argentina, but passed with flying colors. After Iceland beautifully nullified the threat posed by Lionel Messi and co., many expected Croatia to set up similarly.
They were wrong.
In the first half, they played a defensive game, ceding possession to Argentina. They defended like a unit throughout and covered any space between the lines. They outnumbered and surrounded Messi and the lack of service to him was due to their defensive discipline.
The Croatian players looked more settled and relaxed than their frantic opponents. Both teams looked shaky at the back in the first half, but it was the Croatians who gathered themselves faster.
They came out with the same degree of togetherness they had in the first half and it didn’t take long for them to take the lead. Croatia’s patience led to Argentina’s mistake. Less than eight minutes into the second half, they were in front courtesy of a dreadful Willy Cabellero error.
Croatia played their game, and waited for Argentina to implode. It was almost as if they knew that Argentina would self-destruct. After taking the lead you could sense the shackles were off. Ivan Perisic, whose stallion-like running posed a constant threat in the first half, looked even more menacing in the second. He tormented Marcos Acuna and Nicolas Otamendi with his relentless pressing and direct running.
As Argentina got more chaotic in their play, Croatia began toying with them. Luka Modric took control in the center of the park, Marcelo Brozovic dictated play from slightly higher and Ivan Rakitic made a few more forward runs.
This combination could be key to Croatia’s success.
Rakitic and Brozovic start side by side, but as the game goes on they are both given a bit more freedom. Brozovic plays as the deep-lying playmaker, Rakitic plays box-to-box and Modric orchestrates everything else. They have the freedom to roam about and switch positions between themselves. It’s hard enough for teams to keep one quiet, but keeping all of them down is a monumental task.
The skill and talent present in the midfield suits both a counter-attacking and possession-based style of play. Mario Mandzukic is the perfect target man for the team. He is tenacious and throws his body on the line. What he lacks in pace he makes up for in sheer willpower. Should Croatia need to counter, a pass for Mandzukic to flick on combined with the pace of Ante Rebic and Perisic will keep all defenders on their toes.
Against Nigeria, Croatia were dominant from the start. Yes, they were up against a very underwhelming Nigeria team who never really tried, but they needed to do a job; and they did it.
With arguably the best midfield in the world, taking control and dominating games shouldn’t be a challenge for the likes of Modric and Rakitic.
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Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic has said that he will rest players for the game against Iceland. This is an indicator about just how confident they are. In all likelihood, Croatia will probably top the group even if they lose to Iceland.
With players like Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Milan Badelj, Tin Jedvaj and Marko Pjaca on the bench, it’s not as if Croatia lack squad depth. This game will be a good chance for these players to test themselves, and for the manager to establish a Plan B or C.
Croatia will most likely play Denmark — a side that have been average, and lucky, so far — in the round of 16. If they win, France are the most likely opponent in the quarterfinals.
France may have better odds than Croatia to progress, but it’s going to be a stern test for a functional French side that haven’t quite lived up to expectations yet.
Croatia have been and should continue to play with calm swagger. France might have to take the game into their hands, but it’s likely Croatia will be just as good against them as they were against Argentina.
With talented players, a clever head coach, squad depth and a game plan that works, Croatia have got everything in their locker to become the first side not billed as a favorite to win the World Cup.