5 Talking Points from the UEFA Nations League Matches

5. Croatia needs to start the transition process soon

Croatia reached the finals of the 2018 World Cup and was led by the tournament's Golden Ball winner Luka Modric. This was the best generation of footballers which Croatia had produced since the 1998 World Cup third-place finishers. The team was having the solid core of Modric and Ivan Rakitic in midfield with Ivan Perisic, Ante Rebic, and Mario Mandzukic leading the attack. Dejan Lovren and Domagoj Vida, along with Marcelo Brozovic in the defensive midfield were a rock at the back.

Spain v Croatia - UEFA Nations League A

But, since then Mandzukic has retired, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic still have a few years but will be four years older by the next World Cup. Clearly, they have to stop relying on these historical players and start thinking about the future. The new goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic did not instill much confidence whereas Ivan Santini, the center-forward replacement had a bad day against Spain as well. The likes of Milan Badelj and Marko Pjaca have been on the periphery and need to test out against better opposition regularly if Croatia is to maintain their position in the next Euros and World Cup.

While Rakitic and Perisic will still be around, a newer generation of football players from the youth setup needs to be given chances. New players playing at the highest level consistently with more experienced players will be exactly what Croatia needs in the future.