FIFA WC: One Tactical Change For Each Semi-Finalist

Croatia- Play Marcelo Brozovic

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH59-RUS-CRO

Very similarly to England, Croatia could do with an additional defensive midfielder. However, unlike England, playing Marcelo Brozovic would actually be an attacking change. In the quarter-finals against Russia, manager Zlatko Dalic perhaps got a little too complacent and decided to play striker Andrej Kramaric.

This was ineffective against Russia as both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic had to constantly drop back to prevent Russian counter-attacks. Without Brozovic, Croatia will be even more vulnerable to England whose attacking talent is fare better than that of the hosts. This would put even more defensive pressure on Modric and Rakitic, nullifying their playmaking ability.

Instead, Dalic should return to the team he played against Argentina and Denmark with Brozovic in defensive midfield. This formation has not only yielded more defensive solidity (Croatia only conceded one goal in those two games), but has also improved Croatia’s attack with Modric and Rakitic being more effective. In fact, Croatia have averaged 2.25 expected goals (a measure of the quality of chances being created) with Brozovic in the side compared to 1.53 without the midfielder. While Kramaric was effective against Russia (scoring a vital goal), Croatia would be served with him coming off the bench against the Three Lions.