World Cup 2018: 4 things Croatia could do to beat England in the semifinal

Croatia beat Russia 6-5 in penalties to qualify for the semifinals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Thus, they have already emulated the remarkable feat achieved in their dream debut in 1998 when they lost to France in the semis and finished 3rd.

However, in order to better that achievement, they would have to beat England and it is not going to be easy at all. Croatia have quite possibly been the best team in this tournament so far and managed to win all their matches, but their mettle would be further tested in the semifinal against England. They would have to hold sway in the midfield and curb the tendency of conceding soft goals.

Luka Modric continues to be Croatia’s talisman and probably remains the favorite to win the Golden Ball. He would have to inspire his again in one of the biggest matches in the history of Croatian football. However, Croatia is not at all dependent on Modric alone and have a very cohesive and solid team. We would like to have a look at 4 key factors which could enable Croatia to get the better of England:

#4 Playing a 4-1-4-1 formation:

Marcelo Brozovic

Marcelo Brozovic impressed very much in the quarter final against Russia and should start against England. He lends much-needed solidity to the Croatian defence and could be useful in containing the speed of Raheem Sterling. Croatia should play him in the defensive midfield and play a 4-1-4-1 formation with Modric and Rebic as Central attacking midfielders, Perisic and Rakitic on the flanks and Mario Mandzukic as the lone striker.

However, when in possession, they should switch to a 4-1-3-2 with Rebic joining Mandzukic in the attack and Modric surging forward. This would put pressure on the English defence with which they should struggle to cope. This strategy would also ensure Brozovic’s assuring defensive presence in the Croatian half and allow Modric to roam around freely.

Croatia also have players like Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric who could be used as substitutes. Kovacic has the ability to play box-to-box and would have relatively fresh legs as he has not been used much in the tournament so far. Kramaric scored the first goal against Russia and would like to repeat the act against England.

#2 Winning the midfield battle

Luka Modric

England are playing 2 attacking midfielders in their central midfield (Dele Alli and Jesse Lingaard) and they would have a natural tendency of moving forward. Croatia should exploit that and put pressure of Jordan Henderson, England’s holding midfielder. Modric should exploit the space with his surging runs and incisive passes to the forwards. Rebic should also fall back to increase numbers in the midfield when Croatia lose possession.

Croatia cannot afford to allow England to dictate terms in the midfield and would have to control the tempo of the game. And right now, there is none better than Luka Modric in doing that. He should inspire Croatia again in their most crucial match by winning the midfield battle.

#3 Exploiting the space left behind by England’s wingbacks

Ivan Perisic

England rely a great deal on their wing backs, especially Kieran Trippier, to generate their attacks. The Croatian side midfielders would have to get into the space behind the English wingbacks. Ivan Rakitic would tend to move into the central areas at times, but Perisic would have to make sure that he remains a constant threat through the left flank.

Perisic and Rakitic would also have to cut in from the wings at times to confront the English centre-backs who would be busy containing Mandzukic and Rebic. Rebic also has a tendency of moving to the wide areas occasionally and could combine with Perisic to trouble the English defence. His lateral movements would mean that one of the English centre backs becomes occupied with him and as a result, Mandzukic would find it easier to trouble the other two.

#4 Defending well in the set-pieces

Domagoj Vida

England would pose a constant threat from the set-pieces and the Croatian defenders would have to get their act together. Both Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren have been excellent and at the centre of Croatia’s defence but they cannot afford to concede a soft goal from the set-pieces like they did against Russia.

England scored from a corner against Sweden and earned a penalty against Colombia from another. Therefore, they would definitely like to repeat the act against Croatia. They have players like Harry Maguire, Harry Kane and John Stones who would pose a constant aerial threat. Ashley Young and Trippier’s crosses have been outstanding as well and England would definitely fancy their chances of scoring from one of those. Croatia could use the considerable physical presence of somebody like Mandzukic while defending the aerial balls in set-pieces.