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

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

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.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sripad