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

#4 Defending well in the set-pieces

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.

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