Croat courage vs French efficiency
Croatia eye a first, while France look to atone for 2016 European Championship final loss at home
MOSCOW: The fact that Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer are the only men ever to win the World Cup as player and then coach is testament to how rare a feat it is. Rudi Voeller is the other one who came close, eventually losing the 2002 final to Brazil as Germany coach.
On Sunday night, Didier Deschamps has the chance to join Zagallo and Beckenbauer when France face Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final here at the Luzhniki Stadium. France are the favourites as per the bookies and after an impressive campaign, it is hard to argue against that.
Deschamps’ side hasn’t been the most pleasing side to watch; they have often been conservative against opponents and headed into games with the intention of curtailing the strengths of their foes instead of playing to their own. But the former Marseille coach has managed to put together a highly effective unit that identifies weaknesses of their rivals and pounces on them.
For Deschamps and France, Sunday also represents a shot at redemption after the team lost the final of the 2016 European championship to Portugal in Paris.
In six games so far, Deschamps has fielded predictable line-ups barring the opener. With the central midfield trio of Paul Pogba, N’golo Kante and Matuidi, France have been able to increase the pace when required.
Both Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have been lethal at times with forward Olivier Giroud playing a supporting role.
There is unlikely to be a change on Sunday, with Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Hernandez expected to line up as defenders in front of custodian Hugo Lloris. However, it is the team’s ability to adapt quickly that will cause a few concerns for Croatia who could be the first new winners since Spain in 2010.
Croatia have been the surprise package. Despite boasting of a very strong squad, the Croats weren’t seen as title contenders, not even after they picked Argentina apart. However, since the league phase, Croatia have laboured to victories, scraping past Denmark and Russia on penattitude,”
alties and beating England in extra-time.
The extended knockout round encounters have taken a toll on the squad – both Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Strinic had picked up knocks during their bruising semi-final. Ivan Perisic too is said to be battling a thigh injury.
According to coach Zlatko Dalic, changing his line-up shouldn’t be a cause for worry in case fitness issues come to the fore ahead of the final. “One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell me if they are not 100 % fit. They will concede and say they are not fit. They know what is at stake, but if they are unable to give their all they will tell us. They have such an
he said on Saturday.
Luka Modric has run the show this summer for Croatia. The diminutive midfielder leads what is being dubbed as Croatia’s ‘golden generation’, with some prominent names such as Ivan Rakitic, Perisic and Mandzukic, among others, part of the side.
And the generation has delivered well so far. However, with the world’s biggest prize in football there for the taking, there is no doubt that they will be fighting France with their entire might to try and take the trophy home.
“I would definitely leave my football boots behind on Monday if that was the price I had to pay to win for my country, to win for Croatia,” said Rakitic on Friday.