Croatia 90 Minutes Away from History against Hungry Lions
This evening at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Zlatko Dalic is unlikely to be surprised by Gareth Southgate’s team selection as the second semi final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup between Croatia and England begins at 7pm Nigerian time.
England has no reported injury concerns and Southgate is not expected to depart from the consistent starting XI he has maintained to this stage.
The Three Lions have shown they can adapt to the different styles of play they faced here at Russia 2018 and against a Croatia with a robust midfield, they’ll focus on containing and overcoming Luka Modric and his dangerous middlemen.
Croatia believes it can deal with Harry Kane after ‘stopping Messi’ in the group stages. Dalic also undoubtedly believes in his team, but how much more energy do his players have left? The Vatreni have played 240 minutes in six days and exhausted players pose the biggest problem for the Croatia coach.
Also, Dalic’s side has scored nine goals so far, with eight different goal scorers contributing. That is great for Dalic, but the coach is undoubtedly looking for a greater contribution from his forwards for this team to surpass the feat of their 1998 ‘Golden Generation.’
England on the other hand has been one of the surprise packages at the 2018 finals, earning their semis ticket with a 2-0 win over Sweden in Samara on Saturday. Goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli – as well as a couple of excellent saves from Jordan Pickford – secured their place in the final four for the first time since 1990.
Southgate’s ‘Three Lions’ have shown tactical flexibility, athleticism, speed and a fine defensive discipline in their campaign, and they will fancy their chances of securing victory in the Russian capital city.
The England manager says his team has a chance to become heroes in the same vein as their legendary 1966 team.
“We’ve talked, touched briefly, certainly, on the team which won,” said Southgate. “How they’re still held and revered.
“(It was) at the beginning of working together with the lads and trying to sell them the vision of what’s possible, what we’re looking to achieve in the long-term. “We have had events on in camp when some of those guys have been in, when the road was named at St George’s (Park) after Sir Alf.
“I’ve met quite a few of those players and we know exactly how they’re held and perhaps, in the modern era, that would be even crazier.”
While Luka Modric will once again be key for Croatia in his ability to dictate the play, the Eastern Europeans will also need Dejan Lovren to be at his best against Harry Kane – the defender was famously pulled off while playing for Liverpool against Kane’s Tottenham in the previous season and will be eager to avoid a repeat.