STYLE OF PLAY

Didier Deschamps FRANCE COACH

In his position, Deschamps primarily excelled at impeding the opposition’s attacking movements as a defensive midfielder, and was capable of subsequently starting up attacking plays and distributing the ball to teammates once he won back possession, leading to him being derisively nicknamed “the water-carrier” by former France teammate Eric Cantona, who implied that Deschamps’s primary contribution to the national team was to retrieve the ball and pass it forward to “more talented” players. Deschamps’s ability to perform this role was made possible due to his high work-rate, tenacity, stamina, reliable distribution, and his efficacy at pressing and tackling opponents. He also had an excellent positional and organizational sense, and was known for his tactical intelligence, versatility, and his leadership as a footballer.

Zlatko Dalić CROATIA COACH

The prospect of facing France in the World Cup final on Sunday would wait as Croatia celebrated an historic first appearance in football’s showpiece event. Dalic’s men saw off England in extra-time at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, when they bounced back from Kieran Trippier’s fifth-minute opener to eventually triumph 2-1. Mario Mandzukic grabbed the decisive goal in the second period of additional time. The victory ensured Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time, where they will take on France on Sunday in a repeat of the 1998 semifinal. Croatia lost that encounter 2-1 before going on to secure bronze – until Wednesday their best performance at a global finals. Asked about facing France, Dalic, the former Al Ain manager, said: “There is no weakness in a team that is in the final. They are a top-drawer team with fantastic players. But we are going to discuss France tomorrow. We’re taking it step by step.