DEAD-BALL SKILLS
Modric says England’s set-piece prowess is the biggest danger to Croatia’s final hope
LUKA MODRIC has admitted England’s success from set-pieces is a major concern for Croatia ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final clash.
Gareth Southgate’s side have proved scored eight times from dead-balls – the most at a World Cup since Portugal in 1966.
Of England’s 11 goals in Russia only three have come from open play – proof of their prowess when it comes to corners, free-kicks, and penalties.
Against that backdrop, Croatia captain Modric admitted his side will spend the days leading up to the semi-final working on how to nullify England’s threat.
“They’re very dangerous on set-pieces,” said Modric (right). “They have players like Harry Maguire, Harry Kane (below, scoring against Tunisia), John Stones (left, scoring against Panama) and others, who are very strong.
“You can see they have been working hard on set-pieces – that’s why they’re scoring so much.
“We have to pay attention to those details and hopefully we’ll do better than we did against Russia in that way.
“England are looking strong as a team and we’re going to have to pay attention to those details, because we conceded a goal against Russia we shouldn’t have.
“But we have to kill games earlier. We were a much better team than Russia, especially in the second half and extratime, but we cannot do without drama, it seems.”
Modric, 32, who spent four years at Tottenham before joining Real Madrid in 2012, believes England’s success in reaching the last four is down to a new-found unity within Southgate’s squad.
“It seems they’re more like a team,” said Modric.
“They have this togetherness that’s very important to have success.
“There are two very good teams playing well and it’s going to be an interesting match.”
Modric reckons there
is more pressure on England than Croatia. “With England, it’s always pressure,” he added.
“Both teams have a lot of pressure to arrive in the final, so we’ll see.
“Maybe there is a bit more pressure on them, but we also have a lot and we want to take that pressure.
“We know what Croatia is expecting from us and, more importantly, we know what we are expecting from ourselves.”
Since Modric (right) made a £30million switch from North London to the Spanish captial he has won four Champions League titles and developed into one of the world’s most accomplished playmakers. He said it will be “special” to play against England, given the time he spent in the Premier League.
“It is always special playing against England,” said Modric. “They’re a great team, doing a great tournament, like us.
“They’re suffering less, but showed against Sweden the great quality they have and we’re expecting a tough match – but we will be ready.
“We have less time than England to recover for the semi-final, but I’m sure that we will recover well.
“We’ll find extra motivation, the extra everything – what is necessary for these games.”