Croatia’s team boss Zlatko Dalic announced – as was to be expected – a more offensive approach than in the 0: 1 against the English. Luka Modric is said to be a key player. Although already 35 years old, the Real Madrid midfielder is still the be-all and end-all of the Croatian team with 138 caps.
“He has a lot of experience and knows how to play big tournaments,” said Dalic of his strategist. Modric, who was named the best player in the World Cup three years ago in Russia and subsequently also a world footballer, should continue to inspire the team.
Group D, second matchday
Friday, 6 p.m., live on ORF1:
Croatia – Czech Republic
Glasgow, Hampden Park, SR Del Cerro Grande (ESP)
Possible setups:
Croatia: Livakovic – Vrsaljko, Caleta-Car, Vida, Gvardiol – Modric, Vlasic, Kovacic – Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic
Czech Republic: Vaclik – Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril – Kral, Soucek – Masopust, Darida, Jankto – Schick
No Croatian man marking for Schick
Croatia of course still lives on the laurels from back then. From the last twelve games since September last year, only three wins – two of them against Malta and Cyprus – have been recorded. The opponents were not only France, Belgium and Portugal, but also Armenia and Slovenia. The Croatian media hopefully listed that the national team had never lost the second group game at an EM or World Cup.
The Croatians don’t want to pay particular attention to Patrik Schick. The Czech center forward stunned the 2-0 win against Scotland with a dream goal almost from the center line. Croatia’s assistant coach Vedran Corluka confirmed that there would be no man marking against the Bayer Leverkusen striker. You want to concentrate more on your own performance. “We have problems in the final third of the field, we don’t create enough chances. We’re working hard to change that, ”said Corluka.
The Czech Republic can play on the counterattack
With the Czechs everything was fine after a successful start. It can be expected that the team will launch counter-attacks from a secured defensive position. “Croatia needs the three points after the defeat, they will attack. We have an idea how we will play against them, ”said goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, who was strong in the opening game.
Bringing Modric under control is a key to success, said Ondrej Celustka: “He’s the brain in your game.” But the defender also said: “You have a few other offensive players who act at a high level.” With players like Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic and Ante Rebic certainly have plenty of potential.
