Croatia hopes to make some personal history by qualifying for their second-consecutive FIFA World Cup finals by defeating Argentina. See Last Word on Football’s Croatia Predicted Lineup for their massive World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina.
Croatia Predicted Lineup vs Argentina
DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 12: Luka Modric of Croatia and teammates train during the Croatia Training Session at Al Erssal Training Site on December 12, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
How Croatia Have Lined-up Recently
Croatia has walked a very tightrope all throughout the Qatar World Cup, but showcased impressive resolve and character to save themselves from the jaws of elimination. What started from surviving an onslaught against Belgium to make it out of the groups to defeating Japan and Brazil on penalties after going behind in both games, Zlatko Dalic’s side has shown an immense never-give-up attitude.
The person playing a major role in their inspirational run is captain Luka Modric, who at the age of 37, is still going strong. He’s been the backbone of the team, adding energy, experience, and creativity to the midfield. Modric is flanked by the efficient Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, who provides more rigidity to the backline.
Croatia’s backline and brilliant goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic have been their success story. The same backline that was able to keep a clean sheet in 90 minutes against Brazil is almost guaranteed to start against Argentina. In the front line, Ivan Perisic is a thorn in & around the penalty area with his clever crosses and finishing. Andrej Kramaric is lively in the final third and Mario Pasalic’s versatility helps add more depth to their side.
Croatia Recent Form
Before beginning their World Cup campaign, Croatia had played nine games in the calender year of 2022 in preparation for the major competition. They won six out of those games, losing just one game, and had a lot of momentum on their side heading into the World Cup.
But all that momentum was vanquished in the opening game, where they just about manage to scrape through a goalless draw against a fearless Morocco side. In the second game, Croatia was able to get back to winning ways with a big 4-1 win over Canada, meaning they only needed a point against Belgium to get past the group stages.
They needed lady luck’s help in the game against Belgium, with the Red Devils completely dominating them. It took at least four clear-cut misses from Romelu Lukaku to help get to the knockout stages. Croatia faced an inspired Japan side in the Round of 16 and had to come back from being a goal down, forcing a penalty shootout where Livakovic proved to be the hero.
After a goalless draw in the first 90 minutes against Brazil, they saw themselves falling behind in extra time. However, Bruno Petkovic scored a stunning equalizer to force penalties again – where Livakovic turned out to be their hero for the second successive game and take them to the semi-finals. That brings us to what will be a great watch against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Croatia Tactics in Defence
Croatia hasn’t really played the most luxurious or attractive brand of football at the World Cup. They haven’t really promoted themselves as one to play such a style either. In their five games so far, they’ve only scored six goals – which included four against Canada. Dalic has emphasized more on grinding out results than dominating opposition sides.
They have embraced their stance as one of the underdogs in the competition. Croatia’s biggest asset has been their brilliant defensive structure and the unity within the side. The centre-backs Dejan Loven and young gun Josko Gvardiol have been immovable pillars at the back. Gvardiol, in particular, has been among their best players and bullied some of the best strikers with his aggressive, efficient defensive style.
Josip Juranovic and Borna Sosa have maintained impressive concentration and done a lot of good work in neutralizing the threat from the wings. But Croatia is not about individuals, because the entire team defends together. Perisic and Pasalic work double-time to give more protection to the full-backs, while the trio of Modric-Brozovic-Kovacic all drop very deep when having to defend and maintain a tight shape to ensure there is very little space for opponents to manoeuvre through.
Croatia’s Attacking Tactics
When it comes to attacking, Croatia has heavily depended on counter-attacks. They often try to draw out the opposition side’s players and force their defenders to come high up, so that they can break through effectively. Perisic, Pasalic, Kramaric, and even Nikola Vlasic always look to dart forward into the opposition’s half while the midfielders try to send them through with clever through balls.
Their target man Bruno Petkovic is perfect in his job, holding-up play just about enough to allow his fellow forwards to get into their prime attacking areas. He’s also used his physicality to trouble defenders and showcased his impressive finishing ability against Brazil. To win the Argentina vs Croatia battle, the Europeans have to be perfect with their counter-attacks, because anything else will result in failure.
This Argentina side isn’t one to make mistakes or give them much space to operate in. They need to take their chances clinically and can’t afford to waste anything. Modric has to bring his best game to the table in stopping Leo Messi. Livakovic has to become a superhero again to save whatever is thrown at him and try to force another penalty shootout.
Croatia Injuries to Consider
Zlatko Dalic has a fully fit squad to choose from but will be aware that his players will be quite exhausted after having played 120+ minutes of football in their last two games. He’ll have to hope they have just about enough to grind out two more games.
Croatia Predicted Lineup
Dominik Livakovic, Josip Jurakovic, Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic, Bruno Petkovic
From LASTWORDONSPORTS
