the reasons for Croatia’s possible fiasco

A difficult digestion of the 2018 World Cup

A small country of 4 million inhabitants, Croatia has nevertheless succeeded in establishing itself in thirty years as one of the flagship countries of the round ball with a semi-final at the 1998 World Cup and the final of the 2018 World Cup. Interfering among the historic nations, the Vatreni have also qualified for 11 tournaments out of the 13 participations that were possible for them since the country’s independence. However, passing close to a world title was a disappointment that was difficult to digest. This was seen directly with a last place in the 2019 Nations League against Spain and England. Last and swept 6-0 by La Roja, the Croats were also non-existent in their 2021 Nations League group by snatching their maintenance of a difference goal against Sweden and losing twice against Portugal and France . The Croatian results for three years in the big matches confirm a real difficulty to re-engage the machine.

Disappointing executives

If we refer to the Croatian eleven lined up in the World Cup final, things have changed a lot. If Danijel Subasic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Strinic and Ivan Rakitic have either stopped their international careers or stopped their careers altogether, there are still many executives. Nevertheless, they are aging with Ivan Perišić (32 years old), Luka Modric (35 years old), Domagoj Vida (32 years old) and Dejan Lovren (31 years old) who are already in their thirties while Šime Vrsaljko (29 years old), Marcelo Brozović (28 years old) and Ante Rebić (27 years old) do not necessarily have a similar performance in selection than with their club. Since the start of the Euro, the defense has shown real weaknesses in the recovery and in the duels. Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren are far from their best years. If Ivan Perisic remains reliable in the Croatian jersey and scored his team’s only goal in this competition, Ante Rebic was really disappointing with a big miss against the Czech Republic (1-1). In the midfield, Luka Modric still has some flashes on the start of the competition, but Marcelo Brozović and Mateo Kovacic who accompanied him missed their start to the tournament. The satisfactions are rather meager for the moment.

Long weak times and a failing environment

What emerges from Croatia’s first two matches is much the same situation with a disastrous first period suffering from the opponents’ play and a slight reaction before half-time and in the second half. This inability to exist over 90 minutes is plaguing the competition of Croatia and the checkered selection can only blame itself. Often crushed in midfield, whether by England or the Czech Republic, Croatia does not yet have the formula. With midfielders such as Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic or Milan Badelj, the observation is terribly difficult.

An attack at half mast

In 2018, Croatia had scored 14 goals in 7 matches and had shown consistency and efficiency against opposing goals. For the moment, it is much more complicated from an offensive point of view. With only 2 shots on target per match on average for the moment, Croatia has the 21st team in terms of this record during Euro 2020 since only England, Finland and Slovakia are doing worse. This difficulty in obtaining clear chances is felt with in particular a difficulty for three years to replace Mario Mandzukic. Ante Rebic clearly did not manage to be visible on this start of the competition and Andrej Kramaric, who plays lower than at Hoffenheim, is also having difficulties. This lack of presence in the area, but also the lack of offensive connection is glaring. Bruno Petkovic, who shone in qualifying, could be a solution, but he only had to settle for comebacks (57 minutes).

Talented young people, but not well integrated

If the older generation embodied by Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren are slowly approaching the end, Croatia still has young talents. Unfortunately, their treatment at the start of the competition is rather poorly done. Propelled holder against England in the first match when he had only 45 minutes in the legs with Croatia, the young Josko Gvardiol (19) caught fire in the face of the English onslaught and a boosted Phil Foden in his lane . If he had trouble getting into his tournament, he then raised his head. However, conditions were not the most optimal for the RB Leipzig player. However, he is doing better than Duje Caleta-Car. Rather serious against England, the Olympique de Marseille player was shelved in favor of Dejan Lovren. A strange choice as it presented the best arrangements among the Croatian central at the start of the tournament. In addition, the first Croatian revival experienced a lot of problems in its absence against Czechia. Alternating between holder and replacement since the 2018 World Cup, the Phocéen has not obtained the continuity that is necessary for him to truly establish himself in his team. A situation similar to that of Josip Brekalo. Alternating between a few meager starts and entries into the game as a luxury joker, the Wolfsburg winger is also affected by the choices of Zlatko Dalic.

The Nikola Vlasic mystery

Clearly one of the best Croatian players in the selection during the last three years, Nikola Vlasic has not started any match. The one who has 5 goals and 2 assists in 24 capes and who was crucial in qualifying found himself on the bench in preparation and made two entries in this Euro against England (1-0) and the Czech Republic (1-1). A fairly low playing time of 48 minutes which questions. Especially since his entries were rather interesting with a big opportunity against the Czech Republic which could have ended in the back of the net. The speeches are quite contradictory around its state of form. Coach Zlatko Dalic reckons he is not 100% physically while the player has explained he feels ready. In a Croatian team that is lacking in ideas, he is typically the style of player who can unleash the attacking play of the Vatreni and bring a bond into the game.

Zlatko Dalic on the dock

Arrived as a firefighter in October 2017 on the Croatian bench, Zlatko Dalic relaunched the team by snatching a ticket for the 2018 World Cup and taking the Vatreni to the final. Has good credit, it has been exhausting it for three years. With rather irregular results and a rather uneven game, the former coach of Al-Ain is strongly criticized in the country. Between quite surprising choices, coaching often in reaction and not in proactivity, Zlatko Dalic is especially insistently announced on the side of Fenerbahçe. A file which does not really bring serenity around the Croatian selection.

The curse of the finalist

It won’t be an excuse, but Croatia are following the path of the hapless World Cup finalists. Thus, Italy in 1996, Germany in 2004, France in 2008 and the Netherlands in 2012 were eliminated in the group stage of one Euro while they were decked out with the status of vice-world champion. . So as not to be the fifth European country in a row to be an unhappy finalist in a World Cup and go out the back door at the next Euro, Croatia is therefore doomed to victory on Tuesday against Scotland. A meeting that has all the trap for the Vatreni of Luka Modric.