Should be a great game regardless of the result. But i do hope we beat those Brits. Their media will probably talk alot of smack against us so that will give us an extra boost. Do we go into this game as underdogs?

 

we are the underdogs, which kinda plays into our advantage if the English play that way as we are much better on the counter (see Argentina match)

 

I hope we fckn destroy the Englezi... not sure about you guys but I'm disgusted in their whining and diving etc. A real turnoff to say the least.

Hope our boys are fully fit and rested as they've pretty much played an extra game this past week.

 

I say it before every game no matter whom we play against, Luka will be the best player on the field.

Him and Rakitic will control the midfield...I don't care how much the english run around like chickens with their heads off and pressing them, these two will be our main advantage.

We need to be ready for their set pieces. I watched two of their games partially, and on both their centre backs Stones and Maquire came flying in with thundering header goals. These two are big/strong and fearless in the air and we need to be ready. Yesterday's goal in ot, our defending was horrific, Mandzo in particular just stood there (yes I realize he was dead but he has to do better).

If there ever was a game for Perisic to stand up and deliver, its this. He has to be aggressive and a bit selfish and take his man on to open things up.

What an opportunity awaits us. 90 minutes to play the game of our lives, and we play next Sunday for a shot at the WC.

#weareCroatia roud:

 

Croatia are the better side. I think they will control the midfield and win. Shit , I have been saying this since day one that Croatia are going to the finals? ..on a srs note, England has a hot keeper going in and they do have Kane .Sterling does open things up with his speed...and he is due to score a goal!! At the end of the day...1-0, Croatia! Congrats!

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

well said Jonny B. You just earned yourself an honourary guest pass to the Croatian board. ):clap:

 

Cool, England will only get better..they have a shit of youngsters coming through ..their day will come soon..like at Euro 2020. That's my newest prediction ?

 

During the game I realized that if we play Kramaric and Mandzukic from the start we don’t have any forwards on the bench.

I think this game Brozovic will play from the start.

 

Do we have any suspended players because of yellow cards?

 

Don't think so.

 

BTW does anyone else think Vida took off his shirt thinking the game is done?

 

Nah, he was just too overjoyed. For a second I thought (as did everyone watching with me) that he was carrying a yellow and would be suspended for the semi.

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In this game Croatia needs more players to step up other then Modric who was immense against the Russians. Im waiting for Perisic to finally show up. I still can't believe he didn't score on that chance.

 

The boys are in Moscow to get ready for the Semifinal, hopefully they are done traveling which means we will stay in Moscow for the Final!





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I'm sorry but the "flaming pride" hashtag has me dying every time ahahaha #LGBT

 

That's what happens when morons run your PR.

 

As Gary Neville has said in Russia post-match, the England strenghts are also their own weaknesses. Because yes, we could be able to find some space in their 3-5-2 but also he said how we have a better midfield than them with Rakitic and Modric when they have Alli, Lingard and Henderson.

For them, this match will be a real pleasure to watch because the both teams will attack and will play with passion.

At my eyes, yes we need to be focus on some players. Especially Trippier on the right side, his runs, his calls and his delivery are always perfect. He was unknown before his arrival in the Tottenham squad but today, he's one of the best offensive right back.

Plus the Tottenham connection is hugely present in this team and we must to contain that, not let them to play and take confidence between them. With players like Alli, Dier, Kane, Trippier, Rose, or with Walker who was at Tottenham too.

So Southgate will maybe play with the same line-up as he did in their past matchs during this world cup, with Pickford - Maguire, Stones, Walker - Young, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Trippier - Kane, Sterling.

With Delph, Rashford and Dier as replacement for Young, Sterling and Henderson.

But yeah, as you said their set pieces are really dangerous and they're all coming from Trippier.

Now, this will be a real test for us because by the past, we had always some problems to play against this type of line-up (look at Mexico, who is playing the 3-5-2 too). And here the stamina aspect is at my eyes really important if we want to counter them because their players are fully fit and really fast with and without the ball. (Offensively and defensively).

The key will be to see our midfield join the attack and not let our 3 strikers alone up front. We'll need to play as a block and counter them as an unit. The croatian legs will be really heavy but this is our only chance to take a result from this match.

Plus Harry Kane is actually my favorite player out of our NT, and we need to be really worried about him because we can't let him 2cm front of him. This guy is clearly a lethal weapon and he is able to score with both foot, header, make the call, the right passes for his lads etc...

This will be really tough for me to see our NT playing against some players from my favorite team who is Tottenham...

But AJMO HRVATSKA !

 

Apparently Vrsaljko is out...

 

Yeah, i did not think he would recover in time for this match.
and even if the injury is not serious, Id rather have a fit defender playing in this match.

I think we might see Corluka starting this match.

 

Damn it. I guess Corluka and Lovren will partner up and Vida will be moved to RB. The only good thing here is it gives us an additional player who can clear set pieces, which brings me to my next point. England love their set pieces. Please for the love of God defend them well. I dont care how tired you are. Put yourself in front of someone, bother them, just dont let them have a free go like the second goal we conceded vs Russia.

 

I agree dz86.

Do you think that he would start Pivaric in this match ?

I feel we might even see Badelj...?

we need fresh legs

 

Vrsaljko loss still a bad news for us against England but Vida played few times as fullback in his career and I really think that he will be a good add on the right flank. Don't forget how the Russians have conceded the Vida goal on corner. This corner came from a run and a pass from Vida in the box when he played in Vrsaljko place.

I truly believe that a player can be awesome/epic in an another position, only if the player is really determinated to win and give all his energy on the pitch. And Vida is this kind of player. He's not the best player in the world but, one thing is always present in this guy, this is his huge passion for football and his country !

And as DZ has said just before, Corluka presence will be really important on England set pieces.

Now, if we're playing with Vida as RB, we need a guy front of him, who's able to help him by a good cover. And if Perisic is present in our line-up against England, he'll be obligated to move his ass and give all because I don't want to see again a Perisic out form or half concerned by the defensive aspect etc...

Because, yes I trust in Vida strenghts and passion but if we start the game with Strinic and Vida on the wings, Perisic MUST to be ready to help, defend, cover, run, move !

I don't want to see our boys losing this match only by the lack of effort from Perisic. He need to take example on Rebic ! The kid give simply all his energy in every single move or replacement, and I really want to see that from Perisic.

As I said in my previous post, we need to play as an unit offensively and defensively. And our wingers Perisic and Rebic must to be ready and in good form if we want to win this game, because the England weakness is there when they're losing the ball. They're playing very high and Young/Trippier are playing very nearly of the sideline.

We need to be lethal on our counter, this will be the key ! It's over the strike on the post... This is a Semi-Final !

If after 45 mins Perisic is shity again, I want to see Dalic drop him at the half time for Pjaca.

Actually up front, we have Mandzukic and Rebic who are working for 3 or 4 players with their intensives runs/pressing/calls. When in the same time Perisic is totally nowhere...

If you want to broke this negative feeling around you and show at everybody how good you are. This is your time Ivan. AJMO !

 

Vrsaljko loss still a bad news for us against England but Vida played few times as fullback in his career and I really think that he will be a good add on the right flank. Don't forget how the Russians have conceded the Vida goal on corner. This corner came from a run and a pass from Vida in the box when he played in Vrsaljko place.

I truly believe that a player can be awesome/epic in an another position, only if the player is really determinated to win and give all his energy on the pitch. And Vida is this kind of player. He's not the best player in the world but, one thing is always present in this guy, this is his huge passion for football and his country !

And as DZ has said just before, Corluka presence will be really important on England set pieces.

Now, if we're playing with Vida as RB, we need a guy front of him, who's able to help him by a good cover. And if Perisic is present in our line-up against England, he'll be obligated to move his ass and give all because I don't want to see again a Perisic out form or half concerned by the defensive aspect etc...

Because, yes I trust in Vida strenghts and passion but if we start the game with Strinic and Vida on the wings, Perisic MUST to be ready to help, defend, cover, run, move !

I don't want to see our boys losing this match only by the lack of effort from Perisic. He need to take example on Rebic ! The kid give simply all his energy in every single move or replacement, and I really want to see that from Perisic.

As I said in my previous post, we need to play as an unit offensively and defensively. And our wingers Perisic and Rebic must to be ready and in good form if we want to win this game, because the England weakness is there when they're losing the ball. They're playing very high and Young/Trippier are playing very nearly of the sideline.

We need to be lethal, this is the key ! It's over the strike on the post... This is a Semi-Final !

If after 45 mins Perisic is shity again, I want to see Dalic drop him at the half time for Pjaca.

Actually up front, we have Mandzukic and Rebic who are working for 3 or 4 players with their intensives runs/pressing/calls. When in the same time Perisic is totally nowhere...

This is your time Ivan. If you want to broke this negative feeling around you and show at everybody how good you are. AJMO !

Well said Dalmate.
This match has to be Perisics finest hour. For the life of me , I cannot understand what is going with him ? Is it because Strinic is so terrible, he is coming back to defend all the time?
But, he was subbed out twice! He is simply lacking that spark he used to have!

 

Corluka as an added body to defend their aerial strength might turn out to be a blessing in disguise...though if we make the final, am hoping Sime is back...

The key to this game for me is Perisic. He must attack one on one and show some interest.

We know what we will get in Luka and Rakitic, that's a given and no doubt the english will be marking them closely.

And does Mandzo have enough left in the tank to take on those meatheads at the back for england, in stones and macquire? I think so, but you know Mandzo was dying last game....

This will be a great one.

 

mandzukic

perisic modric rakitic rebic

brozovic

strinic corluka lovren vida

is what we will probably see.

thinking back to my earlier post, maybe strinic is terrible because of perisic??? meaning, he doesn't come back to defend and leaves strinic to fend for himself?? I have to re-watch the games, but I believe against Nigeria we saw an OK Perisic, thus an OK Strinic as well. (or maybe the opposition was weaker.)

But as dz86 said, a win is a win. If its ugly , ill take it as well.

 

Not the end of the world with Vida at RB. They’re so dangerous on set pieces another defender should help.

Perisic is the key. The man is bound to play a good game this tournament!

 

For some reason Perisic is afraid to do what he usually loves to do and is good at which is take on defenders, cut in and shoot or put in a cross. It's come at very small snippets but man 2014-2016 Perisic would be bloody great to have right now. And on the other side we have Rebic rag-dolling the opposing defenders.

Maybe Perisic is helping alot on defence and using his energy on that, however it is strange that he was capable of running like crazy for 90 minutes not too long ago. Why the sudden change? Maybe someone should ask Dalic what the problem is.

 

Is there a danger of Perisic actually being dropped & playing a front 3 of Mandzo, Krama & Rebic? Is Dalic seeing any signs of the old Perisic in training to give him the starting spot or does he save him for a run later in the game against tired legs?

I think he will stick with the team as per Tudja's post, the only thing maybe saving Perisic is that Kramaric hasn't been in irresistible form either.

 

Vida won't attack from deep the way Vrsaljko does, and with Strinic on the opposite side, we'll have two defensively minded full backs which I think is limiting. Begs the question, does Dalic start with Pivaric or does he go with a more conservative approach given how strong England is down their right hand side?

 

good point Sulla,

we also might see:

vida lovren corluka pivaric

in the back.

But as Zelja stated, we might see Perisic come off the bench if needed! I wouldnt put it pass Dalic to do this.

 

Thinking about this some more, I am very hesitant about breaking up the Vida-Lovren partnership that's done pretty well so far. With Charlie we gain additional strength in the air, calmness & would be better playing out from the but probably can't play a higher line. Also as Sulla said, Vida is limited going forward which will affect the wingers in front of him. Real left field solution: play Kovacic at right back. Crazy?

 

Thinking about this some more, I am very hesitant about breaking up the Vida-Lovren partnership that's done pretty well so far. With Charlie we gain additional strength in the air, calmness & would be better playing out from the but probably can't play a higher line. Also as Sulla said, Vida is limited going forward which will affect the wingers in front of him. Real left field solution: play Kovacic at right back. Crazy?

Perisic?

Yeah, that is not crazy at all to try an another type of player in this position, like Kovacic, Brozovic, Badelj or maybe Jedvaj with a fully training ahead of the clash against England. Exactly as Zidane has done with Real Madrid and Lucas Vasquez in Carvajal replacement for the RB position during a CL match.

But this choice is 50/50, this one could be a miracle or a total disaster.

And as you said, break the partnership between Vida-Lovren could be delicate to play with. And Charlie needs time, because he needs to find his role and his positioning in this team.

 

I've told many people that "we go as Perisic goes" and up until now we really didn't use much of his service since he's not been his usual self in a long time. I honestly believe he can be the difference for us and provide a huge life-line in a game where it appears as if we are gonna be somewhat fatigued (I hope I'm wrong) and have to deal with some injuries.

 

Vrsaljko is out till the end or he would be back if we reach the final?

 

He had his medical tests in the afternoon, we'll know the final result maybe later in the day or tomorrow. We will see !