In 2018, Croatia almost climbed to the top of world soccer in Russia with the art of soccer intertwined with perseverance and finesse, making the "Balkan magician" Modric achieve legendary success, breaking the hegemony of "Mei Luo" and winning the Ballon d'Or. As time goes by, three years have passed, and the veterans beside Magic Flute, such as Rakitic and Mandzukic, are fading away, the team's new and old have become the key words. To play the Croatian Rhapsody again, it is never easy.
Manager Dalic, who rose to fame in 2018, chose to stay loyal to his country despite having received high offers. Last summer, he extended his contract until the end of 2022 and will lead the team in this year's Europa League and the Qatar International Cup. The international runner-up's excellent knockout stage record and locker room leadership will be a strong support for the team in the big games.
In terms of staffing, Croatia bid farewell to core players such as goalkeeper Subasic, center back Ćorluka, midfielder Rakitić and striker Mandžukić. As the best of the Eastern European youth training, Croatia is not short of fresh blood. Livakovic is expected to pick up the first goal, and Marseille's Charletta Czar is expected to be the pillar of the defense, replacing veteran Vida and partnering Lovren in central defense. Vrsaljko continues to occupy the right side, while on the left, Ligue 1 champions Lille's Bradaric and Soviet Premier League table-topping left-back Barisic are competing to take over from Strinic.
The midfield is undoubtedly the heart of the team in Dalic's 4231 formation. Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic, all play key roles in the first tier giants. This year's Piedmont scored 5 goals in La Liga, a new high in the Real Madrid period, and was rewarded with a contract extension. The iron triangle of the Croatian midfield is not only skilled and creative, Dalic commented, "Modric has always been the leader, with Brozo and Kovačić by his side, we have a world-class midfield."
However, Mandzukic's retirement has left a void at center forward that will be difficult to fill. Petkovic, who is 1.93 meters tall, comes from his home country's class rival Dinamo Zagreb, and has failed to score a double in the league in the last three seasons, disrupting more than finishing. Another high center forward Budimir, two consecutive seasons in La Liga scored double, is Dalic's preferred center forward, but from Osasuna, his strength is not enough to deal with intercontinental tournaments, this year's World Preliminary League three games without a grain.
Croatia has no shortage of second strikers, with Hoffenheim star Kramaric firing in a team-high 20 goals in the Bundesliga this season. The all-round ability to have great offensive freedom at the club is often limited to supporting roles in the national team, and cannot be fully utilized. The physically strong and delicate Rebic, who is also expected to be in the starting lineup, was a force to be reckoned with at the last International Cup.
In addition, Perisic, 32, Brekalo, a technically gifted sidekick, Vlasic in the center of CSKA Moscow, and Olsic, who scored a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur, are each distinctive players in front of the net.
Although the paper strength is strong, but Croatia's performance after the International Cup is not ideal. The new UEFA Europa League, the team has only one victory and five losses, although there is a reason with Portugal and France in the same group, but the team's overall and fighting force is obviously declining, the core players are missing, the pain of the old and the new is exposed. Dalic needs to stimulate the fighting spirit of the Gers in the competition.
