Great game my Croatians! I’m so proud of the team.
Belgium was really completely under control for the first hour. After that, Croatia dominated the game in midfield until the 80th minute
From the 80th you saw Belgium’s class. Croatia was lucky there.
Man of the match was clearly Gvardiol. Felt every duel won, intercepted so many balls, great build-up, top dribbling. I think he’s already the best central defender in the world.
The midfield of Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric is a lonely top. For me, Modric is the best midfielder of all time. Also Kovacic with his dynamic is outstanding.
I think the midfield of Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric is at least as good as Busquets, Iniesta and Xavi were at Barca.
The difference is that Barca had a Messi back then. And that was missing a bit today. You can’t play it better up to 16, from 16 it took too long. If we can still do that, we can go a long way. And we have to do better because Spain are expected to be one of the best teams in the world in the round of 16. Every chance must be there
So I put that off to too many “beers”
Without football gods, Belgium wins 4-1 here today…
I have no idea what you saw there.
Croatia may have “under control” for the first 30 minutes because Martinez has generally been passive at this World Cup.
The real Belgium was seen in the second half with a typically attacking style of play.
Unfortunately, as a Croatian, I have to agree with you too… I would say that up to the 60th it was a game that you had more or less under control. Then there was a lot of luck and an outstanding Gvardiol. It’s unbelievable how self-confident and sovereign he plays at the age of 20. Nice to have such an IV and with Sosa also a decent AV.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with the midfield today and with Brozovic and Kovacic. In my opinion, Brozovic takes far too much speed away far too often. I also don’t find his play without the ball optimal when he has possession of the ball. It’s a credit to him that he always wants to pick up the ball from the IVs, but that means he takes up space unnecessarily or doesn’t occupy it in midfield… And Gvardiol in particular has a really good opening game.
In addition, almost all of his side changes go behind the players (i.e. towards his own goal) and then have to be rebuilt again. I lack the will to play forward and consistently keep the pace high.
I would have hoped for a lot more depth runs from Kovacic. Especially in such a game he could have set a lot more accents.
Maybe I’m completely wrong, but a little more speed and consistency wouldn’t hurt in the meantime.
And what really upsets me.. Dalic with his (barely) impact on the game. Always the same changes and just no change of tactics during the game. I don’t understand why an Orsic doesn’t even get a reasonable chance, especially when it comes to the counterattack at the end. Pasalic is anything but a classic winger and also a total waste of position. And with Orsic you would at least have someone who has the pace.
Same with the change from Majer at the end.. Either I bring a real 6 to protect at the back or a counter-attacker.. But in my opinion Dalic is far too afraid to change something in his basic orientation. That’s why only position-accurate changes during a game and always with the same players.
I really hope that things will look better in front of goal against Japan and that we’ll make it into the quarter-finals.
However, this will require a decent increase in performance.