Some of crosses Perisic has been whipping in for Croatia have been insane, their forwards just can’t finish a sentence though let alone a chance.
What a turnaround! Two in two minutes. Can’t say it isn’t deserved either, Croatia have been battering them down.
****ing class game, man. These Balkan countries are bringing some serious entertainment. No 300 passes to score a tap in, just straight up going for it. Long balls, crosses, running at defences, long rangers… love it.
I spent a big chunk of that second half fuming over Perisic, to be honest. First we get Conte playing him as a defender, then he gets injured for the whole season. Croatia definitely lost some momentum when they took him off.
He started at LB today funnily enough before moving further forward. I think Conte’s biggest issue with Perisic wasn’t necessarily the position but the system. An overly defensive system killed the guy’s main attributes, give him the freedom of that wing to cross and attack and you get what we saw today, glimpses of under Ange and what we’ve seen throughout his whole career really. Fantastic player that was massively stifled with our tactics.
I mentioned Perisic hitting crosses for Richarlison as a great Plan B, it happened once and then he got crocked. There'll have been some strikers sitting at home today watching those balls into the box wishing they were on the end of them. Dalic is having real trouble with his team balance, in my opinion. Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic are all superb players, but they don't make a 3 man midfield. His front three was equally wonky. He's pulling a Southgate.
Klaus Gjasula is the first player to score more than one goal at the tournament. One of them was in his own net though, unfortunately.
Orban stamps on Musiala’s foot and goes down like he was the one stamped on and the ref buys it. Fair play to Musiala for not going down though, because had he gone down like many would have, VAR would’ve likely looked at that as a possible penalty.
Pet hate of mine is English commentators saying certain names with stupid twangs. Today’s example: Jonathan Tah. Now we all know how to pronounce Jonathan. Steve Wilson however chooses to pronounce the guy’s name as “Yon-ah-ten”. Just **** off, mate.
Germany/Hungary with the dubious distinction of the first match of the tournament I switched off due to finding it as inspiring as Mumford & Sons
Germany through, but from a poor group. Could play England if we finish second in our group - which we won’t!! Which should mean we avoid Germany unless both teams reach the final.
