The same as against Denmark, a very poor presentation by Croatia.I think our manager is the main culpable for that, he set up the formation completely wrong. I mean, this team can't play 4-4-2.
By setting the team like that, manager Dalic completely erased our midfield. Rakitić was coming deep to collect the ball, wingers were going high up the pitch and Modric was the only man hovering in a vast and empty space between attack and defence, unable to make any mark on the game. It was ridiculous. We could never establish any kind of possession or control of the match. We just hoofed the ball forward basically.
Dalic, who had his bright moments (tactics against Argentina were a masterclass) after these last two matches looks a bit out of depth. With a host of superb midfielders, this squad needs to play a possesion game through the middle and set up like that, can match anyone. Unfortunatly, we haven't seen that so far and on the evidence so far England has little to fear (except if it goes to penalties
), but there always a chance that Dalic will return to his senses and abbandon this ludicrous tactics. In that case, the game is on.
It goes to our advantage that England will take the role of favourite for this match and we like the role of the underdog. That's when we're at our best, not when we are expected to win (like against Denmark and Russia).
By setting the team like that, manager Dalic completely erased our midfield. Rakitić was coming deep to collect the ball, wingers were going high up the pitch and Modric was the only man hovering in a vast and empty space between attack and defence, unable to make any mark on the game. It was ridiculous. We could never establish any kind of possession or control of the match. We just hoofed the ball forward basically.
Dalic, who had his bright moments (tactics against Argentina were a masterclass) after these last two matches looks a bit out of depth. With a host of superb midfielders, this squad needs to play a possesion game through the middle and set up like that, can match anyone. Unfortunatly, we haven't seen that so far and on the evidence so far England has little to fear (except if it goes to penalties
), but there always a chance that Dalic will return to his senses and abbandon this ludicrous tactics. In that case, the game is on.It goes to our advantage that England will take the role of favourite for this match and we like the role of the underdog. That's when we're at our best, not when we are expected to win (like against Denmark and Russia).
