CROATIA
LIKELY TEAM (4-1-4-1): Subasic, Vrsalijko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Brozovic, Rebic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic
- Only Davor Suker has scored more World Cup goals for Croatia (6) than Ivan Perisic (3)
- Croatia's best finish was previously in France 1998 where the crop of Robert Prosinecki, Zvonimir Boban and Davor Suker reached the semi-finals
Political fallout, fans split, star player and captain center of national perjury scandal and star player sent home in disgrace. All these things mirrored a team in shambles at the beginning of the competition however fast forward to the knockout rounds and three wins later suddenly Croatia are everyone's second team and dark horses for the competition. This has been helped in no uncertain terms by manager; Zlatko Dalic' promise to play "tactial and attacking" football throughout the entirity of the tournament. He has experimented with three different formations so far to extract the most from Croatia's golden generation of midfielders with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic at it's fulcrum, the third spot has been rotated amongst Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Milan Badelj recently. Brozovic impressed in the pivot role alongside Rakitic as part of a 4-2-3-1 formation in a win against Nigeria while also occupied the holding role in the outstanding win versus Argentina in a 4-1-4-1. Kovacic came in for applause for his performace as part of a midfield three alongside Luka Modric and Milan Badlej in their most recent success v Iceland. Manager; Zlatko Dalic for once will have headaches of the right nature coming into Sunday's game but Brozovic is largely tipped to start ahead of Badelj and Kovacic in the 4-1-4-1.
Further forward the two wings are occupied by Ante Rebic who is subject of interest to Marco Silva and Everton following his impressive season with Eintracht Frankfurt in which they narrowly missed out on Champions League football and also won the DFB-Pokal in which Rebic starred claiming two goals. Ivan Perisic is a constant threat and his performances too have garnered attraction from Europe's big boys , while we all know what to expect from hard man Mario Mandzukic. Andre Kramaric when called upon from the bench can too provide that extra spark as he has shown throughout his performances for Hoffenheim last season earning him a spot in the Bundesliga team of the season.
Croatia's 2018 World Cup come future years will be mostly remembered for captain Luka Modric' off field and on field antics. For a man who is 5ft 6in (1.68m) and 10st 3lb (66kg), Modric is incredibly strong. He has been a key cog in the most successful European club team of the past 10 years and is a player whose ability to dictate the tempo of top-level matches with brain as well as feet cannot be beaten. There have been others of a similar ilk, most notably Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but they have at least had their moments in the sun: they are fully recognised and celebrated for their brilliance. Modric operates in relative darkness, passing, moving and gobbling up winner’s medals with barely a nod of approval in his direction. His talent is undeniable and now, on the greatest stage of all, comes a chance to lift himself above the crowd. Come Sunday night in Nizhny, both Croatia and Modric will be hoping he continues to be front and back page of all national newspapers albeit good news this time.
DENMARK
LIKELY TEAM (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel, Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Larsen Schone, Delaney, Sisto, Eriksen, Poulsen, Jorgensen
- Neither Denmark nor Croatia have conceded from open play this World Cup
- Denmark have managed nine shots on target in Russia only Iran, who have been knocked out, had fewer
- Denmark's previous best finish at a World Cup also occurred at France '98 where Laudrup and co reached the quarter final stage
Coach Age Hareide stated on the eve of Sunday's game that we will see a more attacking and different Denmark from the past three games at this World Cup however given their 18 match unbeaten run was derived mainly from a miserly defence and dogged approach there is little to suggest that the Danish will deviate from their tried and tested approach especially given the flexibility of the Croat's system. Denmark have only conceded one goal this calendar year ( in seven games). Certainly this Danish team is a far cry from the "Brazilians of the North" who took the 1986 World Cup by storm and their Norwegian boss has borne the brunt of most criticism. There have been even some suggestions that their fans would have preferred them play more attractively and exit the competition rather than advancing to the knockout rounds with their insipid, languid, archaic style. Even more amusing there have been some clamors for ex-Gunner and Premier League legend Nicklas Bendtner to take the reigns following the Dane's participation at this World Cup.
If Denmark are to cast off the shackles they definitely need to create a better platform for star man, Christian Eriksen to perform. William Kvist is expected to make a miraculously quick return from the rib injury he sustained recently to return to the bench while Ajax man Lasse Schone is expected to partner Borussia Dortmund's latest recruit; Thomas Delaney in the middle. The Danes will also be boosted by the return of Yussuf Poulsen who will operate on right wing mainly and be subject to aeriel bombardment from the boot of Kasper Schmeichel. If Denmark are to play more expansively versus Croatia more will be expected from winger; Pione Sisto who although excelled in their qualifying campaign has failed to live up to expectations so far. Christian Eriksen will also be hoping to utilize his energy playing further forward alongside striker Nicolai Jorgensen whilst allowing Schone and Delaney to lock heads against the Croat midfield trio.
Denmark can be at their best when nobody expects them to deliver. The most relevant case in point comes from the 1998 World Cup, when they were poor in the group stage only to advance. They even played France in the third game, losing 2-1. But, rather abruptly, they broke out to hammer an excellent Nigeria team 4-1. Christian Eriksen, Pione Sisto, Kasper Dollberg et al have the chance to write a new chapter in Danish football history this Sunday. It could take only one stellar performance to transform perceptions. Hareide senses opportunity.
WHERE GAME WILL BE WON
If Hareide is to be believed Denmark are going to set up with more attacking intent and flair in comparison to previous games thereby actually making this game viewable. If so the fight to control the middle third of the pitch will prove ever more so important. Should Denmark struggle to get a foot in the game Eriksen is expected to drop back in and become part of a midfield three while one can be sure Modric and Rakitic will rarely vacate their stations in the Croatian midfield as part of their commitment to controlling the ball and dictating the tempo of the game.
PREDICTION
Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic to show their class against the stubborn Danes for whom Kasper Schemichel's heroics prove futile. Mario Mandzukic to also open his account for the tournament.
Croatia 2 - 0 Denmark