Liverpool star Jordan Henderson could get helping hand and other Croatia v England tactical battles

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Croatia and England are set to scrap for a spot in World Cup 2018’s final when they meet on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium.

    Here are the key tactical battles:

    DOES HENDERSON NEED SOME HELP?

    Continuity has been key for Gareth Southgate.

    Bar midfielder Dele Alli’s injury absence against Panama and the subsequent scrap for second versus Belgium’s reserves when Group G wound up in unedifying fashion, the England supremo has stuck with the same XI.

    Whether this stance is purely tactical or based on faith with his first-choice, stars will be tested in Moscow.

    The temptation to bolster centre midfield may be hard to ignore. As it stands, Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson – currently experiencing a record 30-match personal unbeaten run for the Three Lions – will be the sole holding player versus the likes of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.

    Opportunity could then arise for another obstructing force, either Tottenham’s Eric Dier or Manchester City’s Fabian Delph. But this was not conducive to flowing football in qualifying.

    MESSING ABOUT WITH MODRIC

    For all Modric’s brilliance in Russia, the sense lingers that boss Zlatko Dalic is struggling to find a defined role for him.

    In the opener against Nigeria and the quarter-final versus Russia, the Real Madrid centre midfielder played deep alongside Rakitic. Stultifying football followed, with Modric pushed forward midway through the first half against the hosts.

    In-between, Internazionale anchor man Marcelo Brozovic started and Modric was unleashed as a No10. From this spot, he’s orchestrated the 3-0 demolition of ramshackle Argentina – scoring a beautiful drive – and produced a through ball of rare quality against Denmark to cause a penalty he then missed.

    With the experiment of picking forward Andrej Kramaric against Russia not aiding the team’s cohesion, expect Modric to form a formidable three-man midfield with Rakitic and Brozovic.

    RIGHT-BACK BOTHER

    If Croatia are unable to solve the club-versus-country row that threatens adventurous right-back Sime Vrsaljko’s involvement, then England’s hopes are boosted.

    Atletico Madrid have demanded that the 26-year-old be denied the chance to feature at the Luzhniki after he suffered a blow to his left knee during extra time against Russia.

    If the Europa League holders get their way, then veteran Vedran Corluka will be drafted in.

    The 32-year-old has not played this role for several years, moving inside as his already suspect pace drains further away.

    This denies Croatia a major attacking outlet. Against Russia, Vrsaljko had the fourth-most touches for them with 93, joint-second key passes with two and joint-most crosses with 10.

    The days of Lokomotiv Moscow’s Corluka boasting such an impact belong to the past.

    Recommended