Can new manager Niko Kovac be the man to lead them out the groups? He is certainly no stranger to Croatian fans. He was Croatian captain in his playing days and most recently managed the Under 21 team.
In qualifying they finished 2nd in their group behind Belgium and qualified through the play offs, beating Iceland 2-0 on aggregate. Mandzukic finished as top scorer but only with 3 goals.
In their group, they have the tournament favourites- Brazil. They will also face Cameroon and Mexico. Getting out the group will be a tough task for this Croatian team but I think it is one they should do. The round of 16 is a realistic finish because they don't have the quality or strength in depth that other teams have but if Mario Mandzukic can start scoring, who knows what can happen?
Player to watch- Many people will say Modric or Rakitic but I think Mateo Kovacic is the Croatian midfielder people should be watching, a summer transfer target for Liverpool and Manchester United. He has been described as a great technician with excellent dribbling abilities. He is considered to be a versatile midfielder, having played in different midfield positions. He started off as an attacking midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb, but he transformed his game at Internazionale where he was deployed as a regista or a deep-lying playmaker. One of his trademarks is dropping deep to receive the ball and then drive forward, often performing his slalom runs. Under the coach, Walter Mazzarri, he was often used in a more advanced position. He has created four goals this year and if he plays like he does for Inter for Croatia then maybe we could see him in the Premier League very soon.
Possible XI- 4-4-1-1
Pletikosa; Pranjic, Corluka, Lovren, Srna; Olic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic; Kovacic; Mandzukic.
Written by Henry (@FoulkesFootball)
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