Croatia won’t try and cease Argentina famous person Lionel Messi by man-marking him however as an alternative will deal with immobilising the complete group of their World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, they mentioned.
Croatia are bidding to make it to the ultimate for the second World Cup in a row after dropping within the 2018 showcase match to France.
They shocked event favourites Brazil within the quarter-finals after going a objective down in extra-time however dug deep to bounce again with a late equaliser and power a penalty shootout that they ended up profitable.
“We don’t have a selected plan but for stopping Messi and often we don’t focus on stopping one participant however the complete group,” striker Bruno Petkovic informed a information convention on Sunday.
“We’ll attempt to cease them as a group and never with man-marking. Argentina will not be solely Messi, they’ve various nice gamers. We now have to cease the complete Argentina group,” he mentioned.
Seven-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi has thus far been the driving power for the Argentines, who additionally wanted penalties after squandering a two-goal lead in opposition to the Dutch of their quarter-final.
With no gamers suspended and no harm considerations following the return of Croatia defender Borna Sosa, Zlatko Dalic’s group is brimming with confidence and prepared for extra.
Their midfield comprising captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic might be key to dictating the tempo, as they did in opposition to Brazil, and defender Josip Juranovic mentioned the three have been completely reliable.
“Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the very best Croatia midfield in historical past. I don’t suppose it may be repeated. Whenever you cross them the ball it’s safer than having your cash within the financial institution,” the defender mentioned.
Tremendous-sub Petkovic scored the 117th-minute equaliser in opposition to Brazil to power penalties, with Croatia having now gained all 4 of the shootouts they’ve taken half in at World Cups.
“I believe many people who find themselves not skilled footballers can take profitable penalties,” Petkovic mentioned. “The distinction is how mentally powerful you might be. There’s large strain you may have by no means skilled earlier than. But it surely additionally helps when you may have a world class keeper.”
Keeper Dominik Livakovic saved one spot kick in opposition to Brazil after additionally saving three of their Spherical of 16 shootout in opposition to Japan.
But it surely was Petkovic’s dramatic equaliser after Brazil’s extra-time lead that carried them to the shootout.
“I’m turning into increasingly more conscious of the magnitude of this objective with every passing day,” Petkovic mentioned.
“Possibly I’ll expertise one thing comparable within the semi-final or past.”
Don’t count on any man-marking of Messi in semi-final, say Croatia
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