Croatia won’t try and cease Argentina celebrity Lionel Messi by man-marking him however as an alternative will concentrate on immobilising your entire staff of their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, they stated.
Croatia is bidding to make it to the ultimate for the second World Cup in a row after shedding within the 2018 showcase match to France.
It surprised event favorite Brazil within the quarter-finals after going a aim down in extra-time however dug deep to bounce again with a late equaliser and pressure a penalty shootout that it ended up successful.
“We don’t have a specific plan yet for stopping Messi and usually we don’t concentrate on stopping one player but the entire team,” striker Bruno Petkovic instructed a news convention on Sunday.
“We will try to stop them as a team and not with man-marking. Argentina are not only Messi, they have a number of great players. We have to stop the entire Argentina team,” he stated.
Seven-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi has thus far been the driving pressure for the Argentines, who additionally wanted penalties after squandering a two-goal lead in opposition to the Dutch of their quarterfinal.
With no gamers suspended and no damage considerations following the return of Croatia defender Borna Sosa, Zlatko Dalic’s staff is brimming with confidence and prepared for extra.
Its midfield comprising captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic might be key to dictating the tempo, because it did in opposition to Brazil, and defender Josip Juranovic stated the three have been completely reliable.
“Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don’t think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank,” the defender stated.
Super-sub Petkovic scored the 117th-minute equaliser in opposition to Brazil to pressure penalties, with Croatia having now gained all 4 of the shootouts it has taken half in at World Cups.
“I think many people who are not professional footballers can take successful penalties,” Petkovic stated. “The difference is how mentally tough you are. There is huge pressure you have never experienced before. But it also helps when you have a world class keeper.”
Keeper Dominik Livakovic saved one spot kick in opposition to Brazil after additionally saving three of their Round of 16 shootout in opposition to Japan.
But it was Petkovic’s dramatic equaliser after Brazil’s extra-time lead that carried them to the shootout.
“I am becoming more and more aware of the magnitude of this goal with each passing day,” Petkovic stated. “Maybe I’ll experience something similar in the semi-final or beyond.”
