Croatia

Zlatko Dalić, Luka Modrić and the veteran core of the Vatreni have proven to be more than capable of evolving with the times as Croatia continue to churn out generation after generation of new talent. The back 5 tactic adopted in the recent international breaks is the latest such evolution, but Dalić looks to be favouring the 4-2-3-1 as the opening tactic for the World Cup. Regardless of the shape on the teamsheet, the core tactical principles remain consistent.

Croatia have a squad full of players that prefer to have the ball, even as transitional football grows more en vogue by the day. The midfield duo of Mateo Kovačić and the ageless Luka Modrić will form the immutable core of the lineup, but the remainder depends on the possession shape. In the 5-3-2, a backline with two excellent ball-playing CBs (Joško Gvardiol and Luka Vušković) and the more progressive Josip Šutalo would allow the midfielders (Petar Sučić joining them) to maintain an advanced position. A back four would likely see Gvardiol slide to the left and Ivan Perišić function as a more traditional left winger with Marco Pašalić his counterpart on the right. Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramarić will likely form the central attacking duo in any configuration (Kramarić the deeper forward / number 10 in the 4-2-3-1), but Martin Baturina also presents an enticing creative option to link the midfield and forward lines.