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IMAGE: Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second objective towards the Netherlands. {Photograph}: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Croatia won’t try and cease Argentina celebrity Lionel Messi by man-marking him however as an alternative will give attention to immobilising the whole workforce 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 shedding within the 2018 showcase match to France.
They shocked match 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 successful.
“We do not have a particular plan but for stopping Messi and often we do not focus on stopping one participant however the whole workforce,” striker Bruno Petkovic instructed a information convention on Sunday.
“We are going to attempt to cease them as a workforce and never with man-marking. Argentina are usually not solely Messi, they’ve numerous nice gamers. Now we have to cease the whole Argentina workforce,” he mentioned.
Seven-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi has up to now been the driving power for the Argentines, who additionally wanted penalties after squandering a two-goal lead towards the Dutch of their quarter-final.
With no gamers suspended and no damage issues following the return of Croatia defender Borna Sosa, Zlatko Dalic’s workforce is brimming with confidence and prepared for extra.
Their midfield comprising captain Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic will likely be key to dictating the tempo, as they did towards 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 do not assume it may be repeated. Once you go 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 towards Brazil to power penalties, with Croatia having now received 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 robust you’re. There’s large stress you’ve got by no means skilled earlier than. Nevertheless it additionally helps when you’ve got a world-class keeper.”
Keeper Dominik Livakovic saved one spot kick towards Brazil after additionally saving three of their Spherical of 16 shootout towards Japan.
Nevertheless it was Petkovic’s dramatic equaliser after Brazil’s extra-time lead that carried them to the shootout.
“I’m changing into an increasing number of conscious of the magnitude of this objective with every passing day. “Possibly I will expertise one thing related within the semi-final or past,” Petkovic mentioned.
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