Luka Modric is anticipated to steer Croatia at what might be his last World Cup as Zlatko Dalic’s aspect purpose to proceed their exceptional report of success on soccer’s greatest stage regardless of health considerations over their captain.
IMAGE: The 40-year-old Luka Modric is ready to play in what’s more likely to be his fifth and last World Cup. {Photograph}: Antonio Bronic/Reuters
Key Factors
- Croatia enter the World Cup trying to construct on successive podium finishes in 2018 and 2022.
- Captain Luka Modric is anticipated to get better from cheekbone surgical procedure in time for the match.
- Defenders Josko Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic kind the muse of Croatia’s subsequent technology.
- Gvardiol just lately returned from a tibial fracture, whereas Vuskovic has recovered from a knee harm.
Croatia head into the World Cup aiming to increase a run that has cemented their standing as considered one of soccer’s most constant overachievers, however their preparations have been clouded by concern over captain Luka Modric’s health.
The 40-year-old midfield maestro underwent cheekbone surgical procedure in April however is anticipated to get better in time to anchor the midfield in what’s going to in all probability be his fifth and last World Cup.
With Modric nonetheless the crew’s heartbeat, the match will check Croatia’s capability to stability continuity with transition because the Balkan nation continues to defy expectations regardless of a inhabitants of simply round 3.8 million.
Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner who lifted 28 main trophies with Actual Madrid, will function in his tenth main worldwide match, bringing unmatched expertise with 196 caps.
Round him, Croatia boast a squad that blends expertise and rising expertise with central defenders Josko Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic the bedrocks of the crew.
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Gvardiol, 24, one of many standout performers on the 2022 World Cup, returned to motion solely in Might after 5 months out with a tibial fracture, and Vuskovic, 19, has just lately recovered from a knee harm.
In assault, Igor Matanovic, Nikola Vlasic and Petar Musa will look to offer Croatia with a leading edge beginning with Croatia’s opening recreation towards England on June 17 in Arlington, Texas, earlier than going through Ghana and Panama in a troublesome Group L.
Croatia topped their qualifying group with seven wins and one draw and supervisor Zlatko Dalic, in cost since 2017, has overseen probably the most profitable period within the nation’s historical past, guiding them to a runners-up end in 2018 and third place in 2022.
The 59-year-old will once more lean on skilled figures comparable to Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric to help Modric, significantly following the worldwide retirement of longtime midfield anchor Marcelo Brozovic.
Finally, a lot could depend upon Modric’s health and his capability to orchestrate one last efficiency on soccer’s greatest stage.
