Who will win this group?

I'm not underestimating them at all, but their Defence SUCKS.

I expect a high scoring affair, either side can win. Or a tie suits Nigeria.

We have lost to them 4 times at the WC. Something has to change at some point. Why not now ? They are down right now while we are riding high. Our boys will want to prove they can finally beat Argentina and show the world that friendly was no fluke. I am more confident about this game than I was going in to today's Iceland match to be honest.

I think Nigeria is better both in Defence and midfield, while Argentina has the superior attack.

Make of that what you will. I just hope Caballero is in goal on Tuesday.

 

Where is @Hayaka? ^^

 

Nigeria should do exactly what Iceland did, sit back and soak up pressue

Hit argentina with a counter of moses, musa and iheanacho

If that game opens up, we are finished!! argentina wants blood

 

no not what Iceland did, a happy medium though.

We shouldn't sit back but we shouldn't pour too many men forward unless it is a quick transition. We have to be more efficient with our counter attacking. Both today, and other times during WCQ we could have scored so many more goals if we were more clinical.

 

Yes. You won't find Albanians rooting for Serbia. That's absolutely another story. Actually I wouldn't say I hate Serbia but I would never root for them either. I usually try to stay neutral but yesterday in the game with Switzerland with originally four Albanian players in the line-up I discovered me rooting for the Swiss. But that was only one very special game. I wouldn't mind if Serbia beats Brazil and eliminates them in the last group game. Out of all top teams I dislike Brazil the most.

 

I'd be surprised if Iceland beats Croatia. I expect a Croatia win or a draw. Even if Croatia rest a few players, they still have a lot of depth, and even benching Modric and Rakitic, they still have players like: Badelj, Brozovic, and Kovacic. World Class? No, but Talented? Yes absolutely. Definitely enough to control the midfield against Iceland. I'd also like to see Pjaca get some playing time, as I believe he has very high potential.

Iceland will also have to push for goals, which will leave spaces open at the back. Absolutely something you never want to do against Croatia. They made one of the best teams in Africa look terrible.

 

Yes but that was in Iceland though. Reykjavik is a tough place to go and play football with the conditions. Also Iceland did not dominate, it was just off a lucky set piece in dying minutes. Plus, Croatia were coached by Cacic at that time, a manager that was a little behind on tactics, and had a reputation of sometimes getting his tactics wrong. Dalic is a much more consistent manager and has a better idea of how to play each game with the best tactical plan. I bet that if Dalic managed Croatia throughout the whole qualifying campaign, the team would not have dropped hardly any points. Maybe might have drew Iceland in Reykjavik but that is it.

 

@Nico777 - do you know if Croatia will play its regular starting line-up against Iceland?

I read an interview with Modric yesterday where he said Croatia would go out to for the win if that can help Argentina.

 

Probably doing PR there.

At present times no one can pass them for the first place in the group D.

Why risk the health of their players, or the possibilities to get sancioned with yellow or red cards that will not allow them to play for the next match or for next stages as well ?

most wise call, would be to have starters rest, and play a useless match for them, with their bench players. And more so, considering that the both potential opponents, next stage, might also play for a draw and rest their players as well.

 

I'm here. Iceland is still alive, but they need a win. Will Croatia play competitively or just kick the ball around?

 

Fun fact: In all of Iceland's recorded history, no day has ever been as hot as it was in Volgograd today.

 

There are some reports in Croatian media that four players who are in danger of a suspension won't play. These players are Mandžukić, Rakitić, Vrsaljko and Rebić. Brozović is suspended anyways after collecting two yellow cards. Possible replacements are Kramarić, Kovačić, Badelj, Jedvaj and Pjaca. Veteran Čorluka is also expected to start. So we will see quite a few changaes. But we shouldn't forget that a reserve squad beat Spain 2-1 in the third game in the EURO 2016. Iceland won't have an easy task to beat Croatia. That's for sure.

 

They will play a mixed team but won't lose unless they have still in mind Argentinians behaviours

 

Hehe so you mean that Croatia will be the team to send them back home just like in 2014?
Interesting ^^

 

And again this world cup shows that qualifiers don't mean much...i kept telling for months that most important for Croatia was to qualify and they did.
Now Croatia is topping the group while Icelandics players are close to the airport.

 

Cream rises to the top .. which is why Portugal won't win the WC .

The WC has NEVER had an upset or smaller team win .

It's always been won by one of the five faves going into the competition.

Presumably that's between Brazil , Spain , Germany , France and Belgium this time ..

 

Football is changing....spain and france never won a world cup before 98 and 2010...2 new world champs from the last 5 world cups.

 

Ha ha. Enjoy it while you can. When Croatia goes out (and they will), you will receive (and deserve) a lot of derision. We will see if you are as bad a poor loser as you are a poor winner.

 

Croatia has good players on the bench better then Iceland starters for sure. Playing the second string team against Spain worked out well as these players will be motivated to show the coach what they can do. If I'm the coach i don't risk any of the guys on a yellow and rest any player with a slight injury.
Report starting 11 is this.
Kalinic
Jedvaj Corluka Caleta Car Pivaric
Badelj-Bradaric
Perisic-Kovacic-Pjaca
Kramaric
Still a pretty strong lineup i just wish Rog was there instead of Bardaric.

 

I really hope for a Croatia - Denmark clash in the Round of 16. Should be fun with you and @Nico777 regardless of the outcome.

 

The poor loser is you dude, right here right now ^^
And when we will go out we will still have higher best performances in world cup history than both Denmark and Iceland united

Kisses ^^

 

They were in the top five favourites for THOSE competitions .. that was my point . Belgium have never won anything but they're expected to do well ..
No EURO type surprises like Greece or a Denmark victory

 

I'd like to see Serbia play Croatia tbh.

 

France missed world cups in 90 and 94. There were not so many people believing they would win. It is easier to say they were among favorites once they have done it.