Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands) MATCH SUMMARY Holders Spain edged a 1-0 group stage win against Croatia at UEFA EURO 2012 Croatia's sole victory against Spain was a 2-0 friendly triumph in 1994 Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić all play club football in Spain Croatia have not beaten Spain since 1994, but after a narrow defeat at UEFA EURO 2012 will hope better things lie ahead in Group D. Previous meetings • Croatia's record in five matches against Spain is W1 D1 L3. They have not won any of the sides' last four meetings. Robert Prosinečki and Davor Šuker struck in a 2-0 friendly triumph in Valencia in March 1994 – Croatia's first away victory since independence. The main issues for Croatia are: - Croatian key players play in Spanish La Liga, Spanish headquarters knows them very well - Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic won't play probably - Potential strong UEFA punishment will occur today, just before the match - Concentration, motivation could collapse after all these incidents, psychological moments, state of their minds will have difficulties in prevailing those turbulent moments - It's important to emphasize that Turkey and Czech Republic are weaker teams, Croatia is building their subjective power, Turkey lost the match against Spain very easy, in just few minutes. - Croatian opportunities are not effective at all, same issue has France, England, Spain, Portugal. - Weaker substitutions, who can replace Mandzukic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Brozovic, Corluka? Hard to find anyone on exact or even similar level with solid traces of quality. - Croatian luck in a football way, which doesn't exist since 1998 Sime Vrsaljko will probably be the new member of Atletico Madrid. http://www.espnfc.com/story/2895948...vrsaljko-optimistic-over-atletico-madrid-deal
Potential Spanish starting team De Gea or Casillas – Bellerin, Pique, San Jose, Alba – Busquets, Koke, Iniesta – Silva, Aduriz, Nolito
Spain please beat them by at least 2 goals hopefully 3. I really don't want to face Croatia next round, and I doubt they want to face us. Probably better for Croatia to go through as a third placed team and play England or France.
2 or 3 makes no difference. Croatia only beat Turkey by 1 and Czechs only lost to Spain by 1. So as long as the Czechs can match those outcomes they'll be 2nd. But yeah... big difference between finishing first or second. In my bracket I have the 2nd place team in this group playing Italy in the R16 then most likely Germany in the QFs. Meanwhile the winner of this group I have playing Iceland in the R16 and the winner of Swiss - Poland in the QF.
I heard that the fans plan on doing something more serious than the flares. OMG lets hope either closed doors or security is extra high.
It should be different now, stewards should make their job more effective, also law orders. Lets hope that we wont see similar events. Announcement about the incidents were made before the match against Czechs. A lot of things became prevented, fan entrance on the field, more flares... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/uefa-fine-croatian-fa-100000-8238455 "UEFA fine Croatian FA €100,000 following crowd trouble during Euro 2016 draw with Czech Republic" This punishment is good for Croatia, not so strict like everyone expected. UEFA is probably aware why do they create those incidents, reasons, subjects of fan interest... Now we can focus on upcoming match, hoping without any aspect of violence or riots. It would be nice to keep one point in this match. Victory against Spain doesnt seem so realistic to me. The problem could occur if Spain wins 1-0 and if Czech Republic wins 1-0 against Turkey, so Croatia and Czech Republic will have completely equal score and fair play could decide (yellow and red cards, number of fouls, fan support). In that case Czechs are in advantage. This is the fifth or sixth UEFA criteria if all other odds are completely the same. Croatia doesnt want to play against France or England, because Croatia has weaker game history. Against England, Croatia has only 2 victories, 1 draw and 4 defeats ! Against France, Croatia has no victories at all, 2 draws and 3 defeats ! Against Italy, Croatia has 3 victories, 5 draws and 0 defeats ! Croatia lost against Italy only once, but this was during the World War II, in one friendly match. All official matches were cancelled, so only friendly matches were designed during the war. 5th April 1942, Stadio Luigi Ferraris, 4-0 for Italy, at the end of first half time, it was 0-0. Italy seems as better opponent if we observe the tradition, but Italy seems well balanced. Maybe Italy doesnt have players like Nesta, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini, Totti, del Piero, etc., but Italy is well balanced today, mostly because of Antonio Conte. Personally, these players are in great condition - Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini, Darmian, Candreva, Pelle. Still, it would be better that Croatia could end as first and go in other direction and meet Slovakia, Sweden or Iceland. Portugal will probably win very high against Hungary. If Croatia doesnt meet Italy, England is also good. But France can be problematic, domestic audience, a lot of athletic players, especially in central part - Kante, Matuidi, Pogba.
Hoping for a Croatia win so we get those titanic clashes in the knockout phase, namely Spain v Italy and then v Germany. Curious how Spain would match-up against Germany. The two have been avoiding each other ever since 2010 it seems. But wonder also how fit Modric is. Anybody know? It's hopeless unless he's 100% fit because Croatia doesn't have the defense to stop Spain if they lose the midfield battle.
Croatia was my darkhorse pick to make some real noise in this tournament. That being said, I'd be happy with the above scenario, don't want to see Italy-Croatia in the round of 16 (preferably later in the tournament).
Lets observe some tactical approaches against Spain. Here you can see Czechs and their field positions. Importance of these positions LB and RB would be crucial. https://video-vie1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t43.1792-2/13429253_1042834955811361_1947876146_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjE1MDAsInJsYSI6MTAyNCwidmVuY29kZV90YWciOiJzdmVfaGQifQ==&rl=1500&vabr=759&oh=af7f03fdbd43398abea09b12d17023db&oe=57691FBC These Spanish players could create problems, because they create football depth - Nolito, Jordi Alba and Juanfran. Czechs have made solid job here, they have controlled the midfield and inter-space, where Morata often ended, back players became practically wingers and Nolito played the hidden role - how to end behind the back of Czech players.
World Cup 2002, I remember those decisions, can you name other two matches? We met only in Poland 2012 and in qualifications. I remember that Croatia missed one penalty in Split. Maybe something happened in EURO 1996 qualifications, Palermo match? Obvious bad refereeing happened in Ibaraki 2002. I think that this was conspiracy, they wanted that Croatia plays against South Korea, but Croatia lost against Ecuador, so Italy became Korean opponent and another conspiracy happened. This World Cup is the worse, Portugal, Spain, Italy were damaged severe.
Yeah I hate 2002 it was horrible. In 2012 Italy 1-1 Croatia, we had a disallowed goal that was controversially called due to a foul, but the player dived down like 30 sec before the goal was scored. Just in the qualifying games recently for this tournament, the 1-1 draw in Zagreb. El Shaarawy scored a clearly onside goal and we were supposed to be 1-0 up. It was wrongly disallowed for offside, and while we were arguing the referee allowed play to continue and then Mandzukic scored a goal that counted while play should have been stopped. We were supposed to be up 1-0 but we were down 1-0.
Yes, its sad to see referee errors. Croatia deals with them also, Euro 1996 against Germany (Babbel made obvious foul, with several other errors). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Sundell At World Cup 1998 Croatia was not damaged. Qualifications for EURO 2000 against Yugoslavia. Goal of Suker was not accepted, referee needed to see that the ball went over the line, it would be 3-2 and Croatia would be at EURO 2000. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2000/matches/round=1165/match=55006/index.html At World Cup 2002 Croatia was not damaged. EURO 2004 against France (Trezeguet used his hand before scoring). Match should end 2-1 for Croatia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2004_Group_B EURO 2008 was good in refereeing for Croatia. World Cup 2010 qualifications, England lost against Ukraine 1-0, people say that England wanted to lose, so that Croatia ends third, because Croatia won against England in qualifications for EURO 2008, making them third and without EURO. EURO 2012, Croatia against Spain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Stark "During 2012 UEFA European Championship, in Poland, Wolfgang Stark was again at the center of controversy, as he failed to signal what were considered to be one or two clear penalties for Croatia in the match against Spain, both by Croatian players,[9] international media[10] and experts,[11] including prominent Spanish media,[12] one of which was in the dying minutes of the match, just before Spain scored their sole, winning goal. This result eliminated Croatia, while a Croatia victory would result in Spain being eliminated. After that game, UEFA decided not to nominate him as referee for the remaining parties of the tournament." World Cup 2014 Croatia against Brazil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuichi_Nishimura "The game ended with a 3–1 victory for hosts Brazil, with many commentators perceiving multiple controversial calls in favour of Brazil. These included a penalty kickawarded to Brazil in the 71st minute, converted for 2–1,[9] a Croatia equaliser disallowed for goalkeeper interference in the 83rd minute for 2–2,[10] and a yellow cardon forward Neymar in the 26th minute considered lenient by various critics." Now it's EURO 2016. Interesting biography of theis referee: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Poll Almost every major competition ended with problems for Croatia. Special issue was with EURO 1996, potential semi-finals, EURO 2004, EURO 2012, potential knock-out stage, World Cup 2014, potential knock-out stage.
Croatia might be better off losing instead of drawing this match. A draw means they would play Italy in the next round, then probably Germany if they get past them. If Croatia finishes third in the group then they would likely play Wales. Of course a win in this match is best. That would mean an R16 match against Iceland or Portugal and a QF against the winner of Swiss-Poland.
Hahaha!! I'm actually having 2 cheeseburgers, fries, salad and drinking some sangria watching this game!! But on a serious note..why the hell did Del Bosque play hot head Ramos, who already have a yellow card and can miss the 2nd round??
IDK, why didn't he bring Fernando Torres even though IMO he was a better choice than Aduriz ... He is still the best manager for the job tho.
The Aduriz pick seems like a lifetime achievement award - which is usually reserved for the 3rd keeper. Reward him for his career by giving him a spot on the bench for a deep tourney run.