PBP: Italy vs Croatia: June 14 - Municipal Stadium Poznan [R]

Ok, so I'll start:
difficult to analyse untill the formations are out in the open.
Matchups between attackers and defenders on both sides are interesting, especially if de rossi is part of a three man defense for Italy. Curious to see him cope with the physicallity of jelavic and mandzukic if left one on one. For that reason i wouldn't be all that surprised if prandelli opted for a 4-4-2 , although i find it unlikely he would change the team that brought home a decent result against spain.
On the other side two stable but not very fast central defenders for croatia can be the reason why di natale might get more minutes in this match, also a tactical dillema for both coaches.

Not to be too smart, but pirlo and modric are the ones to watch,. Personally i think whoever shows more of the two will guarantee his team control of the match.
Having seen the opening matches modric is my favourite, although the class of the opponents was different.
looking forward to a great game.

 

Will be interesting to see how Italy plays this..I think they will play the same lineup..Croatia has a good midfield and pretty good strikers..Croatia's central defense is poor though..Bilic is going to play the same lineup and formation meaning he is playing a attacking lineup again..I think Bilic will drop Mandzukic deeper to try to control the midfield a bit more as Italy will probably have more posession..I also expect Rakitic to play more in the middle to let Srna have right side to make his sprinting runs so he can deliver some good crosses..Here is how i think Croatia will lineup..

---------------------Pletiskosa---------------------
Srna--------Corluka---------Schifo--------Strinic
----------------------Vukojevic-------------------------
------Rakitic---------Modric------------Perisic--------
-------------------------------Mandzukic--------------
-------------------Jelavic--------------------------------

The central defense really scares me which is why i think Italy will win 2-1..

 

a tie is the most likely outcome

 

I'd love to see Croatia win, but I'm thinking a 1-0 Italy win, maybe a 1-1 tie.

 

Jelavic starts - See ya Italy

 

That goal was sick, right between two heads... All things considered though, Croatia looks really good, consistent, energetic. Despite the score, I'm impressed.

 

HT: 1-0

 

I'm no fan of the way Italy performs internationally usually, but I don't see how Croatia can be pleased with that half, they allowed a ton of chances from a team whose first priority is still to stay structured in the midfield and back. If Italy had better finishers they could easily be down 2 or 3 goals.

Although Croatia has never beat Italy, Italy is hardly the force they used to be. Croatia should be able to compete.

 

didn't Croatia beat Italy 2-1 in WC 2002 group stage?

 

You are correct, since 1991 it's Italy who has never beaten Croatia. So really, Italy had every reason to be nervous.

 

Lucky, that went in off the near post.

 

These two teams could go all the way! They give away nothing, and offensive they are spectacular. I for one, am really impressed

 

just thought about something.. if this result holds, and Spain beat Ireland as expected. Italy, regardless of how many they put past Ireland will be out should Spain and Croatia draw... 2-2!

 

Another 1-1 draw.

 

thats what happened to Italy at Euro 2004 when Sweden and Denmark finished 2-2. got a bad feeling about this. Italy should have showed up in the 2nd half.