Croatia 0-0 England: 5 talking points

Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A
Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A

The game was anticipated with a lot of promise. Not only for the teams but for the talents those two teams possess.

England and Croatia last met each other some 13 weeks ago in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, in the World Cup semi-final. England got an early lead on the match through a sumptuous free-kick from Kieran Trippier. However, Ivan Perisic equalized for the Croats and England’s hope for a final after 52 years were dashed when Mario Mandzukic scored the winner in the injury time.

So, Friday’s UEFA Nations League match was a chance for England to take the revenge. They could have done that if chances were not wasted. Croatia’s still haven’t left off their hangover after twin defeats against France in the World Cup final and against Spain in Nations League opener.

Though the game ended in a goalless draw, both the side had their chances. England were denied by the post and crossbar, while Croatian forwards wasted opportunities on regular basis. Both teams had a chance to push table-toppers Spain. But now the chance looks bleak. Spain consolidated their position at the top and another win could secure their qualification.

Let us look at the five points of the match:

England’s scoring problem

Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A
Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A

In World Cup, England had scored 12 goals, out of which nine came from set-pieces. So, the strikers had little opportunities to prove their worth, especially Harry Kane. The same problem continues to haunt the English side. Though they are more efficient on the attacking third, but couldn’t finish their chances as expected from them.

Against Croatia, England should’ve gone ahead in the first half. A superbly taken corner from Jordan Henderson was met by Eric Dier, who was denied off the second post. Strangely, no England player was there to poke the return home. After the start, Harry Kane’s header from another corner ricocheted off the bar and danger was averted when Croatian defender Dejan Lovren kept the ball out of play.

Marcus Rashford is mostly responsible for denying his team win. The youngster, who is touted as the next big thing in English football, missed two glorious chances in three minutes, which could’ve ended the game in England’s favor.

So, lack of a prolific striker seems imminent for Gareth Southgate's team. Harry Kane is there but he is yet to reach his peak form this season. Moreover, he is not someone like Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen who could change the context of the match with an innocuous move.

Concern for Croatian midfield

Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A
Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A

One major reason for Croatia’s success in the World Cup was because of their superb midfield composition, consisting of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic. All of them were on the field against England. While Modric was in his usual form, Rakitic and Kovacic were largely kept contained by English midfielders.

Gareth Southgate knew what kind of threat Croatian midfield could pose. So he deployed Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier to cut the lines between Rakitic and Modric. Rakitic failed to find his rhythm in the match and poor Kovacic was withdrawn in the second half. Against Spain, they allowed their opponents more space and were mauled. Sadly, England couldn’t capitalize their chances.

To make the situation better, Croatia need to consolidate the midfield and should not allow the opponent to play more on their half. Also, players like Modric and Rakitic should be rested for unimportant matches.

Southgate needs to experiment

Raheem Sterling and Dejan Lovren vying for the ball
Raheem Sterling and Dejan Lovren vying for the ball

Before the match, England coach Gareth Southgate sounded against any experiment. Still, he handed Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell his senior team debut. The move was successful as Chilwell ticked all the boxes which were expected from him.

The other player who made his debut was Jadon Sancho, the emerging youngster from Borussia Dortmund. He played Under-17 World Cup for England last year in India and since then, there has been no looking back. He excelled in Dortmund this season, scoring one goal and providing six assists.

The pressure was mounting upon Southgate to introduce Sancho and he readily obliged, though a bit late, in the 77th minute. Sancho had little time to prove himself, still, a dangerous cross from the right flank showed his ability.

As a second yellow card rules out Henderson and John Stones from the next match against Spain, Southgate has to make a little or more experiment with his side. Ruben Loftus-Cheek could well take the place of Henderson. He should also give Mason Mount and a chance to bolster the attack.

Tough road ahead for both teams

Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A
Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A

England and Croatia, both were beaten by Spain in their first match. As La Roja sits comfortably at the top of the table, the fight is between Croatia and England to avoid relegation. England will be facing Spain in Seville next Monday. A win for Spain could well but end Croatia’s chances of topping the group.

Croatia will host Jordan in the same stadium on Monday. They don't have any Nations League fixture until next month. They will host Spain at Zagreb on 16th November, before traveling to London to face England at Wembley three days later. Both the matches are very important for their survival in the nations league. If they are relegated, then it will set a bad precedent for the World Cup finalists.

Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia coach may need to tweak formation for his team. He should also give Nikola Kalinic a chance to build up attacking solidity.

UEFA should rethink stadium ban rule

Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A
Croatia v England - UEFA Nations League A

In Rijeka, spectators were not allowed to watch the game as a result of the suspension imposed by UEFA for the alleged Swastika mark on the turf in Croatia’s match against Italy in 2016. It’s embarrassing, given the context the match has been played.

It was an important match for the teams and without doubt, the supporters wanted to cheer for their favorite team. Without their vociferous home supporters, Croatia looked bleak and unimpressive. England too suffered as they have a set of traveling fans who follow them everywhere.

Some of the England fans were so desperate that they traveled all the way to Rijeka and climbed on top of the nearby hill to witness the match. It was a dangerous move indeed. This love and affection of the spectators should be given more respect by the authorities. Punishing everyone for one or two perpetrators sets a bad example.

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Edited by Deepanshu Sharma