FIFA World Cup 2018: Five reasons why Croatia can shine at the tournament

Ahead of the beginning of World Cup 2018, there has inevitably been heated debate over who will become the champions. All of the usual suspects have been named as front-runners – Brazil, Germany, France, Argentina and Spain among them – but beyond these teams there have been discussions as to the tournament dark horses.

While Belgian have often been cited as a team to watch, Croatia have successfully flown under the radar as one of the most dangerous teams in the competition.

Having attained independence in 1990, they have known tremendous success on the football field in the subsequent years, despite having a population of fewer than 4.5 million.

Undoubtedly their highlight was finishing third at France 1998, which was something of a coming-of-age experience for the nation, with Davor Suker to the fore.

Since then, they have perhaps underachieved a little, having failed to go past the group phase, but they will be confident of doing so this time around.

Here are five reasons why we can expect them to be a threat once more:

---

#5 Midfield quality

Modric had a good season with Real Madrid

The heartbeat of any team comes from the midfield, and there will be few stronger nations than Croatia in the heart of the park.

Captain Luka Modric has enjoyed another successful season with Real Madrid, who he helped to a third successive Champions League title, while alongside him is Ivan Rakitic, a vital member of the Barcelona squad that romped to the Primera Division title.

Together, they have close to 200 caps as the tournament approaches, and they have been successfully dovetailed by head coach Zlatko Dalic into forming a solid foundation for the national side.

While these two are the star men for their nation, it is the captain who is the undoubted ace.

“You don't have to be a football expert to see that Modric is the key player,” former national team boss Slaven Bilic told Sky Sports. “On and off the pitch he matured and became a leader. He's a captain. He is the main player on the pitch.

“I have had the privilege of working with really good players with Croatia, Besiktas and West Ham but if I had to name one as the best it would be Modric.”

These players will need to match any opponent they come up against for Croatia to function to their maximum, but fortunately for the national team, they are well capable of doing so.

#4 Mario Mandzukic

Madkuzic comes with bundles of experience on the world stage

He might not be the most glamorous of forwards, but Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic is a fine option to head the attack in Russia.

With 30 international goals under his belt, he certainly has plenty of pedigree at this level, and now 32, he has the experience that will help him shine on this stage.

Of course, he has proven himself a big-game performer before. In the 2017 Champions League final, he scored a spectacular goal for the Italians against Real Madrid, and while it was ultimately fruitless for their efforts on that occasion, it proved that when the chips are down, he is someone who can be relied upon.

Mandzukic, of course, is not simply a capable goal scorer. He’s a striker who is expert at leading the line and providing a platform from which others can shine.

Physically, he is strong and is especially good in the air. With the likes of Modric and Ivan Perisic providing ammunition for him, he should be capable of being a major handful.

Moreover, he is someone who will work enormously hard at the forefront of the attack and should, therefore, provide his side with a strong defensive platform from which to build from.

Having played at the absolute top level for the last six years and consistently done a fine job, this is his final chance to shine on a world stage. Back him to take it.

#3 Fitness

Croatia does not have any major injuries to worry about

While other teams might be missing some of their top stars, that is not the case for Croatia. Head coach Dalic has the luxury of being able to name every player he would wish in his 23-man squad for the competition, with no major fitness concerns hanging over the team.

While Egypt are left to sweat over Mohamed Salah’s readiness days before the competition begins, France are missing Kingsley Coman, Dimitri Payet and Laurent Koscielny, Brazil will have to do without Dani Alves and have Neymar going into the competition largely short of match sharpness. Every team seems to have their headaches - except Croatia.

Indeed, the biggest issue it could be argued that they have is that some of their players have simply played too much football this season.

This is particularly evident for Real Madrid pairing Modric and Kovacic, who were both playing competitively up until the middle of May as they helped Zinedine Zidane’s side become kings of Europe once again.

But the team has been together now for a couple of weeks and they have had the opportunity to prepare in an optimal manner and should be well rested before they take to the field against Nigeria on June 16 in what is their opening fixture in the competition.

Over a competition lasting a month, fitness will be vitally important and have a deep pool of quality players to select from can only help their cause.

#2 Experience

The Croatian team is full of experienced campaigners

If there is one thing that Croatia are not lacking in, it is the top-level experience. Of the 23-man squad that they will take to Russia in 2018, only three players have won fewer than 10 caps while an incredible 15 have 30 or more international appearances to their name.

But these are not simply players who play their club football at modest teams. Many are playing in the best leagues in the world, with 16 players featuring in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues.

Several have experience of turning out in the biggest matches, with Rakitic, Modric and Kovacic all featuring for Real Madrid and Barcelona – arguably the two biggest clubs in the world – while Mandzukic turned out in a Champions League final for Juventus little more than a year ago.

Even Duje Caleta-Car, who has one cap to his credit, was a Europa League semi-finalist with RB Salzburg this season.

Perhaps they lack a superstar name, but this is a squad that is replete with players who are used to facing pressure on a weekly basis. Being in the spotlight of the world should not faze them.

#1 The Draw

Croatia can fancy their chances in this group

While Group D has been touted as the most competitive in the World Cup finals, it may actually be a good deal kinder than it looks to Croatia.

Argentina, though they have Lionel Messi in their midst, struggled to qualify for the finals and even since appointing Jorge Sampaoli they have struggled to gain any measure of momentum and consistency. Croatia certainly should not fear the challenge of the South Americans.

Elsewhere, Iceland may have caused a stir at Euro 2016 by knocking England out and reaching the quarter-finals of the competition, but France showed by beating them comfortably in the last eight that they are not truly a world force.

Furthermore, recent results have been poor; if two friendlies against Indonesia are excluded, they have lost four of their last five matches, while the other was a 1-1 draw against Qatar. Iceland may have beaten them 1-0 in qualifying in Reykjavik, but they no longer appear so strong.

And finally, there is Nigeria, the lowest ranked of the African sides at the tournament. While they have a number of dangerous players, on paper they do not have the strength of the Croats.

Win their pool and suddenly the pathway to the quarter-finals looks clear, but if they do not, France is liable to stand in their way.

The clash against Argentina could be all important, but they are certainly equipped to succeed in it.

---

Can Croatia spring a surprise at the World Cup? Sound off your opinion in the comments section below!