World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group D

Croatia

Croatia have arguably the best midfield in the tournament

The perennial dark horses of the WC are back once more, and this time in a group that will do nothing to help them get rid of that tag. After missing out in 2010, and getting in last time after winning their play-offs against fellow group mates Iceland in 2014, this is one last chance for Croatia's golden generation to come good.

Croatia qualified as the runner-up of their European qualifier group, behind Iceland and were drawn together in the same group. A lot of fans hate their own team because of just how corrupt and shady their FA is, but hopefully, they can find it in their hearts to support their team during the WC.

Coach: Zlatko Dalic

Dalic was granted the job only in October 2017, and he immediately repaid their faith in him by leading Croatia to a 4-1 playoff win over Greece in order to secure their qualification to Russia.

Dalic has proved to be tactically astute - his greatest decision was to employ Modric in a more advanced role than he usually plays at Real Madrid. Before this appointment, he had a very successful career in UAE with Al-Ain and Dalic might be the coach who finally helps Croatia break free of their potential.

Croatia's squad for the World Cup

Croatia make use of a classic 4-2-3-1 system, with Monaco's Subasic as their goalkeeper. Corluka, Vida, Strinic/Lovren and Atletico Madrid's Vrsaljko complete their defensive line, with Vrsaljko as their most dynamic player.

The Croatian has firmly established himself at Atletico and makes use of that organization and discipline in the national team as well. At right back, he constantly bombs forward while the other fullback is content to remain back.

Objectively, Croatia has one of the best midfields in the tournament and is their greatest strength. With Badelj and Rakitic as the deep-lying play-makers, all Croatia needs to do is make runs into the box and wait for the ball to find them.

Rakitic is the more industrious of the two, and will play a role similar to Busquets at Barcelona. Modric is free to roam forward, playing as the No.10 or the attacking midfielder, just behind the striker

The flanks are taken up by Perisic and Kramaric - again one of Dalic's plans. He was the one who stuck with Kramaric as the right winger, and the Hoffenheim player has taken to the position like a duck to water.

The striker is usually Mandzukic, but the Juventus player doesn't suit Croatia's system that well. The alternative is Milan's Kalinic - who is very good when playing for the national team. Another option is to start Kramaric as striker, and play one of Kovacic/Brozovic as the central midfielder.

Can the Real Madrid superstar help Croatia to the next round?

Player to watch out for: Luka Modric

LM10, as Real Madrid fans have taken to calling him, is one of the best midfielders ever and is one of the best footballers in the world at the moment. A role where he is encouraged to go even forward and try things simply cannot go wrong.

Modric also has an excellent support cast around him to make things happen. It will be up to him to ensure that Croatia's greatest generation in possibly their last WC do not return as another also-ran.