The first semifinal of the World Cup in Qatar will face Argentina against a surprising Croatia that, once again, showed its rockier side, leaving out the main candidate, Brazil. Here my 5 tactical keys for the great and decisive match:
The first of the keys goes through the difference in drawings between the two selections. While Argentina confirmed the conversion to 3-5-2 against the Netherlands with the entry of Lisandro and long wingers, Croatia is structured in a 4-3-3 with the ball that goes to a 4-1-4-1 in the middle zone without the. That is why it will be decisive which team manages to impose its system over the other. Of course, you always have to leave the door open for Scaloni to opt for the 4-4-2, since Acuña's loss can influence.
They are two teams with a clear leader. Two matchless footballers in their positions. Messi is probably the best player in the history of this sport and Modric's level in recent years undoubtedly places him on the list of best midfielders of all time. The team that gets its benchmark on the field to participate more will have many more numbers to reach the grand final. The ex-azulgrana signs great performances whenever he manages to come into contact with the ball with continuity.
At the Argentine spearhead will be a Julián Álvarez who has become the definitive owner. His performances are endorsing him for it. And it is that he is a striker who opens spaces, who gives dynamism and throws constant uncheck into space. Except for surprise, today he will have in front of the couple formed by the experienced Lovren (at a good time) and Gvardiol, one of the best central defenders today. The latter feels so strong defensively that he responds to all the movements of his pair. So two things can happen: that the Croats manage to disconnect the white and blue attack point or that the Argentines can exploit these drags to take advantage of the freed spaces.
Another aspect that could affect the match is Croatia's exits on the left flank with the signing of Perisic. The Croatian footballer, who is used to playing a leading role in important matches, has the overflow and quality to generate dangerous things in the Nahuel Molina area. Special attention to the crosses that he can take because they tend to be precise and the Netherlands have already shown that this is an aspect of the game in which Argentina has difficulties defending.
And finally, we must talk about the mental issue. Because in matches of this type it plays a decisive role and because today two teams with a special gift for competing face each other. The Balkan mentality allows Croatians to show their best version in high-tension situations. A factor that they already demonstrated in the 2018 World Cup and that they are showing again in this one. The best test, the exhibition against Brazil reversing an almost certain elimination. For its part, there is no national team that knows how to live on the wire better than Argentina. The capacity for suffering of the albicelestes has no comparison.
