All-Star 1995-2015 (3-4-3) vs Croatia Best Ever XI (3-4-3) - ShareMyTactics.com
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This is essentially Croatia Best Ever XI against their contemporaries. Reds shall try to exploit the power of their attack by transferring the ball to them as soon as possible. Both Stimac and Bilic cannot guard Messi and Henry, in terms of their speed and inclination to combine. Whites can retaliate by using lack of coherency in the Reds' midfield. Unlike Whites' midfield, Reds are heavily unbalanced and have colliding styles of play. C. Ronaldo is likely to move inside, Ronaldinho will have problems to establisha solid game with Zidane. Whites must hold the ball, and use the vertical line Modric-Mandzukic to split open the Reds' formation. Mandzukic may hold the ball and employ Suker or Boksic. In conclusion, Reds are far ahead in terms of individual quality and talent. Whites have a high-ground when it comes to the coherent system, discipline and the school of play. If Reds will be unable to impose their will on the pitch and find, even remotely, how to cooperate, chances are that the Whites will see their chances increase with each passing minute. Anyway, here is my prediction: 1:0 ('31, Messi, assisted by Ronaldinho) 1:1 ('40 Mandzukic, assisted by Boksic) 2:1 ('63 Henry, assisted by Zidane) 2:2 ('89 Suker, picked up from Boban's long shot) 3:2 ('103 C. Ronaldo header, by Zidane's corner-kick) Player of the game: Zinedine Zidane Even in the case of penalties, Reds would probably prevail (as hard as it is to predict the outcome, and bearing in mind that Croatia has a very positive record on penalties, except EURO 2008 against Turkey). Still, Buffon is an intimidating factor, likely to dispose Croatians' hopes. Here we go: Boksic 1:0 Nedved 1:1 Srna x (saved by Buffon) C. Ronaldo 1:2 Boban 2:2 Zidane 2:3 Suker 3:3 Henry 3:4 Perisic x (across the bar)
