Croatia (4-2-3-1) vs Mexico (5-2-1-2) - World Cup 2014 Croatia vs Mexico - - ShareMyTactics.com
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Croatia came to this game needing to win, whereas Mexico was comfortable even with a draw. Croatian coach decided to field an left back Pranjic into an center midfielder role, more then likely in an effort to fortify the otherwise weak left side, to combat the fast and agile Aguilar's galloping runs since the left back would be otherwise engaged helping Lovren in trying to contain dos Santos, that naturally runs in at this side and overlaps with Mexico's right wingback. Srna was, as usual, given permission to roam more forward and it was somewhat fitting to see him battling Layun, all while Guardado was naturally trying to make runs in the space left by Srna. Perisic was playing more centrally as usually, trying to break in the space between a center back Moreno and Layun, since Srna was providing the width at that side. On the other side, Vrsaljko was much more conservative. Marquez would make moves up front to organize an attack from the deep. Despite the Croatian best efforts, they eventually had to open and push their fullbacks higher, since they were down a goal, Vrsaljko was brought out and Pranjic was put at his place, while Nikica Jelavic - an striker, was selected. This was too-attack oriented change, and brought Croatia effectively four attackers (Mandzukic, Jelavic and side players Perisic can play an wing forward and second striker while Olic is an natural forward - which was also by the end replaced by yet another forward - Rebic), they lost the midfield control, pushing the front four extremely up, only Modric and Rakitic - tired and now lacking any runners to help them, was left behind, and even though both can play holding midfielders neither is at it's truest - making the Croatia look like a broken side pushing fullbacks even higher, and it was the same side that was open now (having brought Pranjic on the spot for Vrsaljko) that was exploited the most by by-now relentless Mexican attacks. If Croatia wasn't down a goal and didn't need a win, we would be perhaps watching a different game, nevertheless, Mexico were better for the most duration of the game, and the result of 1-3 was fitting.
