Croatia vs Belgium: Match Preview | FIFA World Cup 2022

ballprogression
By ballprogression
10 Min Read

If we learned one thing in this World Cup, it’s that things change quickly. Belgium opened versus Canada in what was a bad display by their standards but still managed to pull through and get the victory. Although there were signs of a potential crisis in their squad, the Morocco loss came out of the blue. What was supposed to be a game where they build momentum for the upcoming games turned into a nightmare. Belgium now have to go all out versus Croatia while the Vatreni’s only needs a point from the game. 

The tensions in the Belgium locker room are at an all time high with multiple players not seeing eye to eye, according to various reports.

De Bruyne had this to say a few days ago:

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“No chance, we’re too old,” De Bruyne said. “I think our chance was 2018. [Belgium] We have a good team, but it is aging. We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018. I see us more as outsiders.” 

Was he simply playing mind games with the reporters or was there a bit of harsh truth in there? Saying that, Roberto Martinez fielded 2 out of the 3 oldest starting XIs in the WC so far…

On the other side, the team harmony in the Croatia camp is great after they put four past Canada in the last game, shaking off the nerves from their game versus Morocco. It was a brilliant team performance where everything seemed to click, with the seniors in the squad coming up clutch once again. Canada took the lead early on but Croatia managed to turn it around and go into the half-time interval up by a goal before they eventually put two more past Borjan. 

Belgium form (all competitions): L L W L W 

Croatia form (all competitions): W D W W W 

When & Where?

Date: Thursday, 1st of December, 2022.
Time:15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT.
Venue: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; Ar-Rayyan, Qatar.

Team News

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Belgium

Belgium only have Amadou Onana out (suspension) while Lukaku’s not yet fully fit but available for selection after making a 10-minute cameo versus Morocco. 

Croatia

Previous injury doubt Nikola Vlasic made the bench in the last game but is unlikely to break into the starting eleven after the good display from the Kramaric-Livaja duo. Croatia have a fully fit squad. 

Tactical Setup

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Perisic ended the last game with 2 assists to his name and had an almost MOTM-worthy display last time out. Tottenham fans should be happy that he looks like his past injuries aren’t worrying him.  Kovacic looked incredible vs Canada, it was the type of game you know he’s capable of having but yet can’t consistently put it up. It was a joy to watch him initiate the press from midfield with his superb acceleration and aggressiveness from a stand still. He burst through Canada’s midfield like they weren’t there at times.

When he plays like this, he’s almost unplayable. Tielemans is set to make a start in the first eleven after a suspension to Amadou Onana. He’s likely to bring something different to that midfield but he needs to be wary of the Croatian trio in the middle. With his contract expiring in the summer, I’m sure clubs will be watching.  Same goes for Trossard, who could be on his way out of Brighton as soon as January. Kevin De Bruyne simply has to step up this game, he’s rightfully one of the world’s best and he’ll need help from his teammates but the moment is now. He’s got one assist to his name so far at this WC. 

Croatia are guaranteed to keep the winning combinations from last time out. I’ve said it before but if you let this Croatia midfield have time on the ball, they will dominate the game. Kovacic, Modric and Brozovic have an excellent understanding of each other and when things click, they have this wonderful capacity to not get into each other’s way with some brilliant rotations between the three. The defence looked solid with Gvardiol starting to show why he’s one of the most wanted defenders in Europe. 

Ivan Perisic grabbed 2 assists in his usual fashion but what Dalic can be happiest about is the connection he managed to create between Livaja and Kramaric. Kramaric took a winger/striker hybrid role with his fair share of defensive duties on the flank but enough room for expression and roaming around the box. Livaja is far from static too, he needs movement around him and he usually thrives. Kramaric bagged two with Livaja scoring one. Both interchange positions with each other here and there but expect Livaja as the link man and Kramaric the sharpshooter once again. 

Belgium haven’t found their touch this World Cup but with a win against Croatia, they are through the group. They scraped through with a 1-0 victory against Canada and showed only glimpses of real attacking quality in the game against Morocco which wasn’t enough. They have to go all out in this game but I don’t expect Croatia to close up shop and play for the result, at least not for the first 7o-ish minutes. The margin for error is simply too small in these 3 group-stage games and Dalic will come to play once again.

Lukaku might make a surprise return to the eleven considering it’s do-or-die time for Belgium, if not from the first minute he’ll definitely get stronger minutes than last time out. 

Morocco found joy when pushing against KDB in numbers and this might happen again. You just can’t leave him in an open space and Dalic will be aware of that.

Premier League Players in the Spotlight

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Ivan Perisic ended the last game with 2 assists to his name and had an almost MOTM-worthy display last time out. Tottenham fans should be happy that he looks like his past injuries aren’t worrying him.

Mateo Kovacic looked incredible vs Canada, it was the type of game you know he’s capable of having but yet can’t consistently put it up. It was a joy to watch him initiate the press from midfield with his superb acceleration and aggressiveness from a standstill. He burst through Canada’s midfield like they weren’t there at times. When he plays like this, he’s almost unplayable.

Youri Tielemans is set to make a start in the first eleven after a suspension to Amadou Onana. He’s likely to bring something different to that midfield but he needs to be wary of the Croatian trio in the middle. With his contract expiring in the summer, I’m sure clubs will be watching.

The same goes for Trossard, who could be on his way out of Brighton as soon as January. De Bruyne simply has to step up this game, he’s rightfully one of the world’s best and he’ll need help from his teammates but the moment is now. He’s got one assist to his name so far at this WC.

Predicted XIs

Croatia Starting 11 (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Livaja, Perisic.

Belgium Starting 11 (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Castagne; Meunier, Tielemans, Witsel, Trossard; De Bruyne, E Hazard; Batshuayi.

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