By: Adamo Marinelli
July 14th, 2018
It’s incredible! It’s Christmas time for all soccer fans! We are now just a single day ahead of the
2018 edition of the World Cup Final, where Croatia and France will do battle for the right to call
themselves ‘Champions of the World’.
July 14th, 2018
2018 edition of the World Cup Final, where Croatia and France will do battle for the right to call
themselves ‘Champions of the World’.
Croatia, who had a 3% chance to win the World Cup entering the tournament now has a 50%
chance to win their first ever World Cup against a powerful and well balanced France team in Russia.
chance to win their first ever World Cup against a powerful and well balanced France team in Russia.
Both Croatia and France are talented teams but France has a younger core, and not that having
a younger core is bad, it just results in more inexperience. Although, the way France has played so
far in this tournament, you'd think they're one of the most talented teams in the world and their young
core has helped a lot with that their talent and success.
a younger core is bad, it just results in more inexperience. Although, the way France has played so
far in this tournament, you'd think they're one of the most talented teams in the world and their young
core has helped a lot with that their talent and success.
Having said that, France has been to a World Cup Final twice before winning in 1998 beating
Brazil 3-0 and then losing to 5-3 on penalties to Italy in 2006. Croatia has never been to a World
Cup Final before, losing 2-1 in the semis in 1998, to eventual tournament winners, France. They
went on to win the third-place match 2-1 against the Netherlands. That was their best showing at
the World Cup. Until 2018.
Brazil 3-0 and then losing to 5-3 on penalties to Italy in 2006. Croatia has never been to a World
Cup Final before, losing 2-1 in the semis in 1998, to eventual tournament winners, France. They
went on to win the third-place match 2-1 against the Netherlands. That was their best showing at
the World Cup. Until 2018.
Despite France has the advantage in previous World Cup Final appearances, this means
nothing as none of the players on France’s previous rosters in 1998 and 2006 are on the team
today. Same for Croatia, their 1998 squad are all retired from football. But both team's current
roster and coaches are very talented and deserve to be in the 2018 World Cup Final.
nothing as none of the players on France’s previous rosters in 1998 and 2006 are on the team
today. Same for Croatia, their 1998 squad are all retired from football. But both team's current
roster and coaches are very talented and deserve to be in the 2018 World Cup Final.
But, to find out who has the advantage, we need to dissect each team’s current roster, so the
depth and skill of every position on both teams, both coaches and the style of play to of both teams.
depth and skill of every position on both teams, both coaches and the style of play to of both teams.
First, let’s analyse the style of play of both football teams.
Croatia relies heavily on a strong midfield from the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan
Perisic to create plenty of offensive opportunities, which is why Croatia already has 12 goals thus
far in the tournament and they use their midfield to also compress the defensive half of the field to
cause turnovers, to take the ball back and to get back on offence with their spectacular transition
game. This explains why Croatia has dominated in possession in almost every single game, beating
Russia 64% to 36%, beating England 54% to 46% and despite the close numbers, Croatia had more
chances than England and could actually capitalize on their chances, unlike England who missed
several chances in the first half to take a 2-0 lead and to book their spot in the finals. They also beat
Denmark 54% to 46% and had over 65% of possession in their blowout win against Argentina.
They are also mostly able to generate more chances thanks to their great midfield and transition
game. They had more chances than their opponents in all their games and only had fewer shots
on target than Russia. Not to mention their goalkeeper Danijel Subasic has been amazing the whole
tournament, especially in the two penalty shootout wins.
Perisic to create plenty of offensive opportunities, which is why Croatia already has 12 goals thus
far in the tournament and they use their midfield to also compress the defensive half of the field to
cause turnovers, to take the ball back and to get back on offence with their spectacular transition
game. This explains why Croatia has dominated in possession in almost every single game, beating
Russia 64% to 36%, beating England 54% to 46% and despite the close numbers, Croatia had more
chances than England and could actually capitalize on their chances, unlike England who missed
several chances in the first half to take a 2-0 lead and to book their spot in the finals. They also beat
Denmark 54% to 46% and had over 65% of possession in their blowout win against Argentina.
They are also mostly able to generate more chances thanks to their great midfield and transition
game. They had more chances than their opponents in all their games and only had fewer shots
on target than Russia. Not to mention their goalkeeper Danijel Subasic has been amazing the whole
tournament, especially in the two penalty shootout wins.
On the other side, France is a well-balanced team who has talent all over the roster, in their
defense, led by youngsters Umtiti and Varane; in the midfield led by superstar Paul Pogba and in
their attack led by Griezmann, Giroud and teenage superstar Kylian Mbappe who has three goals
at age 19 in the tournament. Even their goaltender, Hugo Lloris has been spectacular in this
tournament to this point. France’s midfield isn't as good offensively as it is defensively but the
way France plays defence, and the size, speed and strength of their defenders, it can just wear
you down. France is just a well balanced and young team and is not better at a certain position
like most other teams at this World Cup.
defense, led by youngsters Umtiti and Varane; in the midfield led by superstar Paul Pogba and in
their attack led by Griezmann, Giroud and teenage superstar Kylian Mbappe who has three goals
at age 19 in the tournament. Even their goaltender, Hugo Lloris has been spectacular in this
tournament to this point. France’s midfield isn't as good offensively as it is defensively but the
way France plays defence, and the size, speed and strength of their defenders, it can just wear
you down. France is just a well balanced and young team and is not better at a certain position
like most other teams at this World Cup.
Next, we will analyse the coaches of both teams.
France’s coach Didier Deschamps is more experienced and more well known than Croatia’s
coach Zlatko Dalic and Deschamps has also coached the Marseille Olympic team from 2009-2012,
Juventus FC in 2006-2007 and AS Monaco FC from 2001-2005. His latest achievement was a final
appearance in the 2016 Euros where France lost 1-0 to Portugal and he can add to that list by
winning the 2018 World Cup in his sixth year coaching the team. He’s a brave coach with an
exceptional knowledge of the game and great formations and game plans. He’s finally got the
players on team France playing well. It's great!
coach Zlatko Dalic and Deschamps has also coached the Marseille Olympic team from 2009-2012,
Juventus FC in 2006-2007 and AS Monaco FC from 2001-2005. His latest achievement was a final
appearance in the 2016 Euros where France lost 1-0 to Portugal and he can add to that list by
winning the 2018 World Cup in his sixth year coaching the team. He’s a brave coach with an
exceptional knowledge of the game and great formations and game plans. He’s finally got the
players on team France playing well. It's great!
However, Zlatko Dalic has been exceptional in Croatia. Nobody thought that this team would
have a chance to win the World Cup, that they’d be as good as their 1998 counterparts, but Croatia
is one win away from their first ever World Cup title. And it’s all thanks to Zlatko Dalic, who with an
amazing grasp of the latest styles and ways football is played, with his amazing style of play, using
a strong midfield to control the game offensively and defensively, and the way he drafted his players
and who he chose, only picking the best Croatian players for each position, it’s all just sensational!
Dalic has only been coach of Croatia since October of 2017 and they are already in a World Cup
Final. That’s incredible! He’s also coached Al Ain FC from 2014-2017. Dalic won the Arabian Gulf
League, UAE President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Super Cup during his reign over Al Ain, and had
no shortage of success but his biggest achievement with Al Ain the big one came in 2016 when he
guided them to the final of the AFC Champions League.
have a chance to win the World Cup, that they’d be as good as their 1998 counterparts, but Croatia
is one win away from their first ever World Cup title. And it’s all thanks to Zlatko Dalic, who with an
amazing grasp of the latest styles and ways football is played, with his amazing style of play, using
a strong midfield to control the game offensively and defensively, and the way he drafted his players
and who he chose, only picking the best Croatian players for each position, it’s all just sensational!
Dalic has only been coach of Croatia since October of 2017 and they are already in a World Cup
Final. That’s incredible! He’s also coached Al Ain FC from 2014-2017. Dalic won the Arabian Gulf
League, UAE President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf Super Cup during his reign over Al Ain, and had
no shortage of success but his biggest achievement with Al Ain the big one came in 2016 when he
guided them to the final of the AFC Champions League.
Overall, Deschamps is a great coach, but I give the edge to Croatia’s coach Zlatko Dalic.
Next, we’ll analyse the depth and skill of each position for both teams and determine which team
has the advantage in each position.
has the advantage in each position.
In the goalkeeper position, I say Croatia has the edge with Danijel Subasic. Hugo Lloris is an
amazing goalkeeper and his stellar play with Tottenham shows for it. He might also be a top-five
goalkeeper in the world and his robbery of a save against Uruguay’s Martin Caceres in the
quarterfinals proves his stellar ranking worldwide, but in this tournament, Subasic has been better.
He plays exceptionally well with Monaco but in this tournament, he’s looked more
like a God, making more saves than his French counterpart and Subasic has been better in the
clutch when his team needs it, especially by showing how good he is against penalty kicks making
four saves in two penalty shootout wins for Croatia, three against Denmark and one massive one
in the first round against Russia excluding a missed net in the third round. It’s a close battle, but
Subasic is victorious.
amazing goalkeeper and his stellar play with Tottenham shows for it. He might also be a top-five
goalkeeper in the world and his robbery of a save against Uruguay’s Martin Caceres in the
quarterfinals proves his stellar ranking worldwide, but in this tournament, Subasic has been better.
He plays exceptionally well with Monaco but in this tournament, he’s looked more
like a God, making more saves than his French counterpart and Subasic has been better in the
clutch when his team needs it, especially by showing how good he is against penalty kicks making
four saves in two penalty shootout wins for Croatia, three against Denmark and one massive one
in the first round against Russia excluding a missed net in the third round. It’s a close battle, but
Subasic is victorious.
In defence, France has the edge. Despite Croatia’s defence are all extremely talented, Croatia
has more possession time in the tournament than France, which the defence plays a huge part of,
and they are the backbone of an amazing transition game which turns defensive takeaways into
attacking opportunities, Umtiti and Varane are simply bigger, stronger and better than Domagoj
Vida and Lovren. The Croatian defence is not bad at all, in fact, they’re one of the best in this
World Cup, it’s just France’s defence is better and stronger than the Croatians. France has also
conceded fewer goals in the tournament, only conceding four whereas Croatia conceded five.
That is a close comparison, only a one-goal difference and so it is not a one-sided battle, but the
edge goes to France in defence. Both defences do get involved in the scoring though, with Vida
scoring the go-ahead goal in the 101st minute of the quarter-final match against Russia and Umtiti
scoring the only goal which ended up being the game-winner for France in their 1-0 semi-final defeat
over Belgium to send them to the finals.
has more possession time in the tournament than France, which the defence plays a huge part of,
and they are the backbone of an amazing transition game which turns defensive takeaways into
attacking opportunities, Umtiti and Varane are simply bigger, stronger and better than Domagoj
Vida and Lovren. The Croatian defence is not bad at all, in fact, they’re one of the best in this
World Cup, it’s just France’s defence is better and stronger than the Croatians. France has also
conceded fewer goals in the tournament, only conceding four whereas Croatia conceded five.
That is a close comparison, only a one-goal difference and so it is not a one-sided battle, but the
edge goes to France in defence. Both defences do get involved in the scoring though, with Vida
scoring the go-ahead goal in the 101st minute of the quarter-final match against Russia and Umtiti
scoring the only goal which ended up being the game-winner for France in their 1-0 semi-final defeat
over Belgium to send them to the finals.
In the midfield, I give the edge to the Croatians. France’s midfield is good, with young talent like
Paul Pogba but France’s midfield is not very good on offence, way worse than the offensive ability of
Croatia’s midfield and only slightly better than Croatia in the defensive side of midfield because
they’ve conceded fewer goals in the tournament. Also, France’s transition game starting with good
defence from the defenders and in the midfield leading to attacking chances for the forwards is not
nearly as good as Croatia’s -- not even close -- as Croatia have been relying on a strong midfield
and a defence that can turn the ball over from their opponent to lead to offensive chances of their
own, resulting from a good transition game is how Croatia plays. Croatia also has much more
possession time than France and has dominated or at least won the possession percentage battle in
each game they played, which the midfield and defence play a huge part of. France is too balanced,
not enough midfield depth to do that every game. Also, Modric and Rakitic are top-tier midfielders
and way better in attack than France is. Modric can control a match for 90 minutes with his turns and
superior passing and Croatia’s stellar midfield crew including Modric, Rakitic and Perisic can almost
win a game on their own with all that they do; always scoring and being so good on defence, but
they’re going to have to be sharp against France and Kante as France’s midfield isn’t excellent, but
it isn’t a pushover.
Paul Pogba but France’s midfield is not very good on offence, way worse than the offensive ability of
Croatia’s midfield and only slightly better than Croatia in the defensive side of midfield because
they’ve conceded fewer goals in the tournament. Also, France’s transition game starting with good
defence from the defenders and in the midfield leading to attacking chances for the forwards is not
nearly as good as Croatia’s -- not even close -- as Croatia have been relying on a strong midfield
and a defence that can turn the ball over from their opponent to lead to offensive chances of their
own, resulting from a good transition game is how Croatia plays. Croatia also has much more
possession time than France and has dominated or at least won the possession percentage battle in
each game they played, which the midfield and defence play a huge part of. France is too balanced,
not enough midfield depth to do that every game. Also, Modric and Rakitic are top-tier midfielders
and way better in attack than France is. Modric can control a match for 90 minutes with his turns and
superior passing and Croatia’s stellar midfield crew including Modric, Rakitic and Perisic can almost
win a game on their own with all that they do; always scoring and being so good on defence, but
they’re going to have to be sharp against France and Kante as France’s midfield isn’t excellent, but
it isn’t a pushover.
In the forward and striker position, the edge also goes to the Croatians. Griezmann is great,
Olivier Giroud is solid, Kylian Mbappe is a teenage superstar, but Croatia is complete in the final
third as well. They are so dangerous with Mario Mandzukic’s ability to run score and create open
space to give Croatia an offensive opportunity and Ivan Perisic’s exceptional talent on the wing.
Perisic, the Inter Milan star, could be the difference in this match. Croatia’s attack and midfield just
create more chances to score and have scored more goals than France in the tournament. Croatia
has 12 total goals, 11 from midfielders and forwards and France only has 10 total goals, nine from
midfielders and attackers as Vida and Umtiti are both defenders who scored goals for Croatia and
France respectively. Although for Croatia at least, despite the midfielders and forwards got most of
the goals, those scoring opportunities came from the defenders, defence in the midfield and Croatia’s
amazing transition game from defence to offence. I’d assume the same thing for France as they’re a
balanced team, Croatia just puts more emphasis on a good transition game. Also, Croatia has 100
shots compared to only 75 from France and Croatia has 26 shots on target compared to France’s 24
in the tournament. This results from better midfield and forward play by Croatia and the surplus in
shots and shots on target also comes from a more possession time, which Croatia has over France.
Croatia has been more dominant in possession time and a great group of forwards, midfield and
defence help with that. Entering this match, I like what Croatia has in attack more than what France
has because of Croatia's experience playing together and chemistry on the field, as well as their
dominance in possession time and shots, shots on goal and the number of goals they’ve scored.
Olivier Giroud is solid, Kylian Mbappe is a teenage superstar, but Croatia is complete in the final
third as well. They are so dangerous with Mario Mandzukic’s ability to run score and create open
space to give Croatia an offensive opportunity and Ivan Perisic’s exceptional talent on the wing.
Perisic, the Inter Milan star, could be the difference in this match. Croatia’s attack and midfield just
create more chances to score and have scored more goals than France in the tournament. Croatia
has 12 total goals, 11 from midfielders and forwards and France only has 10 total goals, nine from
midfielders and attackers as Vida and Umtiti are both defenders who scored goals for Croatia and
France respectively. Although for Croatia at least, despite the midfielders and forwards got most of
the goals, those scoring opportunities came from the defenders, defence in the midfield and Croatia’s
amazing transition game from defence to offence. I’d assume the same thing for France as they’re a
balanced team, Croatia just puts more emphasis on a good transition game. Also, Croatia has 100
shots compared to only 75 from France and Croatia has 26 shots on target compared to France’s 24
in the tournament. This results from better midfield and forward play by Croatia and the surplus in
shots and shots on target also comes from a more possession time, which Croatia has over France.
Croatia has been more dominant in possession time and a great group of forwards, midfield and
defence help with that. Entering this match, I like what Croatia has in attack more than what France
has because of Croatia's experience playing together and chemistry on the field, as well as their
dominance in possession time and shots, shots on goal and the number of goals they’ve scored.
Finally, when overall talent and team chemistry is concerned, I have to give the edge
to France. Both teams have some fantastic players, 10 of which play in what I think is the top league
in the world, La Liga. But overall, France is a really balanced team, good in every position with many
superb players and are really fast and physical. From young star Kylian Mbappe and Antoine
Griezmann up top to a midfield led by one of the best central defensive midfielders in the world
in N'Golo Kante alongside Paul Pogba, the team is superb. Then considering the French have a
really good goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and a talented central defensive pairing in Barcelona star
Samuel Umtiti and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, you just see a team oozing with talent. Croatia
has a very talented group of guys no doubt with Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric in the
midfield among others, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic and also Ivan Perisic playing forward, Domagoj
Vida, Ivan Strinic and Dejan Lovren on defence along with an amazing goaltender, especially against
penalties in Danijel Subasic, who will blow your socks off. It’s just that France is just slightly more
talented than the Croatian side due to their players having more experience, as the current French
players have more World Cup experience than the current Croatian players as France advanced
further than Croatia in the 2014 World Cup and most of both team’s current roster were playing in
2014 but not before. Also, France lost in the finals of the 2016 Euros and Croatia lost in the round
of 16. That gives France more experience. Finally, because France is a well-balanced team with
talent everywhere and Croatia focuses mainly on a having a talented midfield which carries
everything else, although their defence and forwards are great also is another reason why
France is a slightly better team than Croatia despite both teams have been excellent in this
tournament, France has five wins, one draw and no losses and Croatia having six wins, no draws
and no losses thus far.
to France. Both teams have some fantastic players, 10 of which play in what I think is the top league
in the world, La Liga. But overall, France is a really balanced team, good in every position with many
superb players and are really fast and physical. From young star Kylian Mbappe and Antoine
Griezmann up top to a midfield led by one of the best central defensive midfielders in the world
in N'Golo Kante alongside Paul Pogba, the team is superb. Then considering the French have a
really good goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and a talented central defensive pairing in Barcelona star
Samuel Umtiti and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, you just see a team oozing with talent. Croatia
has a very talented group of guys no doubt with Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Luka Modric in the
midfield among others, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic and also Ivan Perisic playing forward, Domagoj
Vida, Ivan Strinic and Dejan Lovren on defence along with an amazing goaltender, especially against
penalties in Danijel Subasic, who will blow your socks off. It’s just that France is just slightly more
talented than the Croatian side due to their players having more experience, as the current French
players have more World Cup experience than the current Croatian players as France advanced
further than Croatia in the 2014 World Cup and most of both team’s current roster were playing in
2014 but not before. Also, France lost in the finals of the 2016 Euros and Croatia lost in the round
of 16. That gives France more experience. Finally, because France is a well-balanced team with
talent everywhere and Croatia focuses mainly on a having a talented midfield which carries
everything else, although their defence and forwards are great also is another reason why
France is a slightly better team than Croatia despite both teams have been excellent in this
tournament, France has five wins, one draw and no losses and Croatia having six wins, no draws
and no losses thus far.
Finally, I will make my prediction of who I think will win the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Considering the past three World Cup Finals have gone to extra time and one of which went all
the way to a penalty shootout where Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties to win their fourth World Cup
despite the game being tied 1-1 after extra time in 2006, I will put my money on the 2018 World Cup
Finals will go to extra time. In fact, I think it will go to a penalty shootout. Because of this, I think
Croatia will beat France 5-4 on penalties to win their first ever World Cup despite the match being
2-2 after extra time as in this World Cup, Croatia has been unstoppable in extra time and penalty
shootouts winning both matches in which they went to extra time and then penalty shootouts
against Denmark and Russia and like he did against Denmark and Russia, Danijel Subasic will be
incredible in this game, particularly in the penalty shootout making one crucial save in the fifth round,
that sets up the Ivan Rakitic World Cup winner. Also, France has bad memories of penalty shootouts
in the World Cup Final after their heartbreaking defeat to Italy in 2006, so that will be lurking in their
minds -- even though none of the current France players played in 2006 -- and this haunting memory
will also be another reason why Croatia wins their first ever World Cup title tomorrow in Moscow,
Russia.
the way to a penalty shootout where Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties to win their fourth World Cup
despite the game being tied 1-1 after extra time in 2006, I will put my money on the 2018 World Cup
Finals will go to extra time. In fact, I think it will go to a penalty shootout. Because of this, I think
Croatia will beat France 5-4 on penalties to win their first ever World Cup despite the match being
2-2 after extra time as in this World Cup, Croatia has been unstoppable in extra time and penalty
shootouts winning both matches in which they went to extra time and then penalty shootouts
against Denmark and Russia and like he did against Denmark and Russia, Danijel Subasic will be
incredible in this game, particularly in the penalty shootout making one crucial save in the fifth round,
that sets up the Ivan Rakitic World Cup winner. Also, France has bad memories of penalty shootouts
in the World Cup Final after their heartbreaking defeat to Italy in 2006, so that will be lurking in their
minds -- even though none of the current France players played in 2006 -- and this haunting memory
will also be another reason why Croatia wins their first ever World Cup title tomorrow in Moscow,
Russia.
Who do you think will win the 2018 World Cup? France or Croatia? Tune in tomorrow, Sunday,
July 15th, 2018, at 11:00 am Eastern Time across the TSN Network to find out the winner. Best of
luck to both teams and may the best team win.
July 15th, 2018, at 11:00 am Eastern Time across the TSN Network to find out the winner. Best of
luck to both teams and may the best team win.
No comments:
Post a Comment