Croatia are gearing up to face England in their World Cup opener, and a Croatian insider has shared insights on the likely starting XI. Journalist Tomislav Gabelic of 24Sata has been working to uncover Zlatko Dalic's plans for the Group L clash in Dallas.
Formation Switch to Back-Three
Gabelic explained that Dalic has been considering a switch to a back-three defence for the England game. 'Three months ago when preparation for the World Cup first started, Dalic openly said that he's thinking of switching to a back-three in defence for the England game,' Gabelic said. 'He tried it in previous matches, sometimes with success, sometimes not. But if I can predict, I would say he'll start with three in the backline.'
The formation is expected to be 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2, focusing on defensive solidity with counter-attacking options. Gabelic noted that with three central defenders, wingers who can defend are essential, likely Josip Stanisic and Ivan Perisic.
Predicted Lineup
Gabelic predicted a defence including Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo, and young Luka Vuskovic. In midfield, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Martin Baturina, or Petar Sucic would control the field. Up front, strikers like Petar Musa (FC Dallas) or Ante Budimir are likely.
Modric remains the heartbeat of the Croatian side, despite his age. Gabelic emphasized that the team relies on his experience and skill.
Team News Leaks
Early lineup news often causes concern among fans and coaches, but Gabelic noted that leaks are part of the job. 'It's the same here in Croatia when you speak about our national team. Even coach Zlatko Dalic is sometimes sad that we released the team which will start the game earlier than him,' he said. 'It's our job to speak to people and get proper information about the team. I don't see it as a big story because 90 minutes before the game, the coach will release the team and the opponent will know everything.'
Gabelic explained that information comes from various sources: parents, brothers, sisters, managers, and friends. 'We've done this job for 10-20 years, so we know something about the game, about the form, so we can do the job. I like to say that the difference between the coaches and journalists is that we know when something is going on, when something is wrong but the coach knows how to repair it.'
