As UEFA Euro 2024 approaches, Croatia faces the significant challenge of managing a generational transition, particularly in their midfield. The experienced trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic continues to be the backbone of the team, with Modric, at 38, symbolizing the twilight of an era.
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Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić recognizes the impending need to replace these stalwarts, alongside other veterans like Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, and Domagoj Vida. Despite Dalić's earlier assertions in 2020 about integrating younger players, the process has been slow. Four years later, only Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol has solidified a starting position among the newer generation.
Indicating a lag in the transition phase despite Croatia's commendable bronze medal performance at the recent World Cup in Qatar. The delay in integrating fresh talent for Euro 2024 isn't due to a lack of individual player quality but rather the challenge of balancing distinct player profiles and attributes effectively.
Dalić's reliance on the seasoned midfield trio has provided stability, yet it underscores a missed opportunity to groom successors who can seamlessly fit into the team's strategic framework. As the Euro Cup 2024 in Germany looms, the focus must shift towards fostering and utilizing young talents who can carry forward Croatia's legacy.
Challenges in Possession and Defensive Strategy Ahead of Euro 2024
This balancing act will be crucial not only for immediate success in the tournament but also for ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the Vatreni on the international stage. On the pitch, Croatia are… different. Since their breakout at Euro 2008, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic have exemplified a cerebral and improvisational midfield style, setting Croatia apart in international football.
This approach, characterized by creativity over sheer physicality, found its perfect complement in Marcelo Brozovic. Often likened to Sergio Busquets, Brozovic has anchored the midfield with his tireless work rate and defensive acumen. However, as Euro 2024 approaches, Croatia's reliance on maintaining possession as a defensive strategy highlights a critical challenge.
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The national team, rich in creative midfield talent but lacking in physical wingers and strikers, struggles to generate significant offensive threats despite dominating possession. This tactical dissonance was evident at the recent World Cup in Qatar, where Croatia averaged a high number of successful passes but failed to convert possession into substantial goal-scoring opportunities.
In the context of Euro 2024, this issue remains a pressing concern. Croatia's midfield trio of Modric, Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic excels in ball retention and pressure resistance, yet falls short in creating decisive moments in the attacking third. This was underscored by the team's low net expected goals per game and non-penalty xG per shot during the World Cup.
Croatia’s Path to Germany
The creative midfielders emerging from Croatian football, like Lovro Majer and Nikola Vlasic, often find themselves caught between traditional roles, which has led to inconsistent performances at club level. As Croatia prepares for the Euro Cup 2024 in Germany, it is imperative to address this imbalance. The team must find ways to translate their midfield dominance into concrete offensive output, restoring their ability to penetrate defences and capitalize on their possession-based style.
The hierarchy in Croatia's midfield remains steadfast as UEFA Euro 2024 approaches, with Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic consistently starting in critical matches. Despite the trio's experience, Croatia managed only four points from two vital games against Turkey and Wales, ultimately finishing second in Group D, just a point behind Turkey.
Avoiding the play-offs thanks to Wales' draws in the final qualifying window, questions still loom over how to optimize the attacking roles of Andrej Kramaric and Bruno Petkovic, both of whom tend to drop deep. Additionally, the deployment of Mario Pasalic, a significant penalty-area threat, remains uncertain.
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Balancing Croatia's Midfield Dynamics for Euro Cup 2024
Pasalic's sporadic involvement playing only 310 minutes across eight qualifying matches highlights a tactical conundrum, as his positioning on the wing often limits his effectiveness, despite his high xG per shot in open play. For UEFA Euro 2024, coach Zlatko Dalić faces the challenge of integrating players like Pasalic, Lovro Majer, Nikola Vlasic, and Luka Ivanusec into a cohesive unit that maximizes their talents.
Majer, in particular, stands out with his ability to contribute significantly to open-play sequences ending in shots, leading Croatia in this metric over the past three years. Despite his talents, Majer is still establishing himself as a central figure for the Vatreni, evidenced by his standout performances in recent friendlies, including a brace against North Macedonia.
As Croatia heads to the Euro Cup 2024 in Germany, balancing the established midfield trio with emerging talents will be crucial for converting possession. Dominance into meaningful offensive output, ensuring the team remains competitive on the international stage.
Arguably due to Croatia's consistent player profiles and a traditional scarcity of out-and-out wingers, barring any unforeseen issues, Marco Pašalić appears to be a realistic part of Zlatko Dalić's plans for Euro 2024 in Germany. His loan transfer to Rijeka from Borussia Dortmund last season has proven beneficial for several reasons.
The Potential X-Factors
Firstly, the timing was crucial after enduring two injury-plagued seasons with Borussia Dortmund II, the 23-year-old Pašalić was in dire need of regular first-team football. The move to Rijeka not only provided him with those essential match minutes but also placed him in the spotlight within Croatia's domestic league, an ideal platform for showcasing his talents. Croatia vs Italy Set for Challenging UEFA Euro 2024 Campaigns.
As UEFA Euro 2024 approaches, Marco Pašalić's form and fitness could be instrumental for Croatia. The Rijeka loan spell has allowed him to rebuild his career momentum and gain the experience needed to compete at a higher level. With Croatia's established midfield trio of Modric, Brozovic, and Kovacic nearing the twilight of their international careers, integrating younger players like Pašalić is crucial for a seamless generational transition.
This blend of experience and youth could provide Croatia with the tactical flexibility and depth required to make a significant impact at the UEFA Euro 2024. Another reason for Marco Pašalić's successful stint at Rijeka has been his synergy with coach Zeljko Sopic's system. Toni Fruk and Niko Jankovic are primarily responsible for providing final passes and making late runs into the box from midfield.
The creative burden fell on Pašalić and fellow loanee Marko Pjaca (who has also received a call-up) operating in wide positions. This tactical setup allowed both players to see a significant amount of the ball, particularly benefiting Pašalić. Among the 79 wingers to have played in the HNL this season, Pašalić (119) and Pjaca (117) ranked in the top five for open-play involvements leading to a shot.
Balancing Experience and Youth in Croatia's Squad
Additionally, only Hajduk Split’s Emir Sahiti (53) completed more successful take-ons than Pašalić (49), who also recorded the most shots per 90 minutes (3.5) of any winger in the league this term. However, despite this high volume, the quality of Pašalić's attempts did not always match the quantity.
Most of his shots were from long-range efforts cutting in from the right, resulting in a low non-penalty xG per shot. Among the 18 players with 50+ non-penalty shot attempts in the HNL this season, only Filip Krovinovic (0.046) had a lower non-penalty xG per shot than Pašalić (0.051). As Euro 2024 approaches, improving shot quality will be crucial for Pašalić to enhance his impact on the international stage.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Martin Baturina seems poised for a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues. He has been the primary creative force for title-winning Dinamo Zagreb in midfield, especially after Luka Ivanušec's transfer to Feyenoord. However, it will be much harder for him to thrust himself to the forefront of Zlatko Dalić’s plans for Euro 2024 in Germany.
Although Croatian football since independence has seriously preferred experience and permanency over youth, Marco Pašalić signifies a clear positional need for the Vatreni. The same cannot be said for Baturina and Red Bull Salzburg’s Luka Sučić, who might see their involvement limited to making an impact off the bench during the Euro 2024.
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