France vs Croatia - Key midfield battle to determine World Cup winner
It all comes to an end on Sunday. The 64th and final match of Russia 2018 is played out this weekend with France up against Croatia having overcome Belgium and England, respectively, in the semi-finals. For France, it is the opportunity to lift the World Cup, 20 years after winning their first on home soil and the chance to make amends after their final heartbreak at Euro 2016.
Croatia are looking to exceed expectations and become world champions, 27 years after gaining their independence. Any questions of fatigue coming into the semi-final meeting with England were battered aside as the Vatreni secured a 2-1 win over the Three Lions after extra time. However, their tiredness will again be touched upon having played an additional 90 minutes compared to their final opponents at the World Cup.
Nevertheless, they showed incredible resolve to overcome Denmark, Russia and England after normal time and you can be sure that if the game is played beyond 90 minutes, Croatia will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds. The physical fatigue is outweighed by the mental strength and this is key. France will be still reeling from the loss to Portugal two years ago and while a much-changed immediate XI has been vital in Les Bleus’ progression to the final, there are lingering doubts over their mental toughness.
This could play into Croatia’s hands as they aim to write their name into the history books. They have their big game players in the likes of Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic, while Ante Rebic has been a revelation out wide, with the 24-year-old rising to prominence as the tournament has worn on. However, it is Croatia’s midfield that has earned the praise over the duration of the tournament and understandably so.
Luka Modric is one of the favourites for the Golden Ball, though admittedly he isn’t the favourite, with Kylian Mbappe that stand out contender, while Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic have both excelled in deeper roles to allow Modric to flourish. And flourish he has. Modric’s WhoScored.com rating (7.60) is the best of all Croatia players at the World Cup and means he is currently in the team of the tournament in the middle of the park.
The decision to field him in a more advanced role with Rakitic and Brozovic in support was a logical one by Zlatko Dalic, but allows for Croatia to control the midfield and outnumbering France in the middle of the park in Sunday’s final will prove crucial. Indeed, the possession won in the midfield third metric has Modric (31) top with N’Golo Kante (26) second and Rakitic (22) making up the top three. Kante’s role in the France midfield is vital, with the tenacious ball winner effortlessly drifting across the midfield and sweeping up play effectively.
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This in turn frees Paul Pogba to break forward and support the attack from deep, with the duo complimenting one another perfectly. It’s for that reason that France have never lost a game with Kante and Pogba starting together, winning 14 and drawing four of the 18 matches that have both featured in from the off. The Manchester United star is yet to contribute to a France goal directly, but it isn’t for want of trying having had five shots and made eight key passes in Russia.
Had his teammates readily donned their shooting readily, Pogba would have had a greater impact in the final third than he already has. However, Sunday would be as good a time as any to have a direct hand in a first goal to help cap off what has already been a solid tournament for the 25-year-old.
The battle in the midfield is expected to play a key role in what team emerges victorious in the World Cup final. Modric has again been excellent, but Pogba can turn the match in France’s favour in the blink of an eye and you get the impression that, whoever enjoys the better performance in Moscow, will be lifting the World Cup come full time.
