VS
- Latest events
TURKEY
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It’s
been an upward trajectory for Fatih Terim’s squad, the road to France. After an
embarrassing start of the qualification stage, they were able to sneak through
to this group stage, and they arrive with 4 wins in 5 games – only lost at
England – in 2016.
·
Confidence
is at a high and the game against Croatia couldn’t have come in better time
·
In
a very tight group any win can make a difference, and the Turkish are ready to
get it.
CROATIA
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It
was very surprising to see Lovren out of the squad for the Euro, but
Schildenfeld and Corluka are ready to step in, and make sure no one remembers the
Liverpool man.
·
Perisic,
Modric and Rakitic form the trio that will have the task of serving Mario
Mandzukic, and this a quartet that, when in form, can make any team tremble
with fear.
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Ante
Cacic’s team will have to keep tracking back when they lose the ball, though,
as that is one of Croatia’s main problems, too many bodies committed forward,
and not enough recovery when losing possession.
- Expected Lineups
VS
- Areas to follow
TURKEY
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Defense
It’s always been the
same problem for Turkey. A big and strong defense, but slow and very frail when
facing quick opponents. We could state that this is a good matchup for the
Turks, as Croatia is a team that likes to have the ball, and Mandzukic is of
the same stature of the Turkey’s defense.
·
Midfield
With Selçuk Inan and
Tufan being the more holding midfielders, it’s up to the three in from of them
to create dangerous situations that can panic Croatia’s defense. Turan,
Çalhanoglu and Sen will move constantly, as all three dominate the positions,
trying to find space for Yilmaz or creating it for themselves. The Leverkusen
player will be in the spotlight, due to his set pieces ability.
·
Attack
Burak Yilmaz is a strong
player, that can hold the ball well and get involved in his team’s attack,
either creating spaces in between the opponent’s line, or carrying the ball
himself. Turkey will know that they will have to be patient and wait for a
chance that will, likely, come.
CROATIA
·
Defense
Without Lovren, Croatia’s defense loses experience but Liverpool’s season was on and off making it understandable that he stayed on holiday. With Srna being more adventurous than Vida, and with Corluka being able to close down the right side, expect to see Vida-Schildenfeld-Corluka in a back 3 when Srna helps out in the attack.
Without Lovren, Croatia’s defense loses experience but Liverpool’s season was on and off making it understandable that he stayed on holiday. With Srna being more adventurous than Vida, and with Corluka being able to close down the right side, expect to see Vida-Schildenfeld-Corluka in a back 3 when Srna helps out in the attack.
·
Midfield
The importance of Brozovic will always be overlooked, when is area teammates are the likes of Modric or Rakitic, but he will be the one that will give them the ball for the magicians to create. With Perisic playing in both wings with ease, and Rakitic floating between the center-right, Croatia has a dynamic football that can be very enjoyable to watch.
The importance of Brozovic will always be overlooked, when is area teammates are the likes of Modric or Rakitic, but he will be the one that will give them the ball for the magicians to create. With Perisic playing in both wings with ease, and Rakitic floating between the center-right, Croatia has a dynamic football that can be very enjoyable to watch.
·
Attack
Mandzukic will face a big game against Turkey, as he’s not used to not be the strongest man in there, but he thrives under it. Mandzukic loves a good duel and he’ll be happy to move away from the center backs to give a little touch and open up space for his teammates to come forward and help him out creating danger.
Mandzukic will face a big game against Turkey, as he’s not used to not be the strongest man in there, but he thrives under it. Mandzukic loves a good duel and he’ll be happy to move away from the center backs to give a little touch and open up space for his teammates to come forward and help him out creating danger.
- FIL’S VERDICT
Unpredictable. One of those games that just isn’t possible to say what is likely to happen, because both teams are so evenly matched up that will always depend on which player is in better form in the moment.
Turkey’s trajectory till getting to France has
been upwards, and they are confident they can start this very tough group with
a win, while Croatia put a thrashing over San Marino, and showed they are ready
to score goal.
The opening match of this very tough group can be a very open one. It’s fair to assume that both teams will be fearing defeat, but that will not mean that they will sit back and avoid mistakes, because that would be completely out of character for both teams.
The opening match of this very tough group can be a very open one. It’s fair to assume that both teams will be fearing defeat, but that will not mean that they will sit back and avoid mistakes, because that would be completely out of character for both teams.
With that in mind, we think this might be most
exciting game of the competition yet, with chances and goals.
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