[CroFlames]

Encouraging read about my other team:

Paywall: https://theathletic.com/3762416/2022...ide-world-cup/

The introduction of two modern young centre-backs, RB Leipzig’s hugely talented Josko Gvardiol, 20, and his successor at Dinamo Zagreb, 22-year-old Josip Sutalo, helped Dalic push the back four higher up the pitch, meaning Modric and/or Brozovic don’t have to drop so deep to pick up the ball during build-up, which often caused a very visible gap between midfield and forward line.

Now, Croatia take control of possession more comfortably, and those three with the ball at their feet means imminent danger for the opposition.

A seasoned motivational speaker, he [Dalic] will be hoping to keep team spirit high heading into his third major tournament with Croatia, equaling the records of Miroslav Blazevic and Slaven Bilic.

If anything, 2018 taught Croatia to take it one step at a time — an approach that almost made them world champions.