They haven’t got the world’s best. They haven’t got the best coaches. They haven’t got the highest paid players at club levels nor the players have strong fan following, but certainly they –Russia and Croatia –have the best players at the tournament who performed as a unit when it mattered the most.
The stakes will be high when Russia cross swords with the blazers Croatia in the low-profile yet an enticing quarter-finals encounter on Saturday.
While the world have been curious and anxious about the other three quarter-finals (Brazil v Belgium, Uruguay v France and England v Belgium) Russia are surely waiting in eagerness and anticipation of making their first last-four appearance when they play their first quarter-final match of the modern era against Croatia.
Russia have been one of the most attacking sides in the 2018 World Cup; managed to score nine goals and are tied on second spot with England, thanks to Denis Cheryshev who slammed three goals in the group stages. Despite not having big or familiar names in their ranks, the side has improved with every game in the competition and one can’t write off Denis’ contribution who spent his major years at Real Madrid before moving to Villareal.
Russia’s successful 4-3 tie-breaker win against 2010 Champions Spain, will go down in their history books.
Meanwhile Croatia aren’t far behind. The 1998 semi-finalists have smashed in 8 goals so far and restored their nation’s pride making it to the last eight in a competitive tournament. The Croats are undefeated in their run to the last eight and will continue to rely upon their humble leader Luka Modric who got two goals to his name not forgetting his wonder-strike against Argentina in their 3-0 win.
Enjoying similar goal scoring and success rates, the teams face a similar problem in the disciplinary areas. They are the only two sides among the eight teams from last eight with most number of bookings and fouls committed.
A player is suspended for a game on receiving two yellow cards. Both – Russia and Croatia have five and eight players respectively on yellow and on the verge of missing their next match if they get another yellow in the quarter-finals. Russia also has a player sent off. The hosts also account for most fouls committed among the eight with 70 followed by Croatia with 60.
Russia’s five include — Aleksandr Golovin who has scored one and assisted two for his side, Yury Gazinsky (1 goal), Kutepov (1 assist), Roman Zobnin (1 assist) and Fyodor Smolov.
We all failed to note Croatia’s team which consists of very vital players from various clubs across the world that makes them strong as a unit. However, they also face a risk of missing out on certain players if they get are cautioned again, provided they make it through.
Ivan Rakitić (1 goal), Ante Rebić (1 goal) and Mario Mandžukić (1 goal) are the three goals scorers who need to play fair to avoid any damage to their team. Atletico defender Šime Vrsaljko, Inter’s Marcelo Brozović (1 assist), Vedran Ćorluka, Tin Jedvaj and Juventus’ Marko Pjaca are the other players who need to be careful on Saturday.
The players with one caution are given clean slate upon entering the semi-finals.
