Having embarked on a sensational run to the 2018 World Cup final, might Croatia have set the bar too high for themselves this time round?
Less than half of the starting XI that lost 4-2 to France that balmy night in Moscow will make the plane to Qatar.
One of which is the mercurial Luka Modric. The Real Madrid playmaker may be at the wrong end of his 30s, but very much remains his team’s heartbeat.
Modric, though, will have to cope without his reliable aide, Ivan Rakitic, who retired from international football in 2020. He has also confirmed this will be his farewell World Cup.
Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic are stationed alongside Modric in the middle of the park, although they are more renowned for their defensive capabilities.
Further upfront, Ivan Perisic of Tottenham has a wicked left foot and can be relied upon to send in quality crosses for the targetman.
Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir are vying for that role vacated by the retired Mario Manduzkic.
Kramaric, though, looks likelier to win the nod of approval from head coach Zlatko Dalic as he is more adept at playing the false 9 position.
Dalic has opted for a youthful backline, with veterans Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren having to take a backseat.
The spotlight will be on the Generation Z trident of Josko Gvardiol, Josip Sutalo and Josip Stanisic.
Gvardiol, who plays his club football for RB Leipzig, possesses a strong physical presence and has shown his cool and composure on the ball as well.
Already on the transfer radar of Chelsea and Manchester City, a fine tournament could well add zeroes to his transfer tag.
Croatia’s first hurdle comes in the form of Morocco on 23rd November. That’s followed by a clash against Canada four days later, before the toughest assignment of all, a date with Belgium on 1st December.
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