Russia is very tenacious. Overtime 1 to 2 behind, the ball is contained, only relying on counterattacks, or relying on a free kick to break the goal.
Russia is very tough. The striker was forced to grab the high position, and the midfield line was always balanced. In addition to losing the first ball, the counterattack basically did not allow Croatia to penetrate the line of defense.
Cherishev is very good, the fourth goal of this tournament is still such a wonderful long-range shot - if you add the oolong to Uruguay, it is 5 balls!
Golovin, Samedov and Juba's running are very in place. They don't have a forming frontcourt, and many of them are going to the point and go to you - and they have many opportunities.
Manjukic was very diligent, his involvement and running, and the whole Russian defense line was left; after he set the edge, he assisted Kramari with an assist. The Russians were all behind the defense, but he saw the stitches and forced the KLM. Rich's cover.
Rakitic scored a penalty in the second consecutive game, and his mind was perfect.
Vader scored the lead in overtime and was calm when shooting a penalty.
Su Brazil is the second best performer. After the thigh cramps, they still stood up and destroyed the counterattacks of several Russian smashing drills. The penalty shootout first slammed the opponent's shot and opened a good start for Croatia.
However, this field is the best performer, and it is unbeatable. It is Croatian No. 10 captain Luca Modric.
We have always known that Modric is one of the best organizers of the world. But how good can he leave Real Madrid?
This year's cup, especially this one, is the answer.
If you only look at the data, he assists once, only 139 passes pass 102 times the success rate of 87%, the tape took 8 times (!) steals 2 times.
But only by watching the game in person, I understand the terrible things of Modric.
When he retired, he was the standard No. 6, personally guarding the penalty area, breaking the ball twice, and several times in the fight for the air ball to stop the ball freely - Kanter or Henderson will choose to cross or return after breaking the ball He will pass the ball directly to start the counterattack on the spot.
He was perfect on the 8th in the midfield transition, moving laterally, sending a long ball, passing the left wing and then passing it to the right to Pericic. Croatia has not lost the ball at his feet. He can push forward a bit every time he catches the ball.
Occasionally, the teammates honed in front of the penalty area, and he stepped forward, incarnation as the standard No. 10: pass straight, personal long-range shot, set ribs from the last 10 minutes of regular time to 15 minutes before overtime, When he arrived in front of the penalty area, Russia used two people to mark: he was afraid that he would send a desperate pass, or, as in Argentina, a long-range solution.
He does everything and does everything well.
In Real Madrid, he often gave the work of the long pass to Cross, and gave the work of the fight to Kasemiro and Asencio, and when they hit the counterattack, they directly went to the Marcelo who passed the set and did not show it. . It was only shown in Croatia: on the 6th, 8th, and 10th midfielders, he was all in good hands and still doing well.
He seemed to be a long-eyed person on the court, and his vision passed through the ball that he had dealt with in the whole game. Croatia always took control of the ball and found a partial advantage. Most of the balls that he did not deal with were out of the bottom line.
It’s strange to say this: Modric showed up in this game. He is taller and taller than any player in Croatia and Russia. It is so high that he looks forward every time he inserts:
"I fed the ball to you like this. What are you going to do? Well, let me demonstrate the operation myself!"
Two years ago in Bordeaux, I asked Deco: the goalkeeper, to enjoy the game without losing the ball; like the striker, the goal makes them excited midfielders, how to get the satisfaction of the game?
Deco said: We watch the game, I want to confirm that I am helping the team, so I have to watch the game at any time. My duty to perceive the game is to let the game go in the direction of winning. If I find that we are falling, I will look at myself; Adjust yourself to make sure you are getting the team to win.
Me: If active duty is to pick the player closest to you, such an all-around, technically comprehensive player who can balance the midfielder, who do you pick?
Deco: Modric.
Today's game is a typical model. Every time Modric's touch is in the hands of Croatia, either regaining or retaining the ball, they are all targeting the weakest position on the Russian side. So in overtime, I saw that Modric was still running when he was still rushing. I can’t wait for the Croatian team to say: "You guys are not so smart, can you run more and let Modric less? Run a few steps and use your strength in the command!"
Although Croatia did not win in overtime, although Modric’s penalty was also in the wrong direction by Akinfeev, although Modric had only one assist in the game, anyone who has seen the game can A deeper understanding of the concept of organizers. Modric’s textbooks in general explain this, the so-called core of the team, what it is like.
This is a bit arbitrary, but Zidane retired, Riquelme returned to South America, Harvey and Pirlo have retired, Europe's big organizer compared with Modric, only De Blaunet.
Not to mention that he is on the road, facing the fans of the entire Russian land, in more than 100 passes and 139 touches, accurately and calmly, like a local professional, handle each ball, let Russia's entire game was sealed by his passing network and could not start.
In the last Spanish midfield, there was a mismatched midfielder, and the pass was very dense, but relatively meager and directional. In contrast to the organization of Modric, the passage of Silva and Isco. It’s a bit stingy.
He is a neutral fan who can watch the ball, and he sincerely hopes that he will win the commander, and feels that "this is the right way to play" and "I wish to be his teammate!"
So in the end, Croatia won, and it will make people feel that there is a sense of reason. "It is the winner they will win!"
Because Modric played the ball, it was too right. Every time he touches the ball, people pay tribute to him.