Modric, Perisic, Kovacic anchor Croatia as Dalic backs old guard for Portugal test | OneFootball

Croatia head into a daunting World Cup round of 32 tie with Portugal in Toronto on Thursday night, one am in France, leaning again on their seasoned core after a laboured group stage.

According to L'Équipe, Zlatko Dalic, 59, in post since October 2017, is set to stick with the line-up used against Ghana. Croatia followed a 2-4 defeat by England with a 1-0 win over Panama, then edged Ghana 2-1.

That XI features Dominik Livakovic, 31, Ivan Perisic, 37, Mateo Kovacic, 32, Ante Budimir, 34, and captain Luka Modric, 40, who recently won his 200th cap. Andrej Kramaric, 35, and Mario Pasalic, 31, are options from the bench.

After beating Ghana, Dalic said reverting to Croatia’s usual set-up after earlier missteps had paid off, and described that as the real Croatia.

Nenad Bjelica believes the experienced core remains a vital support, having grown together and backed one another over years. He says Dalic consistently stresses their importance and shields them when required, as seen early in the tournament. Kovacic, short of peak fitness after an injury-hit season, has been managed carefully yet retained the coach’s trust despite mixed displays and new competition.

Perisic and Modric are set for a joint 21st World Cup appearance against Portugal, a record for the competition. Bjelica also believes the next generation, Luka Vuskovic, 19, Martin Baturina, 23, and Petar Sucic, 22, will keep Croatian fans happy. For some, this could be a last World Cup, and Croatia have never beaten Portugal at a major tournament.

Source: L'Équipe