Host Russia must adapt for Croatia
Print Edition
Coach Stanislav Cherchesov seems to be the only Russian not caught up in the euphoria of the country鈥檚 biggest World Cup win in decades.
In the quarterfinals, Croatia will present a different challenge for the host nation, which must make changes.
As his players were still partying in the dressing room and Russians were flooding into Moscow鈥檚 Red Square to celebrate Sunday鈥檚 win on penalties over Spain, Cherchesov rattled through a list of upcoming medical tests, tactical sessions and squad selection decisions.
鈥淭he job鈥檚 done. Now we鈥檙e thinking about the next game,鈥 Cherchesov said.
The gruff veteran coach admits other teams have more skill, but the Spain victory 鈥減lanned down to the millimeter鈥 鈥 showed the right tactics mean everything.
Russia鈥檚 ultra-defensive approach worked against a risk-averse team that completed more than 1,000 passes, but almost none into the penalty area. Spanish defensive errors, a possible symptom of switching coaches two days before the World Cup, gave Russia chances to attack.
Croatia reached the quarterfinals just like Russia 鈥 on penalties after a 1-1 draw 鈥 but its win over Denmark was a very different game, and its style could hurt Russia in Sochi on Saturday. Midfielder Luka Modric offers passing with a purpose that Spain lacked, while Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic have a versatility Russia didn鈥檛 face in the last 16.
Croatia will take note of Spain鈥檚 success in extra time, when it took more risks and began running at the Russian defense. When Rodrigo charged down the right flank, he forced a good save from Igor Akinfeev, before Dani Carvajal mishit the rebound.
Only Uruguay has consistently tested Russia鈥檚 defense, beating Cherchesov鈥檚 team 3-0 in the group stage. Russia struggled to cope, though little was at stake since both teams had qualified. An early red card for Igor Smolnikov and extreme heat limited Russia鈥檚 hard-running style. Sochi is forecast to be cooler.
Russia can play with five at the back, as against Spain, or a four-man defense, as in the three group-stage games. However, playing five defenders against Croatia could expose the squad鈥檚 limits, as left back Yuri Zhirkov 鈥渉as, I fear, played his last game at the tournament鈥 with a knee injury, Cherchesov said.
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