Croatian national football team opened the European Championship with a defeat, in Berlin Spain won convincingly 3-0 in the match of the first round of Group B.
Croatia, 4-3-3
Dominik Livaković (5) – Now we have seen how Croatia passes in matches in which Livi does not save two or three goals. The goalkeeper of Fenerbahçe was completely powerless when it came to goals, they don’t go to his soul. However, when you concede so many goals, you cannot get a passing grade.
Josip Stanišić (5) – We haven’t seen too many of his attacking outings. Only in the first half was one quality cross for Budimir. It was invented by Nico Williams.
Josip Sutalo (5,5) – One of the few who showed something with our national team. He dealt with opposing attacks without any problems. Lažnjaci, dribblers, he sold “furies” players just about everything. However, it’s hard to get a passing grade when your team concedes so many goals…
Marin Pongračić (5) – He wowed in the preparations and training ahead of the Euros and thus won a place in the first 11. However, the Lecce stopper was not up to par against Spain. With the first goal of the Spaniards, he fell out, he was too late in the offside trap. Even his long balls were not as accurate as in training. It’s a pity, this match was a great opportunity for him to cement his place in the first 11 in the following years.
Josko Guardiol (5) – Unfortunately, he didn’t look like he does at Manchester City at left back. The other are the demands and relationships… His attacking penetrations were missing as in the friendly match against Portugal. Joško is one of the best players of this generation and he has to do better.
Marcelo Brozć (5) – In the first half, there was a gameč with the most kilometers run in Croatia, but that was never in doubt in Broz. However, it is noticeable that he is not in the best shape. Very bad body language, constantly spreading his hands.
Luka Modrić (5) – It’s hard to even remember when Zlatko Dalić took out Modri so early. He admitted defeat in this way and decided to save the Real midfielder from unnecessary efforts. Blueć he wasn’t right in this match. At some points, he tried to go down to get the ball and thus help the defenders with the ball, but there was no contribution from him going forward.
from 65 Mario Pašalić (5,5) – It is known that Pašalić bringing. It is omnipresent in the penalty area. Indeed, he was charging box, but there were no real attempts by him. He is dangerous in the head game, but there were no real crosses from our national team.
Mateo Kovačić (5.5) – Along with Josip Šutal, the least bad in the Croatian national team. Had some very good dribbles and penetrations, slaloms… Oh, if only he could improve that shot and finish. Unfortunately, he had no teammates available in the midfield.
from 65 Sučić (5.5) – The Salzburg midfielder has enormous potential, but his knee has been bothering him this season as well. When he catches continuity, he could become an important part of the national team. At the moment it is not yet. He has not shown that he can impose himself in these kinds of matches, against these kinds of opponents.
Lovro Majer (5) – He did not play as he did in the preparatory matches. His interruptions were not killed this time either. The Wolfsburg midfielder has to do better. Perhaps he was held back by this scene, as well as by high expectations.
Andrej Kramarić (5,5) – Our attackč he is one of the few who tried something against Spain. He dribbled and dribbled, but he couldn’t get a more concrete opportunity next to the Spanish defenders positioned like this.
from 72 Bruno Petković (5) – He had to attackč Dinamo scored that situation when he was knocked down from behind by City’s midfielder Rodri. He had that for a second or two. He bravely took the penalty, but it was taken down by Simon. Below is his tap-in was not valid, since Perišić previously entered 16 meters.
Ante Budimir (5) – In a jump, completely helpless. He could not impose himself next to the stout Le Normand. Several times he was late in his reaction and failed to attack the second post. It was as if the rib injury, which he had at the end of the season in Osasun, threw him out of rhythm. Ante can do much better.
from 56 Ivan Perišić (5,5) – With his entry, he introduced a dose of liveliness. Let’s hope that Croatia will last in the tournament so that Perija will have enough time to raise the level of form even more. Unfortunately, during Croatia’s penalty kick, on the rebound, he entered too early, so his assist for Petkovic was not valid. He was only indirect…
Menu: Zlatko Dalić (5) – The Spaniards seemed to surprise our strategist with high pressing in the first 20 minutes or so. We struggled to get the ball out, so Modri had to help. and Brozović. When the Spaniards scored the third goal, he sat down on the bench and held his head. He looked worriedly at the floor. A coach cannot allow himself that. In this way, it sends a bad image to the game. Elections, keep your head up, there will be an opportunity for correction!
Berlin: The meeting between Spain and Croatia in the 1st round of Group B at the European Championship |
Spain, 4-3-3
Unai Simon (7.5) – He defended against the “fire” in the round of 16 of the last Euro. He had several colossal mistakes in that game, but in Berlin he showed that he has matured. How did he just save Petković’s penalty…
Dani Carvajal (8) – Real’s veteran played a fantastic game. And he had a difficult task, to stop the heated Joško Guardiola and vice-chairman Andrej Kramari. As he knew how, in stoppage time of the first half, he scored by running to the first post.
Robin le Normand (7,5) – He blew up our attacks in the jump. It is about a Frenchman who plays for Spain. France is strong, but a stopper like this would help them too.
Nacho Fernandez (7) – Made it into the starting 11 in place of the injured Aymeric Laporte. It is short, so it complements well with the stout Le Normand. Strong on the ball, experienced.
Marc Cucurella (7) – Got ahead of the great Alex Grimaldo. De la Fuente was not wrong with that choice. Cucurella went up and down as if he was running on batteries.
Rodri (6.5) – He hid the penalty, so half a mark less.
from 87 Martin Zubimendi (-) – Played too little for rating.
Pedri (7) – The Barcelona midfielder had problems with injuries in the past, so this slowed down his football development a bit. However, that is a thing of the past. At the age of 21, he leads the “fury” midfield. Without a problem, he imposed himself next to Luka Modri, Mateo Kovac and Marcelo Brozova. Assisted Fabian Ruiz for the goal.
from 60 Dani Olmo (6) – He had a former gameč Dynamo made several correct penetrations. He tortured Josip Staniši. However, if he wants to fight for a place in the first 11 of the “fury” in the rest of the tournament, he will have to do much better. The pressure is on Olmo, it is not easy to wear the number 10 in such a strong national team… Father Miguel followed him from the stands.
Fabian Ruiz (8) – A fantastic match for the PSG midfielder. First, a wonderful assist for Alvaro Morata, then a wonderful goal.
Lamine Yamal (8) – Let’s assume that će this young manć to be the future Ballon d’Or, you wouldn’t risk too much. Yamal became the youngest player against Croatia. in the history of European reviews. His dribbles are incredibly good and efficient. He gave Guardiola a lot of trouble with his quickness. Krasno assisted Carvajal for the goal.
from 86 Ferran Torres (-) – Played too little for rating.
Nico Williams (7) – His older brother Inaki is much better known to the general football public, but Nico is also a real danger. Extremely fast, fast, unpleasant… His minus is only the defense phase. Several times, our team threw him out with a couple of simple passes. It turned out… Unfortunately, we didn’t make better use of it.
from 68 Mikel Merino (6) – Came on to help solidify the midfield. This terrier did the job very well.
Alvaro Morata (7.5) – Phenomenal packer and shooter. He took advantage of Fabian Ruiz’s delicately accurate ball and put the Spaniards in the lead. See on Transfermarkt how many times the clubs have allocated substantial compensation for him. He showed why against Croatia. And it is often, too often, contested.
from 67 Mikel Oyarzabal (6) – Solid.
Menu: Luis de la Fuente (8) – Doctoral dissertation of the coach who led all the Spanish national teams. From cadet to senior. He knows every Spanish player by heart. He read a tactical lesson to Zlatko Dali.