Group A: Estonia 1-3 Croatia

Game Summary

Croatia controlled the game: 60% possession, 24 shots versus 2 against
Estonia defended in a 5-3-2 mid-to-low block and the system matchup made it comfortable for Croatia to circulate possession along their backline and progress in wide areas as FBs free to receive and carry forward before looking to combine with their winger in the final 3rd
Croatia's repeatedly targeted Estonia's RWB #9, creating a consistent attacking threat down their left-hand side
Croatia's high pressure at Estonia goal-kicks and deep build-up forced regains either directly (immediate turnovers) or indirectly (their backline winning 1st or 2nds when Estonia forced into going long)
Estonia's goal came from a late individual attacking action (forced regain and powerful shot)
Standout Performances:
- Croatia #11 Nik Žužić Škafar

Starting Line-Ups

Estonia: 3-5-2 in possession & 5-3-2 out of possession
Croatia: 4-2-3-1 in possession & 4-4-2 out of possession

EU17_ Estonia vs Croatia_scene1_202608051424.png

Estonia Observations

In Possession

Switched to a 4-3-3 at goal-kicks and deeper build-up
- #14 moved to RB, #3 and #5 formed the CB pairing and #17 stayed deep at LB
- #9 (RWB) advanced towards the forward line, with #18 moving wider on the left and #11 central
Persistently attempted to build short from goal-kicks, although Croatia's high press regularly forced turnovers
Typically aimed to progress in wide areas, but Croatia were able to anticipate this recurring pattern and regain as Estonia's advanced receivers typically facing their own goal so able to apply pressure
When unable to progress on one side, Estonia attempted to circulate possession across to the opposite flank, although the circulation was often too slow to exploit the available space
Settled possession spells typically involved backline circulation in front of Croatia's high or mid-block
A frequent issue (as per their first game) was having too many players behind the ball, with the three CBs often joined by 1-2 CMs, leaving limited forward options and support (ability to compete for 2nd balls)

Out of Possession

Predominantly defended in a 5-3-2 mid-to-low block
Spent the majority of the match pinned inside their own half and defensive 3rd
Their OOP system enabled Croatia FBs to regularly receive in space and carry forward, allowing frequent progression routes around their block
Midfield and forward lines were required to shift continuously from side-to-side to protect wide areas

Players

#1 (GK) - Harly Ollin
- No notes
#9 (RWB) - Karl-Tristan Lorenz
- Assuming typically an attacking player based on shirt # and behaviours
- Tasked with significant defensive responsibilities as RWB and frequently targeted by Croatia's LW
- On several occasions allowed the LW to cut inside onto his stronger foot, without appearing to adjust his body shape to show him outside
- Required to transition between defending in the backline and joining the forward line in possession, resulting in a physically demanding role
- Maintained his work rate and continued to perform his defensive and attacking responsibilities despite the scoreline and difficulties Estonia faced. Indicator of positive commitment and attitude?
#14 (RCB) - Ronn Neltsas
- No notes
#3 (CCB) - Ronald Sammul
- No notes
#5 (LCB) - Uku Nõmm
- No notes
#17 (LWB) - Karel Isok
- No notes
#21 (RCM) - Andero Kaares (C)
- No significant notes
- Made runs beyond the forward line into the inside channel when #9 received possession on RW
- Physically demanding role OOP, requiring frequent shifts across the pitch to protect wide areas
#10 (CM) - Robert Mihhalevski
- No significant notes
- Operated as the deeper CM during possession phases, regularly dropping in front of Croatia's forward line to receive
- Predominantly circulated possession with limited forward passing options available
- Physically demanding role OOP, requiring frequent shifts across the pitch to protect wide areas
#8 (LCM) - Artjom Timakov
- No significant notes
- Physically demanding role OOP, requiring frequent shifts across the pitch to protect wide areas
#11 (CF) - Kert Tomingas
- Regularly made runs beyond Croatia defensive line and into the channels to provide an outlet for direct passes
- On several occasions, channel runs helped Estonia gain territory and win throw-ins inside Croatia's half
- Physically demanding role OOP, requiring frequent shifts across the pitch
#18 (CF) - Robert Lehtmets
- No significant notes
- Physically demanding role OOP, requiring frequent shifts across the pitch
Substitutions:
- #4: On for #9 at 62 mins. No notes
- #13: On for #11 at 68 mins. Scored Estonia goal = showed persistence to win possession, battle with CB and then powerful shot to score
- #6: On for #8 at 80 mins. No notes
- #15: On for #18 at 80 mins. No notes

Croatia Observations

In Possession

4-2-3-1 base shape
Build-Up:
- Spent majority of the game in possession in the middle third / opposition half
- Estonia's 5-3-2 mid-to-low block enabled Croatia:
  - Comfortable ball circulation along their backline
  - FBs to regularly receive in space and carry forward, allowing frequent progression routes around their block
- One shape variation which reoccurred was forming a 4-1-5 with #18 (RCM) pulling out into the RB slot, #13 (RB) advancing high and wide and #7 (RW) moving inside. This tactic maintained their advantage versus the Estonia forward and midfield lines (i.e. space to receive and progress in wide areas) but also occupied the Estonia backline and provided an extra attacker in the final 3rd
Chance Creation:
- Predominantly came from wide areas, with FB and winger combinations (overlaps and underlaps) creating crosses, cutbacks and diagonal carries inside (typically by the winger) to generate shooting and central combination opportunities
- The relationship between #15 and #11 on LW was particularly effective in terms of chance creation
- #11 repeatedly received to feet on the LW before cutting inside onto his stronger foot to combine, carry or shoot - heavily involved in all three goals

Out of Possession

Defended predominantly in a 4-4-2 high / mid-block
Aggressively pressed Estonia's attempts to build from goal-kicks, regularly regaining possession either directly or forcing Estonia into going long and then regaining in their backline
When Estonia settled into possession, Croatia dropped into a 4-4-2 mid-block and allowed them to circulate possession in front of the defensive block as Estonia showed / posed limited threat / intent other than attempts to play over or into the forward line (able to anticipate and prepare)

Players

#1 (GK) - Lovro Lojen
- No notes
#13 (RB) - Luka Pusavec
- Provided regular attacking support on RW, combining with #7
- Mixed crossing quality
#4 (RCB) - Filip Pavić
- No significant notes
- Helped Croatia control possession during build-up, circulating possession across the backline
#5 (LCB) - Karlo Zirdum
- No significant notes
- Helped Croatia control possession during build-up, circulating possession across the backline
- Most progressive passes tended to be direct to the LB or LW
#15 (LB) - Ivan Paunović
- Effective attacking relationship with #11 on LW
- Regularly supported with overlaps and underlaps
- Delivered multiple crosses into the box from wide areas
#18 (RCM) - Dino Beader
- Pulled out into RB slot to get on ball facing-forward and allow RB to advance
- Showed composure and tidiness when receiving and circulating possession, although the game context provided limited opportunities to assess quality in more demanding situations
- Consistently offered support across all attacking phases
#6 (LCM) - Matej Miličić
- Operated slightly deeper than #18 during possession phases
- Primarily helped circulate possession and keep the ball moving
- Limited opportunities to assess quality in more demanding situations due to the game context
#7 (RW) - Luka Bartolović
- Right-footed
- Frequently moved inside from RW to receive between the lines
- Effective (progression and chance creation) combinations with #13 (overlaps, underlaps and one-twos)
- Took corners and freekicks from both sides (dead ball delivery)
- 8th min: Intelligent turn to evade pressure after receiving possession (awareness of incoming pressure and available space + technical ability to execute)
#10 (AM) - Jona Benković (C)
- 01:05: Combined with #11 inside the penalty area to set-up first goal
- 03:20: Showed good close control to manipulate the ball under pressure
- 34:10: Converted the penalty to make it 3-0
#11 (LW) - Nik Žužić Škafar
- Right-footed
- Croatia's main attacking threat throughout the match
- Repeatedly received to feet on LW before cutting inside onto his stronger right foot to combine, carry or shoot
- Regularly made diagonal carries towards the penalty area
- Offered depth option with runs beyond Estonia's defensive line
- 01:05: Received on LW, cut inside and combined with #10 before receiving the return pass and finishing across the goalkeeper
- 34:10: Cut inside from LW before scoring with a curled shot in far top corner (slight deflection)
- 54th min: Drove diagonally towards the penalty area before winning the penalty which Croatia scored to make 3-0
#19 (CF) - Jakov Dedić
- Predominantly remained central - leading the forward line, occupy ingthe Estonia CBs and providing a box threat
- Displayed some effective hold-up play when receiving with his back to goal
- Made occasional channel run to provide an alternative option for progression from the backline + create space for teammates by disrupting the Estonia backline
Substitutions:
- #9: On for #19 at 59 mins. No notes
- #8: On for #11 at 59 mins. Played RW
- #14: On for #13 at 71 mins. Played RB. Right-footed. Delivered a few decent crosses from deeper RHS, although allowed time & space
- #20: On for #7 at 71 mins. No notes
- #16: On for #6 at 85 mins. No notes