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Group A: Spain 2-3 Croatia

Game Summary​

  • Croatia scored in 3rd min after failed offside attempt and defensive error allowed tap-in

  • Spain went onto dominate possession (70% in 1st Half) but less instances of individual and collective quality compared to previous games, resulting in minimal overall attacking threat

  • While their equaliser and second goal involved a counterattack and long ball over the top respectively, each sequence did involve some moments of individual quality from Spain:​​

    • 1-1: penetrating through ball​ from #7 (pass before the cutback assist)

    • 2-1: trickery in 1v1 from #11 to create cross which led to the goal

  • Croatia responded to score twice in last 10 mins, 2-2 was a counterattack and 3-2 a close-range rebound after a ball over the top

Starting Line-Ups​

  • Spain: 4-3-3 in possession & 4-4-2 out of possession

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

EU17_Spain vs Croatia_scene1_202608121632.png

Spain Observations

 

In Possession

  • Typical system (4-3-3) and style of play (look for players between the lines, isolate wingers 1v1 and create chances through wing play - individually or combinations)
  • Displayed less individual and collective quality (therefore less effective) in this game compared to previous group matches
  • Struggled to disrupt and penetrate Croatia's compact 4-4-2 mid-block, with their two goals coming from a counterattack and long ball over the top

​​​​

Out of Possession

  • Mainly a 4-4-2 high/mid-block​

  • Had to deal with Croatia's varied attacking approaches in each half

​

Players

  • #13 (GK) - Darlington Osuchukwu

    • Question marks over culpability in both the 2nd and 3rd goals

    #12 (RB) - Arnau Cases

    • No notes - subbed at HT

  • #4 (RCB) - Mario Díaz

    • No notes

  • #15 (LCB) - Jorge Domínguez

    • Won a few duels against #19

    • Made a few drives forward into the opposition half

    • Capable of playing long diagonal switches

    • 58:51: deceptive 1st touch to evade pressure before carrying centrally into the final 3rd. Risky action, but showed confidence and bravery in possession

    • 76th min: another deceptive 1st touch to evade pressure

  • #18 (LB) - Mikel Urrestarazu

    • At fault for 1-0, as he was deeper than the rest of the backline and played #19 onside

    • 04:30: switched off at a throw-in in the defensive 3rd, allowing Croatia to create a chance

  • #16 (DM) - Cherif Fofana

    • Supported play in all phases

    • 28:10: provided good support and used his feet to bypass pressure and turn to retain possession

    • Consistently used deception and feints to beat opponents 1v1

    • Substituted at HT

  • #10 (RCM) - Ebrima Tunkara

    • Frequently struggled to protect / retain between the lines with his back to goal - very aggressively pressured by Croatia players

    • Made an intelligent run beyond the defensive line before producing the cut-back assist for 1-1

    • Interchanged positions with #7 at times

    • Fouled / went to ground regularly throughout the game - mixed outcomes of winning freekicks and losing possession

    • 74:18: dwelt on the ball in the centre circle and was tackled

    #8 (LCM) - Mauro Valeiro

    • 14:09: moved into the DM slot when it was unoccupied, received under pressure and turned to bypass the opponent. Good press resistance and confidence in possession

    • 31:00: received and turned in a central area before retaining possession

    • Made frequent runs beyond the defensive line, creating space for teammates and an option behind

    • Showed quick feet and close control in tight spaces

    #7 (RW) - Ruben Gomez

    • 20:20: Moved centrally and combined with #9, using disguise on the final pass

    • Interchanged positions with #10 at times

    • Tenacious OOP, using short bursts to attempt to regain possession

    • Showed an eye for a pass and was not solely reliant on his dribbling ability

    • 43:13: received inside under pressure and combined quickly to create a chance

    • Comfortable operating in tight / small spaces

    • Penetrative through ball pre-assist for 1-1 goal

    #17 (LW) - Joaquin Sanchez

    • Tricky. Dribbly

    • Protects ball well considering size

    • Scored 1-1. Crashed far-post as far-side winger for tap-in

    #9 (CF) - Enzo Alves (C)

    • 20:20: dropped short to receive to feet and played a 1st-time flick to combine with #7, leading to a shot inside the box

    • 1-1: battled to hold up the ball and maintain the counterattack progression

    • 75:30: received an aerial ball from the GK under pressure, showed a good 1st touch, battled to protect the ball and won a freekick

    • Scored 2-1. Showed good spatial awareness, anticipation and movement to attack the far-post and finish. Took two touches, instead of attempting first-time finish with left-foot

  • Substitutions:

    • #14: On for #16 at HT. No notes

    • #2: On for #12 at HT. No notes

    • #6: On for #8 at 68 mins. No notes

    • #11: On for #7 at 74 mins. No notes

    • #19: On for #10 at 83 mins. No notes

Croatia Observations

 

In Possession

  • 4-2-3-1

  • Varied attacking approach in each half

  • 1st Half: frequently played through into #10 between the lines in central areas to link play from back-to front

  • 2nd Half: became more direct, looking to play balls into the forward line and attack channels to create crossing opportunities

​​

Out of Possession

  • Compact 4-4-2 mid-block​

​

Players​

  • #1 (GK) - Lovro Lojen

    • No notes

  • #13 (RB) - Luka Posavec

    • No significant notes

    • 24:43: Provided width on RW and delivered a dangerous cross into the box from deep

    • Poor defending for Spain's 1-1 goal - unaware of the far-side winger's threat / run due to closed body orientation (facing the ball)

  • #4 (RCB) - Filip Pavić

    • No notes

  • #5 (LCB) - Karlo Zirdum

    • No notes

  • #15 (LB) - Ivan Paunović

    • No notes

  • #8 (RCM) - Juraj Frigan

    • No notes

    • Moved into the AM position following 2nd Half substitutions

  • #6 (LCM) - Matej Miličić

    • No notes

  • #7 (RW) - Luka Bartolović

    • No notes

  • #10 (AM) - Jona Benković (C)

    • Showed composure and physicality when receiving centrally between the lines under pressure, protecting the ball and finding passes to create attacks

    • 24:51: Crashed the box to attack cross (aerial threat potential due size)

    • 34:40: Received and played a diagonal switch to LW to show passing range and vision

    • Moved to LW following the 2nd Half substitutions and became less involved as Spain began to control possession

    #11 (LW) - Nik Žužić Škafar

    • No significant notes

    • Minimal involvement in 1st Half and subbed early in 2nd Half

    #19 (CF) - Jakov Dedić

    • Displayed hold-up ability and helped Croatia gain territory

    • Moved to RW after 65'

    • 70:40: Beat the LB 1v1 using stepovers before delivering a cross

    • 71:05: Used his strength to shield and roll the opponent before delivering a low cross

    • 81:58: Collected a loose ball, carried powerfully past two opponents and finished at the near post to score 2-2

    • 85:55: Won another battle on the RW before delivering a low cross

    • 88:44: Arrived at the far post to score the rebound for 3-2

  • Substitutions:

    • #18: On for #11 at 55 mins. Played in CM

    • #2: On for #13 at 68 mins. 83:25: Overlap and low cross into the box which created a chance

    • #9: On for #10 at 68 mins. Played CF

    • #17: On for #7 at 68 mins. Played LW

    • #3: On for #15 at 79 mins. No notes

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