Croatia Schedule & Results | Scouting Report | Road to Euro 2004

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Style of Play:
Croatia’s strength is at the back where it boasts a miserly defence that gives up few goals. Coach Otto Baric preaches tactical discipline and defensive solidity, hence his reliance on a cautious 5-3-2 system. Four natural defenders are supported by a sweeper (Robert Kovac) who slots in between the two centre fullbacks (Igor Tudor and Stjepan Tomas). The defenders provide Croatia with a stay-at-home presence, rarely venturing forward to join the attack, and instead focus on thwarting opposing forwards. With the international retirement of Robert Prosinecki, Croatia lacks a playmaker in midfield that can dictate the pace of the game and create scoring chances by spreading the ball around. Therefore, the bulk of Croatia’s build-up play originates from the flanks where the wingers (usually Dario Srna and Milan Rapajic) spearhead the attack while the central midfielder (Niko Kovac) covers the middle of the field. Croatia also relies on the counterattack for its scoring opportunities. They try to run their opponents into the ground and win possession in midfield, before launching the ball forward up front to the pair of target-men (Dado Prso and likely Ivica Olic) after catching opposing defenders out of position.

Strengths:
Defence – Croatia has an airtight back line, having only conceded five goals and registering six shutout wins in ten qualifying games. Veterans Robert Kovac and Igor Tudor form an effective partnership in central defence, while Dario Simic, Mario Tokic and Stjepan Tomas are all quality defenders that give Croatia great depth at the back. The Croatian defence takes a “safety-first” approach, playing an intelligent defensive game and taking few chances.

New attitude – Otto Baric is to be commended for rebuilding a strong team that crashed out in the first round of the 2002 World Cup. Baric has turned the international retirements of Davor Suker, Robert Jarni, Alen Boksic and Robert Prosinecki into a positive, breathing new life into a team by bringing in several young and talented stars such as striker Ivica Olic, midfielders Marko Babic and Dario Srna and defender Mario Tokic.

Goalkeeping – Croatia’s tight defence is backed up by an equally stingy goalkeeper in Stipe Pletikosa. The 25-year-old has over 40 caps to his credit, and is an excellent shot stopper who is an expert at saving penalty shots. Should Pletikosa succumb to injury, backup Tomislav Butina is an experienced goalkeeper who exhibits great command of his penalty area.

Weaknesses:
Central midfield – Unlike past years when it had a slew of central midfielders to call upon (i.e.: Robert Prosinecki, Alijosa Asanoiv and Zvonimir Boban), Croatia can not boast a single creative playmaker on its Euro 2004 squad. Niko Kovac is the lone central midfielder of any quality, but playmaking is not his forte. As a result, Croatia relies on its wingers to launch its attack, leaving them wanting for a creative presence in the middle of the field.

Tactics – During his tenure as Croatian coach, Otto Baric wavered between several different formations. One game he employs his favoured 3-5-2 formation, the next game 3-4-3, and the next 4-4-2. There’s been no rhyme or reason to his selections, leaving many to second guess whether he even knows which is Croatia’s most effective lineup.

The Baric Factor – Baric has constantly been at odds with Croatian soccer officials and the press ever since he took over the team. Despite leading Croatia to Euro 2004, Baric, unable to put up with the constant criticism, has already said he will step down as coach after the tournament. There is concern that this will serve as major distraction for the team and raises questions about how much of a commitment the players are willing to give to a coach on his way out.

Key Players to watch:
Dado Prso – Although far from being a natural goal-scorer, Prso is a hard-working forward who makes efficient use of the ball when it’s played up to him. The AS Monaco forward combines strength in the air, a deft scoring touch and a goal-poacher’s instinct. As his team’s top marksman, it’ll be up to him to carry the goal-scoring load for Croatia in Portugal.

Robert Kovac – One of the best man-marking defenders in the world, Kovac combines speed, guile and precise tackling skills. Alongside Igor Tudor, Kovac is the anchor of the stingy Croatian defence. A fierce competitor who inspires those around him with his spirited and purposeful play.

Ivica Olic – A bright young forward who scores goals and creates chances for others, Olic is blessed with searing speed and a strong left-footed shot. Olic is a natural finisher and at 24-years-old, he is one of the bright, young Croatian stars of the future. He’ll likely start beside the more experienced Prso.

Key injuries/squad omissions:
Four key players are nursing injuries ahead of Euro 2004. Wide-man Milan Rapaic is struggling with a hamstring injury, forward Dado Prso is hurting with a broken toe, Jerko Leko is not fully fit, and defender Igor Tudor is struggling with tendonitis. Tudor, sent off in a qualifying game against Slovenia, will also miss Croatia’s opening game to Switzerland through suspension. There are no major surprises in terms of team selections, aside from Under-21 international midfielder Niko Kranjcar. The inclusion of the teenager could be a hint that coach Baric has concerns over the recent lacklustre play of Niko Kovac, Rapaic and Giovanni Rosso. Midfielder Nenad Bjelica is a bit of a curious choice, considering he only has a handful of caps to his credit.

Prognosis:
From quarter-finalists at Euro 96 and a third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup, Croatia has been pushed down the ladder of European soccer thanks to its disastrous first-round exit at the 2002 World Cup. There’s no question Croatia has the defensive depth to shut down the top forwards who will be on display at Euro 2004. What it lacks is a creative, midfield general who can take control of matters and dictate the pace of the game. They also lack the type of scoring-punch that former striker Davor Suker so expertly supplied for years. What Croatia does have going for itself is that it plays Switzerland in its opening match. If it can win that game, and then defeat either France or England, they stand a chance of gaining passage to the next round. However, knocking off the French and English isn’t likely, meaning the Croats will be battling the Swiss for third place.

Current FIFA Ranking: #20

First-round matches:
June 13 vs. Switzerland (Leiria)
June 17 vs. France (Leiria)
June 21 vs. England (Lisbon)

Euro 2004 qualification route:
Finished 2nd in qualifying Group 8 (16 points) behind Bulgaria (17 points); and then defeated Slovenia in a two-game playoff, winning 2-1 on aggregate.

Record in qualifying: 6 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses
Goals for: 14 Goals against: 5

Qualifying results:
09.07.2002 - Croatia 0 Estonia 0
10.12.2002 - Bulgaria 2 Croatia 0
03.29.2003 - Croatia 4 Belgium 0
04.02.2003 - Croatia 2 Andorra 0
06.11.2003 – Croatia 1 Estonia 0
09.06.2003 – Croatia 3 Andorra 0
09.10.2003 – Belgium 2 Croatia 1
10.11.2003 – Croatia 1 Bulgaria 0
PLAYOFFS
11.15.2003 - Croatia 1 Slovenia 1
11.19.2003 - Croatia 1 Slovenia 0

Number of Previous Euro Appearances: 1
All-time record: 4 GP -- 2 W, 0 D, 2 L Goals for: 6 Goals against: 5
Biggest defeat: 0-3 vs. Portugal in 1996.
Biggest victory: 3-0. vs. Denmark in 1996.

Euro History:
1960 to 1992 - Part of Yugoslavia, so no independent involvement
1996 – quarter-final
2000 - did not qualify

Other Achievements:
World Cup semifinalists: 1998 in France

Greatest Players:
Zvonimir Boban: A creative playmaker and a dangerous goal-scorer, Zvonimir Boban was one of Croatia's heroes from 1998 in France. He became a legend in European soccer during a successful stint with Italy's AC Milan, paving the way for other Croatian players to follow in his footsteps and make a name for themselves in the top European leagues.

Davor Suker: The top goal-scorer at France ‘98, Suker lifted Croatia to a miraculous third-place finish on the strength of his six goals. Scored 24 goals in his first season with Spanish giants Real Madrid in 1997 and is considered a national icon in his country.