Croatia scouting report: Luka Modric the key man but set-piece flaws abide | Stuart James

Zlatko Dalic’s side boast a masterful midfield and variety up front – but England will be buoyed by Croatia’s frailties

Luka Modric flagged up a weakness for Croatia without being asked. “We watched the [England] game today, we saw how good they are from dead-ball situations. We have to improve that element of our game.” Freeze-frame Russia’s late equaliser from a free-kick and it is alarming just how much space Croatia gave their opponents. Seven of the 10 Croatia players in the area took up extremely deep starting positions, almost on the edge of the six-yard box. Just as significantly, none of them were “touch-tight” on any of the Russian players.

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