It was a disappointing game, and if this was the best both teams have to offer, it will be a tough European Championship for them
Croatia started with only one forward, as there was only one available in the team, with Kalinić in goal, Schindelfeld, Vrsaljko, Kovačić, and Antolić getting into the first eleven, those were the changes from the last match against Israel. It was an unwatchable game in Budapest on March, 26. 2016.
The Croatian Football Federation is promoting both patriotism and respect, but there are a lot of examples when we hear just words instead of doings. There was no passion in the Croatian team today, their body language was apparently showing the lack of desire, and as for the coach, it is clear that he has not approached these two matches in a prudent way. We did not see players giving it all for the sacred emblem, or anybody respecting the fans that traveled to Budapest to watch their beloved team.
There is not much to say about the game itself, and only the two goals are worth mentioning, Perišić’s brilliant assist for the first goal and a great shot by Dzsudzsak, scoring for the hosts. As we remember one genius that left us too soon, Johann Cruyff, it was his words that playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is. It seems that Mr. Čačić has not ever heard of this excellent proverb, as he is making it complicating for players to understand the system of play, changing it more than four times in just two games.
Today, we saw Darijo Srna, surprisingly entering the game in the second half as he was severely injured in the last one, on the side midfield position, which he stopped playing some six or seven years ago.
To end this article with one more dedication to late Mr. Cruyff; “Choose the best player for every position, and you’ll end up not with a strong eleven, but with eleven strong one’s.” Croatia has more than eleven great players, but at the moment, does not have the strong eleven, and it is not the players to be blamed for that.
After the last game, we brought you the highlights of the match, and after this, it seemed more appropriate to attach some plays of great Mr. Cruyff for you to enjoy:
