2014 FIFA World Cup PREVIEW: Do-Or-Die Between Mexico and Croatia
By Young Kim
So it comes down to this. A do-or-die match between Mexico and Croatia to round up Group A in the World Cup. El Tri has won new fans in Brazil after Guillermo Ochoa’s heart-pounding performance against Brazil, making gravity-defying saves to keep his clean sheet. Thanks to a 0-0 tie, Mexico find themselves in a favorable position to advance to the round of 16, needing either a win or draw to advance.
Jun 17, 2014; Fortaleza, Ceara, BRAZIL; Mexico fans during the first half of their 0-0 tie with Brazil in a 2014 World Cup game at Estadio Castelao. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Croatia on the other hand have momentum on their side, coming off a 4-0 thrashing over a self-imploding Cameroon side. With Mario Mandzukic to their disposal, Croatia knows that Mexico won’t find an easy win or draw in this match.
Jun 17, 2014; Fortaleza, Ceara, BRAZIL; Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (13) is hugged by defender Rafael Marquez (4) after their 0-0 tie with Brazil in a 2014 World Cup game at Estadio Castelao. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Can Guillermo Ochoa replicate his performance against the Croatians? Will Giovani dos Santos and Oribe Peralta find the back of the net? Or will Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic be too much for El Tri? The only thing for certain is that this match will be a blockbuster. Reschedule whatever meetings you have, you may want to skip work (or take a two-hour lunch break) for this match.
Jun 12, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic (14) against Brazil in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"Projected Starting XIMexico: Ochoa, Layun, Moreno, Marquez, Rodriguez, Aguilar, Vazquez, Herrera, Guardado, dos Santos, PeraltaCroatia: Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Olic, Mandzukic"
Keys for Mexico
– Attack, Attack, Attack! Fullbacks Layun and Aguilar must do a solid job linking up with Herrera on the offensive end and find Peralta or Gio in the final third of the pitch. Croatia’s may be dangerous with their possessions, but their backline is not that quick. Given Mexico’s speed, El Tri can easily expose Croatia’s defense and work their way towards to an easy goal.
– Discipline on the defensive end. There were moments where Brazil just outplayed Mexico’s backline and created solid chances at goal through smart passing and speed. Croatia is equally as creative as Brazil on the offensive end and boasts a forward who can finish at such clinical rate. Mexico cannot afford to let Mandzukic, Olic, or Perisic slip past them.
– Bring the fight in the heat. Mexico is more than capable of bringing a fight to the Croatians. Chances are Croatia will look to attack early and nab the opening goal. Mexico should use Croatia’s early aggression against them and tire them out with their gritty style of play. As the Brazilian heat and pressure takes their toll on Croatia’s lineup, Mexico should use this opportunity to strike back.
Keys for Croatia
– Time the off-ball runs. Mandzukic and other attacking players must be sharp and wise with their off-ball runs, knowing full well that Mexico’s backline are slow and habitually watch the ball to much. They must be patient and choose the runs. Great chances will surely come to them.
– Expose the midfield. Mexico’s formation is too spread out, playing into Modric and Rakitic’s liking. Croatia should be in their element for this one.
– Slow the game down. Playing into Mexico’s fast tempo will be the end of Croatia’s World Cup run.
Key Battles
– Vazquez vs Luvan Mokatic – It’ll be up to Mexico’s search-and-destroy artist to break up whatever passes Rakitic and Modric has to offer.
– dos Santos vs Corluka + Lovren – Gio will be up for a physical battle against these two, but if he’s crafty enough, he can easily catch them off guard and win a ball in a favorable position to draw away defenders for a good pass or find a good shot at goal.
– Olic vs Layun – If there’s anything Olic can surpass Layun in, it’s definitely not the speed department. Olic has to figure out how he can play the wing against a disciplined wingback if speed is not the answer. Croatia could use some contributions from his side of the pitch.
"Staff Writer PredictionsYoung Kim: 1-1 Mexico. El Tri has the advantage in being able to make it out of Group A while Croatia has their backs against the wall. Although Croatia looks like a stronger team on paper, I’m not convinced in their confidence level heading into this match (see their 3-1 loss to Brazil). An early Mexico goal will be enough to rattle this Croatian side and lead them to make brash decisions on the offensive end. Of course, Mandzukic will spot a hole in Mexico’s defense and notch himself a goal off a pass from Perisic, but aside from that, Mexico will be punching a ticket to the round of 16."