Yup, that's a possibility and maybe we should go with that. Although I heard we'll start with Kova, Luka and Rakitić and Jelavić out front which is a mistake. We should have a quick player in attack cause we'll probably sit deep and wait for our chance from the counter.
Mateo Kovacic
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Yup, that's a possibility and maybe we should go with that. Although I heard we'll start with Kova, Luka and Rakitić and Jelavić out front which is a mistake. We should have a quick player in attack cause we'll probably sit deep and wait for our chance from the counter.
Kovacic would be wasted playing wide. He needs to be central to run at Brazil and make them scared.
Agree.
If Vukojević will start Kova should play behind a striker and Raketa on a right wing.
Get Kovacic! NOW.
Have a feeling this guy will be this World Cup's Ozil.
Its obvious what's going to happen after we all big him up and stuff. He will be a flop 
Wheres Vuc these days?
Dynamo Kiev
Kalinic who plays used to play for Blackburn, did he get called up? @Mali_Zeus
Starts on the bench tonight.
Now seen a different team sheet that says he starts instead of Brozovic.
Looks completely off the pace so far
Having a mare so far. Too big a stage for him?
He is having to do a lot of defensive work.
Even in attack he's lost the ball quite a lot. He really does remind me of Barkley a lot in their strengths and faults.
Looks awed by the occasion. Not in the game at all. Won't be surprised to see him being the first one to be hauled off.
Other than Modric and Rakitic the whole squad can't handle Brazils pressing
He should play CM as he played for Dinamo Zagreb.
Can he play in the double pivot?
He's not really doing any of that either
No need to go overboard. He hasn't been that bad aside from a couple of lapses in judgement. It's the opening match of probably the most heavily anticipated World Cup in recent memory against the most storied national side of all. Considering the circumstances it's normal for a barely 20 year old to feel some nerves. He'll get into his groove as the tournament progresses.
Not lived up to the hype, as of yet...
And just as I type, he gets replaced. Good decision. He wasn't doing nearly enough in midfield.
And just as I type, he gets replaced. Good decision. He wasn't doing nearly enough in midfield.
A nothing performance after all the hype on here.
Yeah like people expect a 20 year old playing his first game at the world cup against one of the best sides in the world to score a hat trick.
Prefer Lawrence.
I don't get what people are saying wrong here. He was poor so they're saying he was poor. Nothing more, nothing less. People hyped him up and stated he'd be a key part of Croatia holding their own against the Brazilian midfield and possibly even dominating it, yet they haven't at all.
One good game and you are the next big thing, one bad game and everyone always knew you were overrated.
Those lapses of concentration were the only time you noticed him on the pitch, how can you say 'he wasn't that bad' if his only contributions were negative ones?
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Indeed. Someone said something about him being like Yaya Toure, another that he's good value for a player of the tournament bet.
When we're linked with a player people on here put them on a pedestal. He was going to dominate the Brazilian midfield tonight along with Modric and Rakitic? He was utter tosh tonight and rightly got taken off the pitch. Terrible.
Told most of you he looks like a number 10. 
. Was never going to dominate to be honest... too young for this type of game to be given that role.
. Was never going to dominate to be honest... too young for this type of game to be given that role.Looked ineffective tonight, but he's 20.
He didn't play well. I only remember him making one good tackle and one good pass, the whole game. I think Kovac needs to reshuffle and not play him as a forward, but as CM.
Yeah, he had a bad game. But he needs to be played deeper. He needs the space to dribble/pass into. Playing deeper affords him that. Playing up top doesnt. The pressure must have got to him too. But I believe that he is a bright talent.
wasn't given at all a good chance to succeed with his role in the team today. dissapointing game but expected. He should be playing deeper now as Croatia clearly don't have the ability to build up to the point where a skilled 10 like him will be very much use, rather use kovacic as a deep lying holding midfielder with the license to make his trademark mazing runs through the heart of the midfield like he had done so brilliantly under strammacioni.
Fairly underwhelming considering how hyped he is but still, it was just one game.
He was poor but will see better days....perisic was the best player on the pitch
Must admit he was disappointing tonight. Would have liked to see him an an 8 though as opposed to a 10.
Misssed the game, but if it is true he played as a no.10, it is no surprise that he was ineffective. He is a much better player when played in the box to box role, behind or alongside a no.10 with a anchor.
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