Rakitić Fears Super Eagles Dangerous Players, Croatia Plan To Play With Four Strikers
Published: June 14, 2018One of Croatia's top stars, Barcelona's Ivan Rakitić, is wary of the Nigeria team ahead of their World Cup opener in Kaliningrad on Saturday evening.
For comparison sake, Croatia are in the same situation as the Super Eagles as they have not won an opening game at the World Cup since 1998, but the Barcelona midfielder is hoping they improve on their opening day fixtures when they face the three-time African champions.
''We
know how important it is to have a good tournament, and we have to do
everything to beat Nigeria, even though nothing has been resolved,'' Rakitic told Croatian reporters including Sportske Novosti.
''We know they're a dangerous team with good players, we have to be ready. We know that everyone is expecting to be right, we first, I'm confident we will be ready.''
Meanwhile, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić plans to field four strikers against Nigeria in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Juventus star Mandzukic is expected to play as the top striker and he'll be supported by Hoffenheim's Kramaric, Eintracht Frankfurt's Rebić and Inter Milan's Perisic.
Igho Kingsley
Photo Credit : hns-cff.hr
Latest News
- Confirmed team news: Super Eagles defender doubtful for Rangers huge game against Celtic
- 'He's really exceptional' - Former Serie A top scorer hails Osimhen for his aerial prowess
- Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Leicester, Ipswich interested in Luton Town's 10-goal striker Adebayo
- Udinese U19 captain Nwachukwu names Real Madrid and Liverpool centre-backs as his role models
- Arsenal winger beats 2019 Golden Eaglets invitee Akande to win Premier League award
- Crystal Palace open to accepting N90b plus add-ons for Man Utd, Chelsea-linked Nigerian winger
- Did Boniface's Bayer smash European record? UEFA confirms longest unbeaten run record held by Celtic
- 'Yes, we made history' - UEL POTW nominee Lookman reacts to goal, facing Tella and Boniface's Bayer in final
- After goal against Marseille, Lookman emulates Nigerian trio who played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Monaco
- Newcastle in contact with Bournemouth over signing of Chelsea academy product of Nigerian descent
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football