Croatia Coach Hints He'll Play With Five Midfielders In World Cup Opener Vs Nigeria

Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić has hinted that he will play with five midfielders when they face Nigeria in their World Cup opener at Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16, 2018.

Though the identities of the personnel were not disclosed, Croatia could line up with Perisic, Modric, Mandzukic, Badelj and Rakitic in a 4-2-3-1 formation; the 3-5-2 and 3-4-1-2 formations are also under consideration for the World Cup opener against the three-time African champions.

''We need to prepare two game models when we play against Nigeria, namely Argentina and Iceland,'' Dalić was quoted as saying by Sportske Novosti.

''I will not give up 4-2-3-1, but we have to save for defense too, that we have a defensive game, maybe three players.

''Now it is up to me to see how it will go, and to make a decision through the chat with the players. The last word will be mine, but I will be happy to listen to and watch the players do it.

''It would be an ideal opportunity for me to talk to them for seven days and to have a clear picture of everything.''

Croatia will lock horns with Mexico and Peru in the United States during this month's Fifa window for international matches.

Igho Kingsley