Starting from the 6th, representatives from all over the world began to settle in South Africa one after another to start preparing for the competition in advance.

The whole World Cup is the same as before.

32 national teams from all over the world, divided into eight groups, compete in a single round-robin competition.

The top two teams qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The single-round robin knockout rounds continued until the last winner, the world champion, lifted the Hercules Cup.

With such a tight schedule, it is also extremely important for the team to test.

A single round-robin competition, a win-loss theory, which requires each team to ensure sufficient form, requires strong adjustment ability and learning ability.

All three directions are indispensable.

The form was not enough, and the group stage collapsed directly.

The ability to adjust is not enough, and after entering the knockout round, it will not go far.

If you don't have enough learning ability, you will be at a loss in the face of sudden changes in other teams, and eventually end up failing.

So, every game is a tough test.

If you win, you will be sublimated.

If you lose, you may be eliminated from the competition.

For Croatia, this is their first time in eight years since 2002 that they have entered the World Cup.

Compared to the 2002 one, the Croatian national team has completed an all-round reorganization.

Davao. Su Ke, Boban and others retired one after another, representing the end of an era.

The rise of Suker, Luka Modric and others represents a new era for Croatia.

What's more, they participated as European champions and became a thorn in the side of many media and other national teams.

Throughout the history of the World Cup, almost all of them have been confrontations between South American teams and European teams.

Brazil, Argentina. Uruguay, France, Germany, England, Italy, Spain, and many more

These teams became the leitmotif of the championship sequence.

But in this World Cup, the rise of Croatia from Eastern Europe has also upset this balance to a certain extent.

Of course, Eastern Europe is strictly a European team, but within Europe, there is also a strong confrontation between Eastern Europe and Western Europe, and the incompatibility of styles, playing styles and so on has also led to some estrangement between them.

At least for Croatia, if they can take out any of the Western European teams, they will not be relentless.

And vice versa!

Croatia is eyeing Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain, which threaten their opponents.

These opponents are not wary of Croatia.

The first day of open training.

Croatia's training ground was flooded with a large number of journalists.

These are journalists from all over the world, and there are also some teams who have eyeliners.

Su Ke and others also summed up some experience.

If a journalist slams himself at himself, he is really a journalist.

But once he keeps his head down and writes and draws in his notebook, then this guy is most likely the eyeliner of a certain team.

Of course, Croatia also sent a large number of eyeliners to gather information.

The status of key players, the use of tactics, training performance, etc., are all recorded.

Although none of them are stupid and do not reveal too much detail in front of the media, they are able to analyze some key information from them.

Hiss!!!

There was a gasp from the press seats.

Just because, in the court, Suker, Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic played a wonderful cooperation in the counterattack.

A succession of passes, a total of six kicks through the defence, and Suker scored from a tight angle.

Su Ke was training with the idea of keeping a low profile as low as possible before the game.

But for some people, it's different!

"Give me back!"

Dujmovich yelled.

He immediately lunged forward and fired a powerful shot that smashed into the goal like a cannonball, burrowing into the corner.

"Cow or not?"

Dujmovich raised his bent arms and made a Hercules gesture with a look of excitement.

"Take it easy, be careful of being targeted by the other side!"

Suke reminded in a whisper.

Dujmovich turned his head: "Isn't that just right?" If they focus too much on me, you'll be able to play easily. ”

Hearing this, Su Ke was stunned!

That's right!

"I'll make you a ball and score a goal for Lao Tzu to die." Suke looked excited.

Duimovich grinned: "Look at Lao Tzu shooting this kid Subasic!" ”

Next, Suker began to make the ball continuously, and Dujmovic's crazy heavy artillery bombardment made Subasic very embarrassed.

"That's pretty much it."

Starting goalkeeper Pletikosa couldn't stand it anymore.

"If you continue, Lao Tzu's substitute will be kicked out by you."

Subabasic turned his wrist, daring to be angry.

He could only look at Duimovich and his accomplice Suke with resentment.

"We're giving him a chance to adjust his form, what if you get hurt?" Dujmovich said, spreading his hands.

"Phew! You mouth. Pletikosa cursed and rushed out to chase Duimovich.

Dujmović screamed and ran wildly in the opening stanza.

Others are not surprised.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Suker, Modric and others came to sit on the sidelines.

"I didn't expect to play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first game!"

Modric curled the corners of his mouth.

Suke grinned: "Beat up your ex-teammates!" ”

Bosnia and Herzegovina is still very strong.

Dzeko's Bosnia and Herzegovina has Souk. The bonuses of young forces such as Bazic, Boame, and Sterke inherit the physical monster attributes of Eastern Europe, which is extremely difficult.

At the beginning, the World Cup qualifiers were dragged by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the critical moment of the second half, and Boame scored a goal, which qualified for the World Cup.

Currently, the World Cup groupings are as follows:

Group A: South Africa, France, Uruguay, Mexico.

Group B: Croatia, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea.

Group C: England, United States, Slovenia, Algeria.

Group D: Germany, Ghana, Australia, Serbia.

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon.

Group F: Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, New Zealand.

Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Côte d'Ivoire, North Korea.

Group H: Spain, Chile, Switzerland, Honduras.

The combat power of the major groups is quite balanced, and there is no real death group.

However, when it comes to focus groups, it is definitely Group B where Croatia and Argentina are located.

The fact that these two European and South American superpowers are in the same group is a shock to everyone, but also a lot of excitement.

Croatia's strength is undeniable.

Competing as European Cup winners, they currently sit second in the FIFA national team rankings, behind five-star Brazil.

Argentina sit in eighth place, and together with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which performed well in the World Cup qualifiers, it is a fierce enough confrontation.

As for South Korea, without home advantage, what are they!

At the moment, Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina are dangerous factors for Croatia.

Of course, many people are more wary of Argentina, though

"Did you watch Argentina play in the World Cup qualifiers?"

Suke asked suddenly.

Modric blinked: "No, I didn't know that Argentina was in a group with us at the time, and after the grouping was completed, there was still a club game, how could I have time to watch!" ”

"I watched it!"

Srna suddenly raised his hand.

Suke turned his head with an appreciative look.

"How?" Suke asked.

Srna grinned, "That's weird! ”

Suke smiled.

That's right!

"Zanetti, Cambiasso, none of these Champions League winner-level players have been selected for the national team, what does Maradona think?"

Srna shook her head and complained.

He also struggled for club captain Zanetti and Cambiaso.

Maradona advocated attacking football, and for this purpose created a super offensive line composed of Messi, Di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Higuain, Milito, Tevez and others.

It can be said that the strength of the front line is ridiculously high, and even to the extent of some spillover, can create two sets of top striker teams.

But what about the midfield?

What about defense?

Argentina is just as top-heavy as Real Madrid in the past.

Technical football at home, attacking at home, but neglecting the midfield and the backline.

If Argentina meets Croatia and puts up this lineup, once they can't play to the advantage, then with Croatia's super counter-attacking ability, one hit at a time.

In an office at the training ground, Vansteyak, Bilic and other coaching staff are also preparing for the game.

It's not just the players who need to prepare, but the coaches need to prepare a lot more.

Especially in the period before the game, it is the time period that tests the ability of the coaches the most.

Information collection and integration capabilities, targeted tactical reserves, tactical selection, and so on

It can be said that the workload in the early stage is very large and critical.

It's about Croatia's ability to get off to a smooth start to the World Cup.

In the 2010 World Cup, Croatia carried too much attention, as the champions of the European Championship, they naturally have an aura, and they are also one of the seeded teams to win the World Cup, so it is natural that other teams have become the focus of research.

For this reason, on the basis of the original tactics, they need more tactical reserves.

For example, Croatia's previous core style of play was high pressing + full attack and defense, which was somewhat similar to the Dutch team's style of play.

But now, they're back preparing for counter-attacks, dog-to-mouth frisbees and even pass-and-control kicks.

With the core unchanged, these tactical reserves can provide them with a lot of room for adjustment.

Vansteak discussed the information gathered with Bilic and other coaches.

Boban, the leader of the national team on the side, looked at the information in his hand, scratched his head, and said in surprise: "I thought our style of play was crazy enough, but I didn't expect Argentina to be even more crazy." ”

For Boban, Croatia is a different country now than it was then.

The style of play is different.

The games that come out are also different.

Croatia at that time was far from being a strong team, at best a dark horse, so it did not receive as much attention in international competitions.

But now Croatia is different.

A European Cup winner in itself.

At the same time, with a supergiant like Suke, their news will be the first to enter the desks of other teams' coaches.

For this reason, Croatia's tactical style will also be diverse.

This is to avoid being targeted.

Again, the core tactics remain the same, but other tactics must also be able to play.

Compared with Boban's period, a tactic to the end is indeed a lot richer, and the ability to resist risks has also been greatly increased.

But this is a bit crazy in Boban's opinion.

"It's not madness, it's sickness!" Vansteak said without looking up.

Previously, he respected Maradona's status as the king of the ball, and he did a good job in the early days.

But as the World Cup got closer and closer, Maradona began to let himself go.

A talented forward combination is tempting.

The luxurious offensive team is also eye-catching.

But what's the use of destroying the overall team composition and increasing the forward line infinitely?

Do you play six strikers in a game or what?

And in this way, once you are beaten back, you will be done directly!

It's okay to be able to barely maintain the pressure in midfield against a weak team, but against Croatia, will they keep Argentina in rhythm?

It's impossible to think about it!

If Argentina really dares to arrange troops in this way, Croatia will dare to wipe out the hair of this Pampas Eagles.

See how you fly!

Look how you wave!

"Bosnia and Herzegovina are also very sharp on the counter-attack, with Dzeko's ability to advance, the wings also have a strong ability to break through, and the full-backs can play on the side."

Bilic looked up at Vansteak.

During this time, he also touched a lot of tactical key points in his study with Vansteak.

Combined with his own precipitation experience, he can give a lot of pertinent advice and even find problems.

"I've coached this player before." Vansteak frowned slightly: "However, Boame was a substitute at that time, and I didn't think about using him, so I have been put on the bench, but judging from the current performance, he is indeed very threatening." ”

"Let Srna come!" Bilic proposed: "Both of Srna's full-backs can be played, and they are fast, and in qualifying, he blocked Wayne Rooney and I think he has the ability to limit Bouame. ”

Vansteak nodded; "Yes! That's what I thought, too, and Srna needs to follow up further against their edges, and at the same time ask Dujmović to follow up on the restriction immediately. ”

At the thought of this, Vansteak felt a headache again.

Vukojevic has not fully recovered from his injury, which has also made them a little uncomfortable with their midfield options.

Vukojevic's single midfielder is the best option to unleash Modric's ability to the fullest.

In the current situation, Modric and Dujmovic/Kovac are needed to play as two central midfielders to ensure the stability of the defense.

Despite sacrificing some of his ball power, Rakitic was in charge of connecting the midfield up front, and Suker was able to drop back if necessary, which solved the problem.

"The position on the right, who do you choose?"

Croatia's right wing has not been able to find a suitable candidate.

After attacking from the left flank to the right flank, the problem of uncoordinated attack soon arises.

"Olich is a good choice."

Boban proposed.

Olich, who plays for Bayern Munich, has won many honors with Bayern Munich, and his ability is worthy of recognition.

"Olic is good at center, but in our lineup, he can only be in the third row at center, Suker and Mandzukic are both ahead of him, and besides, Olic is too small in the center position, not as rich as Mandzukic."

Vansteak pondered for a moment; "I'm going to start this World Cup and use Perisic on the right flank!"

Bilic was surprised: "Is Perisic too young? ”

"Everybody has a young age, and from his previous performances, he is the best fit for this team." Vansteak Road; 'We can't keep him pressed because he's too young, young people can only give him more good performances if he is given the opportunity.'

Looking at Vansteryak's serious look, Bilic nodded; "Well, you're in charge of that!"

The first day of open training ends.

In the evening, Vansteak began to gather the players individually for tactical explanations.

First of all, Suk.

"In the World Cup, except for a few teams that use the club model, other national teams will more adopt the star mode, that is, sublimate individual combat power." Vansteak looked at Sukedao earnestly; "I intend to continue to increase your tactical resources in the next games."

Hearing this, Su Ke patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I will give you a satisfactory performance." ”

Vansteak couldn't help but smile.

He thinks he is luckier than any other manager, not to mention the fact that Argentina has many talented strikers, but. The strongest one is in his hands!

For the next half hour, Vansteak kept changing the tactical board in his hand to explain how to move, how to attack, and even how to organize the attack.

"That's your job, it's a lot of responsibility, but hopefully you'll be able to withstand the pressure, how far we can go, your performance is crucial."

Vansteak continued; "Call Perisic!"

Within three minutes, Perisic was in Vanstedak's room.

Perisic was visibly nervous.

Mainly, this was the first time he had been called over by Vansteak alone to talk, and he was a little apprehensive and a little expectant.

Vansteak also looked at Perisic.

Compared to a traditional winger, Perisic doesn't have that kind of great technique, so it's more like a rotating substitute.

However, Perisic's strength lies in his superb shooting skills and non-stick characteristics.

In the frontcourt position, Suker needs a lot of possession to ensure his tactical resources, so the center forward and right winger will be squeezed to a certain extent.

At this time, it is important to be able to show the characteristics of performance without holding the ball.

Facing Perisic, who was evasive and nervous.

Vansteak frowned slightly, and said sharply; "Raise your chest and don't look unconfident!"

Perisic subconsciously puffed out his chest.

Vansteak said in a deep voice; "Would you like to start?"

Rumble!

Perisic's head exploded.

He felt like he had misheard.

He was expecting more rotational bench appearances, but Vansteak asked him directly if he wanted to start.

This is equivalent to him only wanting a piece of cheese, but the other party throws a big cake for himself.

Perisic kept his agitation suppressed.

He knew his chance had come.

"Yes! I want to start, coach! Trust me, I'm going to play even better! Perisic shouted loudly.

He had to seize this opportunity!

(End of chapter)