Not much room for youth in Croatia vs Belgium at World Cup
When Belgiums Golden Generation meets Croatias accomplished veterans in a decisive World Cup match on Thursday, there wont be much room on the field for younger players.
Croatia, which reached the final four years ago, and Belgium, which finished third in 2018, each rely on a vast array of experienced players.
Croatias 20-year-old Joko Gvardiol and 25-year-old Nikola Vlaic, plus Belgiums 21-year-old Charles De Ketelaere, are some of the exceptions with Belgiums 21-year-old midfielder Amadou Onana suspended for the game after picking up two yellow cards.
Nicknamed Little Pep because of the similarities between his last name and that of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, the physical Gvardiol has already become a fixture at center back for Croatia and Leipzig, which recently extended his contract to 2027.
Despite the contract extension, Gvardiol has been linked with a possible to transfer to Chelsea, where he could join Croatia teammate Mateo Kovacic.
At the age of 20 he has demonstrated that he can play at a great level,” Kovacic said. “He just needs to continue doing that.
Nikola Vlaic, the younger brother of former high jump world champion Blanka Vlaic, usually plays as an attacking midfielder. But on a Croatia team featuring the likes of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Kovacic in midfield, Vlaic is used as a winger.
Statistically one of best midfielders in Serie A this season with Torino, where he is on loan from West Ham, Vlaic is often involved in the buildup to goals and also puts a lot of shots on target.
Vlaic exited Croatias opening 0-0 draw with Morocco at halftime after picking up a knock, but returned as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Canada.
Everyone thinks about the three midfielders, and rightly so, but this team now carries even more threat, Belgium coach Roberto MartÃnez said of Croatia.
“(Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic) highlights new players that are coming in around those three players.
Belgium also relies on a veteran attacking core of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku who hasnt been 100% physically in attack, meaning that the baby-faced De Ketelaere, or CDK as hes referred to, has only played off the bench so far at this tournament.
But De Ketelaere impressed upon his arrival at Italian champion AC Milan in August, drawing comparisons to former Rossoneri standout Kaká for his dribbling ability and precise crosses in the playmaker position.
Some of the young players that havent been in the game, they are growing behind the scenes. I can feel that they can be called on when needed, MartÃnez said. I thought the players that came on against Morocco, they did their jobs, they performed well.
Croatia can secure a round-of-16 spot with either a win or a draw, while Belgium needs to win to be sure of advancing.
Croatia and Morocco lead Group F with four points each, Belgium has three points and Canada has zero and is already eliminated.
If Canada beats Morocco, its possible that both Croatia and Belgium will advance.
Its very difficult to go into the game looking just for a point thats not our mentality, Vlaic said. We need to go for a win because if you just look for a point, you concede a goal and you are in panic mode all of a sudden. So we are going for the win.
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