It's time for England to put Croatia through the wringer – or at least, that's the plan as Gareth Southgate's men prepare to unleash a maelstrom of attacking intent against their World Cup nemesis. The Three Lions have been here before, of course, and it's a tale of woe that's etched itself into England folklore – the 2018 semi-final defeat still stings like an open wound for many in the current squad.
Gareth Southgate has declared his team ready to take on whatever Croatia throws their way, stating confidently, "They know. We all know, and I think you have to grow into a tournament." The England manager's strategy is clear: focus on what he can control rather than getting bogged down in the weight of expectation that comes with being one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Croatia are no pushover, however – their midfield ace Luka Modric has been a thorn in England's side for years, consistently dictating play and exposing vulnerabilities. The Real Madrid maestro has been at the heart of three of their four meetings since 2018, and his influence is as potent as ever.
Croatia have tweaked their approach under new coach, often deploying a midfield two featuring Modric and Mateo Kovacic – a move that's seen them adopt a more direct approach. Tuchel highlights the danger posed by Ivan Perisic's crossing ability, describing him as one of the most deadly crossers in world football – and England will be well aware of his capacity to influence big games after he scored the equaliser in that 2018 semi-final.
While Croatia are integrating a new generation of talent, including defender Luka Vuskovic and attacking midfielder Martin Baturina, Tuchel is clear that England won't fall into the trap of complacency. He cites Spain's recent stalemate against Cape Verde as a warning sign – a reminder not to get caught cold by an opponent with nothing to lose.
The game plan for Gareth Southgate is simple: play bold, play brave and unleash the full fury of England's attacking arsenal. Captain Harry Kane has echoed this sentiment, underlining the team's physical strength and ambition to go all the way in the tournament – come what may.