On the green field, soccer is not only a competition, but also a cultural feast. This is the new culture of soccer, and I am your soccer mentor, Coach Falcao, in this column we will analyze the game in depth and share the wisdom of soccer.
Once every four years, the World Cup is the world's carnival. This month, we will focus on this global event. Watching the wonderful performance of players from different countries on the field, we feel their mission and the honor of the country. Every wonderful pass, every precise shot is a perfect combination of technology and tactics. With the passage of time, soccer is also evolving, and every record carries the mark of history.
Why did you choose this game to analyze? First, because this is the year of the World Cup. As the 2022 World Cup in Qatar approaches, let's warm up this soccer feast by reviewing the classic matches. Secondly, by comparing previous World Cups, we can get a glimpse of the changes on the soccer field, gain insight into the development trajectory of modern soccer, and even predict future trends. Finally, no matter you are a soccer novice, amateur, hardcore fan, or professional player and coach, analyzing the matches can bring you new gains.
Let's look back at the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where France and Croatia faced off at the top. Despite the statistical superiority of Croatia, France had the last laugh with a score of 4-2! As stated in the FIFA World Cup Technical Analysis report, France's goal was not to wow, but to win!
(Photo: Mbappé, a youngster who has shone in the French team with impressive speed, ball control and shooting skills, becoming the team's future ace. (Photo: Getty Images)
Now, let's dive into the lineups and tactics of both teams in that classic battle.
The French team adopts a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, with Matuidi, Kanté, Pogba and Mbappé at the center of the midfield, and Giroud and Griezmann partnering in the front line. Facing different opponents, France will adjust their tactics according to the characteristics of the opponents, such as the opponents are good at ball control, France will use counter-attacking tactics to break through the defense. At only 19 years old, Mbappé has shown amazing strength in this tournament, and his performance makes us expect him to continue to grow into the core of the team in the coming matches.
(Photo: Croatia's starting lineup. (Source: ballti.com)
Croatia, on the other hand, plays a 1-4-3-3 formation with Rakitić, Brozović and Modrić as the axis in midfield and a forward line consisting of Perišić, Mandžukić and Rebić. In attack, the Croatian team will adjust their formation according to the situation, while in defense, they will use a 4-1-4-1 formation, aiming to solidify their backline.
