Croatia and Morocco are renewing hostilities just a few weeks on from their goalless draw in Group F
Croatia were defeated 3-0 by magical Messi Argentina in their semi-final, while the Morocco fought valiantly against France but were put to the sword by two goals to nil.
The two side will both pick strong starting line-ups for today’s World Cup third-place play-off, although injury issues are hampering both teams.
Aside from the obvious disappointment of missing out on the final, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic‘s side have largely been free of injury concerns throughout their time in Qatar.
However, it has now been reported that Celtic defender Josip Juranovic will miss the meeting with Morocco after playing for 70 minutes with a calf injury in the semi-final defeat by Argentina.
Luka Modric – who could well be playing his last World Cup game – will almost certainly be flanked by Mateo Kovacic in midfield,
though Marcelo Brozovic was forced off against Argentina and could well miss out here after sitting out training.
Star defender Josko Gvardiol is confident of shaking off a foot issue to line up at the back alongside Dejan Lovren.
Up front, Dalic also faces a dilemma choosing between Bruno Petkovic and Andrej Kramaric. Left-back Borna Sosa is dealing with a muscle problem.
Josip Stanisic, Borna Barisic, Martin Erlic, Lovro Majer and Kristijan Jakic are among the players who could come in.
Read Also: Argentina vs Croatia 3-0 Highlights (Download Video)
• France vs Morocco 2-0 Highlights) Download Video)
Morocco: The Atlas Lions have been decimated by injuries.
Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui were both taken off early in the semi-final loss to France after being risked following injuries and
manager Walid Regragui has confirmed there will be changes, with Nayef Aguerd a late scratch from the last-four lineup down to illness after recovering from an injury.
Regragui:
“We have a lot of players injured, we’re on our last legs.”
“We want to win but I also want to allow players who haven’t played to go out there and show what they can do. We’re going to try to win but I have a lot of players who need to recover.”
Achraf Dari, Yahia Attiat-Allah and Jawad El Yamiq should all continue to deputise in that Moroccan defence this weekend.
Croatia Possible Lineup:
Livakovic;
Stanisic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Barisic;
Majer, Modric, Kovacic;
Orsic, Petkovic, Perisic.
Morocco Possible Lineup:
Bono;
Hakimi, Dari, El Yamiq, Attiat-Allah;
Amallah, Ounahi, Amrabat;
Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
