World Cup 2018: Raheem Sterling will come to the party against Croatia.. they’ll leave gaps which pacy England will exploit
SunSport's expert the Three Lions' semi-final rivals will be the first team to give them space behind their defence
I FULLY expect Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard to come to the party tonight.
Given how England’s previous opponents have set up, there has not been the space in behind the defence — or room for a No 10 to drop into the hole.
But Croatia are very different tactically and will look to dominate possession — not that Gareth Southgate will be concerned in the slightest.
Luka Modric and are one of the best partnerships in world football in the centre of midfield and have been exceptional in Russia.
They can both pick a pass but, as a two, they will want to play high up the pitch to dictate the tempo of the game.
This is where England can capitalise as Croatia’s defence will then have two options.
Firstly, they can push up as a back four to limit the space between them and the midfield.
That could play right into England’s hands as Southgate’s side have pace to burn in Sterling and Jesse Lingard, who will both look to exploit Croatia’s defence over the top.
Croatia’s other option is to sit deeper as a unit to avoid that.
But then the space is going to occur between the two banks — especially if Modric and Rakitic continue to play high up the pitch.
Marcelo Brozovic will be tasked with manning the area in front of the defence.
But if England are smart with their movement, which they have been throughout, they can outnumber him in there.
Harry Kane can step off the centre-backs to create openings for the likes of Dele, Sterling and Lingard without even touching the ball.
Brozovic can’t pick up two players, so if one of the defenders goes with Kane, this creates a lot of room for the others to move into.
If they don’t track Kane, Sterling and Co will have time to turn and run at Croatia.
It’s a puzzle for the Eastern Europeans and I expect they will choose to leave the space in front of the defence.
It’s a tough one but I wouldn’t want to let England’s speedsters run in behind me — if they have the ball up in midfield they still have to get past the last line.
But I would not be surprised to see some bickering in Croatia’s ranks.
The defence will be calling on the midfield to drop back but, in turn, Modric and Rakitic will be demanding the back four push up so they can stay higher up the pitch.
Finally, a word on Sterling.
A lot of people focused on the two chances he should have put away against Sweden.
He should have scored, yes, but his work off the ball all tournament has been brilliant.
And if you look at the England side, other than Kyle Walker he is the only one playing out of his normal position.
He keeps the width with Manchester City, something he isn’t required to do in the system England play.
Southgate has not pigeon-holed him as a wide man, backing his versatility, and Sterling has repaid the faith.
If you watch on TV you often look for tangible results — did he score or set up a goal?
And if he doesn’t do that then people say he’s had a bad game. For me, that’s wrong.
Do England benefit from Sterling being on the pitch? Yes.
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Is he sacrificing himself for the team? Yes.
It may not have worked out for him in front of goal yet but he’s consistently putting himself in the right positions.
Whereas in England’s previous games the space to exploit has been out wide, I expect tonight to be different.
This time it will be in the centre of the pitch — and I fully expect Sterling to continue to silence his doubters and put in another top performance.
