FIFA World Cup 2018, final preview: France's stability meets Croatia’s versatility in high-octane title-decider
The day is here. The culmination of a month-long fair wherein the world’s 32 best footballing nations kick a ball around is the World Cup final, and it is finally upon us. France and Croatia will battle it out at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, but there is no way one can pick out a clear favourite of the two European teams.
Exploring the tactical designs of both teams, we try to find out who has got the edge heading into Sundays big game. however small that is. Pogba or Modric, Griezmann or Perisic, Lloris or Subasic.there is very little to set either team apart from the other, hence a fascinating battle of wits, styles and world-class players lies in wait.
Sweeping personnel changes are highly unlikely because of the magnitude of the occasion, hence both France and Croatia are likely to field the same XIs as they did in the semi-finals. France favour a defensive, transition-based style while Croatia depend more on width. Croatia’s Ivan Strinic , who hobbled off last time out, is a doubt but count out the Croatians at your own peril.