Croatia is more focused on stopping the whole Argentina side instead of concentrating only on their talisman Lionel Messi, according to striker Bruno Petkovic ahead of their FIFA World Cup semifinal clash at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
The Croatians reached the semifinals after beating a resilient Brazil in the Quarterfinals and will now face the Albiceleste, who defeated the Netherlands to get to the same stage for the second time in three World Cups.
They are are aiming to reach the final for a second consecutive time, having stunned the five-time champions after bouncing back with a late equaliser and winning the penalty shootout 4-2.
"We don't have a specific plan yet for stopping Messi and usually we don't concentrate on stopping one player but the entire team," Petkovic said. "We will try to stop them as a team and not with man-marking. Argentina are not only Messi, but they also have a number of great players. We have to stop the entire Argentina team."
After Neymar Jr gave his team an early lead, it was Petkovic who scored the 117th-minute equaliser, taking the game into penalty shootouts. They have now won all four of the shootouts that they have been involved in at this stage of the sport. Their hero this time around has been Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who saved one spot kick against Brazil after having saved three in the Round of 16 shootout against Japan.
"I think many people who are not professional footballers can take successful penalties. The difference is how mentally tough you are. There is huge pressure you have never experienced before. But it also helps when you have a world-class keeper," he added.
The side, coached by Zlatko Dalic and led by their astute midfielder will rely heavily on Luka Modric, as well as Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic. Defender Josip Juranovic heaped praised on the experienced trio, who were also a part of their 2018 World Cup squad.
"Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don't think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank," Juranovic said.
Sharing the 'secret' to Croatia's success, he said, "The secret is that we are all a real family and we stick together. We breathe for each other from the first minute to the last and that is the secret of our success, simply. Honestly, we shouldn’t be afraid of anyone and we should look at ourselves. We will look at the analysis with the coach and decide how and what to play."
