Thread by @pythaginboots

#CROESP - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:
- Croatia looked to defend from the start
- Modric's attempts at man-marking expose Croatia
- Spain's off the ball movement
- Croatia COMEBACK after Spain collapse
- Football is mad

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #CRO #ESP #CROSPA

Croatia looked to defend from the moment the game began.

Spain's attacking structure resembles a 3-3-4 or 3-2-5, so to defend against this, #CRO would have their wide players Vlasic and Rebic track Gaya and Torres.

While the Croatian wide players defend the Spanish wide players, Kovacic, Modric and Brozovic were free to remain central and press Spain's midfield passing options.

As the game went on, Spain was able to move this defensive unit out of position and create space to play in.

Modric would mark Busquets for large portions of the game, making him useless when #ESP were in possession.

In doing this, it created space for players like Pedri, Koke and Morata to drop into for quick one-two passes.

Eventually, Busquets would move into spaces without the intention of acting as a passing option, rather spaces that would encourage Modric to move out of position, creating space for Spanish players to move into.

This was how Spain were able to make progressive passes.

#ESP attacking shape was versatile in this game. In previous matches at #EURO2020 , Spain would primarily use one side for attacking, often the side with players more associated with goal scoring.

A difference between this game & the Sweden game, for example, is that Pedri is freed of responsibility during the build up phase, Koke now has that.

Another difference? Torres is no longer relegated to ONLY providing width like against Sweden. He's more of an inside forward now

As mentioned above, #ESP can move the ball into the middle third thanks to Modric following Busquets around the pitch.

Spain will overload the flanks, forcing #CRO to move their shape.

Poor defending leads to ball progression & ball progression leads to chance creation. Simple.

Of course, tactics go out the window when Enrique made questionable substitutes that began Spain's collapse.

Busquets began to look unfit as the second half progressed, while Pau "Poor" Torres began to crumble under the pressure of having to win his 1v1 duels.

The Croatian subs brought the game to Spain. Croatia, as a side, are quite workmanlike by nature, happy to out muscle and out run opposition.

This, coupled with their direct style of play against a tired Spanish midfield was the recipe for such an exciting comeback.

We predicted that Spain would win comfortably. While an own-goal to give Croatia the lead, forcing a Spain comeback, followed by an 85th minute second goal and 92nd minute equalizer taking Spain to extra time is hardly comfortable...

Spain come out as begrudging winners. Enrique made poor substitutes, both upsetting the harmony of the team while also failing to replace tired legs in Busquets and Pedri, allowing Croatia to run them into the ground.

The only exception to this is Olmo, who beg the question:

Who can Spain be expected to start in their next match? Headache incoming for the person writing the preview for that one.

Croatia's comeback is admirable and shows that the route to goal doesn't need to involve pointless passing. They defended well, despite conceding three, and pulled off an exciting comeback that turned all the neutrals at Euro 2020 Croatian, even if for just a bit.

If you've enjoyed this thread, consider following and retweeting it as we will be doing post match threads for all the games during #EURO2020 , as well as match previews for all the upcoming match days on our website: pythagorasinboots.com/euro-2020/