Croatia and Greece will lock horns in the first leg of their 2018 World Cup qualification play-off in Zagreb on Thursday night.
Zlatko Dalic’s side were in pole position to finish top of Group I with just three games left to play, but a 1-0 loss to Turkey and shock 1-1 home draw with Finland allowed Iceland to climb above them at the summit of the standings, with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine on the final matchday not enough for Croatia to clamber back into first place. Both the Turks and the Ukrainians represented tough opposition in an open group, though, so second place and a spot in the play-offs is far from a disastrous situation for the Vatreni.
Belgium ran away with Group H in the end, amassing 28 points from a possible 30 to qualify in style; Greece ultimately won a two-way battle for second, squeezing past Bosnia and Herzegovina after winning five, drawing four and losing only one of their 10 fixtures. Ever since their improbable triumph at Euro 2004, Greece have had a reputation for being strong defensively and difficult to beat. It can be something of a stereotype at times, but holding Belgium to a 1-1 draw in Brussels and conceding only six goals in total is what got the Ethniki through to the play-offs.
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A quick glance at Croatia’s squad shows why they are heavy favourites to progress to Russia at Greece’s expense. A likely midfield three of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic is one of the strongest on the continent, while Mario Mandzukic is an underrated centre-forward who has scored 30 goals in 80 international appearances. At the back, Croatia will hope Dejan Lovren has shaken off his recent problems with form and fitness at Liverpool.
Greece will be without the suspended Kostas Manolas, which is a huge blow given the Roma man’s importance to their defensive solidity. Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos will be the key centre-back in Manolas’ absence, while Marseille striker Kostas Mitroglou will be expected to run the channels, hold the ball up and make the most of any opportunities that come his way at the other end of the pitch.
Greece can never be written off and will make life difficult for their opponents in Zabreb, but Croatia should have enough quality to win the first leg.
