FIFA World Cup 2022 – Croatia vs Morocco, Third place play-off, match preview, predicted lineups
Croatia take on Morocco on Saturday in the 3rd-place match at FIFA World Cup 2022 as the tournament comes to a close. Both teams will be looking for a win here.
Kick-off : 6:00 PM (Local)
Venue : Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Croatia will be very disappointed of not reaching yet another World Cup final but need to console themselves with a possible third-place finish at world cups. They will look to end the campaign on a high.
The Checkered Ones were beaten comprehensively by Argentina in the semi’s and it opened up their defensive frailties which need to be addressed for one final game. Attack wise they need to be creative.
Boss Zlatko Dalic will likely go with a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday.
On the other hand, Morocco will too be extremely disappointed of not reaching a World Cup final as the first African team but need to affirm themselves that they lost to a better French team. They now look to still finish the World Cup on a third place high.
The Atlas Lions have been very resolute defensively in this tournament and it was only the French that exploited them and hence will be encouraged by the fact. As for attack they can exploit as well.
Manager Walid Regragui will deploy a 4-3-3 system.
Team news and possible lineups
Roman Saiss is injured for Morocco for the Croatia game and won’t be available.
As for the Croats, themselves have Marcelo Brozovic doubtful.
Croatia XI : Livakovic, Stanisic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa, Modric, Jakic, Kovacic, Vlasic, Kovacic, Perisic.
Morocco XI : Bono, Hakimi, El-Yamiq, Dari, Attiyat-Allah, Ounahi, Amrabat, Amallah, Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.
Prediction
I think as Morocco have shown solidity at the back it might just help them in one final game and if they can be clinical up front we can see Morocco edging Croatia 1-0.
