Mandzukic is straight garbage. Sorry, not sorry. I am begging and pleading with anyone to tell please tell me what he contributes to a football team. Or let's get a little specific and ask just what he offered Croatia for eighty seven minutes.
I don't have to wait for you think of an answer, because we all know it's nothing.
Croatia will look back and be pissed off they weren't more daring and throw more men forward, take more shots and bombard Portugal during the first half. What was their biggest crime and I must ask their manager to please come to the front of the congregation for this; was starting Mandzukic.
That counter-attacking, passing game that worked so well against Spain was non-existent because anytime Mandzukic was involved, the game slowed down. The energy was zapped out and their very limited attacking threat resulted in crosses into the box which were easily dealt with by Pepe and co.
The fundamental failure for Croatia to advance in a game that was there for the taking, was playing Mandzukic. It's as simple as that. Why he had to start, or why the lineup that beat the defending champions had to be changed is beyond me. Normally, surely, you want to keep a winning team? Or have things changed recently without no one telling me?
It's a very frustrating way to go out. Much better to get beat putting your best foot forward with your best team rather than really not bringing your best team and opting to play a brick as your main striker. HH
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