Kovac to take attacking front on the shores of Brazil

They have the least experienced manager at the World Cup finals. Niko Kovac, once the on-the-pitch leader, is now charged with the task of commanding a Croatian unit that, in his three fixtures in charge, has transformed into a seemingly more attacking force.

He passed his first responsibility with relative ease. The team finished their qualifying campaign somewhat disappointingly, losing against group winners Belgium and then to Scotland. As old boss Igor Stimac was shown the door, in came Kovac.

Masterminding the Blazer’s two-leg play-off victory against Iceland, he has taken credit for rejuvenating the core of the team. His decision to pair La Liga duo Luka Modric with Ivan Rakitic in midfield has given a much appreciated creative edge, to the team.

Kovac’s next assignment is significantly harder. Croatia open the tournament against hosts and 3/1 favourites Brazil on June 12th, and Kovac will relish the opportunity. As a player, he was industrious and inspirational – the heartbeat of each team he played in and he will have his troops fired up.

In what will be a tough group with the hosts, Cameroon and Mexico, Croatia are 2/1 to reach the last 16 of the tournament, and should easily progress if Kovac can add another couple of wins to his tally.

Striker Mario Mandzukic, who was sent off in the play-offs, will be absent from the match and will be a big miss. Even Pep Guardiola struggles to replace the clinical forward at club level for Bayern Munich, so Kovac must review his options. In spite of Mandzukic missing the opener, he is 100/1 to be the tournament’s top scorer, and should they create enough chances in the final two group fixtures, he has proved he can do the business at the right end of the pitch.

Although the he only scored four goals in qualifying as well as notching against Iceland, Croatia’s goal record was disappointing under Stimac. They struck just 12 times in a group campaign that spanned ten matches.

The obvious choice is Hull City forward Nikica Jelavic who on his day is a handful. Since his move to the Tigers in January he has appeared revitalised, netting six times for a team that create minimal chances.

Arsenal fans will remember 31-year old Shakhtar Donetsk forward Eduardo da Silva. Although earning praise as one of the most natural finishers in the Premier League on his day, he never really hit the heights he was capable of, due to a devastating leg break, by Birmingham City’s Martin Taylor.