Class of 2012 can
secure a precious point
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0609/1224317566265.html
Bilic names a 4-4-2
formation for the game, although there tends to be a fair bit of tactical
fluidity to the Croat’s manager’s line-ups.
The personnel side of
things certainly seems to be fairly settled at this stage, with Danijel Pranjic
expected to keep out Ivan Strinic at left-back and Ognjen Vukojevic rather than
Tomislav Dujmovic likely to partner Luka Modric in midfield. In defence, Vedran
Corluka looks to set to start, with the hamstring strain that prompted a visit
to a Warsaw specialist yesterday not as bad as had initially been thought and
if he does then it will almost certainly be at centre back, with 23-year-old
Domagoj Vida beside him on the right.
Between them, they
comprise a strong, occasionally brilliant but somewhat erratic team that the
Irish will hope to catch on one of their off days. Modric, of course, is a key
figure but there is a good deal more to Bilic’s team than the Spurs midfielder.
Darijo Srna, for
instance, will pose a threat going forward and aside from the danger he poses
around goal, Mario Mandzukic may prove a handful due to his wider movement too,
with the 27-year-old more than happy to drift into the sort of deep positions
that, when adopted by opponents, can sometimes lead to uncertainty on the part
of Trapattoni’s men.