Euro2012 – Croatia vs Spain – Conspiracy theories
By David, bettingexpert.com | Published
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A 2-2 draw would qualify both these teams to the next round no matter what Italy does in the match against Ireland. It would be tempting to get that fixed but Croatia have already been targeted for suspicions after the Champions League horrors in the Dinamo Zagreb vs Lyon match whilst Spain should make sure to carry themselves around as the rightful World and European champions they are.
Croatia – Spain Odds: Euro 2012
On the right are odds for the match between Croatia and Spain, which will remain visible right until kick off.
Croatia – Spain Preview: Euro 2012
Commenting on suspicions of match fixing involving his coach Conte when still at Siena a few days before the start of Euro 2012, Buffon talked about how some things in football are implicit. How often it is a question of “the two getting injured being better than getting one of them dead”. Meaning that teams would care for each other in a way that neither gets the fatal blow but both get a little out of the match.
Well now irony has it that should that, according to Buffon, ‘Italian football maxim’ be held in high regard by both Croatia and Spain it would work against the Italian national team’s interest. And would that not be a fitting lesson for a country carrying the burden of yet another match fixing scandal? A system which has not learnt its lesson from the Moggi / Juventus affair that broke out just a few years ago.
It would but it still is a complicated matter. We will not exclude the possibility but let’s see how the game can unfold in any case if this were not a choice for either of them.
Therefore a draw of 0-0 would definitely not be enough for Croatia whilst a 1-1 would still be risky bet for them should Italy win by a difference of more than two goals with Ireland. The Croats, thus, do have more reasons than Spain to go for a win here.
In the match with Italy Bilic lined up with the same team as in the match with Ireland. Two strikers were left on the pitch and the approach was fearless as usual. However, the Italians were playing better mainly because they were set up better on the field. Luckily Prandelli’s strikers were not clinical so not having closed the game in the first hour, when they were dominating, left enough time for the desperate Croats to collect what might also be considered a deserved draw.
The game with Spain may require changes though. The match with Italy does teach Bilic he may not be able to afford a second striker so Jelavic might have to go. However, doesn’t he need to go for the goals anyway just in case Italy do beat the weaker side in this group?
It will not be an easy choice for Bilic. Trying to meddle around with Croatia’s traditional attacking spirit might not work out well for him. Keeping faith with that might pave the way for a defeat against the gifted Spanish side.
Croatia – Spain injury news: Euro 2012
Del Bosque will probably go for a line-up similar to that against Ireland with Torres leading the line. Nothing much should change though. Bilic will be pondering on the choice of whether to stick to two strikers or else insert an extra man in the middle of the park instead.
Croatia – Spain Betting: Euro 2012
We can expect nothing but the Spanish possession game dominating as they try to sting with Torres upfront. Croatia has a difficult task ahead. Trying to defend will not be a sound choice as they would not qualify unless the score is high enough and the match is at least drawn. Going for it might break them down early on given their weak backline.
Verdict: Over 2.5
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