Croatia's spine is strong Lovern (Liverpool) and Vida (Besiktas) as CB's, Brozovic (Inter), Rakitic (Barca) and Modric (Real) running midfield plus Juve striker Mandzukic and Inter's Ivan Perisic upfront they're solid. Lot's of experience around that too with the likes of Athletico Madrid right back Vrsaljko and Kovacic (Real) off the bench
Brozovic is far from a certainty to start, which is kind of crazy to me, as that midfield line-up (Brozovic and Modric with Rakitic in front) is by far the best balanced that Croatia can put out on the field. Dalic though seems to prefer Badelj, but even he may not start the Nigeria game if the rumoured starting line-up is true (and which has me quietly sharkting my pants).
