Ivan Rakitić

[Galning]

What a game from our blonde God.

 

[Raketa10]

Modric was MOTM but Rakitic was also brilliant! Great game!

 

[xXKonan]

So anyone who watched the match and idea where he was played?

I remember in the last friendly he was being played as a #10 and I wonder if it was the case here?

 

[Topolino]

He was all over the place but was behind the striker imo.

 

[MasChe]

in our usual formation he is always there, behind the striker, with Modric and whoever (this time it was Badelj) behind his back.

So more of Sevilla Raki than Barça Raki

 

[Stric]

Fantastic game from Rakitić. To be honest, Modrić stole the spotlight with a brilliant performance, but Rakitić was also fantastic. He's become quite the player since arriving in Sevilla, and even more so since coming to FCB.

 

[BBZ8800]

So anyone who watched the match and idea where he was played?

I remember in the last friendly he was being played as a #10 and I wonder if it was the case here?

Some sort of a 451 or 433 with 3 Cms, 2 wingers and a lone striker.

Mandzukic was a Cf.
Perisic was a pure offensive winger on a left side.
On a right side, Croatia played with a midfielder as a winger (Brozovic from Inter), something like Sergi Roberto against Real Madrid at Bernabeu.
Or a hybrid midfielder who plays more on a right side, while RB Srna played like Alves, so Srna was a true winger and Brozovic was some sort of a hybrid Cm-Rm there.
Out of 3 Cms, Badelj was the most defensive guy, Modric was a pure Cm, while Raki was the most offensive in creation out of 3 Cms.

Badelj was something like Busi (but he wasn't playing as deep as Busi).
Modric was Barca's Rakitic.
Croatian NT Rakitic was something like Barca's Iniesta (even though not THAT offensive).

But yes, Rakitic was way more free and offensive than in Barca.
He played on that position lots of times for a Croatian NT team, since him and Modric are always a midfield duo either in 442s or 451s and Rakitic is better and more creative as an Amc or more creative/attacking midfielder than Modric who is better as a pure Cm, like in Real Madrid.

So, it wasn't Sevilla's Raki, but it was a way more free and offensive Raki than in Barca where he is mostly a hard worker for other guys who are creators for us.

 

[xXKonan]

 

[BBZ8800]

He is very good in this video in a 2nd half when he has more space and less defensive responsibilities

 

[JerseyAddict]

His solo run (2:25 on the vid) was brilliant. SUch ashame he was brought down just before he could strike. That would be a goal for sure.

 

[Stric]

Perfect game from Rakitic so far. I don't remember him playing this well for the NT in previous years. Definitely Barca's influence to some extent.

 

[Stric]

He's a much more exciting player and is capable of much more when he's given freedom to play as an attacking midfielder with some security behind.

 

[BBZ8800]

Perfect game from Rakitic so far. I don't remember him playing this well for the NT in previous years. Definitely Barca's influence to some extent.

He wasn't this good, but he had awesome matches for years.
He was always versatile, hard working and had lots of talent.

 

[SeloBarca]

woot, nice goal raki
another motm performance

 

[ThwiX]

Superb tournament by him and Croatia so far.