Croatia is a boxer who knows how to take punches

Every square inch of this city is a place of conflict. It was true for Raimundo Blanco in the novel “Bastogne” by Enrico Brizzi, referring to Nice; this is even more true for the stadiums where the Croatia football, which to the constant of having been promising and smoky, then beautiful and damned, now adds the chrism of resistance. Not with a capital R, never lacking for a people heavily scourged by the Nazi occupation and by the secession of 1991 (the toponyms of the Istrian Riviera bear titles to partisans such as Anton Bušković, and civilian families, victims of massacres rest in the cemeteries of Kvarner), but the ability to endure, wait patiently, take hits and drafts, which the checkered shirts had rarely exhibited, basking in the aesthetic pleasure and results that flowed fluidly from the sum of individual talents.

Croatia in the 2022 edition will compete against Brazil for access to the world semi-final. A moderate team, one would say in politics: yet, in having sipped the enamel – also due to the increase in the average age – they have acquired wisdom and reserves of oxygen. The Vàtreni are less fiery, but always dangerous to dose energy: the first match saw them opposed to Morocco, creating equal number of chances and closing the defense with a double purge, which lines up around the veteran Dejan Lovren the fresh Joško Gvardiol (among the best of the entire tournament) and launches Celtic Glasgow’s crosser Josip Juranović, also interpreter of very convincing performances.

A 0-0 not brilliant, but dense. Below with Canada which starts very strong: Alphonso Davies scores and creates the conditions for doubling. But the Slavs called on their experience, and with Andrej Kramarić’s brace, the revived Marko Livaja and the Lovro Majer gem got back on track within the hour. First, worries and ghosts in Dominik Livaković’s area, poorly protected by a midfield without textual interdictors: perhaps the root lies precisely in this vision of coach Zlatko Dalić, of those who feel surrounded and in the stress test must take refuge with little help.

After the 4-1, decisive match against Belgium who have water at their throats: if with the “red jackets” the problems for the Adriatic have accumulated at the beginning, in the third the goals and the stability of the pitch until the 70th minute they leave room for the opponent’s outburst, also rendered in vain by the uncertainties of Romelu Lukaku. Despite the breathlessness, in Zagreb they pass the round with merit: the crossing in the draw seems to propitiate the expected round of 16 against Spain. Instead the latter loses with Japan, which becomes the obstacle to overcome towards the quarterfinals.

Al-Wakrah, al-Janoub stadium, Monday 5 December: of all outsiders, Japan are credited with maximum chances – together with Switzerland, which then dissolved against Portugal – for having also beaten Germany. The men in the blue jersey take the lead through Daizen Maeda: another comeback is needed. It is no coincidence that Ivan Perišić, with a header in the corner, straightens the situation: he was there in the opening match in Brazil in 2014, and also scored the illusory advantage; like him he scored in the final in Moscow, provisionally equalizing France’s first goal. Attacking wing, right and left; full winger for Antonio Conte, and when needed (like now) even second striker. Symbol of this sacrifice, of effort and ringworm.

On penalties, the runners-up of the world have nothing to gain but their own confirmation. Instead, the Scapigliati get stuck and the Croatian selection finds itself, the only one among the eight qualifiers not to look directly over the Atlantic Ocean. Word to Brazil, the toughest test: last call for Ivan, for the joker Marcelo Brozović, for the Ballon d’Or at the feet of Luka Modrić, whose ballistic skills still exalt the goalkeepers and enchant the audiences even in Qatar. Against Tite’s jugglers the Croatians will have to double their strength, form a square and fly on the counterattack, without giving up on building game. Not impossible, if they get on their nerves: as in the U2’s “Numb” video, what doesn’t kill makes you stronger, and helps you breathe louder.