"England's 'Double-U' Strategy: A Potential Puzzle for Croatia in the World Cup Opener – But Watch Out for Luka Modric!"

ENGLAND kick off their bid to end 60 years of hurt against Croatia on Wednesday in the blistering heat of Dallas.

The Three Lions will be desperate to make a massive statement in their opening game of the .

Thomas Tuchel will be hoping his players can start the World Cup on the front foot Credit: Getty Jude Bellingham will play a crucial role in the England team Credit: PA

But fans are rightly asking how boss can ensure his side avoids the dreaded, predictable “horseshoe” passing trap that has plagued us in the past.

The lesser nations will likely try to sit back in a low block, forcing big teams like to pass sideways and slowly around the outside.

However, there were hugely promising signs in the recent warm-up friendlies that Tuchel has found to bypass stubborn defences.

SunSport tactics guru Dean Scoggins breaks down exactly how England will line up to and why a familiar face in midfield still poses a massive threat.

TUCHEL’S ‘DOUBLE-U’ MOVE

It is all well and good for big teams to dominate possession, but when you end up playing slow, sideways passes in a horrible horseshoe pattern, it is incredibly easy to defend against.

To combat this, Tuchel has deployed a brilliant new shape that was on display in the warm-up .

Instead of a flat attack, England have shifted into a dynamic ‘W-shape’ going forward.

This involves playing two progressive no8s or no10s – likely to be and – operating just off the striker.

Crucially, acts as the single pivot at the base of this incredibly attacking setup.

If Anderson can get on the ball in deep areas, his direct, forward passing is the key to unlocking the entire system.

A perfect example of this came against Costa Rica, as Anderson fired a pass straight into ‘s feet, who immediately knocked it back for Bellingham.

The Real Madrid star then instantly released through on goal.

England’s shape will play a key role in dismantling Croatia England start their World Cup campaign against Croatia Credit: PA

That rapid, direct passing right through the middle is the absolute antidote to slow, predictable football.

KANE’S ‘DOUBLE-THREAT’ TRICK

There is always a fierce debate about whether England’s captain should be hanging around the penalty spot or dropping into midfield.

The answer is simple: let him drop deep, because it makes him a lethal double threat.

Kane is arguably the best number nine and the best number ten England has ever had, and he does just as much damage outside the box as he does inside it.

Harry Kane will often drop into the England midfield Credit: PA This will allow midfielders to jump up and act as strikers

When Kane drops deep into that ‘W-shape’, he drags defenders with him.

This is where the tactical magic happens, because it allows Jude Bellingham—or whoever is playing in that pocket—to push forward and become the de facto striker.

Suddenly, instead of just one man in the box, England have two or even three players making dangerous runs beyond Kane.

Furthermore, this movement opens up entirely new avenues for the team’s talented full-backs.

Reece James, right, will underlap the wingers such as Noni Madueke Credit: Getty Nico O’Reilly will perform a similar role on the opposite flank

This has allowed a massive shift from Tuchel, where the likes of and are being instructed to underlap rather than overlap.

If wingers like and Anthony Gordon hold their width on the touchline, the full-backs can drive into the central spaces vacated by Kane.

That creates a completely chaotic rotation that opposition defenders simply cannot track, leaving them totally exposed.

England will be hoping to see this on June 17 and get their campaign off with a win.

HOW TO STOP MODRIC

While England’s attack looks perfectly primed, it cannot be ignored that the legendary threat who is lining up for the opposition.

, appropriately dubbed the “Modfather”, is incredibly playing in his latest World Cup, having featured way back in the 2006 tournament.

might line up in a 4-3-3 on paper, but manager Zlatko Dalic loves to push his full-backs high up the pitch, effectively turning it into a back three.

At the heart of it all is Modric, who remains the undisputed brains of the operation.

Luka Modric is still the star in the Croatia team Credit: Reuters He will try to drag the opposition out of position

He might not have the pace of a young running midfielder anymore, but his football IQ is absolutely off the charts.

Modric deliberately attracts the opposition’s attention and will drop deep to take the ball directly from his goalkeeper.

This will bait their opponents into pressing him, with the aim of dragging the likes of Declan Rice, Bellingham or Anderson out of position.

Once he commits his man, Modric plays a quick bounce pass and spins into the exact space his marker just abandoned.

If England get overzealous in their pressing, Modric will absolutely orchestrate their downfall and dictate the tempo.

However, there is a glaring double-edged sword to Croatia’s setup that Tuchel will be desperate to exploit.

Because they push those full-backs so high up the pitch, they leave massive, gaping holes in the wide areas behind them.

If England can win the ball back in midfield and transition quickly, the likes of Saka and Madueke will have a field day running into empty space.

It promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes battle of wits in Dallas, and if England stick to this brilliant tactical blueprint, they should start their World Cup with a massive victory.

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