The battle off the field

JANNE ANDERSSON

Janne Andersson managed Halmstad and Norrkoping, clinching the title with the latter in 2015. He took the reins of Sweden after EURO 2016 and qualified for Russia by edging Italy in a play-off.

CHALLENGE: Sweden's success has been built on defensive organisation and clinical counter-attacks. Devoid of a freescoring talisman in the wake of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's international retirement, the Swedes have worked hard on being difficult to breakdown and a major threat from set-pieces.

"There was a coach once who said his team was quite easy to analyse but difficult to beat. That is a good description of us," Andersson told reporters.

FORMATION: 4-4-2

GARETH SOUTHGATE

On 30 November 2016, Southgate was appointed as England manager on a four-year contract.

CHALLENGE: Southgate has certainly left no stone unturned in attempting to transform England's fortunes at major tournaments.

The decision was made that England would play with a back three as they did in reaching their past two semifinals, at Euro 96 and at the 1990 World Cup.

Three centre-backs comfortable with playing out from the back in Stones, Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire have allowed England to enjoy far more possession, but they have still relied on set-pieces for seven of their nine goals.

FORMATION: 3-4-3

STANISLAV CHERCHESOV

A former goalkeeper Stanislav Cherchesov won four titles with Spartak Moscow. In August 2016, Cherchesov was named as the new head coach of Russia. Under his management Russia reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1970.

CHALLENGE: A stern Cherchesov told reporters he was not getting carried away by the euphoria of Russia's march to the last eight has created.

"I will tell you openly that as a coach I am trying not to watch TV and not read newspapers," he said. "I am concentrated on my job and I think it is the same for the players.

FORMATON: 4-2-3-1

ZLATKO DALIC

A former defensive midfielder Zlatko Dalic played for Hajduk Split, Velez Mostar and Varteks Varazdin, among other teams. On 7 October 2017, following the sacking of Ante CaciC due to a series of poor results, Dalic was appointed as the head coach of Croatia.

CHALLENGE: Dalic is quiet and reserved in his manners but he an outstanding team with brilliant players like Modric and Rakitic at his disposal. Croatia already caused a major upset by beating Argentina. The task for Dalic now is to emulate or do better than the 1998 Croatian side considered their best ever.

FORMATION: 4-2-3-1