Hosts Russia have exceeded expectations after advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals with a win on penalties over Spain but they will need more firepower if they are to give Croatia a run for their money on Saturday.
The Russians played with five at the back and just a lone striker in ArtemDzyuba and it worked against Spain, who managed just one chance in the entire 90 minutes on Sunday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Having played more than 1,000 passes but never got to threaten the Russians in the box, the Spaniards made it look easy for the hosts, who are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
But it will not be the same against Croatia, with the Balkan nation also needing penalties to advance over Denmark on Sunday but already having shown flashes of their stellar attacking game when they beat Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland to top their group.With players such as world-class midfielder Luca Modric and a string of top-level forwards including Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Perisic, Croatia will challenge Russia's backline far more than Spain's lacklustre Diego Costa did in the entire game.
The Russians breathed a collective sigh of relief after clinching a last eight spot and triggering wild celebrations across the vast country but coach Stanislav Cherchesov attempted to keep his players grounded.
"I had to persuade them this was the only way (against Spain) as they don't like this system," said the coach, whose side also had one shot on target in two hours of football.
Russia will be without midfielder Yuri Zhirkov who is out with a leg injury but Cherchesov is confident his team has not yet peaked.
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