Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol started in Croatia’s 3-3 draw against Poland in the UEFA Nations League.
Gvardiol seemed set to end up on the winning side side after Croatia were leading 3-1 after the 26th minute as Borna Sosa, Peter Sucic and Martin Baturina got on the scoresheet after Piotr Zielinski’s initial opener.
However, the Manchester City colossus’ side let Poland back into the game as Nicolo Zalewski and Sebastian Szymanski’s strikes meant Michal Probierz’s side completed a heroic comeback.
Dominik Livakovic was also sent off in the 76th minute, which did not make matters any easier for Zlatko Dalic’s side.
The 22-year-old featured alongside Josip Sutalo and Martin Erlic, as Ivan Perisic and Sosa operated as wing-backs on Tuesday night.
Recently, the Croatian media slated Gvardiol’s showing against Scotland — as he earned a 5.5/10 match rating for his display despite Croatia winning 2-1.
Josko Gvardiol “not yet at his level” for Croatia vs Poland
The youngster would have headed into the clash hoping to improve on his performance.
Most importantly, the former RB Leipzig centre-back would have been hoping that his country get another win under their belt.
Germanijak felt Gvardiol’s showing for Croatia against Poland did not undergo much of an improvement from his struggles against Scotland as he earned a mere 5/10 match rating.
“A slightly better game than it was three days ago in Maksimir. Without so many mistakes. He was often in the opponent’s half. At the goal for 3-3, he did not go to the block but let Szymanski check Livakovic from a distance.”
Sportske Jutarnji gave the Premier League winner a 6/10 rating as they felt he still did not look at his brilliant best as well.
“Performed better than against the Scots but not yet at his level.”
Both Croatian outlets have emphasised that Gvardiol continued to look shaky at the back, despite not being as poor as he was against Scotland.
Sofascore were kinder to Gvardiol as they handed him a 6.7/10 match rating for his performance against Poland.
As for FOTMOB, they rated the Zagreb-born technician’s display at a 6.5/10.
It seems like Gvardiol failed to well and truly impress — as he could well have done more to close Szymanski down for Poland’s third and final goal — who was given far too much room to pick his spot from distance.
Gvardiol stats for Croatia vs Poland
Usually, the highly-rated left-back tends to replicate his splendid performances for City at international level.
However, in his nation’s last two games, the City mainstay has looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at the back. Here are Gvardiol’s statistics for Croatia in their pulsating draw against Poland.
| GVARDIOL STATS FOR CROATIA VS POLAND | |
| MINUTES PLAYED | 90 |
| DRIBBLED PAST | 0 |
| AERIAL DUELS WON | 1/1 |
| GROUND DUELS WON | 3/4 |
| POSSESSION LOST | 10 |
| ACCURATE PASSES | 54/64 (84%) |
| TACKLES | 1 |
| KEY PASSES | 1 |
Based on the DFB-Pokal winner’s statistics, he had a solid, if not spectacular outing.
However, statistics can only paint a certain picture of a player’s performance.
The Croatian media were not left overly convinced by Gvardiol’s latest display.
Gvardiol will perhaps be even more motivated than before to return to his best for Manchester City against Wolves.
Ultimately, the Croatian international rarely has off days and he will perhaps return to the drawing board to see why he has struggled for his nation in recent games.
