Russia 2018: Finidi coaches Eagles against Croatia

1994 and 1998 World Cup star Finidi George has revealed the best positions for captain Obi Mikel and Victor Moses in Nigeria’s World Cup opener against Croatia on Saturday, June 16.

As things are now, Rohr prefers to play Mikel as the attacking midfielder or number ten, while Moses is the undisputed right winger and was deployed as the top striker in Nigeria’s last match with Czech Republic.

”It depends on what formation they want to play. If they want to play a triangular midfield, Mikel should be directly playing in front of the back four, Ndidi playing on the left side and Victor Moses playing on the right side,” Finidi said to Channels Television.

”If they are playing the diamond formation, somebody playing in front of Moses and Ndidi, and try to make sure we make use of the fullbacks.”

On the best formation for the Super Eagles, he said: ”I will go for the Chelsea formation, the 1-3-5-2,  two wide players, three players in midfield.”

Finidi has stressed the importance of Nigeria controlling the midfield on Saturday, pointing out that world class midfielders such as Real Madrid pair Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic are expected to be in the middle of the pack for Croatia.

”We have to play as a unit, we are not doing that now. When they go in the attack, it takes them too long to get back, if you don’t do that you will always have a lot of space in the middle and you don’t want to do that against Croatia with Modric, Kovacic and Rakitic.

”These guys are playing top football, you just have to make sure you have good grip of the midfield, with that we have a chance,” he added.

Finidi George made eight appearances in total in two World Cups, and was on target against Greece in USA 1994.