Croatia is looking for new approaches to improve their results. After losing to Portugal (2-1) and two consecutive defeats, the team is focusing on modernizing the staff. ## How is football changing? Today, success no longer depends only on the talent of the players. Specialization in the staff is becoming increasingly important. Josip Paušić, an analyst and member of Sopić's staff, explains that modern national teams are more systems than teams of 26 players. - Specialization within the staff is becoming more pronounced every year. Today it is quite normal to have video analysts, set-piece coaches or a data department that processes information - says Paušić. ## Why are specialists important? The differences between top teams are becoming minimal. Tactical ideas are available to everyone, so every detail can be crucial. England, France and Spain already have such structures. - At the highest level, the differences between teams are getting smaller, so every detail becomes a potential advantage - adds Paušić. ## What is changing in Croatia? After problems with set-pieces at the last World Cup, the question is where Croatia is in this process. Vedran Ćorluka was focused on various segments, but it is clear that more specialists are needed. - It is difficult to objectively evaluate the work of the staff so far as we do not have all the information. We know that Ćorluka was more focused on various segments - says Paušić. ## What's next? Croatia still has two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The next match is against Czechia (September 26).