SPOTLIGHTS
- Croatia has conceded five goals in two matches
- Italy needs a win after losing to Spain
- Qualification scenarios are complex and depend on the Albania vs Spain result
- Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić is concerned about his team’s defensive frailties
- Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has hinted at making changes to his starting line-up
By Seyi Babalola
Croatia and Italy will clash to end their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B campaigns on Monday, 24 June, at 8 p.m.
Coaches Zlatko Dalić and Luciano Spalletti have much to contemplate ahead of this crucial Matchday 3 encounter.
Croatia has only one point after drawing 2-2 with Albania, following their loss to Group B champions Spain.
Their previously solid backline has now been breached five times, and a favourable outcome in Leipzig will necessitate a return to defensive stability.
The Azzurri were likewise given a scare by Albania in their first encounter, trailing until the 89th minute before winning 2-1, but the holders had no answer for Spain in their following match.
Only one team has successfully defended their EURO title, but Italy’s minimum expectation is a knockout spot, and they still have work to do. Croatia, too.
Italy will advance to the round of 16 as group runners-up if they avoid defeat against Croatia. However, they will be unable to advance if they lose and Albania defeats Spain.
Read also: Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about Switzerland vs Germany game
Albania will advance as group runners-up if they beat Spain and Croatia defeats Italy, providing Albania finishes ahead of Croatia on overall goal difference, total goals scored, disciplinary points, or European Qualifiers rankings. Albania will be unable to advance if they lose or draw, and Croatia defeats Italy.
Croatia will advance as group runners-up if they beat Italy, and Albania does not beat Spain (if Albania wins, Croatia and Albania will be separated for second and third place according to the aforementioned criteria). Croatia will be unable to advance if they lose or draw while Albania avoids defeat.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić said: “We haven’t started the tournament well. We have not been at our true level. We are conceding goals too easily. In Qatar [at the 2022 World Cup], we conceded one goal in the group stage, and now we’ve conceded five in two matches. We don’t have Ivan Perišić in the top form he was in in Qatar. Some players are two years older, and we are playing against strong opponents. But I think the main issue is that we have been conceding goals too easily.”
Luciano Spalletti, Italy coach, said: “Croatia are not only a great team, but they are also very experienced. We’ll have to be switched on to gauge when to speed up the tempo of the game, and when to calm down and control possession. I made a mistake in not making some changes between the first and second games. So this time, I think I need to make some.”
The match will be broadcast on GOtv and DStv—on GOtv channel 61 and DStv channels 222 and 225, respectively—at 8 p.m.
Possible line-ups
Croatia: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Erlić, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Sučić, Kramarić; Budimir
Misses next match if booked: Ivušić
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cristante, Jorginho; Barella, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Retegui
Misses next match if booked: Calafiori, Cristante, Donnarumma, Pellegrini
