Sabasports Match Preview
Euro 2024: Croatia vs Italy
Kickoff Time: 2024-06-25 03:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
After two rounds of the group stage, Croatia rank at the bottom of their group with only one draw and one loss. Their overall performance can be described as lackluster. In this European Championship, many teams face the challenge of generational change, and Croatia have struggled the most with this issue. In particular, the midfield and forward positions, featuring veterans like Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Mario Budimir, Luka Modric, and Marcelo Brozovic, are staffed by players over thirty years old. Judging from their performance in the first two group matches, these veterans have clearly struggled to keep up with the current intensity of the competition. This is a major reason for their poor showing. Additionally, in today’s football tactical environment where strong central forwards are popular, Croatia lack a player of the caliber of Mario Mandzukic to compete for championships. Currently, Croatia are in a difficult position and finding a way out seems challenging.
In the first two group matches, Italy have achieved one win and one loss, temporarily placing them second in the group. As the defending champions, Italy’s overall performance has been somewhat unremarkable, but their strength remains undeniable. Tactically, Luciano Spalletti has brought his experience from coaching Napoli to the national team, implementing a 4-3-3 formation focused on offensive football. He has shifted from building a team around small, skilled players to promoting those with height, speed, and physicality in midfield. Unlike traditional possession-based teams, Italy’s style under Spalletti emphasizes quickly passing through the midfield and creating shooting opportunities as soon as possible. In defense, Spalletti’s selected personnel are well-suited to handle the demands of a three-center-back/five-defender formation. Players from Inter and Torino work together to ensure cohesion and stability in the defense line.
Considering the overall strength and group stage performances of the two teams, Italy are clearly superior to Croatia. Additionally, Italy’s lineup is noticeably younger and more dynamic than Croatia’s. Facing an aging Croatia in this match, Italy are expected to secure all three points.
Croatia’s Last 5 Games: DLWWW
24-06-19 Croatia 2-2 Albania
24-06-16 Spain 3-0 Croatia
24-06-09 Portugal 1-2 Croatia
24-06-04 Croatia 3-0 North Macedonia
24-03-27 Egypt 2-4 Croatia
Italy’s Last 5 Games: LWWDW
24-06-21 Spain 1-0 Italy
24-06-16 Italy 2-1 Albania
24-06-10 Italy 1-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
24-06-05 Italy 0-0 Turkey
24-03-25 Italy 2-0 Ecuador
Head To Head Record:
15-06-13 Croatia 1-1 Italy
14-11-17 Italy 1-1 Croatia
12-06-14 Italy 1-1 Croatia
06-08-17 Italy 0-2 Croatia
02-06-08 Italy 1-2 Croatia
Prediction: Italy to win