Italy has to get revenge against Croatia in order to remain competitive in Group B after being thrashed by Spain. They need to find their offensive spark again since their performance against the Balkans was much too slow and antiquated.
Before Italy earns a corner thanks to strong defense from Pongracic and Gvardiol, Donnarumma makes an incredible save to block Sucic’s strong shot. The main points of the Croatia National Football Team vs Italy National Football Team Lineups will be covered in this article.
Croatia XI: Livakovic
Since leaving Yugoslavia, Croatia has become one of the best football teams in the world because of their formidable front line and adaptability when facing more formidable opponents. As evidence, consider their quarterfinal encounter against Brazil, where Zlatko Dalic had to change his strategy to keep the Selecao defense in check.
Subasic was a member of the Croatian team that made it to the World Cup final in 2018. One of the many reasons he is so well-regarded as a Fenerbahce goalie is his ability to stop shots.
Another anchor is Modric, whose passing and dribbling abilities allow him to set the pace. His ability to score goals has earned him several accolades throughout his career; while playing Italy or Spain, his defensive skills will be crucial.
Stanisic
One of the country’s most important players, Luka Modric, may participate in his last international competition with them in Group B against Spain and Italy at 2017 World Cup. With an incredible 303 caps for his country, Real Madrid star Luis Garcia will surely be a key member of the team against these opponents.
Another seasoned player with a knack for scoring goals, Ivan Perisic, plays as a defensive midfielder for RB Leipzig and may be looking to win his first major tournament with Croatia.
One of the most important players to keep an eye on for Germany in 2018 World Cup is Josko Gvardiol. Similar to Benjamin Pavard, this center-back can contribute offensively from a defensive stance. He played a key role in helping Germany finish as the tournament runners-up in 2018. His presence will seriously challenge opposing defenses at every competition in which he competes. He is a regular member of the RB Leipzig team and an active World Cup contender.
Sutalo
Croatia needed to win against Italy to secure second place and advance to the round of sixteen after losing to Spain. They were considerably helped by Luka Modric’s goal in the second half, but Mattia Zaccagni’s equalizer in stoppage time has left Croatia in an impossible race with Albania and Spain for two slots in the round of 16, meaning that a loss may send them home.
To stop opponent assaults, Zlatko Dalic changed his starting lineup for this game, playing Mario Pasalic and Sucic in place of Lovro Majer and maintaining veteran fullbacks Darijo Srna and Danijel Pranjic as cornerbacks.
Luciano Spalletti has also made changes to his Italy team, moving to a defensive block of three or five players. Matteo Darmian and Giacomo Raspadori have replaced Davide Frattesi and Lorenzo Pellegrini, while Federico Chiesa and Mateo Retegui both seem to be attacking threats in this formation.
Due to a thigh injury, Antonio Conti, a star for Kramaric Hoffenheim, was unable to accompany Italy to Leipzig, which significantly hindered their ability to break through Croatian defense and score goals.
Modric and Rakitic continue to supply ammo as Alessandro Bastoni gets in close contact with Livakovic before Croatia’s goalie blocks his attempt.
Both sides are now playing cautiously in the first half, which hasn’t resulted in any goals yet. It goes without saying that Zlatko Dalic will want his team to get to know their opponents, learn how to play against them, and prevent defensive blunders.
In Leipzig, both teams are eagerly awaiting the second half. Croatia may be eliminated in a draw, but Italy would guarantee second place and a trip home with a win. Since the Azzurri strikers have been trying to get through with crosses into Croatia’s box, they could adopt a more direct strategy in the second half, with Nicolo Barella aiming to increase speed down their right.
Spanish
Even if Croatia’s squad is among the deepest in recent memory, there are still players who haven’t made an impression on the first team. Mario Pasalic of Atalanta is one such player; despite not being well-liked by supporters, Pasalic has contributed significantly this season and has the potential to establish himself globally.
The main reason for his exceptional output is Croatia’s offensive midfield’s lack of depth. Ivan Perisic prefers cutting inside to shoot, even though he can play both central striker and left flank. Although Marko Pjaca and Nikola Kalinic are naturally center forwards, they are not very good at crossing into the box.
Alongside Torino’s Vlasic and Sassuolo’s Luka Ivanusec, Pasalic has had to fill in when starting lineup spaces were available. They frequently play positions they don’t feel comfortable in, which causes bottlenecks in the final third and may detract from national team performances. The spatial awareness of Pasalic may be crucial.
Succi
One of Croatia’s up-and-coming midfielders, Luka Sucic, may be crucial to their Euro 2024 campaign. Sucic, a Salzburg player, frequently plays in an 8 or 10 position for his team and finds space for himself by making deft off-ball maneuvers.
Sucic swiftly searches for vacant areas between lines or in half gaps to receive the ball with less pressure after spotting an opponent contesting his lateral passing option.
Sucic’s ability to understand the game gives his squad a variety of options, and it shows in every Salzburg and Croatia game.
Although Croatia’s midfield is quite creative, it lacks muscle in the middle. Josip Pivaric can play this position in a 4-2-3-1 system, but the squad would gain a lot from long-term fixes like bringing in Milan Badelj from Fiorentina, who would allow for faster advancement into the final third.
Budimir
At Euro 2012, Croatia and Italy drew 2-2 before both teams advanced as group B champions, marking their seventh meeting at a major tournament. This pivotal matchup between two hungry teams might be pivotal in any team’s quest for greatness, since it will determine who advances.
Croatia’s midfield trio will be crucial to their success. Even though Modric is 38 and getting close to retirement, his presence is still crucial to Dalic’s team’s strategy.
Despite breaking his nose in Osasuna’s 2-0 victory against Cadiz on Saturday, Budimir appears to be well enough to participate in this showdown. He was included in their starting lineup and might be a key member of Croatia’s squad.
After his team’s poor performance against Spain, Spalletti will be hoping they can get back on track. Even if his signings were welcome, Italy’s survival this season still depends on an ineffectual assault; a win would guarantee them a position in the round of 16, while a loss would result in elimination.
Majer
Croatia has quietly gone undetected until this tournament, while France, Germany, and England have been at the forefront of the European tournament frenzy this year. However, this year may be its big break!
Majer, who was Modric’s mascot at a Dinamo Zagreb game ten years ago and who admired him as a child, is capable of doing it. He can play a variety of positions well, but more significantly, he gets along well with his teammates.
In a recent match against Holstein Kiel, he scored for Wolfsburg and set up his teammates with six crosses and six chances. This young midfielder is a tremendous addition to the national team group because of his power shot.
Ivan Perisic and Marko Pjaca are exposed to counterattacks since Croatia’s current team lacks a natural holding midfielder, which causes center backs to shift wide when fullbacks attack, creating holes that must be covered.
