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Croatia vs Italy (Photograph Credit score: UEFA Euro 2024)
In a high-stakes encounter on the Crimson Bull Area in Leipzig, Croatia and Italy will face off on Monday night time of their remaining Group B match of Euro 2024.
With Spain already by way of as group winners, each groups are preventing for a spot within the spherical of 16.
Italy, the reigning European champions, discover themselves in a precarious place after a combined begin to the event. Regardless of a gap win in opposition to Albania, they have been outclassed by Spain of their second match.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti acknowledges the problem forward, stating, “Croatia aren’t solely an excellent staff, however they’re additionally very skilled. We’ll need to be switched on to gauge when to hurry up the tempo of the sport, and when to settle down and management possession.”
In the meantime, Croatia have struggled to search out their rhythm, securing just one level from their first two matches. Coach Zlatko Dalić expressed concern over his staff’s defensive efficiency.
“We haven’t began the event properly. We’ve got not been at our true stage. We’re conceding targets too simply. In Qatar, we conceded one objective within the group stage, and now we’ve conceded 5 in two matches,” he stated.
The match implications reveal that Italy will advance as runners-up in the event that they keep away from defeat, whereas a win for Croatia may remove the Azzurri. In that situation, Italy’s destiny would rely on outcomes elsewhere and the performances of different third-place finishers.
Potential line ups
Each coaches are considering modifications to their lineups. Dalić hinted at potential alterations, presumably shifting Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić again and introducing gifted teenager Luka Sučić.
Spalletti, reflecting on his staff’s efficiency in opposition to Spain, admitted, “I made a mistake in not making some modifications between the primary and second video games. So this time, I feel I must make some modifications.”
Current Type
Croatia: DLWWWD
Italy: LWWDWW
Historic context
The historic head-to-head report between these groups is tight, with Croatia profitable two, Italy none, and three attracts of their final 5 encounters. Their most up-to-date assembly resulted in a 1-1 draw throughout the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
As the stress builds in Leipzig, each groups will likely be conscious about the stakes. Croatia, identified for his or her resilience in robust conditions, will likely be seeking to stay as much as their slogan, “Greatest when it’s hardest.”
Italy, then again, should shake off their disappointing efficiency in opposition to Spain and recapture the shape that made them European champions.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 Nigerian time, with Dutch referee Danny Makkelie officiating and Rob Dieperink as VAR.
