Croatia’s national football team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Spain in their Euro 2024 campaign. This ‘golden generation’ of players, including stars like Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, is aging, leading to concerns that this could be the end of an era for Croatian football. Despite the defeat, coach Zlatko Dalic remains optimistic, stating that everything is still in their hands as they prepare to face Albania and Italy in their upcoming matches.
The defeat to Spain highlighted the need for changes in tactics and formations for Croatia. Dalic may opt to switch things up, potentially breaking up the midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic, and Brozovic. There are also concerns about the form of Brozovic, who has looked off the pace since his move to Saudi club Al-Nassr. However, the team did create chances against Spain and still have the potential to turn things around in the tournament.
Rumors of a rift in the team following Perisic’s penalty miss have been downplayed by players like Lovro Majer, who stated that the situation is over and there is no need to add anything special. Croatia has experience overcoming tough situations in major tournaments, as they progressed from the group stage at Euro 2020 after an opening loss to England. The players are committed to fighting on and giving their all in the remaining matches.
The average age of the current Croatian team is 28.5 years old, with key players like Modric and Perisic in their 30s. Former stars like Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, and Dejan Lovren have already retired from international football, signaling a transition period for the national team. Despite the challenges, there is still hope that Croatia can put up a strong performance in Euro 2024 and potentially make it far in the competition.
Dalic apologized to the fans after the loss to Spain, acknowledging their support in Berlin. The team is determined to celebrate in the next two games and secure a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament. With tough matches against Albania and Italy ahead, Croatia faces a challenging task, but the players are motivated to give their best and fight till the end. The upcoming matches will be crucial for Croatia’s Euro 2024 campaign and could determine the future direction of the national team.
