Italy and Croatia are set to face off in a crucial UEFA Euro 2024 match in Leipzig, Germany. Italy is the defending champion and needs to avoid defeat against Croatia to ensure progress in the tournament. On the other hand, Croatia can advance with a win or by avoiding defeat as long as Albania does not beat Spain in the other Group B game. The match is set to kick off at 9 pm local time on Monday.
Italy currently has three points after beating Albania 2-1 and losing 1-0 to Spain. Croatia, on the other hand, lost to Spain 3-0 in their opening game and drew with Albania 2-2 in their second game. Italy will be looking to impress after being outclassed by Spain in their previous match, where goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved them from further embarrassment. Real Madrid star Luka Modric leads the Croatian team and is yet to score in the tournament, with coach Zlatko Dalic expressing delight at having him on the pitch.
Many of the Croatian players have experience playing in Italy, while Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is familiar with some Croatian players from their time together at Inter Milan. Both teams have a history of close encounters, with Italy winning only one of their previous nine meetings against Croatia. Italy’s only win came in a friendly match in 1942, while the last three games between the two teams ended in draws.
In terms of team news, Italy left-back Federico Dimarco may miss the game due to an injury, while Croatia will be without midfielder Nikola Vlacic and defender Domagoj Vida. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is expecting his team to learn from their defeat against Spain and put up a better performance against Croatia. Croatia midfielder Mario Pasalic is confident that his team will rise to the challenge and come out victorious in the must-win match.
In conclusion, the Italy vs. Croatia match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams vying for a spot in the next stage of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. With Italy looking to redeem themselves after a defeat and Croatia aiming to secure a crucial win, football fans can expect an exciting game filled with action and drama. The outcome of this match will have significant implications on both teams’ tournament journey, making it a must-watch for fans around the world.
