New Delhi: When Croatia and Albania face off in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B clash in Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (Wednesday, June 19), both teams will have a lot at stake. Having lost their opening games, both will look for a win to keep themselves in the running for a place in the knockouts.
Before the start of the tournament, many experts had predicted Croatia to go deep in the tournament. However, Croatia started their seventh appearance in the European championship with a 3-0 defeat against Spain in Berlin. Croatia failed to capitalise on opportunities inside the penalty box.
In the first four minutes of the first half, Croatia conceded two goals. They went into the break, conceding the third goal. Zlatko Dalic’s main challenge now will be to have a defence that won’t be caught out of position like Gvardiol and Sutalo were in the previous match. Croatia have now lost three of their last five competitive games, which also include defeats from Turkey and Wales.
Croatia have never lost consecutive games since Euro 1996, and to keep their qualification hopes also, they must maintain this record against Albania. In their previous two outings, Croatia were eliminated from the first stage of knockouts. If they want to move beyond this and make their sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament a memorable one, they will have to return to winning ways much quicker.
Unlike Croatia, this is Albania’s second appearance in the competition, playing for the first time in Euro 2016. In the previous competition, they only had a single win in the competition. Despite Nedim Bajrami scoring a goal after just 23 seconds into the game – the quickest goal scored in the European championship history – they couldn’t make the lead count.
The defending champions defeated Albania 2-1, scoring twice by the 16th minute. Substitute Rey Manaj had started a late charge for a leveller, but the Italy captain, Gianluigi Donnarumma, denied the goal. It is their first defeat since March 2023, ending their unbeaten seven-game streak in such matches.
After losing their opening game for qualifiers against Poland, they went without a defeat to finish ahead of Poland and the Czech Republic in their group. Given the spirit Spain showed in their game against Croatia, Albania will have an uphill task when they face La Roja next week, even if they can collect points on Wednesday.
Team News
After the team’s humbling defeat in the opener, Dalic will look to make some changes in their playing XI with a possible return of the Machester City star Josko Gvardiol in the central defence. Marin Pongracic may potentially be left out, with Borna Sosa coming in at left-back.
Marcelo Brozovic is rumoured to be dropped, with Luka Sucic or Mario Pasalic replacing him to make an impact in the midfield. Though Luka Modric only played for 65 minutes, he made the most line-breaking of all the players on Saturdays (13), and the Vatreni skipper will be an important part of the mix.
With Ivan Perisic still not fully fit, Bruno Petkovic not favourites of Dallic, and Torino forward Nikola Vlasic leaving the tournament after sustaining a minor muscle tear injury during training, the front three is likely to remain unchanged.
Albania’s Jasir Asani, though initially reported doubtful with an ankle problem, has been cleared and is expected to take part in the field. Dinamo Zagreb’s Arber Hoxha, who would have been promoted from the bench, will now feature as a substitute.
It is expected that Either Rey Manaj or Armando Broja will be spearheading Albania’s attack. The central striker support will again be provided by Nedim Bajrami, who has been the architect of at least one goal in each of his last three appearances for the team.
Head to head
Croatia and Albania will play against each other for the first time ever. Croatia come at the back of a heavy defeat but have been long campaigners in this tournament. Albania have shown the potential of what kind of football they can play.
Croatia: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Sucic, Kovacic; Majer, Budimir, Kramaric
Albania: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Laci, Bajrami, Asani; Broja
When, where and how to watch the Croatia vs Albania match in India?
The Croatia vs Albania UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 6:30 pm IST tonight.
Croatia and Albania will look to make most of their clash, to keep their hopes alive for the knockouts after losing their opener. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
