Croatia – Squad, fixtures, odds and predictions

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Croatia: Euro 2024 Overview

Croatia are in Group B alongside Spain, Italy and Albania

Croatia, finalists and semi-finalist in the last two World Cups exited Euro 2020 in the round of 16 at the hands of Spain. Croatia are still reliant on veteran midfielder Luca Modric, who remains capable of world class performances. They qualified in second place behind Turkey and remain a very good side, who both Spain and Italy would have rather avoided, however, whether they can produce the standard they have reached in recent tournaments is debatable.

For further details on Euro 2024 as a whole check out our tournament preview.

How Croatia qualified for the Euros

Croatia were runners up in qualifying Group D to an impressive Turkey side, with a record of five wins, two defeats and a draw. Real Madrid’s veteran midfielder Luka Modric had been expected to retire from international football after the World Cup, however he has remained a key player. Croatia only conceded four goals during the eight qualifying matches, however, a total of 13 scored is functional rather than spectacular and more potency in the final third will be required in the Euros finals.

Croatia Euro 2024 Squad

Zlatko Dalić, has been in charge since 2017. The team usually line up in a 4-2-3-1. Modric generally operates as one of the two deeper midfielders where he can pull the strings, usually complimented by Mateo Kovacic or Marcelo Brozović. While Croatia have had some exciting talent in the attacking third down the years their style has often been solid and pragmatic. They have attracted criticism for being overly defensive, however, the tactics have proved to be successful and they have, invariably been a greater than the sum of their parts.

Key Players 

Modric, despite being 38-years-old, is still a key man. He has the desire to continue at international level and his performances remain at a standard where both club and country find it very difficult to leave him out, although, naturally, his minutes need to be managed more carefully. Modric played most of his early career as an attacking midfielder. However, a shift to a deeper role around about the 2010/11 season enabled him to see more of the game and dictate play from deeper. This, arguably, helped him to progress from a very good international footballer to a player of genuine world class.

Joško Gvardiol emerged as one of the best defenders in the world during the 2022 World Cup. Primarily a central defender, Guardiol has also played in midfield and is equally comfortable at left-back, where he has often been deployed at Manchester City. Gvardiol is a physically strong, positionally sound defender. He is very comfortable on the ball and passes extremly well, often breaking opposition lines.

Ivan Perišić has been a mainstay of the Croation side for a number of years. Usually played as a left winger, he is extremly versatile and adaptable and has also been deployed as an attacking midfielder, a second striker, a left wing-back or a left-back. His work-rate and technical and tactical qualities have been important to Croatia down the years.

Kovacic, who has proved to be an excellent signing for Manchester City. Kovačić is technically excellent and dribbles and passes really well. He began as an attacking midfield player at Dinamo Zagreb, however, at Inter Milan he was deployed out wide and and as a central midfielder. He now usually operates as a central midfielder as a six or an eight, combining attacking invention with a defensive presence. His ball retention, pressing and counter pressing are exceptional.

Brozović is usually used as a defensive midfielder, a deep lying playmaker or as a box-to-box midfielder. Passing, tackling, intelligent running and stamina are his strong qualities. His technical and tactical ability and physicality man that he has the ability to play a number of roles in midfield.

Croatia Odds at Euro 2024

At the time of writing, Croatia are 40/1 outsiders to win the tournament and 4/1 to win Group B with bet365, I feel that the bookies have got things right. Croatia are still a good side, but, while they have some good young players coming through, a lot of their key players are aging. Italy are an obvious danger to Croatia progressing

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Croatia Euro 2024 Fixtures

These are the fixtures for Group B, with Croatia’s matches highlighted, along with the pòtential dates for the knockout stages:

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