When England take to the Wembley pitch on Sunday for their first match of Euro 2020 they’ll see an opponent they know well. After all, their last meaningful match at a major tournament was against the same team – Croatia.
That experience at the 2018 World Cup should make Gareth Southgate and his players wary. After an unexpected run to the semi finals, England’s shortcomings were exposed by an accomplished Croatian outfit. A lot has changed since then, but this promises to be one of the most compelling fixtures of the group stage at Euro 2020.
What sort of team are they?
As England discovered three years ago, Croatia are a team that likes to control things in the centre of the pitch. This is what gives them an edge against most opponents such is their strength in midfield. Wrestling away some of that control will be the biggest challenge England face on Sunday afternoon.
Of course, England have a better equipped squad to do this than they did at the 2018 World Cup when a lack of midfield guile forced Southgate to adopt a counter-attacking style that left his team somewhat hollow in the centre. The likes of Mason Mount and Phil Foden should make a big difference in this regard.
Croatia carry a real goal threat and an energetic side who will test England’s positional awareness in defence. Southgate will need to need to install an intensity in his players from the first whistle on Sunday otherwise they could be caught cold by a Croatian team that rarely has a problem getting themselves going.
Who are their key players?
Croatia have had to absorb some international retirements by key figures including Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic since making the World Cup final three years ago, but they still boast a number of world class talents. Top of that list is the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, Luka Modric.
Now 35, Modric has arguably never been more influential than he is at this point of his career. He is coming off the back of an exceptional season for Real Madrid and will likely carry that form into Euro 2020, where he will be expected to dictate games, as well as provide creativity and cutting edge, for his country.
Luka Modric 20/21-Ageing like fine pic.twitter.com/cgaArtQjmT
— (@BlancosARm) June 5, 2021
Alongside Modric in central midfield, Marcelo Brozovic will offer energy and drive. He too enjoyed a strong club season, helping Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years. Then there’s Ivan Perisic, who is still a crucial outlet in terms of providing forward thrust and speed in behind. Without him, Croatia might be somewhat one-dimensional.
As already referenced, Mandzukic has retired from international duty and so it will be on Ante Rebic to carry Croatia’s frontline. The 27-year-old scored 11 times in Serie A for AC Milan last season and will be a versatile attacker for Dalic to deploy in between the lines of transition. Rebic can be a nuisance and will press from the front.
Why should England be worried?
In one sense, it will be good for England to get the toughest game of the group out of the way first. Three points would set them up nicely for serene progress into the last 16. It would permit Southgate and his players to at least plot a route into the latter rounds of the tournament.
However, defeat, or even a below-par performance, against Croatia could see some familiar insecurities surface. This is a team that could expose some historical weaknesses. Sunday’s match at Wembley will prove, to a certain extent, just how much England have improved since the 2018 World Cup.
If there is one team at these European Championships that could revive the ghosts of the past, it’s Croatia. On paper, England should have enough to overcome Zlatko Dalic’s side, but this is why there’s a particular danger in this match-up. Expectation might not match reality for England and things could unravel from that.
Score prediction: 1-1 – (6/1)
England will see much more of the ball than they did against Croatia in the semi final of the 2018 World Cup, but will still feel their way into the tournament with a 1-1 draw.
