10e in the Fifa ranking, i.e. 8e best European team behind France, Belgium, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, Croatia is one of the strong nations of this Euro 2024. However, if we are to believe Opta the Vatreni are not among the likely contenders for final victory.
A surprising fact as Croatia demonstrated during the last major competitions, notably during the 2018 World Cup where it finished finalist, that it was a strong nation in European territory. Categorized as an outsider, she could very well do it again at the 2018 World Cup. Explanations.
Aging executives, but an interesting journey
It is true that Croatia has changed a lot since 2018. Of the eleven that started the World Cup final against France (lost 3-4), only Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric are still among the starters. The others have either retired internationally (Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Strinic, Rakitic, Mandzukic), or left the standard team (Vida, Perisic) or even the squad (Rebic). However, the Croats have not lost their level and have proven it for five years.
First during Euro 2021. Present in the group of England, future finalist, the Czech Republic and Scotland, the Croats managed to qualify for the round of 16 by finishing 2are behind the English with a rejuvenated squad. Exit the newly retired, make way for the youth: Livakovic, Gvardiol, Caleta-Car, Kovacic and even Vlasic have thus joined the eleven.
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In the next round, Zlatko Dalic’s squad, present since 2017 at the head of the selection, put in a full match against the Spaniard and even managed to snatch extra time in added time. But the lack of depth in the squad did not allow the Vatreni to reach the quarter-finals (3-5 defeat). However, the first steps of this new generation were promising.
A generation on which Zlatko Dalic bet more during the 2022 Nations League, after confirming its potential during the friendly matches. Indeed, during the period between the defeat against Spain and the first match of the 2022 Nations League, Croatia had no defeat in nine matches. And in the League of Nations, despite an entry setback against Austria (0-3), it achieved four successes in five matches, including one against France (0-1), to qualify for the semi-final against the Netherlands.
The World Cup in Qatar, confirmation and revelations
But before challenging the Dutch, the World Cup disrupted the calendar. Qualified for a third consecutive world championship, equaling the record of 1998-2002-2006, the teammates of Luka Modric, the captain of the selection, confirmed their status as vice-world champion. Positioned in an open group, alongside Belgium, Morocco and Canada, the Croats did not tremble so much. Despite a sluggish first match against the Moroccans (0-0), Croatia proved that it was not just a simple outsider by winning largely against Canada (4-1) then holding the Belgium – yet obliged to win to qualify.
THE COMPLETE EURO CALENDAR
Defensive solidity was particularly highlighted and symbolized by Josko Gvardiol, a revelation in the competition, who signed for Manchester City a few months later. During the final phase, this time it was the talent of Dominik Livakovic as goalkeeper who contributed to Vatreni’s qualification to the semi-final. First against Japan, then against Brazil, although considered one of the favorites for final victory. Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the only South American team to reach the last four, was nevertheless too strong to hope to qualify. But the good third place won at the expense of Morocco proved that Croatia should no longer be seen as a simple outsider.
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At the end of the 2022 World Cup, the team in the checkered jersey confirmed it against the Netherlands by winning 4 goals to 2 despite the absence of Josko Gvardiol and the positioning of Ivan Perisic as a left back, far from his best position. In the final, however, the Spaniards once again triumphed over the Croatians after extra time, but this time on penalties.
A not-so-deadly death hen?
So what has happened since then? During the elimination stages, Croatia did not shake much. After a great success against Latvia (5-0), the teammates of Luka Modric, still captain of the team despite his 38 years, confirmed against Armenia (1-0) despite some changes in the team . Particularly in terms of the playing system where Zlatko Dalic favored a more offensive player than Mateo Kovacic, namely Luka Ivanusec, to accompany the Croatian captain and Marcelo Brozovic in midfield.
Finally, the only fear was during the international break last March, where the Croats suffered two defeats in a row against Turkey (0-1) and Wales (2-1), both only setbacks in qualifying. Since then, the Croatians have had six victories in a row, the last of which was against Portugal in Lisbon (1-2), Saturday June 8. A successful preparation, which allowed the teammates of former Rennais Lovro Majer, now holder, to generate maximum confidence.
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Confidence will be needed to hope to see the final phase of Euro 2024, which begins this Friday, June 14. Placed in the “group of death”, alongside Italy, Albania but especially Spain, Croatia will have to perform from the start. And by chance of the calendar, or sign of destiny, the Dalic gang will begin their tournament with the Spaniards, whom they have cursed, this Saturday, June 15 (6 p.m.) for several years. But ultimately, wouldn’t this be the perfect opportunity to overcome the curse and prove to the whole of Europe that Croatia can do the same thing as in 2018?
