Best Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker:
With all eyes falling on the Red Bull Arena on Monday night, Italy will travel to Leipzig when they meet Croatia.
Croatia
Starting with Croatia, while the Blazers might have sprung an almighty World Cup upset out in Qatar 18 months ago as they clinched a famous bronze medal finish, Zlatko Dalic’s camp have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability this time around. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak at the hands on Albania on Wednesday afternoon as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate in Hamburg, Croatia know that nothing less than three points will be enough to keep their fading knockout stage dreams alive. Opening their EURO 24 adventure with a nightmare performance on June 15th as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Spain, Dalic’s side have shown some recent defensive issues. Shipping five goals in their first two Group B appearances, the Blazers have mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their last five matchups across all competitions.
Team News
While veteran midfielder Luka Modric might now be 38 years old and featured in both of Croatia’s first two Group B appearances, the former Ballon d’Or winner will lead out the Blazers on Monday night and earn a 178th international cap in Leipzig. Crowned Europa League champions with Atalanta last month, 29-year-old Mario Pasalic could be handed a full recall.
Opening his EURO 24 account against Albania and recording 15 goals with German outfit Hoffenheim last season, one-time Leicester misfit Andrej Kramaric will spearhead Croatia’s charge in the final third.
Italy
As for Italy, although the Azzurri might have opened their EURO 24 adventure with a crucial 2-1 victory against Albania, the defending European champions would have been frustrated by a toothless performance last time out. Eventually falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Spain at the Veltins Arena, Luciano Spalletti’s men will know the importance of making an immediate response here. However, still sat firmly in the driving seat to follow La Roja out of Group B this summer, the former Napoli boss could have a minor headache over his side’s recent attacking issues. Failing to make any kind of dent in Spain’s defence last week, Italy have failed to notch more than a single strike in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, the Azzurri have remarkably failed to win any of their eight historic showdowns against Croatia.
Team News
While Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori might have unfortunately turned into his own net against Spain on Thursday night, the 22-year-old will once again partner Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni at the back. Linked with a potential big-money move to Premier League giants Liverpool this summer, Juventus star Federico Chiesa will join Gianluca Scamacca in the final third.
Although Roma’s Bryan Cristante might have not featured from the start in either of Italy’s first two Group B appearances, the 29-year-old could replace Jorginho at the heart of the Azzurri’s midfield and join Nicolo Barella.
Key Factors to Consider
