Leipzig: A Clash of Titans for Survival in Euro 2024's 'Group of Death'
Euro 2024's Group B, dubbed the 'Group of Death,' has witnessed the contrasting fortunes of Spain, Italy, and Croatia. While Spain has soared through with a game to spare, Italy and Croatia are facing a do-or-die clash on Monday to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Both Italy and Croatia were outplayed by Spain, with Croatia managing a 2-2 draw against Albania, while Italy narrowly edged out the minnows 2-1. This gives Italy a slight advantage going into their Leipzig clash, as Croatia's golden generation faces the prospect of an early exit if they fail to secure a win.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, may resort to several changes in their bid for survival. Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, playing in Saudi Arabia, has faced criticism after underwhelming performances in the first two matches, while Real Madrid's Luka Modric, 38, has also struggled to find his rhythm.
Full-back Ivan Perisic has been a shadow of his former self, still struggling to regain his footing after a long injury lay-off. The Croatian press has expressed concern over Modric's performances, with one columnist lamenting, It makes me cry when I watch (Modric) on the pitch, he is giving his last atoms of strength... but he is not (the Modric) we are used to seeing.
Youngster Luka Sucic could replace Brozovic, as he did at half-time against Albania. Striker Bruno Petkovic, who missed a penalty in the 3-0 loss to Spain, has called on Croatia to deliver for their passionate supporters in Germany. The responsibility is on us, we owe it to our fans to show more, he said. I expect us to beat Italy, and I hope it's going to happen. We are aware of everything we did or didn't do in the first two matches, and we need to fix that.
Coach Zlatko Dalic has expressed frustration over the lack of recognition for Croatia's successes, while they face immediate criticism during setbacks. I have learned some things in these seven years where there have been far more successes than failures, he said.
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic remains positive ahead of the clash with the Euro 2020 winners. We control our own fate -- that's a good thing, said the stopper, who shone at the Qatar World Cup, saving a penalty in a shoot-out against Brazil.
Little Italy: The Azzurri's Path to Redemption
Italy needs a draw against Croatia to secure second place, but after being thoroughly outplayed in their 1-0 loss to Spain, expectations are low for the Azzurri. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has labeled them Little Italy, a far cry from the formidable team that beat England at Wembley.
Veteran defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have retired, while coach Luciano Spalletti left out Marco Verratti, now playing in Qatar. Spalletti may make changes, with striker Mateo Retegui and defender Matteo Darmian in contention to replace Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Even Italy's opening victory over Albania was not without its challenges, with Sassuolo's Nedim Bajrami putting Albania ahead with the fastest goal in Euros history at 23 seconds. Italian goalkeeping great and current delegation head, Gianluigi Buffon, believes the Azzurri can use the loss as motivation.
Sometimes it's easier to react to a defeat than it is to a win, said Buffon. Yesterday we got some answers to questions we'd asked of ourselves, and some new questions to think about. So if we thought we were a nine out of ten team against Albania, we can't suddenly think we're a four out of ten team after the Spain match. We're probably somewhere in the middle.
The clash between Italy and Croatia on Monday promises to be a battle of desperation, with both teams fighting for their Euro 2024 survival. Croatia's golden generation faces the threat of an early exit, while Italy seeks redemption after a disappointing loss to Spain. As the stakes reach their peak, Leipzig will witness a gripping encounter between two proud footballing nations.
