UEFA EURO 2024 Group Stage
20 June, 2024 - Indian Date
Volksparkstadion
MATCH TIMES
India
06:30 PM
UAE
05:00 PM
Saudi Arabia
04:00 PM
MATCH LIVE INFO
Croatia possible starting lineup: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Sucic, Kovacic; Majer, Budimir, Kramaric
Albania possible starting lineup: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Laci, Bajrami, Asani; Broja
Match Preview
As Croatia and Albania prepare to clash in Hamburg on Wednesday afternoon, both teams are acutely aware that a loss could severely hamper their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of Euro 2024. After suffering defeats in their opening matches, the pressure is on for both sides to secure a positive result and keep their tournament hopes alive.
Croatia, a team with high expectations and aspirations of winning silverware, experienced a humbling 3-0 loss to Spain in Berlin. Despite having several opportunities, including a missed penalty by Bruno Petkovic, Zlatko Dalic’s team failed to find the net and now faces the challenge of bouncing back. The Croatians, seasoned participants in European Championships, cannot afford consecutive losses, especially with reigning champions Italy awaiting them in their final group match.
The Croatian squad has shown vulnerability recently, with three defeats in their last five competitive games, a stark contrast to their previous form which saw only three losses in 29 matches. This dip in performance underscores the urgency for Dalic’s side to regain their form and secure at least a point against Albania to stay in contention.
On the other hand, Albania is making only their second appearance at the European Championships, with their previous showing in 2016. Their campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Italy, despite a dream start where Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in European Championship history after just 23 seconds. Albania's initial lead was quickly overturned by the Italians, and despite a late attempt to equalize by Rey Manaj, they ultimately fell short.
Albania’s journey to Euro 2024 was marked by a strong qualifying performance, finishing ahead of Poland and the Czech Republic. However, their record at major finals remains poor, with three losses in four matches. Managed by Sylvinho, the Albanian team needs at least a draw against Croatia to have a fighting chance, especially with a challenging match against Spain looming in their final group fixture.
This matchup is critical for both teams as they navigate the tough terrain of Group B. Croatia's experience and recent successes in international tournaments make them slight favorites, but Albania's potential for surprising their opponents and their early goal against Italy suggest they shouldn't be underestimated. The outcome of this match will significantly influence the dynamics of Group B and the fate of both teams in Euro 2024.