CROATIA will be aching to get their first points on the board at Euro 2020 this evening when they take on Group D leaders Czech Republic at Hampden Park.
The Croats lost 1-0 to England in their first game while the Czechs overcame Scotland 2-0 in Glasgow.
- Start time: 5pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: BBC One/iPlayer
- Croatia XI: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Brekalo, Kramaric, Perisic, Rebic
- Czech Republic XI: Vaclik, Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril, Soucek, Holes, Masopust, Darida, Jankto, Schick
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CROATIA 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
4. Confident start from the Czech Republic. A couple of crosses are cleared before a Coufal shot is blocked by Domagoj Vidashot. A corner is headed just over by Soucek.
CROATIA 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
1. We’re off and under way. Some questionable singing from the Croatia squad during the national anthems. It’s a good job they can play football.
PEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEP!
HERE WE GO!
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HERE COME THE TEAMS!
VLASIC ISSUES RALLYING CRY
Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic know how crucial a win would be for his country.
He said: “It’s very important to win this game as it’s extremely difficult going into the last match knowing you have to win.
“I think we have quality to do so.
“I’d say that we’re going to dominate and attack, but it doesn’t depend only on us – the Czechs could also have a big day.”
.Credit: AP SUPER SOUCEK
FourFourTwo went for West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek as the Czech Republic’s key man prior to the tournament.
They wrote: “A year ago it wouldn’t been Patrick Schick, with Soucek one to watch, but after the tireless midfielder’s stunning 12 months, it had to be him.
“The 26-year-old covers every blade of grass, wins aerial duels and scores regularly, netting his first ever hat-trick in March.
“His never-say-die spirit is as vital to the Czechs as it is to the Hammers.”
.Credit: The Sun MARVELLOUS MODRIC
FourFourTwo magazine picked Luka Modric as Croatia’s key man ahead of the tournament.
The publication wrote: “Modric has been the beating heart of Croatia for over a decade, so the fact that he still plays at the highest level is nothing short of miraculous, even with Zinedine Zidane’s careful managing of the 35-year-old midfielder’s workload at Real Madrid.
“Without [Ivan] Rakitic, Croatia depend on Modric’s leadership more than ever.”
.Credit: Alamy WHOLE LOT OF HISTORY
Croatia and Czech Republic have met once previously at a major tournament, in the group stages of Euro 2016.
The game ended 2-2, with the Czechs coming back from 2-0 down to secure their only point of the group phase.
Croatia are unbeaten in their three previous meetings with the Czech Republic (D2, L1).
Croatia have lost eight of their last 14 matches in all competitions (W4, D2) and have just claimed two wins in their last 10 games (D2, L6).
.Credit: PA:Empics Sport
DALIC: IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic knows his side will need to turn in a much better performance today than the one against England.
“We have to show much more intent and purpose up front if we are to stand any chance of beating the Czechs,” he said.
“We need to rediscover our attacking threat. The Czechs are great at breaking out of defence with six or seven players but that will also allow us to counter-attack.
“They are in a comfortable position having won their opening game and we are not, but we always got going when the going got tough in the past and I am optimistic because our fate is still in our own hands.
“We have to improve in attack. We need a win to give us confidence.
“One good win with one or two goals would really open us up. We will see a different Croatia against the Czech Republic compared to the one against England.”
.Credit: Getty SILHAVY: WORK TO DO
Despite impressing against Scotland, Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy says his men still have work to do to get out of the group.
He said: “Croatia have players who like playing the ball, combine and build up attacks from the back.
“If they have their good day, they will be very tough opponents for us.
“I still consider them among two favourites of our group, and we are the third ones behind.
“Our desire is clear – we want to qualify from the group. A point out of two games might be enough, but we do not want to play for a draw.
“Croatia were runners-up in the World Cup with top-quality individuals from big clubs.
“If we want to succeed, we need another excellent team performance with some extra bits. This is the only way to win.”
.Credit: EPA TINKER TIME
Croatia make two changes from the side that lost to England.
Dejan Lovren comes in for Duje Caleta-Car, while Josip Brekalo replaces Marcelo Brozovic,
There’s just one change from the Czech team that beat Scotland as Alex Kral makes way for Tomas Holes in the starting XI.
.Credit: AFP CROATIA SUBS:
5 Caleta-Car, 11 Brozovic, 12, Kalinic, 13 Vlasic, 15 Pasalic, 18 Orsic, 19 Badelj, 20 Petkovic, 22 Juranovic, 23 Sluga, 24 Bradaric, 26 Ivanusec
CZECH REPUBLIC SUBS:
16 Mandous, 23 Koubek, 2 Kaderabek, 4 Brabec, 7 Barak, 11 Krmencik, 13 Sevcik, 17 Zima, 19 Hlozek, 20 Vydra, 21 Kral, 24 Pekhart
CROATIA XI:
1 Livakovic; 2 Vrsaljko, 6 Lovren, 21 Vida, 25 Gvardiol; Modric ©, 8 Kovacic; 4 Perisic, 9 Kramaric, 7 Brekalo; 17 Rebic
CZECH REPUBLIC XI:
1 Vaclik; 5 Coufal, 3 Celustka, 6 Kalas, 18 Boril; 9 Holes, 15 Soucek; 12 Masopust, 8 Darida ©, 14 Jankto, 10 Schick
THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!
TEAM NEWS
Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren has recovered from a knee injury and should be available.
Bruno Petkovic could replace Ante Rebic up front, while left-back Borna Barisic remains sidelined by a back problem.
The Czech Republic could name the same starting line-up that began Monday’s win against Scotland.
Goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka has withdrawn from the squad because of a back injury and has been replaced by Tomas Koubek.
GOOD AFTERNOON FROM GLASGOW
While all eyes will be on England’s clash with Scotland later, there’s a tasty appetiser in the form of Croatia versus the Czech Republic.
The two teams suffered contrasting fortunes in their opening Group D fixtures.
Croatia were beaten 1-0 by England, while the Czechs earned a 2-0 win over Scotland.
Both of the Czechs goals came from Patrick Schick and you’ll be hard pushed to find a better strike at this summer’s tournament than his second when he lobbed David Marshall from virtually the halfway line.
Victory for the Czechs would seal their progress to the knockout stages.
We’ll have all the team news and more in the build-up to the 5pm kick-off.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
