Already on the second day of the EURO 2024, we’re in for a treat and a derby match – Spain-Croatia. The three-time European Champion and the 2010 World Cup winner against the usual black horse in the past few years. However, can we still refer to the team that reached a semi-final and a final in the last two World Cups as the black horse? What’s sure is that Croatia’s victory today wouldn’t be a surprise after all. And why is that?Well, for the first time after the end of the Spanish golden era, La Furia Roja will play without a single member of that generation in the squad (Sergio Busquets was the last to retire after the 2022 World Cup). The new generation has arrived, but apart from talent, they have neither the necessary experience nor those names carry weight. That’s why it’s no wonder that Joško Gvardiol, at first, didn’t know who Luis de la Fuente was. On top of that, Spain has won only seven matches in major tournaments (World Cup and EURO) since they lifted the European trophy in 2012. Hence, it’s clear that no one fears the Spaniards at the moment.No euphoria around La FuriaSpanish manager primarily relies on Man City’s Rodri, perhaps the only world-class player in the team. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old will need support and help and will expect it mainly from the youngster Pedri, who scored two braces in his last four games with Barcelona and Spain. Even de la Fuente announced the return of the “old Pedri”. For further expectations – call more youngsters. Namely, a lot will depend on Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, the national team roommates, who have significantly contributed lately with both goals and assists.The highschool sorrows of young Lamine YamalNow, we come to the biggest problem of Spain – the offence. Namely, Álvaro Morata is the team’s captain and arguably the most experienced player, so it would be logical to see him in the starting line-up. Well, that’s questionable, too. Morata recently complained about the treatment he gets from the public when playing for the national team and stated that he is not forgiven for even the slightest mistake. Apart from that, the 31-year-old pointed out a long-standing problem when it comes to the national team – the disunity. He highlighted that, unlike the Italians, the Spaniards still care more about their teams (Real and Barca, of course) than about the national team at the moment when the entire nation should be gathered under Spain’s banner. Truth be told, Real used to complain about the majority of Barca’s players in La Furia’s squad, even when Spain ordinarly won trophies. This time, there are three Los Blancos’ representatives (Carvajal, Nacho and Joselu), and Real hasn’t reacted. But Atletico has! Los Colchoneros claim their player Marcos Llorente has been unfairly crossed out of the list.⏩ Spain and Croatia are meeting in a fourth successive Euros…2012: 🇪🇸 𝟭-𝟬 🇭🇷2016:🇭🇷 𝟮-𝟭 🇪🇸2020: 🇪🇸 𝟱-𝟯 🇭🇷2024: ❓ pic.twitter.com/ING1Rxx43q— LiveScore (@livescore) June 15, 2024 Hence, Morata started an avalanche, which is precisely why his place in the starting 11 is not secured. Moreover, Mikel Oyarzabal scored four goals in the previous two friendly games, Joselu had an excellent end of the season, and even Betis’ Ayoze Pérez has a chance to play. Even the fact that he is the captain, the fourth-best scorer in the history of the national team and the continental tournaments (he shares the fourth spot with seven more players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Michel Platini and Antoine Griezmann) couldn’t help him.On the other hand, Croatia patiently waits for its chance to use the chaos in La Furia. Although the Croats were highly successful at World Cups – two semi-finals (1998 and 2022) and one final (2018) – their best result at the EURO was only a quarter-final (in 1996 and 2012). By beating Portugal 2-1 in the ultimate test ahead of EURO 2024, Croatia showed they are not afraid of anyone. Moreover, in the past six years, they’ve managed to beat teams like France, Netherlands, and Argentina. Croatia’s biggest strength is its midfield, which features outstanding Modrić, Brozović, and Kovačić. The manager, Zlatko Dalić, has been on the bench for six years and has more continuity than de la Fuente. The Croatian squad is much more experienced than the Spanish one, and that can also be a crucial factor.For the Germans, age is just a numberSince 1994 and the first friendly match, Spain and Croatia have played ten times. At three out of the last four European Championships (including this one), they were drawn into the same group! Their previous two games, at UEFA Nations League and EURO 2020 round of 16, ended with penalties, and both times Spain won. However, Spain was also knocked out of their last three major tournaments on penalty shoot-out, so ahead of today’s game everything is open.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEFridayGermany – Scotland 5-1 (3-0)/Wirtz 10, Musiala 19, Havertz 45+1 pen, Fullkrug 68, Can 90+3 – Rudiger 87 og/Saturday16.00: (3.20) Hungary (3.30) Switzerland (2.30)19.00: (1.90) Spain (3.50) Croatia (4.20)22.00: (1.42) Italy (4.30) Albania (8.50)Sunday 16.00: (5.70) Poland (3.80) Netherlands (1.63)19.00: (5.00) Slovenia (3.50) Denmark (1.75)22.00: (7.50) Serbia (4.40) England (1.50)***odds are subject to change***
