For defending champion Italy and World Cup third-placed Croatia, everything is at stake in the last European Championship group match: they are in danger of being knocked out in the group stage. Croatia reacted defiantly, Italy with brave decisions.
Gianluigi Buffon would prefer to completely block out the fear of the next Italian debacle. “We must not go into the game with fear,” said the team manager of the Italian national football team, who is facing the next low point after missing the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. In the European Championship group final against Croatia on Monday (9 p.m./ZDF/Magenta TV), both the defending champion and the World Cup third-place team are fighting against an early knockout in the preliminary round. “We have to find the security and confidence in ourselves again,” demanded former world champion Buffon.
After their absolutely hopeless performance in the 0:1 defeat against Spain, Italy are mentally battered going into the match, but with a much better starting position. National coach Luciano Spalletti’s team only needs one point to secure their place in the knockout round as second in the group. Croatia, on the other hand, needs a win after only one point from two games and a completely disappointing European Championship so far.
Croatia’s problem with Modric
With third place at the World Cup and reaching the final of the Nations League, the team from the Adriatic had earned itself the status of dark horse favorite. But the Croatian golden generation seems to be getting on in years. The 2:2 draw against Albania featured the oldest Croatian team ever to appear at a European Championship. The lack of liveliness is noticeable in the experienced players around Luka Modric (38) and Ivan Perisic (35). “We lack aggression. We are often too far away from the ball and the opponent,” complained national coach Zlatko Dalic.
Many experts attribute the Vatreni’s poor performances to date primarily to Croatia’s football legend Modric. The ageing superstar has lost his class at this European Championship and has played virtually no role at all so far. “Our players are getting older and the outcome of the tournament is totally open,” Dalic also had to admit. The 57-year-old nevertheless announced defiantly: “The knockout phase is starting for us now, so let’s get going.”
“We have our destiny in our hands”
But it is precisely the experience of Modric and Co. that worries the Italians. “Croatia is strong, they have experience and many quality players, we have to be careful,” warned defender Matteo Darmian. The otherwise great self-confidence of the proud football nation has been massively dented after the weak performance against Spain.
“It was a setback we didn’t expect,” admitted Buffon. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who prevented a much greater defeat with numerous strong saves, was particularly frustrated: “We are angry, but we should use that for the last game, we still have our fate in our own hands,” demanded the captain.
Even if Italy were to suffer a narrow defeat, they could still advance as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group, but no one in the country of the four-time world champions wants to rely on that. The third-placed team is facing a much more difficult path through the tournament anyway, with Portugal, who have been convincing so far, as their opponent in the round of 16.
Spalletti’s courageous decisions
Despite the disappointment after the Spain game and the threat of another low point, Italy wants to stick to its path. After only ten months in office, Spalletti should be given more time to develop players and convey his offensive game idea to the team. “We need patience and a lot of hard work,” warned association president Gabriele Gravina. Spalletti is the best possible coach for the Squadra Azzurra, stressed the 70-year-old. “He has a philosophy that we share and that we want to follow.”
Spalletti could take the first bold step into the future against Croatia: 2021 European champion Jorginho (32), who performed poorly against Spain, is a candidate for a place on the bench. Spalletti could bring in Nicolò Fagioli, 23 years old and one of Italy’s greatest talents. It would be the midfielder’s first European Championship appearance – shortly after the expiration of his seven-month ban in the betting scandal.
Source: Stern
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