Croatia At Risk Of Early Euro 2024 Exit Due To Ageing Squad, Defensive Flaws

Croatia is on the verge of an early exit from Euro 2024, with head coach Zlatko Dalic attributing their struggles to an ageing squad and defensive issues. To advance from Group B, Croatia must overcome Italy on Monday. They currently sit on one point after a 2-2 draw with Albania and a 3-0 defeat by Spain.

The last time Croatia failed to win a group stage match at a major tournament was during the 2006 World Cup. Defensive problems have been a recurring issue, with the team conceding five goals in two matches so far. Historically, they have only conceded more in two major tournament group stages: six at Euro 2004 and the same number at the World Cup ten years later.

"We haven't started well," Dalic told reporters on Sunday. "We haven't been up to our usual standards because we've been conceding too many goals. We only conceded once in the group stage in Qatar 2022; we've conceded five thus far here. The players are three years older. We are also coming up against strong opposition here as well."

Indeed, Croatia's midfield features veterans like Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, along with Ivan Perisic. Despite their age, this experience can still be crucial. Modric played 64 passes in the final third against Albania, the second-most by a player in a European Championship match since 1980, behind Mesut Ozil's 74 for Germany against Greece at Euro 2012.

Modric also made his 34th appearance across the Euros and World Cup combined in the draw against Albania, a total that only six outfield European players have surpassed. This experience could be decisive when they face Italy in what Dalic acknowledges is a must-win clash.

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"We know it's essentially a knockout match tomorrow, and there won't be any extra time," Dalic said. "We must simply win the game. Any other result will send us home. We don't want to go home so soon. We'll try to stop them from getting that draw and stay relaxed to not lose our cool or heads."

Dalic has previously apologised to travelling Croatia supporters for their performance against Spain but noted that his side is creating ample chances to win games. Croatia has had more shots (38) and more shots on target (15) at this tournament than they did in their Euro 2020 group stage (30 shots, 10 on target).

They have only had more efforts on target at the group stages of two Euros: 19 in 2004 and 16 in 1996. Dalic hopes for fortune to favour Croatia in Leipzig. "Yes, there is pressure," he continued. "That comes down to the results we've had thus far and also to the thousands of fans that have been travelling and will be there in Leipzig as well."

"So there is pressure for us to put a smile on their faces, to try to get a good result for our country. We need to show our true level. So right from the word go, we need to try to put things right."