Croatia v Italy Euro 2024 Group B Preview

The defending champions Italy are set to face Croatia in a high-stakes Euro 2024 Group B clash on Monday, with both sides looking to avoid an early exit from the tournament. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 and will be played at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany.

With three points in Group B, the Italians are best placed to reach the last 16. However, they will need to avoid defeat to Croatia to secure their spot, as a loss would see them eliminated if Albania manage to stun Spain in the other group game.

Croatia, on the other hand, will finish second if they beat Italy and Albania fail to defeat Spain. A draw would leave them sweating on other results to be one of the four best third-placed teams.

Italy were beaten 1-0 by Spain in their last match, and manager Luciano Spalletti believes his side will be better for the experience of that loss. "I expect to see we have learnt a great deal from the Spain game, even though we played badly and even though it was a very painful defeat in terms of how it panned out," he said.

Croatia, who were finalists at the 2018 World Cup, have not played at their best so far in Germany, losing to Spain and drawing with Albania in their first two games. Their biggest concern will be the number of goals they have conceded, having let in five so far.

Coach Zlatko Dalic acknowledged that his side has not been up to their usual high standards and that they will need to keep their heads in the must-win Group B decider against Italy.

Neither side have any fresh injury concerns ahead of the game, but Spalletti hinted at making changes following the poor performance against Spain. Left-back Federico Dimarco had been an injury doubt but is now expected to be fit for the match.

This is going to be such an interesting game. Can Croatia stun Italy? Can Italy turn it around after the defeat to Spain? We think Italy will just sneak in a late goal. Croatia 0 - 1 Italy.