When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Croatia and Albania meet in their Second Group B match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Croatia and Albania at a glance
When: Thrusday 19 June (21:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Volksparkstadion, Hamburg
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Group B Matchday 2
What do you need to know?
Croatia had high hopes going into their Matchday 1 meeting with Spain but were no match for Luis de la Fuente’s team in Berlin, slipping to just their third defeat in their last 13 EURO group stage matches. The importance of Wednesday’s game is not lost on coach Zlatko Dalić, who says his side “have to win” at Volksparkstadion to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the third tournament in succession. Their improved second-half showing against the three-time winners certainly gives the Vatreni something to build on.
Possible line-ups
Croatia: Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modrić, Kovačić; Pašalić, Majer, Kramarić; Petković
Albania: Strakosha; Balliu, Ismjali, Gjimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani, Bajrami; Hoxha, Asani, Broja
Form guide
Croatia:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWWWDW
Albania:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWWLLD
Expert predictions
Elvir Islamović, Croatia reporter
Dalić and his team were brought back down to earth by Spain on Matchday 1, defeat revealing several issues. Dalić hopes it was just a bad day, but Modrić told me something revealing: “We need to be much better, especially energy-wise.” The team ran out of steam and both he and Kovačić were substituted in the 65th minute, an almost unheard-of occurrence. Dalić is ready to make changes, yet he will not be able to work miracles in just a few days. At the very least, he needs to lift the team’s spirits because they can no longer afford any mistakes.
Egi Duro, Albania reporter
Defeat against Italy ended Albania’s impressive seven-game unbeaten run in competitive matches (W4 D3), but they have not lost hope. They punched above their weight in qualifying, and Nedim Bajrami has been in fine form, contributing two goals and two assists in his last three appearances. If Sylvinho’s side can maintain their intensity, stay solid in defence and make the most of the chances that come their way, this is a game they can win.
What the coaches say
Zlatko Dalić, Croatia coach: “We knew that this match would be very important even before the tournament had started. I’m glad that we are positive and not discouraged [after our opening defeat]. The atmosphere is great. The guys are aware that we need to perform better than in the first match. Albania may not be of the same quality as Spain, but they deserve a lot of respect. They are motivated and organised, so we need to be patient and cautious. We know our goal is to win, and we will be more offensive.”
Sylvinho, Albania coach: “Our team is 100% fit for tomorrow. We have a training session later, but as it stands, the team is OK. We need to take our chances and do our best. It’s a tough group and now we face Croatia, a quality team. They gave a good performance [against Italy], even in losing 3-0. If you see the stats from this match without seeing the result, you wouldn’t believe that Croatia lost. But at this level of football, anything can happen.”