On Monday, following the dramatic endings to their respective group stages, Croatia and Spain will go toe-to-toe once more. Both teams have had mixed campaigns but both also looked much improved in their third and final clashes before the knockout stages of EURO 2020.
Now, with wind finally back in their sails, the stage is set for a scintillating clash. Can Zlatko Dalić’s new-look tactics get the better of Luis Enrique’s rampant squad? This tactical analysis will aim to answer that question and try to predict the outcome of the game.
Predicted lineups
Interestingly, both Croatia and Spain have experienced some changes going into the third matches of the group stages. Dalić and Enrique had to find new and improved formulas to finally unleash the true potentials of their respective squads and they have managed to do exactly that. So it’s fair to assume they won’t tinker too much with systems that work.
For Croatia, that means an almost identical starting XI to the one that beat Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow. Dominik Livaković is set to start between the sticks and Josip Juranović could and should return to the lineup as well. Due to Dejan Lovren’s suspension, we’re likely to see Duje Ćaleta-Car partner Domagoj Vida down the middle while Joško Gvardiol, one of Croatia’s best performers, should man the left-back position. In midfield, Marcelo Brozović, Mateo Kovačić and Luka Modrić will most likely return with Nikola Vlašić playing in his floating role between the lines despite being a winger on paper.
Finally, Ivan Perišić is almost guaranteed to start on the left with Bruno Petković returning as Croatia’s versatile striker in a rough variation of a 4-3-3 formation.
When it comes to Spain, we expect them to field the same team that thrashed Slovakia. Unai Simon is set to start once more with Eric García and Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte forming a tandem at centre-back. Barcelona’s Jordi Alba will be the team’s left-back while César Azpilicueta could retain his position at right-back ahead of Marcos Llorente again.
The ever-important midfield of Sergio Busquets, Koke and Pedri is set to return too with a front three of Gerard Moreno, Juventus’ Álvaro Morata and Pablo Sarabia finishing the traditional 4-3-3 system for the Spaniards.
