Licking their wounds, Croatia and Albania prepare for Group B dogfight
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Croatia's Bruno Petkovic scores a goal that was later disallowed in the 3-0 loss to Spain.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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HAMBURG – Chastened by losses to the heavyweights of Group B, Croatia and Albania both need a win in their clash on June 19 to ignite their Euro 2024 campaign and give them hope of progressing.
The Croats have a rich World Cup history but have never replicated that at the European Championship and began their latest attempt with a disappointing 3-0 defeat by Spain.
Albania are at only their second major tournament and performed creditably against defending champions Italy in their opening match, taking an early lead before succumbing 2-1.
Both teams urgently need points in their second game at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion, either to compete for the two automatic qualifying spots or to bolster their chances of being one of the four best third-placed teams to progress.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic wants more aggression and speed from a team oozing quality – from veteran midfielder Luka Modric, 38, at probably his last big tournament, to classy defender Josko Gvardiol, 22.
“We know what we’re up against. We have two difficult matches,” he said.
“It’s not over, keep your heads up. Our goal is to advance from the group and we will do our best to achieve that.
“Everything is still in our hands, still under our control. We need to be better...
“It’s up to me to turn things around, point out the flaws and not dwell too much on the Spain match.”
Croatia have experience of recovering from similar positions at major tournaments.
They progressed from the group stage at Euro 2020 despite an opening 1-0 loss to England and started their excellent 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign – in which they finished third – with a goal-less draw against Morocco.
Dalic also apologised to Croatia fans, who vastly outnumbered their Spanish counterparts in Berlin, after the defeat on June 15 and his players vowed to battle on.
“We can only promise that we will do our best and fight to the end and that we will celebrate in the next two games and get through the group,” said midfielder Lovro Majer.
Albania, despite being viewed as minnows, topped their qualifying group ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland and are not at the tournament to make up the numbers.
Their Brazilian coach Sylvinho will try to keep his team disciplined before hitting Croatia on the break – as they did against Italy with a goal after 23 seconds and so nearly again at the end when they narrowly failed to equalise.
“I have seen other sides in this tournament. If you try and go toe-to-toe with them, they will score five or six against you,” he said.
“It’s only our second time here at the Euro. We have young players, good players, but it’s not easy.”
Right winger Jasir Asani is Albania’s main threat in what is the nation’s first game against Croatia. REUTERS, AFP
