Croatia is set to refocus their Euro 2024 efforts against Albania on Wednesday, attempting to salvage their campaign after a disheartening defeat to Spain. Known for their remarkable run to the 1998 World Cup semifinals and the 2018 World Cup final, Croatia's current squad, often referred to as their 'golden generation', faces the risk of a lackluster conclusion. Manager Zlatko Dalic hopes to guide his team to the knockout stages for the fifth time in a row at a major tournament in Germany, yet concerns abound that this may mark the end of a successful era. Key players like Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic, and Andrej Kramaric are all in their 30s, and several former stars like Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic, and Dejan Lovren have already stepped down from international duty. The average age of the 15 players who participated in the 3-0 loss to Spain was 28.5 years. Despite this setback, Dalic remains optimistic, emphasizing that the team's fate is still within their control. He acknowledged the need for improvement and dismissed rumors of internal discord following a missed penalty incident involving Ivan Perisic and Bruno Petkovic. Dalic is considering tactical changes, possibly altering the midfield setup that includes Modric, Kovacic, and Brozovic, who has shown signs of slowing down since his transfer to Al-Nassr. Croatia had their moments against Spain but were ultimately undone by a precise pass from Fabian Ruiz that led to the opening goal. Reflecting on the match, winger Lovro Majer noted that the performance was not as dire as the scoreline suggested. The team has a history of rebounding from early setbacks in tournaments, and they are determined to do so again, with Majer promising maximum effort and a celebratory spirit in their upcoming matches.
Text: Lara Palmer
18.06.2024
After a Tough Loss to Spain, Croatia's 'Golden Generation' Faces Critical Match in Bid to Advance