Match Prediction: Croatia vs Albania UEFA European Championship 2024
Surviving a group featuring Spain and Italy will be difficult, but both teams should believe it's possible. Italy are the reigning champions of this competition, but they have failed to qualify for the World Cup on the last two occasions, leaving fans wondering how they will perform. If either Spain or Italy performs below the expected standard, this can open the door for one of these teams to advance to the latter stages, which could all depend on this tie.
How did they qualify?
Croatia finished second in their group and were only one point behind Turkey, who finished at the top of Group D. They had the same number of wins as Turkey but lost one more match than the leaders, which saw them finish four points above Wales. Their qualification was relatively straightforward, and they faced no last-minute drama on their way to the Euros.
Conversely, Albania surprised many football fans when they finished at the top of Group E, which featured Poland, the Czech Republic, and Moldova. Albania had the same points as the Czech Republic, but their better goal difference meant they snatched first place.
Team Analysis
Croatia, a team known for defying odds, has a history of making deep runs in major tournaments. Despite concerns about their ageing players, they managed to reach the semi-finals in the previous World Cup, proving their resilience.
Despite Albania’s nervy ending to their qualifiers, they did have some excellent statistics to show for it. They conceded only four goals in their ten qualifier games, the second-lowest total conceded in the qualifiers. Fans can expect them to play defensively in the Euros, and the strategy seems to work in their favour. However, they have been poor in their offence, as they have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net.
Players to watch
Albania is known for its passionate football culture and has produced fine talent. Although they will be set up defensively, some players are capable of turning this tie in their favour.
- Armando Broja: Albania’s most famous player has been hit with a series of injuries recently, and many people believe he has not quite reached his full potential. Despite a loan move to Fulham, he has not performed as expected, but he will be eager to prove his worth in the Euros
Croatia has recently developed a wealth of footballing talent, and these players are always ones to watch whether they play for their club or national team. One example is Manchester City’s defender Josko Gvardiol, who reportedly was purchased for €90 million in the summer transfer window.
- Josko Gvardiol: Just when there were talks of Gvardiol being a flop, he started turning up for Manchester City. The Croatian was one of the star performers at the end of the season for the Citizens, and he is hoping to bring his form to the national team
Prediction
Albania's lack of quality will make life difficult for them. They can put in some solid performances but we struggle to see where the goals will come from. With this in mind, we have to side with a comfortable Croatia win.