Croatia and Italy will each determine the other’s Euro 2024 future when they clash in a do-or-die showdown to settle Group B tonight.
The European heavyweights have flattered to deceive in Germany so far and now have their futures in the balance.
Defending champions the Azzurri came from behind to beat Albania before being thoroughly outplayed during their 1-0 loss to Spain.
Luciano Spalletti’s side are still in a strong position to reach the knockout stages and need just a draw to reach the last-16.
Tournament specialists Croatia have been the surprise strugglers at Euro 2024 having only managed a point from two games.
Zlatko Dalic’s men conceded an injury-time equaliser to Albania to leave them on the brink of elimination.
Captain Luka Modric knows Croatia need a victory against Italy to avoid his last dance on the international stage ending prematurely.
Croatia vs Italy: talkSPORT coverage
This Euro 2024 clash will take place on Monday, June 24.
Kick-off at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig is scheduled for 8pm – with the other game in Group B, Albania vs Spain, also taking place at the same time.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of both matches, with this game presented by Adrian Durham from Albania v Spain.
Commentary comes from Nigel Adderley and former England striker Dean Ashton.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Croatia vs Italy will also be broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC One.
Croatia vs Italy: Team news and squads
Croatia will likely tinker with their side, with Ivan Perisic failing to impress at left-back during the 2-2 draw against Albania.
‘Kockasti’ could introduce Borna Sosa in defence, with Ante Budimir among the substitutes also pushing for a start.
Italy have named an unchanged XI in both matches so far, but Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa’s places are under threat.
Croatia
- Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka), Ivica Ivusic (Pafos)
- Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Josip Sutalo (Ajax)
- Midfielders: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Al-Nassr), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Luka Sucic (Salzburg), Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb)
- Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka)
Italy
- Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)
- Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Federico Gatti (Juventus)
- Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)
- Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)
Croatia vs Italy: What has been said?
Modric has warned the Azzurri that his national team will ‘play with no fear’ in the decisive Group B showdown.
“We have no choice; we must beat Italy, and we can only make it if we play like against Albania in the second half,” Modric said.
“It will be tough against Italy, they are a well-organised team with an excellent coach,” he added as quoted by TMW.
“We’ve known since the beginning that the final game would be decisive.
“Perhaps, it would have been as such even if we had beaten Albania.
“We’ll play with no fear. If we do what we know, we can face any opponent confidently.”
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News Summary:
- Croatia vs Italy LIVE commentary: Kick-off time, score, line-ups and Euro 2024 match preview as Luka Modric fights to avoid early exit
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.