Croatia and Albania will be hoping to get their Euro 2024 campaigns back on track in their second Group B ties.
Both teams suffered disappointment in their opening matches, as the Vatreni fell to a 3-0 defeat to Spain, while Albania were edged 2-1 by Italy despite taking an early lead.
Now, the two sides will be targeting an all-important victory to kick-start their tournament at the second time of asking, in their first ever meeting against each other.
With the group rivals both without a point, a win is a must for either team to have any real hope of qualifying for the competition’s knockout phase.
Croatia vs Albania: Date and how to follow
The Group B encounter will take place on Wednesday, June 19.
Kick-off at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg will be at 2pm UK time.
talkSPORT 2 will have full coverage of the match with commentary from Nigel Adderley and Scott Minto.
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.
The tie will also be shown on free-to-air TV on ITV One.
Croatia vs Albania: Team news and latest squads
Albania winger Jasir Asani is reportedly not a concern for the clash, despite missing the team’s Sunday training session after sustaining a knock against Italy.
Key midfielders Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic were withdrawn in the 65th minute of the Spain opener, but boss Zlatko Dalic assured this was just to ensure they are ready for the coming games.
Beyond Asani, neither side appear to have any further injury worries, though both managers may look to tweak their attacking line-ups after failing to threaten for large part of their respective games.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja struggled to make an impact in the final third for the Red and Blacks, meaning his starting spot could be under threat.
Former Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic continued his comeback from an ACL injury against Spain, coming off the bench in the 56th minute, and he will hope to be more involved as the tournament progresses.
Croatia squad
- 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)
Albania squad
- Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella), Simon Simoni (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Defenders: Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Berat Djimsiti, (Atalanta), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Arlind Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo), Enea Mihaj (Famalicao), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow)
- Midfielders: Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Ylber Ramadani (Leece), Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt 98), Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Kristjan Asllani (Inter Milan), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Medon Berisha (Lecce)
- Forwards: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Armando Broja (Fulham), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas), Jasir Asani (Gwangju FC), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb)
Croatia vs Albania: What has been said?
Croatia boss Dalic has made it clear that his side must improve on their subpar performance against Spain, but warned that Albania will be far from an easy opponent.
He said: “We will certainly try to see something different in this Albania [game]. We know that the next game means a lot to us. Basically, we have to beat them.
“We definitely have to change something. It was not a good performance and we deserved the defeat.
“But we must get ready for the next two matches ahead of us. Everything is still in our hands and we will not sink right now.
“We will not lose all our energy now. A bad day happened, but let’s move on.”
On the threat of Albania, he added: “I watched the whole match [Italy vs Albania] later last night. Albania took the lead.
“They were a fairly equal opponent against Italy, even in the last minute they could make it 2-2 with their chance.
“They are an opponent that we must not underestimate.”
To lift the trophy:
- England – 3/1
- France – 4/1
- Germany – 9/2
- Portugal – 6/1
- Spain – 6/1
- Netherlands – 14/1
- Italy – 16/1
- Belgium 18/1
*odds subject to change
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News Summary:
- Croatia vs Albania LIVE commentary: Score, line-ups, players to watch, and Euro 2024 match preview as both sides look to bounce back
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.