Football NewsEuro 2020: Croatia Vs Czech Republic – Match preview
Post image

Croatia might be wary of another trend being bucked as they go into this match protecting an unbeaten H2H record against the Czech Republic.

Croatia

Croatia had never lost a European Championship opener before Sunday’s 1-0 defeat against England, a result which makes reaching the knockout stages for a fourth time a little more challenging. Subsequently, they might be wary of another trend being bucked as they go into this match protecting an unbeaten H2H record against the Czech Republic. Although sluggish early on against England, the ‘Checkered Ones’ did hold out for at least 55 minutes for the first time in nine games on foreign soil. Nevertheless, having won just two of their last ten fixtures anywhere, this Croatia side seems a shadow of the one that stormed to the World Cup final three years ago.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic’s only appearance in a major competition final as an independent nation is a more distant memory, although it came on British shores in Euro ’96. Hopes of an unlikely repeat rest on them beating better-ranked sides but often inconsistent; they haven’t triumphed against a team inside the top 20 since overcoming England in October 2019, one month after which they lost to Kosovo! Encouragingly then, they snapped a four-match H2H winless run against Scotland by beating them on Monday, their seventh consecutive game to witness scoring after the 50th minute. Having overturned the formbook once already, they must feel the first victory over Croatia is possible, potentially setting up a Wembley showdown with England to decide who wins the group.

 

Can captain Luka Modric inspire Croatia? While the creative midfielder has registered a goal and an assist across his last four outings for his country, that pales in comparison with Patrik Schick, whose 49.7-yard effort against Scotland – the longest-range strike at the Euros since 1980 – was his sixth goal involvement in as many international appearances (four goals, two assists).

 

Each of the Czech Republic’s last three matches produced a goal in the 42nd minute.