Croatia are always a team to look out for during major international tournaments. The Vatreni have built a reputation for deep runs at the World Cup after reaching two consecutive semifinals in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
However, they have never managed to go beyond the quarter-finals at the Euros despite regular appearances at the tournament with consecutive Round of 16 exits at the last two editions.
The Vatreni will need to navigate the ‘Group of Death’ where the likes of Spain, Italy and Albania await them. Soccernet.football takes a look at seven players who could star for Zlatko Dalic’s side as they look to go further than the quarter-finals this year.
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7. Dominik Livakovic
Livakovic is coming off the back of a good season with Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig. He helped his side to a second place finish conceding the second-least number of goals and keeping the second highest shutouts.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper was one of the best goalkeepers at the World Cup in Qatar and Croatia will be depending on him to perform at a similar or even better level in Germany.
6. Josip Stanisic
The 24-year-old defender is heading into the Euros fresh off winning a domestic double and enjoying a fantastic campaign with Bayer Leverkusen.
Stanisic played a supporting role at Leverkusen this past campaign, making just 20 appearances in which he often impressed for the German champions.
Stanisic may be set to play a bigger role for the Vatreni in Germany as we expect Dalic to start him alongside Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol at center-back.
5. Josko Gvardiol
Another player in the Croatia squad with a taste of success from this past campaign, Gvardiol will certainly have a crucial role to play for his nation at this edition of the Euros.
The 22-year-old defender enjoyed a fine debut season for Manchester City, playing a vital role as they secured a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Gvardiol, naturally a center-back, played most the past campaign at left-back and did a great job in that position for City. Although it is expected that he will feature at central defense for the Vatreni, we may also get to see him deployed at left-back in Germany.
4. Mario Pasalic
Pasalic was a key player for Atalanta this past campaign, featuring heavily as they battled to a top five finish in the Serie A and marched to their first ever European title, conquering an unbeaten Leverkusen side in the Europa League final.
The 29-year-old midfielder also enjoyed a productive season for the Nerazzurri, notching eight goals and creating another seven across 50 appearances.
Pasalic will need to ward off competition from Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic for a place alongside Marcelo Brozovic and Luka Modric in Dalic’s starting midfield.
3. Ivan Perisic
Perisic saw his season cut short by an unfortunate cruciate ligament tear which sidelined him for six months, limiting his appearances in the 2023/2024 campaign to a measly six.
The 35-year-old winger, who was one of the stars of Croatia’s golden generation, will be looking to play a significant role for the Vatreni after his timely return from injury.
The former Bayern Munich winger is expected to provide support for Croatia’s center-forward Andrej Kramaric from the flanks so we should see him feature regularly in Germany.
2. Andrej Kramaric
Kramaric is the best center-forward option available to Croatia as they head into the Euros so his place in Zlatko Dalic’s starting lineup in Germany is all but guaranteed.
The 32-year-old striker enjoyed good form in front of goal for TSG Hoffenheim this past season, registering 23 goal contributions across 31 matches.
Croatia will be hoping their striker can carry his form into the tournament in Germany as they will need to make every opportunity count if they are to progress beyond the group stage.
1. Luka Modric
Modric will undoubtedly be one of the most important, if not the most important player for Croatia when the tournament commences in Germany.
The Vatreni skipper helped Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double in the 2033/2024 campaign, playing a reduced yet significant role for Los Blancos.
Modric will definitely play a more prominent role for Croatia at the Euros and Dalic will be hoping his talisman can provide enough inspiration for the team as they look to go deep into the tournament and maybe even pull off something extraordinary.
