After losing to Italy in their first Euro 2024 group match, Albania face Croatia at the Volksparkstadion. The Kuqezinjte are likely to be without Torino’s Nikola Vlasic who is out of action with a muscle injury.
The Croats came from behind twice to beat Albania in Hamburg. It’s the first time they have lost consecutive matches at a major tournament since 1996.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or top players of Croatia National Football Team vs Albania National Football Team Lineups.
Croatia Starting Lineup
| Number | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominik Livaković | GK |
| 22 | Josip Juranović | RB |
| 6 | Josip Šutalo | CB |
| 4 | Joško Gvardiol | CB |
| 14 | Ivan Perišić | LB |
| 10 | Luka Modrić (C) | CM |
| 11 | Marcelo Brozović | CM |
| 8 | Mateo Kovačić | CM |
| 7 | Lovro Majer | RW |
| 17 | Bruno Petković | ST |
| 9 | Andrej Kramarić | LW |
Albania Starting Lineup
| Number | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Thomas Strakosha | GK |
| 4 | Elseid Hysaj | RB |
| 5 | Arlind Ajeti | CB |
| 6 | Berat Djimsiti (C) | CB |
| 3 | Mario Mitaj | LB |
| 21 | Kristjan Asllani | CM |
| 20 | Ylber Ramadani | CM |
| 14 | Qazim Laçi | CM |
| 9 | Jasir Asani | RW |
| 7 | Rey Manaj | ST |
| 10 | Nedim Bajrami | LW |
Croatia
After scoring the quickest goal in European Championship history, Albania will hope to take their good form into Wednesday’s match against Croatia. But for the hosts, defeat will almost certainly spell elimination and coach Zlatko Dalic may need to make some changes.
It was never going to be easy for the 2018 runners-up against an Albania side who refused to wilt in a frantic finish. But Klaus Gjasula’s stoppage-time equaliser denied the Croatians a famous victory and severely dented their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Find all the latest stats and facts ahead of this Group B clash at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg with our complete Croatia vs Albania match centre. We’ve got team and player stats, passing networks, expected goals data and more, so you can analyse every single detail of the game.
Livakovic
Croatia, who lost to Spain in their opening match, will have to be at their best to avoid another heavy defeat. A win, however, would give them a real chance of reaching the knockout stages.
The Croatians have the better chances in the first half. Modric puts in a great cross from the left but Sutalo can only glance his header wide of the target. And then Petkovic misses a good opportunity going one-on-one with Gvardiol.
But the 2022 World Cup finalists will be thrilled to see their late equaliser deny Albania at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Qazim Laci raced from deep to meet Kristjan Asllani’s inswinging cross and gleefully tapped the ball home to send the stadium into raptures. The result dents Albania’s hopes of a shock victory, but they fight back well and have chances to steal a point.
Modric
After a spirited display from Albania, Croatia must win this game to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. The former World Cup winners showed defensive frailties against Spain but have plenty of quality in midfield, where Real Madrid star Modric will lead the line.
He carries the ball into the Albania box and looks to tempt Gvardiol into a challenge, but the Manchester City defender holds firm. Bajrami then tries one from outside the box, but his effort is weak and Livakovic gathers comfortably.
Albania are forcing Croatia backward, limiting their chances of attack. But the hosts eventually get the break they deserve as Kovacic finds Budimir, who lays on Kramaric to score. Asani comes off for Taulant Seferi.
Brozovic
A big win for Albania would put Croatia in a precarious position in their Group B match. The Eagles are also still looking for a first goal of the tournament and could be in danger of missing out on the knockout stage altogether. Manager Sylvinho has an injury concern with forward Jasir Asani, who could miss out with an ankle problem. Sivasspor’s Rey Manaj is pushing for a start in his place.
Brozovic is fit to play despite a minor thigh strain, La Gazzetta reports. The midfielder is expected to compete with Henrikh Mkhitaryan for playing time in the starting XI.
Majer
Despite conceding three goals against Spain in their opening game, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic is unlikely to tinker with his side’s front line. That means a starting lineup of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic in midfield alongside Andrej Kramaric and Ante Budimir up top.
Albania coach Sylvinho is likely to make just two changes from Saturday’s defeat to Italy. Sparta Prague’s Qazim Laci could replace Taulant Seferi and Chelsea’s Armando Broja may lose his place to Sivasspor forward Rey Manaj.
It’s a tight affair as the teams prepare to head out for the second half at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. Qazim Laci puts Albania ahead with a header from close range, but it’s soon equalised by Croatia’s own goal hero Klaus Gjasula. The referee brings the pulsating contest to an end. Albania remain without a point in Group B, while Croatia will need to win their final game against a confident Spain team.
Budimir
After their surprise loss to Italy, Croatia are under pressure to perform. It’s been a while since their golden generation won a major tournament and many of them are getting older – notably Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, who is 38.
As Croatia push Albania back, they create a couple of openings but they fail to take advantage of them. Marcelo Brozovic’s drive wide and Bruno Petkovic’s free header go close, but both opportunities are cleared by the visitors.
But Albania, coached by former Corinthians boss Sylvinho, are not going away. Qazim Laci’s header gave them the lead after 23 seconds, and although Ante Budimir equalised, Klaus Gjasula’s own goal rescued a point for the minnows. It is their first competitive defeat since March 2023, however. And they must win in Hamburg to reach the knockout stages.
Kramaric
After a shock defeat to Spain, Croatia need to bounce back with a win over Albania. A victory will allow them to qualify out of the ‘Group of Death’ and make the last 16. Long-serving manager Zlatko Dalic has hinted at some changes for this crucial game but it is unlikely that he will go too radical.
Albania were unlucky not to take a lead against Spain and Klaus Gjasula’s stoppage-time equaliser will surely have lifted their spirits. They can now look forward to a tense game against Croatia in Hamburg. The Balkans are a team with real heart and vigour who can cause the tournament favourites problems. They also possess enough quality to reach the knockout stages.
Gvardiol
Albania’s defensive jitters were exposed as Croatia worked the ball across to the left-hand side. Modric fizzes a cross across the face of goal, but Donnarumma gets his hands to it. He then finds Bastoni who heads the ball on target, but Livakovic averts the danger.
Qazim Laci breaks the deadlock for the minnows with a superb header from Jasir Asllani’s in-swinging corner, glancing his effort past Livakovic. But it was just the start of a dramatic turnaround as Croatia fought back.
The Euro 2024 match centre brings you all the key information from Hamburg, including team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks and a detailed Opta chalkboard. Don’t miss a moment of the action with our live updates and analysis. Join us from 6pm on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Alternatively, you can listen to the match on our official podcast.
Sosa
After a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Spain in their first Group B match, Croatia will need to get back on track and secure three points to remain a strong contender for the knockout stages. Manager Zlatko Dalic will likely change some elements and Josko Gvardiol from Manchester City could return in central defence. Marin Pongracic and Ante Budimir may drop to the bench.
Albania were one of the surprise packages in the tournament and they will want to build on their impressive debut with a win over Croatia. Nedim Bajrami scored the earliest goal in Euro 2024 history against Italy and the defenders will need to be at their best to contain the attacking threats of the world champions.
The match between Albania and Croatia takes place on Wednesday at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. It is a crucial game for both sides as whoever loses will struggle to qualify from their so-called ‘Group of Death’.
Perisic
Although Albania have been one of the surprise packages at Euro 2024, a win against Croatia will not be enough to take them into the last 16. They’re still a team to be taken seriously despite their lowly position in the group.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic will likely make a few changes to the side that lost to Spain in their first Group B game, but Luka Modric and co will be expected to provide a much-needed lift. Ajax defender Borna Sosa could replace Marin Pongracic in defence, while Josko Gvardiol may be moved inside to partner Josip Sutalo.
Defending against the threat of Arsenal and Manchester United winger Perisic is another big task. The former Inter and Tottenham star will be hoping to add to his impressive tally of goals and assists this tournament. He has the quality to be a major threat, but he needs to start delivering more consistently.