Euro 2016 Match Preview: Czech Republic vs Croatia

Venue: Statde Geoffroy- Guichard

Time: 9:30 P.M IST

Luka Modric’s immaculate technique and skill helped Croatia beat Turkey in the first round of games and with the Real Madrid man looking in good touch, Croatia could very well go onto make a few upsets in this tournament.

Czech Republic battled hard against the reigning champions, Spain, only to fall short late in the game due to a Gerard Pique header. They would want to put up a similar defensive performance and hope for some magic upfront by their talented strikers.

While it will be Modric who will be marshaling the troops for Croatia, Rosicky will have to step up for Czech Republic if they want to hopeful of a last 16 spot. Also, Cech would need to be at his athletic best in order to keep Modric and Co. at bay.

A win for Croatia will certainly seal a knockout stage spot for them but a draw could mean a tricky last round fixture against Spain, something that they would desperately want to avoid.

The Czech’s too would desperately want to win today or else they could very well sent packing before they even step onto the field for the next round of games.

Croatia received a boost for tonight’s game after Darijo Srna joined back the squad, returning from his father’s funeral.

Head to Head

This is the first competitive meeting between these two sides

Predicted Czech Republic XI– Petr Cech, Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Limbersky, Darida, Plasil, Selassie, Rosicky, Krejci, Lafata

Predicted Croatia XI– Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Vida, Strinic, Modric, Badelj, Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic

Match Prediction

Croatia to win it 1-0