Football

Italy and Croatia, both wounded from recent defeats, face a decisive clash on Monday in Group B of Euro 2024. Italy's 1-0 loss to Spain and Croatia's 2-2 draw with Albania have left both teams on the brink of elimination.Italy, currently second in the group with three points, can secure a spot in the last 16 as runners-up if they avoid defeat. However, they will be eliminated if they lose and Albania defeats group winners Spain.Croatia, on the other hand, is in a more precarious position. After a 3-0 loss to Spain in their opening match, they are bottom of the table with just one point. They can only progress as runners-up if they beat Italy and Albania fails to beat Spain.A draw is unlikely to be enough for either team, as no team has advanced to the next round with only two points since the Euro finals expanded to 24 teams in 2016.Italy's loss to Spain has sparked widespread criticism and soul-searching. The Italian media has denounced the team's performance as "Little Italy" and demanded a "Reset." The loss was narrow, but it could have been far more emphatic, as Spain's 20 attempts on goal contrasted with Italy's four, their fewest in a Euro or World Cup match since at least 1980.Croatia's struggles have also come as a surprise. The team reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar two years ago and the final in 2018. "We didn’t expect to have such a difficult story in these two matches, it has been a struggle," said coach Zlatko Dalic after their draw with Albania.A major issue for Croatia has been their slow starts to games. They conceded three goals to Spain in the first half and fell behind to Albania within 11 minutes. While their technical ability is not in question, they have seemed flat in the final third and been unable to build sustained pressure.With midfield maestro Luka Modric now 38, converted full-back Ivan Perisic, 35, and forward Andrej Kramaric, 33, Dalic has kept faith with the old guard that has served him so well in the past. However, this tournament could be one too far for a side that has frequently surpassed expectations."The World Cup was two years ago and slowly our players are getting older, and this whole tournament has shown us that everyone is having a hard time," Dalic said.

Spain and Italy Set for Euro 2024 Showdown in Crucial Group B ClashSpain and Italy, two of the tournament favorites, will lock horns in a highly anticipated Group B match at Euro 2024 on Saturday, June 21 (IST). Both teams enter the clash with contrasting starts to the competition.Spain kicked off their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Italy, on the other hand, faced a sterner test against Albania, ultimately securing a hard-fought 2-1 win.The match will be played at Arena AufSchalke, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 am IST. The Sony Sports Network will telecast the match live in India, while SonyLiv will provide live streaming.Spain, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and solidify their position at the top of Group B. Their attacking trio of Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, and Pablo Sarabia has been in impressive form, and they will pose a significant threat to the Italian defense.Italy, led by Roberto Mancini, will be eager to bounce back from their narrow victory over Albania. They will rely on the experience of veterans like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini to guide their young squad. Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne will be key players for Italy, providing creativity and attacking flair.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two of Europe's most respected coaches. Enrique's possession-based style will clash with Mancini's more pragmatic approach. Both teams will be determined to secure a victory that could potentially shape the outcome of Group B.