Croatia weren’t one of the favourites in Euro 2024, but it wasn’t wise to prematurely count them out either due to their impressive track record in recent years. However, a head-scratching series of pedestrian Euro 2024 results in the group stages saw Croatia finish third in the Group of Death, leading to an early departure from Germany.
Their poor performances caught the attention of most, including this SBOTOP writer, simply because of the level of competition the football world has come to know from Croatia.
Croatia’s golden generation was able to finish third in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and second in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, proving that Vatreni are one of the best clubs in the entire globe. But every good thing must come to a close, and their humbling exit in the group stages of Euro 2024 might just signify the end of Croatia’s golden generation.
Together with SBOTOP, let’s dissect Croatia’s 2024 Euro campaign and the reasons for their stunning exit.
An ageing roster
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Vatreni boss Zlatko Dalic once again relied on his trusty midfield of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic. How could he not? The trio has been Croatia’s calling card and foundation throughout their recent successes, and if the three older statesmen are available, there isn’t any reason why Dalic shouldn’t deploy them.
Dalic was adamant about using his ageing trio as the pivotal cogs in his system from start to finish. The Croatia head coach played around with his first and final third, but there was just no going around his stubbornness to try new things in the midfield.
Yes, Modric, Brozovic, and Kovavic are respected and highly decorated players, but their combined age is 99, and all are already in the twilight years of their respective careers.
The necessity to stick with these veterans didn’t come due to a shortage of players. In fact, Vatreni boast tremendous young talent that was just rotting on the bench. Budding stars like Martin Baturina, Marco Pasalic, and Luka Sucic had respectable campaigns for their respective domestic clubs, but they weren’t given a chance to make a mark on an international level and boost their Euro 2024 odds during their brief campaign.
Maybe their early exit from the European Championships is the wake-up call Zlatko Dalic needed.
Unreliable defence
Pre-tournament evaluations claimed that Croatia are strong at the back but light at the front. However, during the tournament proper, Vatreni simply couldn’t keep goals out of their net. Croatia’s defence is spearheaded by 2022 World Cup standout Dominik Livaković, a formidable bulwark and a capable last bastion of defence, or so we thought.
Livaković let in six goals in three matches during the group stages, including two crucial added-time goals against Albania and Italy. Failing to keep a clean sheet in all of their clashes and hurting their goal difference in the process was a perfect recipe for disaster.
For comparison, Vatreni conceded fewer goals (five) in the group stages of the previous three major tournaments combined (Euro 2020, 2018 FIFA World Cup, and 2022 FIFA World Cup) than in their Euro 2024 campaign alone (six). This dramatic decline in defensive prowess, coupled with an ageing roster, really hurt the quality and brand of football we all know and love from the Croatians.
Generational shift
What’s next for Croatia? Well, the president of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), Marijan Kustić Zlatko, has already confirmed that Dalic will remain at the helm of Vatreni. However, Zlatko should consider pushing for a youth movement going forward, just like what Italy and Spain have already done. The legacies of the likes of Luka Modric will forever be etched in Croatian football history with high regard. Still, a generational shift is bound to happen, and in my opinion, long overdue.
Reports have already circulated that their 1-1 draw against Italy could potentially be the last international match for their beloved skipper, Luka Modric. “I’d like to keep playing forever, but there will probably be a time I’ll have to hang up my boots,” Modric said after their match against Italy. “I’ll keep playing on, I don’t know for how much longer.”
If the Croatia and Real Madrid legend does decide to retire from the international scene, he will go down as the player with the most appearances for Croatia (178), solidifying his status as one of the most important football figures of the proud nation.
Mordic’s retirement from the international stage might be the first domino to fall for Coratia’s generational shift. And with the likes of Martin Baturina, Marco Pasalic, and Luka Sucic ready for deployment, Vatreni’s future doesn’t look that daunting.
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