The ‘group of death’ kicks off with two teams of proud European pedigree in Turkey and Croatia looking for a good start.
In the eyes of many, Group D is the toughest group at Euro 2016. With four strong teams (Turkey, Croatia, Spain and the Czech Republic) jostling for two, potentially three qualifying spots, every team wants a good start to the tournament. Both sides enter France with spirits high off the back of some strong form during the run-in.
Croatia start the Euros with arguably one of the strongest squads in the competition. Boasting a devastating midfield and some deadly finishers up top, there is a real sense this is a team that could not just trouble some of the continent’s best sides, but embark on a deep run if they make it into the knockout stages. Unbeaten in their last seven games (six of those being wins), they will arrive with high hopes for the next month.
Meanwhile, their opening opponents have lost just once since the start of 2015, their only loss coming a few weeks ago in England. After storming home in a tough qualifying campaign built on defensive steel, Fatih Terim’s men will be hoping the same miserly defence will help them get out of another difficult group. Throw in the attacking flair of Hakan Calhanoglou and Arda Turan, and Turkish fans can be hopeful of progression.
Key Battle – Darijo Srna vs Arda Turan
It is incredible to believe Srna is still going. Mr Consistent on the right side of defence, it seems like the wing-back has been around forever. With 130 caps to his name, the Shakhtar Donetsk man is Croatia’s most capped player and unsurprisingly, a perfect choice for captain. Despite his 34 years of age, he is still a strong defender and what he has lost in pace he makes up for with boundless energy and experience.
Fittingly, his opposing captain Turan will line up directly opposite him on the left-wing. Turan endured a torrid time in his first season at Barcelona, hamstrung by the Catalan giants’ transfer ban and limited opportunities in the first team. However, before the move, it is worth remembering he was one of the continent’s best wingers, capable of tearing defences to pieces. Turkey needs him to put his disappointing season behind him and rediscover his previous form if they are to reach the knockout stage.
The pair will lead their respective teams into battle and wearing the captain’s armband at major torunaments comes with the added expectation to perform. Their nations want nothing less than their absolute best and expect their respective talismans to fire. Whoever leads by example best and wins this duel could go a long way to determining the victor.
Team News
Although Terim has been known to spring a surprise in the past, he will have his strongest side available against Turkey. He may be tempted to start Volkan Şen on the wing ahead of Çalhanoğlu, but the youngster’s impressive pre-tournament performances may give him the nod.
The injury to Josip Piravic at left-back poses Croatia’s biggest selection dilemma. Domagoj Vida was preferred in the lead-up to the tournament, so seems the bookies’ favourite. Otherwise, the greatest headache will be wondering how to shoehorn all the immense talent in midfield and up front into a starting XI.
Head-to-Head
In six meetings between the two sides, Turkey are winless. Croatia have dominated the previous matchups, winning four and drawing twice.
Previous Meeting
The last time these two clashed was during the qualification play-offs for Euro 2012, where Croatia took the chocolates over the two legs. They dominated the away leg in Istanbul and left in the driver’s seat following goals to Ivica Olic, Vedran Ćorluka and Mario Mandžukić. Despite a goalless draw in Zagreb, their passage through was sealed.
Prediction
Both teams will be looking for three points to get their tricky campaigns underway. A loss in the opening game for either side means they will be chasing the rest of the pack for the remainder of the group stage in an effort to qualify. Turkey have struggled to find the net in recent games, and against a side containing as much firepower as Croatia, it may cost them dearly. Despite Turkey’s superb record of just one loss since the start of last year, Croatia will flex their muscles early.
Croatia 2 Turkey 0
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