Thursday will offer a repetition of the FIFA World Champion Final 2018 when Croatia competes against France in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25.
No site has been in action since the previous international break in November, where both have secured the progress of the last eight of the fourth nations league campaigns. France will search for a second crown this year after winning in 2021.
Les Bleus reached the quarter -finals after exceeding her group in front of Italy, Belgium and Israel. Didier Deschamps, the long-time head coach Didier Deschamps, still tried last summer to recover from a largely overwhelming euro 2024 campaign.
Croatia pressed into the last eight in front of Scotland and was not a game for group winners Portugal. Zlatko Dalic will annoy itself during the first leg and offer an advantage for the protection of the decline in France on Sunday.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to the collision.
Croatia against France head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
Croatia | France |
|---|---|
Croatia 1-1 Portugal – 18/11/24 | Italy 1-3 France – 17/11/24 |
Scotland 1-0 Croatia – 15/11/24 | France 0-0 Israel – 14/11/24 |
Poland 3-3 Croatia – 15/10/24 | Belgium 1-2 France – 14/10/24 |
Croatia 2-1 Scotland – 10.10.24 | Israel 1-4 France – 10/10/24 |
Croatia 1-0 Poland – 08/09/24 | France 2-0 Belgium – 09.09.24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Viaplay – paid subscription via Amazon Prime |
United States | Fubotv, FoxSports.com, Vix, Fox Sports App, Fox Sports 2 |
Canada | Dazn Canada |
Croatia continues to rely on their established occupation of veterans, with Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric among those who have been appointed. All four could start against France.
Luka Sucic was named in the squad for March, but it was confirmed that the real Sociedad midfielder will miss both legs with a knee injury.
Dalic has appointed two debutants for the squad of this month, with Franjo Ivanovic from Union Saint-Gilose and Toni Fruk von Rijeka earning their first calls.
Croatia predicted the line-up of France (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Baturina, Pasalic, Perisic; Kramari.
The Real Madrid Superstar Kylian Mbappe was a surprise from the last two France teams and returns to the national team. It has been in encouraging form since the annual application and will aim to shine his comeback.
Unfortunately, for Deschamps, he is Marcus Thuram without Interstormer. The striker was selected, but has withdrawn due to an ankle injury without a replacement being selected.
Elsewhere there are not too many shocks, and only three players from the Premier League travel. All are defenders, with Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba and Lucas Digne, who were selected by Deschamps.
France predicted the line-up against Croatia (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Counds, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani.
Croatia is no longer the power they were once, although they still have the ability to achieve a surprise, and their group phase of only eight points indicate that France should win before the back leg.
Les Bleus has a variety of options on the field and the strikers available to them are simply scary. They have won four of their last five and should continue their impressive form in separation.