Arn Does Euro 2024 Day 9 

 

Another day, another group comes to a conclusion. It was the end of the line for two Balkan nations and a night of late drama, once again involving Croatia. 

 

ALBANIA 0 SPAIN 1 

Spain fielded their second team and still comfortably got past Albania. An early Ferran Torres goal dashed Albanian hopes and the game slipped away from them. The Spanish second team isn’t a patch on the first one and features a more traditional Spanish method of build up. The back line looked solid and creative midfielders Merino, Zubimendi and Oyarzabal all looked good. Joselu might have an outside shot of impacting the tournament if he’s called upon, up top. 

 

It wasn’t a bad outing from Albania but many of the players who’ve had huge impacts in this tournament for them didn’t have good games. Especially Laci and Bajrami, who’ve been key to their forward play with their movement. When they did get through the stubborn Spanish defence, they found David Raya. Not a bad keeper to have as #2.  

 

ELIMINATED: ALBANIA (assessment) 

Albania stunned Romania back in euro 2016, so this could be considered a half step back for them. However, I think they played quite well, all things considered. They took an early lead against Italy and were competitive for large chunks of that game. Their midfield runners made Italy look low energy.  

 

Against Croatia, they matched the more favoured Balkan nation for athleticism and could have won. Even against Spain, albeit the B Team, they weren’t blown away. They were competitive in all three games. The midfield was key for them with the energy and technical skill being a highlight. Asllani, Asani, Laci and Bajrami were all stand outs. Defensively, I thought Djimsiti was really good and also left back Mario Mitaj.  

 

Going forwards larger tournaments should give Albania more chances to compete at this level and they feel like, as a nation, they’ve turned a footballing corner in the past decade. If big man striker Armando Broja hadn’t been so disappointing, they could have picked up more points. 

 

CROATIA 1 ITALY 1 

Italy just had to be Italy didn’t they? I predicted a draw here because it would catapult Italy into the R16. During the game, they were crap. They only started playing after conceding a penalty and going 1-0 behind to a Luka Modric strike. Before that, they offered very little going forwards, bar the odd counter attack.  

 

When they had to go forwards, as against Albania, they did and had enough to at least get a draw but fumbled it repeatedly until scoring in the 90+8’. Zaccagni, one of many Italian players in this squad who are just not as good as past Internationals for them, popping up with the class finish.  

 

For the first time Bastoni didn’t have an outstanding game and Califiori got booked so he’ll miss the Switzerland R16 clash. The depth in this Italy squad is very thin but the players just know how to win. Never bet against Italy. Not in knockout football. Which is what this game was.  

 

ELIMINATED: CROATIA (assessment) 

A disaster from Croatia from the moment they let Spain get away from them. Needing to beat Italy in the final game, they didn’t take advantage of Italy being shit for 70’ of the game and never looked like putting them away. Most of their big star players didn’t turn up to this tournament. Modric had to drag a lacklustre midfield through three games, despite not having a great tournament himself. Although, he looked like he’d done enough against Italy. 

 

Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric as a midfield simply doesn’t work. There’s no one doing any running. Just a bunch of old guys passing it about. Which is fine in possession but as soon as you lose the ball, you’re FUCKED. They were aided by the far worse defence and forward line. Gvardiol, in particular, was rotten. Kramaric struggled up top.  

 

If we’re looking for positives, and we’ll have to look hard, Livakovic bailed them out against Albania. Sutalo was very good in every game. Unless you count the impact of Modric’s goals, Sutalo was probably their best player. And that’s about it. Whatever the future holds for Croatia, it’ll involve a rebuild. This team has been great for multiple tournaments, but its time is up.  

 

Team of the Tournament (Match Day 3)  

GK: Donnarumma 

RB: Stanisic  

LB: Grimaldo 

CB: Laporte  

CB: Calafiori  

MF: Kroos  

MF: Modric 

MF: Szoboszlai 

LW: Wirtz  

RW: Musiala 

ST: Embolo 

 

NEXT  

 

NETHERLANDS vs. AUSTRIA 

This game is huge for the entire tournament. The result of this game will tell us what part of the draw France drops into. If Netherlands fail to win the group, and France pop them to it, it will change which half of the draw looks harder on paper. One small wrench in everyone’s plans for the rest of the tournament.  

 

The trouble with Netherlands and Austria, is that neither team is likely to win the whole tournament. They both probably have designs on a surprise QF or even SF and they could both do it. Netherlands because they’re defensively resolute in a competition where a lot of teams are not and Austria because they play like an actual team.  

 

Historically, Austria have not been near the Dutch for a long time. Their last competitive win over Netherlands was 1984 in qualification for the 1986 World Cup. Most of you were not even fucking born then. Austria are playing well and that draw feels like a sensible result for all concerned. Prediction: 1-1 

 

FRANCE vs. POLAND 

If the Netherlands fail to win, this group goes back into French hands. Giving them an easier ride to the final in the process. Poland, and let’s be fair here, are shit. Their goal against Austria, when they lost, was the only goal they’ve scored in the last 8 games at the Euros.  

 

Their last meeting was at the World Cup in 2022, where France won 3-1. However, they may be missing the goalscoring prowess of Mbappe. France have relied heavily on him for goals for a while now and they looked toothless against the Dutch. If Mbappe plays, France will coast through here (and indeed are already through to the R16). If he doesn’t, it could get a bit dicey and leave the door open for the Netherlands. It is only Poland though. Prediction: 2-0  

 

DENMARK vs. SERBIA 

Speaking of toothless, Denmark have struggled for goals at Euro 2024. They failed to punish a weak Slovenia side and equally failed to punish a dreadful England performance. Coming away with 1-1 draws in both games. Working in Denmark’s favour is Serbia’s horrible head-to-head record against the Danes. P3 W0 D0 L3. GD –7.  

 

Due to Denmark’s inability to kill teams off, there’s always a chance for Serbia but Serbia aren’t anywhere near as good, man for man, as Denmark. Prediction: 1-0 

 

ENGLAND vs. SLOVENIA 

England tend to show up in the final group game OR do barely enough to qualify. They could lose here and still make it into the knockout stages, but do they really want to put in another bad performance after shaky outings against the giants of Serbia and Denmark?  

 

Slovenia have been plucky underdogs with good pace on the counter. Man for man, they are nowhere near England though and this is the kind of game where if Slovenia get a result, it’s surely curtains for Gareth Southgate. He’ll probably still call the loss “a win” because they’ll be through regardless. You literally cannot lose. I hope Slovenia pull off the upset but it’s hard to look past an England team that needs a good performance to prove the critics wrong. Prediction: 2-0