Italy will face Croatia in their last Group B match at Euro 2024 tonight, with Italy needing a point to secure their spot in the knockout stages. After a 1-0 loss to Spain in their second match, coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to make changes against Croatia, who need a win to advance to the next round. Left-back Federico Dimarco is likely to miss the game due to a calf injury, with Matteo Darmian set to replace him if he doesn’t recover in time.
In midfield, Bryan Cristante is predicted to partner with Jorginho in a double pivot role, allowing Nicolo Barella to play in a more attacking position. Andrea Cambiaso is expected to start on the right, and Mateo Retegui is likely to lead the line instead of Gianluca Scamacca. Several Italian players are at risk of suspension, including Gigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristante, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who are all one booking away from a ban.
On the Croatian side, Zlatko Dalic is also expected to make changes after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Albania. Josko Gvardiol may replace Ivan Perisic at left-back, with Marin Pongracic taking over at centre-back. Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic are likely to anchor the midfield, with Luca Sucic and Mario Pasalic providing support for Andrej Kramaric up front.
The predicted starting XI for Italy is a 4-2-3-1 formation with Donnarumma, Darmian, Calafiori, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo, Jorginho, Cristante, Chiesa, Barella, Cambiaso, and Retegui. Croatia is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Livakovic, Gvardiol, Pongracic, Sutalo, Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Kramaric, Sucic, Pasalic, and Budimir.