Croatia vs Albania Head-to-Head stats and numbers you need to know before Match 13 of UEFA Euro 2024
Croatia will lock horns with Albania in a do-or-die match in the UEFA Euro 2024 group stage at Volksparkstadion on Wednesday. Croatia got their campaign opener underway with a 3-0 loss to Spain while Albania suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to defending champions Italy.
It was not the start that the Checkered Ones were hoping for and they need to win this match to keep their knockout round hopes alive. The same holds true for the Red and Blacks, who had an incredible start to their campaign, taking the lead after just 23 seconds against Italy but failing to hold on to their lead.
Both teams have a potential absentee for this crucial match, as Zlatko Dalić will probably be without Nikola Vlašić, who underwent fitness tests last week. Sylvinho, who is leading Albania to their first major competition since 2016, will have to make do without Jasir Asani, who is nursing an ankle injury.
Italy and Spain have three points each and they meet in a high-profile clash on Thursday. The winner of that match will be assured of a place in the knockout round from Group B while a draw will help the cause of both.
Croatia vs Albania Head-to-Head stats
The two teams have not met in a competitive game so far and will look to begin the rivalry on a winning note.
Croatia form guide (all competitions): L-W-W-W-W
Albania form guide (all competitions): L-W-W-L-L
Croatia vs Albania: Numbers you need to know before their UEFA Euro 2024 encounter
Kockasti's 3-0 loss to Spain in their campaign opener was their biggest defeat in the European Championships since a 3-0 loss to Portugal in 1996. Interestingly, their last two losses in the competition have both come against Spain, and they lost 5-3 to the 2008 Euro winners in the round of 16 in the previous edition.
They have suffered four losses in their last six games in the competition while conceding 12 goals and will look to improve upon their defensive performance in this match. They have not lost consecutive games at a major competition since 1996, which bodes well for them.
Kuqezinjtë have suffered defeats in three of their four appearances at the European Championship. Nonetheless, they have scored one goal each in their last two games in the competition after failing to score in the first two appearances. They scored from their only shot on target against Italy and will look to leave a better account of themselves here.
The stakes are high for both teams in this match and a loss here will all but confirm their elimination from the competition. Both managers are expected to make some changes to their respective starting teams from their losses in the campaign opener, which will make things interesting.