Euro 2016: Czech Republic vs Croatia - Live stream info, probable line-up and match preview
The Czech Republic and Croatia face each other for the first time in competitive football at UEFA Euro 2016 as the Group D rivals take on each other in Saint-Etienne. Croatia will look to confirm their place in the Round of 16 with a win over the Czechs, whereas the Czech Republic after their late 1-0 loss at the hands of defending champions Spain will look to make their stay in France longer by taking points off Croatia. Luka Modric’s strike against Turkey made sure Croatia took full points from their first game and Ante Cacic will depend on the Real Madrid midfielder and Barcelona man Rakitic and Juventus striker Mandzukic to book Croatia’s place in the last-16.
The match will be live from 21:30 IST (Friday), 17:00 BST (Thursday). Watch live streaming of Germany v/s Poland on Sony Liv, Fox Soccer2Go or Premier Player. You can also catch the live commentary on Sportskeeda. The match will be telecasted live on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD in India, Fox Sports in the USA and Premier Sports in the UK. The match will be played at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
The Match will be live from 9:30 pm (IST) and will be played at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
Croatia were comfortable winners against a Turkish side who didn’t pose much threat to Subasic’s goal, expect for an attempt from Ozan Tufan, who headed a cross straight to the Croatian goalkeeper from 6 yards. After taking the lead through Modric’s superb volley, Croatia were the better team in the game and looked more likely to score the second goal. Croatia twice hit the woodwork, once through their captain Darijo Srna, whose free-kick hit the crossbar and Perisic’s headed attempt at goal also grazed off the bar. The scoreline could have been more emphatic in favour of Croatia but in the end, they managed a 1-0 win over the Turks.
The Czech Republic were unlucky to let in a late goal as Gerard Pique headed in Andres Iniesta’s cross at the 87th minute. As expected, Spain enjoyed lion’s share of the possession and Pavel Vrba’s side was happy to sit back and defend. Petr Cech kept the Czechs in the game with impressive saves from Morata, Alba, and Silva and it almost looked like it was Petr Cech vs Spain. They tried to hurt Spain in the counter and Gebre Selassie’s near miss against the run of play almost gave them the lead. Darida had a chance to level the game but De Gea denied the midfielder and the Czechs lost 1-0 to the defending champions.
As both the teams face off at Saint- Etienne, the eyes of football fans all over the world will be on Luka Modric and Petr Cech. The Real Madrid midfielder, who recently won the Champions League proved to be the difference for Croatia in the first game and the Croats will place their trust on the central midfielder to be at it again. Croatian squad has a lot of talented players with the likes of Rakitic and Mandzukic but Modric will be under keen observation and will be the key player for Croatia.
The Spain vs Czech Republic match turned out to be a match between Petr Cech and Spain. The former Chelsea and current Arsenal keeper kept a talented Spanish side at bay for 87 minutes before being finally beaten and if the Czechs are to get points off Croatia, Cech will have to be in top form. The Czech Republic will have to perform way better than they did against Spain if they are to keep their chances in the European Championship alive. Tomas Rosicky, the Czech captain, and Petr Cech will have to lead the team against Croatia.
Team News
Croatia: Darjo Srna will captain the Croatian side against the Czech Republic despite the loss of his father post the Turkey game and Ante Cacic is likely to name the same side that started against Turkey for today’s game.
Czech Republic: Pavel Vrba just might look to change things around a bit post that loss against Spain and Limbersky who picked up a yellow card in the first game is likely to be on the bench with Borek Dockal replacing him.
Predicted Line-Up
Croatia:Subasic (GK), Srna (C), Corluka, Vida, Strinic, Badelj, Modric, Brozovic, Rakitic, Perisic, Mandzukic
Czech Republic: Cech (GK), Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Gebre Selassie, Darida, Plasil, Dockal, Rosicky (C), Krejci, Necid.