Portugal vs Croatia

Portugal and Croatia, two of Europe's footballing heavyweights, are set to begin their UEFA Nations League campaigns with a highly anticipated clash on Thursday. With both sides boasting a rich history in international competitions, the match promises to be an exciting affair. Their previous meetings in this competition, four years ago, were memorable encounters that saw a remarkable ten goals scored across two matches at Estadio da Luz. Now, as the new Nations League cycle begins, both Portugal and Croatia have plenty to prove.

Portugal's Quest for Redemption

Portugal enters this year’s Nations League with a point to prove. The Selecao's recent campaigns in major tournaments have been marked by thrilling performances but ultimate heartbreak. Their Euro 2024 journey ended in a dramatic penalty shootout loss to France, and this followed a similarly painful quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For a team as talented as Portugal, the recent trend of falling short at key moments is one they are eager to reverse.

For many fans, Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad will be remembered for two emotional moments: Pepe’s retirement from international football and Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears after the defeat to France. Pepe, a defensive stalwart for Portugal, bowed out at the age of 41, leaving a legacy of leadership and grit. Meanwhile, Ronaldo, at 39, is still going strong. Despite speculation about his future, head coach Roberto Martinez has called up the Al-Nassr star for the upcoming Nations League matches, reaffirming that Ronaldo remains integral to Portugal’s plans.

The Selecao also come into the competition aiming to bounce back from a second-place finish to Spain in the previous Nations League group stage. Despite their impressive record in the tournament, which includes winning the inaugural edition in 2019, Portugal fell short last time around. Now, under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, they are determined to re-establish themselves as one of Europe’s dominant forces.

Martinez, who took over from Fernando Santos after the 2022 World Cup, is no stranger to the pressures of managing a squad full of talent and expectations. His experience with Belgium’s golden generation has prepared him for the challenges that come with leading a team like Portugal. However, the Spanish tactician will be well aware that results are the only currency that matter, and anything less than a strong start in the Nations League could heap pressure on his tenure.

The Ronaldo Factor

One of the key storylines heading into Thursday’s match is the continued presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite being 39, the legendary forward remains hungry for success with his national team. Ronaldo's motivation to add more silverware to his glittering career is clear, and he will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to lead his country in what could be his final years in international football. Martinez’s decision to keep Ronaldo in the fold is a testament to the player’s enduring quality, and his presence will likely be a key factor in Portugal’s success.

Ronaldo is not the only Portuguese star Martinez will be relying on. The squad is packed with talent, including the likes of Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao. Martinez has also opted to bring some exciting young talents into the fold, such as Geovany Quenda, a 17-year-old winger from Sporting, and Chelsea’s new signing Renato Veiga. These players represent the future of Portuguese football and will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.

Portugal's potential starting lineup for the match against Croatia is expected to feature Diogo Costa in goal, with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, and Nuno Mendes. In midfield, Joao Palhinha and Vitinha are likely to provide defensive solidity, while Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rafael Leao will offer creative support for Ronaldo, who is expected to lead the line.

Croatia's Road to Recovery

Like Portugal, Croatia has plenty to prove in this year’s Nations League. The Croatians came agonizingly close to silverware last year, only to fall short in the final against Spain. This added to Croatia’s history of near-misses in major tournaments, but it has done little to dampen their ambition. Head coach Zlatko Dalic, who has been in charge since 2017, remains at the helm, and his focus is now on securing a Nations League title and preparing for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Croatia's Euro 2024 campaign was a rollercoaster. After losing to Italy in their opening match of the tournament’s ‘Group of Death,’ they managed to regroup and progress to the knockout stages, only to fall short once again. However, the experience gained from these tough matches will serve Dalic’s side well as they seek to challenge for honors in the Nations League.

A key narrative surrounding Croatia is the continuation of Luka Modric’s international career. The 38-year-old midfielder was widely expected to retire after the 2022 World Cup, but much like Ronaldo, Modric has opted to extend his time with the national team. Modric remains a pivotal figure for Croatia, bringing leadership, experience, and world-class quality to the center of the pitch.

However, Croatia faces some significant challenges heading into their match against Portugal. Several key players are unavailable, including Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic, the latter having retired from international football after earning 99 caps. Additionally, Ivan Perisic is without a club after leaving Hajduk Split, and injuries to Duje Caleta-Car, Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic, and Martin Erlic have left Croatia short of defensive options.

Dalic may be forced to deploy players out of position to fill the gaps in defense, with winger Marko Pjaca, center-back Marin Pongracic, or midfielder Kristijan Jakic potentially being called upon to play at right-back. This defensive crisis could prove problematic against a high-powered Portugal attack, particularly with the match being played at Estadio da Luz, where the hosts have a strong record.

Croatia’s expected starting lineup is likely to feature Dominik Livakovic in goal, with a back four of Pongracic, Josip Sutalo, Josko Gvardiol, and Borna Sosa. In midfield, Modric will be joined by Luka Sucic and Mateo Kovacic, while Mario Pasalic, Andrej Kramaric, and Luka Ivanusec are expected to lead the attack.

Portugal's Edge

Given Croatia’s defensive issues and the absence of several key players, Portugal will likely hold the upper hand in this encounter. Playing at home, with a squad brimming with attacking talent, the Selecao will be confident of taking all three points. Martinez’s side will be eager to make a statement in their opening Nations League match, particularly after finishing second to Spain in the previous edition.

However, Croatia’s resilience should not be underestimated. Dalic’s side has a history of defying the odds, and with players like Modric and Kovacic pulling the strings in midfield, they will pose a threat to Portugal’s defense. The match is sure to be a closely contested affair, but Portugal’s depth, home advantage, and the firepower of Ronaldo and company could prove decisive.

Conclusion

As both teams begin their UEFA Nations League campaigns, the stakes are high. Portugal, under new management, will be eager to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite, while Croatia will be looking to go one step further after coming close to silverware last year. With home advantage and a wealth of attacking options, Portugal holds a slight edge, but Croatia’s experience and determination will ensure a fiercely competitive match. Ultimately, this promises to be an exciting encounter between two of Europe’s top sides, with both teams eager to make a strong start in the competition.