Euro 2020: Spain, Croatia peaking forward of knockout contest in Copenhagen

Dani Olmo can be lining up in opposition to some acquainted opponents when Spain faces Croatia within the spherical of 16 on the European Championship.
In reality, he simply may have been lining up for Croatia as an alternative of Spain at Euro 2020.
The attacking midfielder turned down overtures from Croatia’s nationwide staff after shifting to Dinamo Zagreb from Barcelona’s academy as a 16-year-old and spending six seasons on the membership.
Olmo has by no means performed senior membership soccer in Spain — he moved to RB Leipzig in 2020 — however doesn’t remorse his resolution to stay to his house nation.
“There was interest from Croatia, but I always preferred to play for Spain,” Olmo stated.
The 23-year-old Olmo is a part of a gaggle of younger gamers who’ve been given main roles in Luis Enrique’s new-look Spain staff. Against Croatia, he has the added position of being the in-house skilled on the opposing gamers.
“Our coach knows the Croatia team well. If he asks me, I will share my opinion with him,” Olmo stated. “I have played with the majority of their players. I think (Bruno) Petkovic stands out. He is a complete player and we have to pay extra attention to him.”
However, Croatia can be with out certainly one of its greatest gamers for the sport in Copenhagen after ahead Ivan Perisic examined optimistic for COVID-19. Perisic, who scored two objectives through the group stage, must self-isolate for 10 days and would additionally miss the quarterfinals and semifinals if Croatia advances that far.
Spain and Croatia each appear to be peaking on the proper time after sluggish begins to the match. Spain beat Slovakia 5-0 in its remaining group sport to advance, whereas Croatia defeated Scotland 3-1 to complete second behind England in Group D.
Both even have robust match pedigree, though their current trajectories have gone in reverse instructions. Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup remaining earlier than shedding to France, and 13 of these gamers are nonetheless within the squad.
Spain gained three straight main tournaments between 2008-2012, together with two European Championships, however misplaced within the spherical of 16 at each Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup in Russia. What’s extra, solely seven gamers within the Spain squad had performed at a earlier main match.
One of these veterans, Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, gave the staff an enormous elevate when he returned for the Slovakia sport after testing optimistic for coronavirus earlier than the match.
Luis Enrique has continued Spain’s conventional possession-based method however the staff’s attacking play seemed labored within the first two attracts in opposition to defensive-minded Sweden and Poland.
Croatia, although, will play a extra aggressive type and gained’t sit again to let Spain dominate possession.
“When the Spaniards have possession they force it, they had a little difficulty in the first two games with scoring,” Croatia defender Duje Caleta-Car stated.
“We have players who can show their quality through possession as well, and that’s where I see our chance. They haven’t experienced that yet, that someone takes the ball from them.”
Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic additionally warned in opposition to giving Spain an excessive amount of time on the ball.
“We certainly must prevent them from feeling comfortable and playing their football,” Vlasic stated. “That would be deadly for us, because they’re really excellent technically.”
Croatia veteran Luka Modric confirmed along with his aim in opposition to Scotland that he stays a formidable pressure at 35 and would be the participant making an attempt to dictate the sport.
“He is their engine and the heart of the Croatian national team,” Olmo stated of Modric.
“Croatia’s attack flows from his boots.”
When it involves Spain’s assault, a lot of the main focus will once more be on Alvaro Morata. The Spain striker acquired a torrent of on-line abuse after lacking a penalty in opposition to Slovakia and was additionally closely criticized after the primary two video games, regardless of scoring in opposition to Poland.
Morata stated he acquired threats in opposition to his kids and couldn’t sleep for 9 hours after the Slovakia sport. But with Spain having recovered its scoring contact in opposition to Slovakia, the staff might not must rely a lot on Morata.
That’s excellent news for Luis Enrique.
Spain has missed its final 5 penalties general — together with two at Euro 2020 — so the coach most likely isn’t relishing the prospect of a shootout.