As Croatia prepares for their upcoming clash with England, Slaven Bilic, returning as head coach, aims to turn the tide following a heavy defeat to Spain and hopes to surprise the English side.
It was less than three months ago that these teams met in the opening match of the World Cup, where England produced a compelling second-half display, often hailed as their finest of the tournament, winning 4-2.
Since then, Croatia has seen notable changes within the squad. Slaven Bilic has taken charge for a second time, having previously managed English clubs including West Ham, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford.
Croatia embarks on a new era
The Croatian national team is gradually moving away from the golden generation of players that achieved historic success in World Cups. In 2018, the team reached the final, and in 2022 they claimed bronze, finishing the tournament in third place.
In their recent match against Spain, Bilic left veteran midfielder Luka Modric on the bench. This decision is seen as a sign of the transitional phase that the national team is currently undergoing.
The heavy defeat to Spain has raised concerns about Croatia's state ahead of their encounter with England. However, Bilic knows English football well and has extra motivation to make a mark against his former opponents.
Despite recent struggles and the shift in generations, England should not underestimate Croatia. The English side may have the upper hand, but under the guidance of a seasoned manager, the Croatian team is capable of complicating matters for them.
