Croatia vs Italy Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Preview

Joel Amorim Jun 10, 2015 @ 12:29 am

Next Friday, 12th of June 2015, a fairly organized Croatia will measure forces with Antonio Conte’s rejuvenated Italy at Stadion Poljud in Split for the Euro 2016 Qualifiers.

After a somehow disappointing stint at the World Cup last Summer, Croatia’s manager, Niko Kovac, managed to lift the morale of his troops and so far they have been showing some great class in the Euro 2016 qualifying matches in which they have participated. The Balkan team granted four wins and one draw in the five qualifying matches they have played so far and they are looking to defeat Italy next Friday in order to cement their position at the top of Group H.

When Croatia met Norway back in March no one was certainly expecting that Niko Kovac would be able to punish the Nordic team as they did. The Croats won the clash by 5-1 and even with just 10 men, after Corluka was sent off on the 74th minute of the match, the Balkan side netted in two more goals to a Norwegian side that was completely adrift in Zagreb’s turmoil and failed to present a proper response to the home side’s blatant dominance.

The only time Croatia lost points in this qualifying stage was precisely when they travelled to Italy back in November of 2014, on a match that ended up in a 1-1 draw at a vibrant San Siro Stadium but that was stained by some riots at the stands.

As for Italy, things have changed a lot at the Squadra Azzurra after the arrival of Juventus’ former manager and player, Antonio Conte, last Summer. After a bland overall display at the Brazilian World Cup last Summer, Cesare Prandelli’s reign at the helm of the Italian squad came to an end and Italy have so far managed to turn the page thanks to Antonio Conte and to his more dynamic approach of the game.

In their last official match, however, Italy failed to get anything better than a draw from their always complicated travel to Sofia. Bulgaria, highly moralized after the arrival of their new manager, Ivaylo Petev, put Italy through some hard time, and the Squadra Azzurra only managed to grant the equalizer very late in the match when Sampdoria’s versatile forward Eder surprised an already fatigued Bulgarian side.

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