Preview: Portugal vs. Croatia: lineups, team news, and predictions

Portugal will play a glamorous friendly against fellow Euro 2024 participants Croatia on Saturday evening as part of their ongoing preparations for this summer’s European Championship.

Prior to this match, Roberto Martinez’s team defeated Finland 4-2, and Croatia will be coming off a 3-0 victory over North Macedonia.

Martinez, 50, has led Portugal to 12 victories and one tie from 13 games since taking over as head coach following the 2022 World Cup. The 50-year-old will try to lead his team to victory in Euro 2024.

Many people believe that France and England are the tournament favourites, but Portugal is simply too good and experienced to be written off. They have won the championship before, having taken home the trophy in 2016.

The Iberian nation advanced to the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals after being eliminated in the last-16 round of Euro 2020, and it would be shocking if they did not go far in this competition.

Portugal’s Euro 2024 Group F opponents are the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia. Their first game against the former is scheduled for June 18.

Prior to that, Martinez’s team will play friendlies against Croatia and the Republic of Ireland. They will come into this encounter fresh off a 4-2 victory over Finland on Tuesday.

Read More :

2024 Euro: Ronaldo’s special contribution for Portugal – coach

Preview of Portugal against Croatia: Cristiano Ronaldo returns as Portugal prepares for Euro 2024

After defeating North Macedonia 3-0 on Monday, Croatia will play their final match before starting their Euro 2024 campaign against Portugal.

Group B is where Zlatko Dalic’s team will compete. They take on Spain on June 15 and finish the tough group stage with matches against Albania and Italy.

Prior to this encounter, Croatia has won five straight games, including their last three friendlies against Tunisia, Egypt, and North Macedonia.

The Checkered Ones finished in the last eight at the 1996 and 2008 European Championships, but they have never advanced past the quarterfinals. 

But Croatia, who placed third in the 2022 World Cup, will hope to make it to the knockout stage, even if that means being among the top three finishers.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not play in Portugal’s most recent 4-2 victory over Finland; nonetheless, the Al-Nassr forward is anticipated to be included in the team and should start this game.

Martinez, the head coach, will start Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Diogo Costa in place of the starting lineup from Tuesday’s game.

Martinez will likely use his current team again because Portugal has one more friendly left before starting Euro 2024, although Ruben Dias and Antonio Silva should still start in the middle of the defensive.

Regarding Croatia, Dalic’s squad is assembling for the European Championship, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see a lineup that is nearly identical to the one that faced North Macedonia in the beginning.

Although there should be changes at the break, players like Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, and Andrej Kramaric should be able to hold onto their positions in the squad.

Josko Gvardiol, who was not present for the match against North Macedonia, is anticipated to start at the back, which is believed to be a significant change.