Euro 2012 Preview: Rep. of Ireland v Croatia

In a group that features defending champions Spain and continental giants Italy, both Croatia and the Republic of Ireland are expected to return home early yet the two teams possess considerable threat to give a new dimension to this all important group. The opening game for both Giovanni Trapattoni and Slaven Bilic could be seen as a mini final set to be hosted at the Stadion Miejski in Poznan today.

Pedigree

Republic of Ireland

This is only the second time in their history that the Irish have qualified for the Championship, with the very first appearance coming in 1988 when a Jack Charlton’s side opened the campaign with a memorable 1-0 win over England before being edged out by eventual champions Holland. In terms of pedigree the Irish have a limited experience in the European Championships although the Boys in Green had been pretty unlucky in the past for not qualifying for the finals despite being involved in the play-offs in 1996 and 2000 and finishing third in the qualifying groups for both 2004 and 2008.

Croatia

Since the break up of Yugoslavia, Croatia have been consistently qualifying for the European Championships and performing well above expectations to be considered a genuine European football powerhouse. In 1996, a vintage Croatian side that included the likes of Davor Suker, Goran Vlaovic and many others qualified for the quarter finals in their first international tournament as an independent nation and were narrowly beaten by eventual champions Germany. The Balkan nation did not qualify for Euro 2000 while they were eliminated in the group stages in 2004 in Portugal, but Slaven Bilic’s side won three games out of three in Austria and Switzerland four years ago before a heart breaking quarter final loss to Turkey ended their dream run. A small and young nation with such a strong Euro pedigree does speak of the depth in talent and passion that the Croats have at their disposal, to take on any country on any given day.

Head to Head

Despite a strong pedigree, Croatia have managed to beat Ireland only once in six meetings losing twice and drawing three times, with the last meeting between the two nations ending in a goalless draw in Ireland on August 10, 2011.

Current form

The Irish are on a 14-match unbeaten streak and their defence looks well organised to trouble any top side. Giovanni Trapattoni has instilled a steely belief within the side that is just not prepared to go down without a fight. Having lost just a game in their qualifying campaign and that too against eventual qualifying group winners Russia, the republic of Ireland will go into the tournament with a never say die attitude.

Last five matches

Rep. of Ireland- D W D D W
Jun 4, 2012	Hungary 0- Rep. of Ireland 0	INF
May 26, 2012	Rep. of Ireland 1- Bosnia 0	INF
Feb 29, 2012	Rep. of Ireland 1- Czech Republic 1	INF
Nov 15, 2011	Rep. of Ireland 1- Estonia 1	EQP
Nov 11, 2011	Estonia 0- Rep. of Ireland 4	EQP

Like the Republic of Ireland, Croatia qualified for Euro 2012 via play-offs after beating Turkey in a two-legged tie, thus avenging for the quarter final loss in Euro 2008. Slaven Bilic’s side has been in decent form with the exception of a surprise 3-1 home reverse against Sweden early in the year.

Last five matches

Croatia- D W L D W
Jun 2, 2012	Norway 1- Croatia 1	INF
May 25, 2012	Croatia 3- Estonia 1	INF
Feb 29, 2012	Croatia 1- Sweden 3	INF
Nov 15, 2011	Croatia 0- Turkey 0	EQP
Nov 11, 2011	Turkey 0- Croatia 3	EQP

Possible Team Line-ups

Ireland

Shay Given, the most capped player in Irish history is the one to look out for as the goalkeeper would be hoping to continue his good form in the international arena against an attack minded Croatian team. The defence is very well organised with the experienced John O’Shea and Richard Dunne as center backs, and Sean St Ledger and Stephen Ward providing width as fullbacks. The midfield boasts of some pacy wingers and central players in the form of Damien Duff, Aiden McGeady, Glen Whelan and Keith Andrews. Talismanic goal scorer Robbie Keane will be their strike force as far as Croatia are concerned, but never underestimate the work ethic and talent of Kevin Doyle partnering Kean, as Giovanni Trapattoni hopes to utilise his 4-4-2 formation in a more old fashioned way to shut out the attacking instincts of Croatia.

Croatia

Slaven Bilic has lost a formidable player in the form of Bayern Munich’s Ivica Olic due to injury, and would hope that his replacement Nikica Jelavic will match the form that he has shown at Everton last season. Jelavic and Mario Mandzukic are the likely starters for Croatia in attack, with Bilic having the luxury to call upon former Arsenal player Eduardo if things do not go according to plan.

The defence:

Danijel Pranjic, Vedran Corluka, Gordon Schildenfeld and Darijo Srna

Luka Modric is undoubtedly the man to watch out for as he will be using his silky skills and mazy runs to outfox the Irish defence, and he would be ably supported by Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Ognjen Vukojevic. We have the excellent Niko Kranjcar to call upon when Bilic is desperate.

Match Prediction

Another tight, physical and hotly contested match to look forward to on this Sunday. The Irish defensive approach would make life difficult for the Croats yet the latters’ depth in attack would see this game through and expect Slaven Bilic’s men to come out winners by a odd goal or two. Another possibility would be a tight goalless draw if Trapattoni comes up with a master plan to contain Luka Modric.