While Slovenia celebrated their historic Euro 2024 qualification in Cologne, Croatia’s dreams of reaching the knockout stages were dashed. A goalless draw against England, coupled with Slovenia’s victory, saw Croatia eliminated as one of the best third-placed teams. This marked a significant setback for the ‘golden generation’ of Croatian football, who had consistently performed well in recent tournaments. Their inability to progress beyond the group stage was a stark contrast to their previous performances, including reaching the 2018 World Cup final and the 2022 World Cup semifinal.
One of the primary reasons for this disappointing performance was the aging midfield, the backbone of Croatia’s success. Coach Zlatko Dalic’s reliance on the experienced trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic, with a combined age of 99 years, proved to be a tactical misstep. While they were once formidable forces, their lack of zest and creativity, a consequence of playing past their peak, was evident throughout the tournament. Modric and Kovacic were often used as substitutes for their club sides, while Brozovic had moved to Saudi Arabia. Dalic’s stubbornness in sticking with these veterans prevented promising youngsters like Martin Baturina, Marco Pasalic, and Luka Sucic, who had impressed in their club seasons, from gaining valuable international experience.
Adding to Croatia’s woes was a lack of defensive organization. Despite having Dominik Livakovic, a standout performer in the 2022 World Cup, in goal, the Croatian defense conceded six goals in three games. This included stoppage-time equalizers from Albania and Italy, a significant contrast to their defensive solidity in previous tournaments. Upfront, the absence of the retired Mario Mandzukic left the team reliant on the aging Andrej Kramaric, hindering their ability to close out matches.
The current Croatian squad represents the second ‘golden generation,’ following the success of the team that reached the Euro 1996 quarterfinals and the 1998 World Cup semifinals. Led by the likes of Davor Suker, Zvonimir Boban, and Igor Stimac, that era established Croatia as a force to be reckoned with in world football. The emergence of Modric and his contemporaries saw the national team reach new heights, including the 2018 World Cup final. However, despite their achievements, they are yet to win a major trophy.
Euro 2024 could be a turning point for Croatian football. With Modric approaching his 39th birthday, the end of the second ‘golden generation’ seems imminent. This presents an opportunity for Dalic to usher in a new era, relying on the youth talent that has the potential to continue the legacy of the nation’s footballing prowess. The future of Croatian football hinges on how effectively this transition is managed, ensuring the nation continues its tradition of challenging for top honors in international tournaments.
