Croatia Vs Turkey's Euro 2024 Qualification Prediction: Still Rely On The Veteran Luka Modric

Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is ready to support Croatian captain Luka Modrid in the match against Turkey in qualifying Euro 2024. (X @HNS_CFF)

JAKARTA - The Croatian national team has the opportunity to move away from Turkey if they win in the Euro 2024 Qualification Group D duel at the Opus Arena Stadium, Osijek, Friday, October 13 in the morning WIB. Both teams have points 10, but Croatia has a goal difference and keeps one game.

Croatia not only acted as the host but also had psychological benefits as they had beaten Turkey 2-0 in the first meeting at home to opponents.

In the match which was held last March, Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic became the star of victory by scoring a brace.

Now, Croatia hopes to repeat its success. They also show as a very mature team with pillar players who are already in their old age and retire immediately such as Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic.

However, Perisic, who played at Tottenham Hotspur, was forced to miss due to a knee injury.

However, coach Zlatko Dalic will not make many reshuffles to the squad. Modric, who has the 168 caps, has returned to Croatian play.

The Real Madrid veteran midfielder is working hand in hand with Marcelo Brozovic and Kovacic.

They support the trident in front of which relies on Bruno Petkovic's centre forward which replaces Perisic. Petkovic is supported by Andrej Kramaric and Josip Brekalo.

Dalic does include the success of building a tough Croatian team. Moreover, he spent quite a long time before bringing Croatia to the 2018 World Cup and Nations League finalists, now, Dalic targets the team to qualify for the Euro 2024 finals.

Meanwhile, Turkey, which wants to avenge defeat at home, appeared with the new captain, Vincenzo Montella. The former Italian national team striker last handled the Turkish club, Adana Demirspor.

He, who was nicknamed Il Aeroplanino when he was still a player, replaced Stefan Kuntz after Turkey drew 1-1 against arch-rival Armenia. Furthermore, The Crescent-Stars were beaten by Japan 4-2 in a test match.

Montella's debut will be in the spotlight. The reason is, the squad he handled was considered incompetent so that the former Fiorentina coach had to work hard to make improvements.

In that match, Montella lost defender Merih Demiral due to the accumulation of cards she received. Without this Al Expert defender, Montella lowered the duo of Caglar Soyuncu and Kaan Ayhan in the heart of defense.

Apart from Demiral, the two pillars of Arda Guler and Cengiz Under cannot perform. Guler, the young Real Madrid star is still recovering after knee surgery. Meanwhile, Under was not called by Montella.

Turkey's strong sector relies on the creativity of Hakan Calhanoglu midfielders. He was supported by Irfan Kahveci, Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu.

Turkey may be a hassle for Croatia. But the hosts are in a top position and slightly seeded. By targeting Croatia's victory to maintain a position at the top of the standings.

Kroasia's Lineup Forecast (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Kramaric, Petkovic, Brekalo

Turkey (4-1-4-1): Cakir; Celik, Ayhan, Soyuncu, Ozkacar; Yuksek; Kahveci, Kokcu, Calhanoglu, Akturkoglu; Yilmaz