The Croatia national team has announced a preliminary squad of 35 players for Euro 2024, and this could be the strongest lineup for Croatia at this year’s Euro as selected by StreamSport.

Croatia has announced a preliminary squad of 35 players for the upcoming EURO 2024. The squad features many familiar faces such as Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, and the talented young defender from Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol.

In addition, Croatia boasts many talented and experienced players, contributing to the team’s recent successes.

As a result, Croatian fans are very excited about their team’s potential to win the EURO this time, despite being placed in a “group of death” alongside Spain, defending champions Italy, and Albania.

Here is the strongest lineup for the Croatian national team at EURO 2024:

Dalic plans to deploy Croatia’s familiar 4-3-3 formation at this year’s Euro. The 4-3-3 style helps Croatia maintain balance between attack and defense. Three midfielders, along with two wingers providing attacking threats, create formidable pressure. Meanwhile, the three central midfielders combined with four defenders form a solid defensive line. This formation also maximizes ball control and transition play through the midfield, with Luka Modric orchestrating the team’s movements.

Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic

Dominik Livakovic, the goalkeeper for Fenerbahce, is considered the number one choice between the posts for the Croatian national team at the moment. He is one of Croatia’s top goalkeepers and is expected to be named in the squad for this year’s European Championship (Euro 2024).

With over 50 appearances for the national team, Livakovic has accumulated valuable experience and is expected to display impressive form, helping Croatia at least reach the quarter-finals of the tournament – a goal the team is aiming for.

At the age of 28, Livakovic is at the peak of his form and contributes to Croatia’s ability to overcome tough opponents in their quest for the European title. His consistent performances and remarkable saves will undoubtedly be a significant advantage for Croatia in the upcoming battles.

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic, Josip Juranovic

In defense, Domagoj Vida and the talented young defender Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City are expected to play pivotal roles, contributing to a solid defensive line for Croatia. With Vida’s extensive experience and Gvardiol’s youthful talent, this central defensive partnership promises to be a crucial pillar for Zlatko Dalic’s team.

To support this central defensive duo, the full-back positions are likely to be filled by Josip Stanisic of Bayer Leverkusen and Josip Juranovic of Union Berlin. Stanisic and Juranovic are both talented young players ready to contribute their youth and energy as full-backs on either side of the defense.

The combination of Vida’s experience, Gvardiol’s talent, along with the dynamism of Stanisic and Juranovic, promises to create a solid and cohesive defensive line for Croatia. With smooth coordination, this defensive line will be a crucial stronghold, allowing Croatia to confidently enter the challenging matches ahead.

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic

The midfield has always been considered the key strength of the Croatian national team for many years. The creative trio consisting of captain Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, and Mateo Kovacic has become the solid backbone of Croatia’s midfield.

With ample international experience from over 350 appearances for the national team, these three players have formed a world-class and cohesive midfield. Modric brings outstanding tactical awareness, exquisite ball control, and precise passing. Brozovic plays a pivotal role in distributing the ball and orchestrating the team’s play. Meanwhile, Kovacic adds dynamism, resilience, and sharpness to the midfield.

The synergy and class of these three powerhouses make them an indispensable core for Croatia’s style of play. Breaking into this midfield trio is certainly a significant challenge for any player due to the cohesion and irreplaceable roles of Modric, Brozovic, and Kovacic.

Forward: Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic, Marco Pasalic

Andrej Kramaric will assume the role of center forward in the attacking line. He is the most prolific goal scorer among Croatia’s current forwards. With consistent form and extremely sharp finishing ability, Kramaric will be the spearhead in the attack, playing a pivotal role in scoring goals for Croatia at Euro.

The two wing positions are expected to be filled by Ivan Perisic and Marco Pasalic. Perisic, with his wealth of experience and impressive dribbling skills and speed, will provide width to the attack from the left flank. Meanwhile, Pasalic, with his dynamic playing style and intelligent movements, is expected to provide support from the right wing.

The coordination between Kramaric as the focal point and the two supporting players, Perisic and Pasalic, promises to bring formidable attacking power to Croatia. With perfect understanding, this attacking line is fully capable of exerting pressure and posing a threat to any opponent at the upcoming Euro.

Preliminary squad of 35 players for the Croatian national team preparing for EURO 2024:

• Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce), Ivica Ivusic (Pafos), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka)
• Defenders: Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin), Josko Gvardiol (Man City), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Marin Pongracic (Lecce)
• Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Man City), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Luka Sucic (RB Salzburg), Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb)
• Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Juventus), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka)
• Reserves: Barisic (Glasgow Rangers), Jakić (Augburg), Caleta (Lyon), Kotarski (PAOK), Sigru (Hajduk), P. Sucic (Dinamo), Fruk (Rijeka), Ljubicic (LASK), Matanovic (Karlsruher).

Croatia’s schedule for the group stage of Euro 2024:
– June 15: Spain vs Croatia.
– June 19: Croatia vs Albania.
– June 25: Croatia vs Italy.