Group I, yes, it would just be jogged home – and for a long time it seemed to be just the same. However, as a lightning from clear sky, Croatia lost more or less everything; there were only two wins of the five finishes, 2-1-2, and maybe it was crossed in the second final match, at home against Finland, who hit the worst?
Regardless of what – a win in that match, and the other results as they became, would mean that Croatia dropped Iceland from the first and last place with a better goal difference. However, just reloading this very crucial double meeting against Greece, not to cry over spilled milk.
After the fatal failure – among the worst I saw, for the sake of honesty – in qualifying against the EM 2016, many questions emerged, or were strengthened rather; what time does it bark for Greek national football? From this quake game to judge – forward!
Greece picked second place in Group H, behind sovereign and dominant Belgium. This meant that they ended up above all Bosnia, but also Estonia, Cyprus and Gibraltar.
“Player for players is the difference fundamental”
Defensively, Greece is always extremely difficult to get a hole in – and of course it will be fully focused on keeping the sheet as tight as possible and therefore getting a good result with it for the return. Since Croatia has also been out of balance, they certainly see their potential here.
But it is all about Croatia and Greece. The differences must be significant, players for players are the fundamental, and anything but the Croats solve this would shock enormously.
Greece’s defense game is their key to success and we know that they can do it by setting up the bus, but when so smart, witty and sharp players like Mario Mandzukic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic are there – it will be hard to resist ?
In addition, there are positive memories that Croatia brings in to the match; a stable 2-0 win over Ukraine in a tough away game. Clearly tougher than this is in advance.
PREDICTION: Croatia win @ 1.97
