The Croatia team which broke English hearts three years ago at the World Cup in Russia certainly has a different feel to it – but they remain a dangerous outfit.
The general feeling is that they are not the side they once were, which is understandable considering four of the team which featured in the final against France have since retired from international duty.
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Danijel Subasic, Ivan Strinic, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic were all an integral part of that impressive Croatia side.
It must be noted that their replacements Dominik Livakovic, Borna Barisic, Nikola Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic are all good footballers in their own right, but not on the same level as the aforementioned quartet.
It will be up to another veteran in Luka Modric to lead his side to the latter stages of the competition.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner may be 35, but age is ultimately just a number. The Real Madrid midfielder remains a top class operator and will be pivotal for Zlatko Dalic’s side.
Croatia’s biggest concerns lie in defence, where they look particularly vulnerable at set-pieces.
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A 1-1 draw with Armenia in the build up to the tournament was a particular disappointment, while they were outclassed by Belgium in their other friendly and were fortunate to lose only 1-0.
Team morale seems to be an issue too; ex-Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren recently told the press that some of the younger players in the squad ‘lack respect’.
Meanwhile, manager Dalic has highlighted a ‘lack of chemistry” in his squad, which isn’t the sort of thing you want to hear heading into a major tournament.
But the experience Modric possesses could spur his teammates on to the business end of the tournament, with their tournament opener on Sunday against England LIVE on talkSPORT.
Alongside Modric is holding midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, who heads in Euro 2020 on cloud nine having helped Inter to their first Serie A title in 11 years.
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The 28-year-old scored some vital goals in a successful qualification campaign, while Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic is another midfield option.
Speaking on his talkSPORT Breakfast debut, Jose Mourinho labelled the Croatian midfield ‘one of the best in the tournament’, while reserving special praise for Kovacic.
“England is going to face one of the best midfields in the tournament. Brozovic is the top of the top. He’s a fantastic player,” the talkSPORT Euro 2020 pundit said.
“Aggression but at the same time great technique and arrival in the box and coming from a more defensive position.
“Modric has had a fantastic career. Kovacic is better than what people say. He’s played in every club I’ve been but never with me.
“He played for Real Madrid, but not with me, he played for Chelsea, but not with me and played for Inter but not with me. I love the guy and he’s following my clubs.
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“When you play against a strong midfield, it’s there you have to control. Why to play with three at the back when their power is not there.
“Since Manduzkic finished where is the top striker for Croatia? It’s their problem.
“They have Perisic on the side, but is not a striker. Rebic plays around, but it’s there in midfield.”
England know full well that their former foes can’t be taken lightly in their Group D encounter – or they will ultimately face the music.
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