Austria-Croatia is a match for the sixth day of the Nations League and is scheduled for Sunday at 20:45
AUSTRIA – CROATIA
O Croatia or Denmark: there’s no escaping it. There are two left to contend for the top spot in League A Group 1, the one that should theoretically have dominated the length and breadth of reigning champions France. And instead, one of the four remaining passes to the Final Four in June 2023 will end up in the pockets of either the Croatians or the Danes, who will battle it out on the sixth and final day of the Nations League group stage. Only the Balkans are masters of their own destiny, however. Zlatko Dalic’s men have risen to the top thanks to last Thursday’s success in their clash with Denmark, with goals from Sosa and Majer making Eriksen’s momentary equaliser pointless.
And now they will be able to afford not to be influenced by the result of the match between the Scandinavians and the transalpines in Copenhagen at the same time. The standings say: Croatia 10, Denmark 9. It is only one point but it is worth platinum.
Without considering, then, that Modric and his teammates would have the upper hand even in the event of a tied finish, having won both direct clashes. The Austrians, on the other hand, have to worry about relegation, having fallen to last place after their defeat against France in Saint-Denis. For the selection of Ralf Rangnick, who took over last June, things are looking bad. Austria had been under the illusion that they had beaten Croatia on the first day – they finished 0-3 in Zagreb – but then came three defeats and a draw. The only way to avoid an immediate return to League B is to win again against the Croats and hope the Bleus do not do the same in Denmark.
Schlager
The Prediction
It would be a mistake to be influenced by the result of the first leg: Croatia are a different team to the one in June, but that does not mean it will be a walkover in Austria. Certainly, both teams will not lack motivation, even though they are fighting for different goals. In any case, a token can be spent on the guests, who appeared confident against Denmark. It cannot be ruled out that the total number of goals, in the end, will be less than three: despite an ‘on fire’ Arnautovic in the Serie A, Austria have only scored two goals in their last four matches; the Croatians, on the other hand, have barely conceded one in their last three.
Austria v Croatia (Austria v Croatia):
- AUSTRIA (4-4-2): Pentz; Trimmel, Lienhart, Danso, Wober; Sabitzer, Schlager, Siewald, Baumgartner; Onisiwo, Gregoritsch.
- CROATIA (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, Gvardiol, Sutalo, Sosa; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Kramaric, Orsic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-1