The major storyline in Euro 2020's Group D plays out in the opening match: England versus Croatia, a 2018 World Cup semifinals rematch.
Croatia triumphed on that occasion to send the small country to the final and extinguish the “It’s Coming Home” frenzy spreading across England. But heading into the Euro, England’s steady improvement and Croatia’s slight decline make The Three Lions heavy favourites to win Group D.
Like years past, plenty of anticipation and pressure surrounds this team, and the expectations may be justified as England boasts one of the tournament’s strongest squads.
Neither Scotland nor the Czech Republic poses much of a threat to win the group. However, England’s only loss in qualifying came at the hands of the Czechs, and you can ensure that Scotland won’t back down against their United Kingdom rivals.
It’s by no means the Group of Death, but each match should be well contested. Here’s a closer look at the four teams in Group D:
ENGLAND
Coach: Gareth Southgate
Roster:
Your #ThreeLions squad for #EURO2020! pic.twitter.com/egVtf4ORMT
— England (@England) June 1, 2021
Possible starting XI:
3-4-3 – (GK) Pickford – (D) Maguire, Stones, Walker – (M) Shaw, Mount, Rice, Trippier – (F) Sterling, Kane, Rashford
SCHEDULE
June 13, 9 a.m. ET: vs. Croatia
June 18, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Scotland
June 22, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Czech Republic
ODDS
To win group: -250
To win tournament: +500
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Harry Kane. The Three Lions captain is coming off another electrifying season where he led the Premier League in goals (23) and assists (14). He’ll look to lead England deep into another international tournament after winning the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot. He’s the pre-tournament betting favourite to add another Golden Boot to his collection at the Euro 2020.
Breakout player to watch: Phil Foden. Already a world-class talent who’s broken out as a critical player for Premier League-winning and Champions League finalist Manchester City, Foden has yet to feature in a major tournament for the senior men’s national squad. Watch for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder to become a household name among North American soccer fans with his all-around offensive ability.
Phil Foden has lit up the Champions League this season
(via @ChampionsLeague)pic.twitter.com/bWlN9QjON8— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 28, 2021
Biggest strength: The attack. With a front line of Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, and players like Foden, Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Dominic Calvert-Lewin waiting in the wings, England has as lethal of an attacking group as any team in Europe. In the eight Euro qualifying games, the Three Lions scored four or more goals seven times.
Biggest weakness: Goalkeeping. It’s not awful, Pickford did man the net in the 2018 World Cup run, but he’s far from a world-class keeper. Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has shown promise and could get a look, but lacks experience and pedigree as a player with only one appearance for England.
Burning question: Is it coming home? England’s international title drought goes back to 1966 when they won the World Cup on home soil and the men’s national team has never won the Euro. As joint title favourites with France, and with the semifinals and final taking place at Wembley Stadium in London, is this the year?
CROATIA
Coach: Zlatko Dalić
Roster:
#Croatia squad list for #EURO2020 #BeProud #Family #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/QADT7tzFNh
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 1, 2021
Possible starting XI:
4-1-4-1 – (GK) Livaković – (D) Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko – (DM) Brozović (M) Perišić, Kovačić, Modrić, Vlašić – (F) Kramarić
SCHEDULE
June 13, 9 a.m. ET: vs. England
June 18, 12 p.m. ET: vs. Czech Republic
June 22, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Scotland
ODDS
To win group: +325
To win tournament: +3300
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Luka Modrić. The country’s most-capped player, a four-time Champions League winner, the 2018 Ballon D’Or recipient, and the list of accolades goes on. At 35, his form has slightly dipped in recent years, but the midfield magician once again looks to lead this team to a deep run in an international tournament.
Breakout player to watch: Nikola Vlašić. A former Everton player, Vlašić produced 23 goals and 10 assists in 56 Russian Premier League games for CSKA Moscow over the last two seasons. Watch for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder to announce himself on the international stage with his creative dribbling, passing and long-range shooting.
Road to #EURO2020
#Croatia qualifying goal No. 1⃣5⃣
Nikola Vlašić
Here begins the comeback: a great solo effort! #BeProud #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/Bi2Z4bpR7X— HNS (@HNS_CFF) May 22, 2021
Biggest strength: The midfield. Ivan Rakitić retired last year, but Croatia has more than enough talent to make up for his absence. With Modrić, Vlašić, Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pašalić and Ivan Perišić, Croatia’s elite midfield group gives them a chance at success in this tournament.
Biggest weakness: Frontman. Unlike Rakitić in mifield, Croatia lacks a genuine replacement for striker Mario Mandžukić, who retired from international football following the World Cup. They’ve even resorted to playing Perišić or Pašalić at centre forward in recent matches. Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramarić had a great season, scoring 25 goals in 34 appearances, but has yet to prove himself with the national team. This will be his chance.
Burning question: Can this nation of four million people continue to defy the odds? Shockingly, Croatia’s pre-2018 World Cup betting odds on Oddsshark.com were +3300, identical to their pre-tournament odds heading into Euro 2020.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Coach: Jaroslav Šilhavý
Roster:
The Czech national team squad for the UEFA #EURO2020 has been announced. pic.twitter.com/9JZuuJwru1
— Czech Football Team (@ceskarepre_eng) May 25, 2021
Possible starting XI:
4-2-3-1 – (GK) Vaclík – (D) Bořil, Čelůstka, Kalas, Coufal – (DM) Král, Souček – (AM) Jankto, Darida, Masopust – (F) Schick
SCHEDULE
June 14, 9 a.m. ET: vs. Scotland
June 18, 12 p.m. ET: vs. Croatia
June 22, 3 p.m. ET: vs. England
ODDS
To win group: +1000
To win tournament: +15000
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Tomáš Souček. The six-foot-four defensive midfielder is a dominant aerial threat who covers a lot of ground and makes his impact felt on both ends of the pitch. He’s coming off a 10-goal Premier League campaign as a crucial player for sixth-place West Ham.
Aerial duels won this weekend...
Tomas Soucek - 17
Aston Villa - 16
Burnley - 15
Leeds - 13
Spurs - 13
Newcastle - 12
Fulham - 12
Arsenal - 11
Chelsea - 11
Everton - 11
Sheff Utd - 8
THE. BIG. MAN. pic.twitter.com/acPlVtKugZ— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 4, 2021
Breakout player to watch: Alex Král. Potentially lining up next to Souček in the midfield and rumoured to be Premier League-bound, Král is a pacey box-to-box midfielder whose knack for tracking back to help his defenders and ability to distribute the ball make him a key player for Spartak Moscow of the Russian Premier League.
Biggest strength: Size. With several players over six feet in the squad, including Souček, Král and six-foot-two striker Patrik Schick, the Czech Republic looks to beat teams in the air and take advantage of captain Vladimír Darida’s deliveries off set pieces.
Biggest weakness: Central defence. Anchoring the backline is Tomáš Kalas, captain of a Bristol City club that just finished 19th in the second-tier English Championship. Beyond that, the options aren’t clear as centre back Ondřej Kúdela was banned 10 UEFA matches for racial abuse and David Hovorka is out with a torn ACL.
Burning question: What effect will Patrik Schick have? The tall, skilled forward scored 13 goals in 36 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen this season and has a chance to be the Czech Republic’s most impactful player. They’ll need the 25-year-old to be at his best for their offence to excel.
SCOTLAND
Coach: Steve Clarke
Roster:
The 26 players picked to represent Scotland at UEFA #EURO2020. pic.twitter.com/uV5epmAEJc
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) May 19, 2021
Possible starting XI:
5-2-3 – (GK) Marshall – (D) Robertson, Tierney, Cooper, McTominay, O’Donnell – (M) McGinn, MacGregor – (F) Fraser, Adams, Christie
SCHEDULE
June 14, 9 a.m. ET: vs. Czech Republic
June 18, 3 p.m. ET: vs. England
June 22, 3 p.m. ET: vs. Croatia
ODDS
To win group: +1600
To win tournament: +25000
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Most important player: Andrew Robertson. Captain since 2018, the Liverpool full back is among the best in his position in the world. If Scotland is to advance to the knockout stages, his ability to win possession on defence and provide an offensive threat with his pace and crossing ability will be at the core of their success.
Breakout player to watch: Billy Gilmour. The 19-year-old Chelsea wonderkid is still without a senior men’s appearance for the Scottish national team, but that’s likely coming to an end at the Euro. Expect the midfielder to come off the bench and provide a much-needed offensive spark for Steve Clarke’s side.
Biggest strength: The left flank duo. With Robertson occupying the left side as a wing back, and Arsenal full back Kieran Tierney featuring on the left side of a back three, Scotland could excel by driving the play up the left side of the pitch through two of their best players.
Biggest weakness: The attack. With experience in goal and quality defence and midfield players, including Robertson, Tierney and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, Scotland’s biggest question mark lies in the offence. Can the team improve on a UEFA Nations League showing where they scored just five goals in six matches?
Burning question: Can the home crowd advantage push Scotland into uncharted territory? When the Tartan Terriers play in front of 12,000 fans at Hampden Park in Glasgow for two crucial matches versus the Czech Republic and Croatia, will that advantage propel Scotland into the Euro knockout stages for the first time?