Croatia and Sweden meet at Stadion Maksimir, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Nations League (League A). There is no recent record of direct confrontations between these two teams, who have not played a game in the last 3 years. The last time they met was on 29‑02‑2012, in a match that ended with the final score: Croatia (1‑3) Sweden. Particular attention is needed for the home / away condition, as both teams present significantly different results at home and away.
Croatia :
After 2 defeats, the home team reaches this 3rd round in 4th position in Group 3, without having won any points. The previous round, they lost (4‑2) away against France, after in the first match of this group stage having lost (4‑1) away against Portugal. This is a stronger team with the support of its fans, since in the last 30 games it has registered 4 victories, 4 draws and 7 losses as a visitor, with 22 goals scored and 30 suffered; against 10 victories, 4 draws and 1 defeat in his stadium, with 29 goals scored and 14 suffered. In their last match, for the Friendlies, they beat Switzerland away by (1‑2). In their last 9 home games Croatia has recorded 7 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, as they have always scored at least one goal in the last 10 matches. In their home matches there is a tendency for goals, since 8 of the last 9 matches have ended with Over 2,5 goals. In 15 games, they conceded the first goal 6 times, but got the comeback in 4.
Croatia comes to this match after a 1-2 victory in the visit to Switzerland, in a friendly preparation for the next official matches, with goals from Josip Brekalo and Mario Pasalic. It should be noted that the Croats lost the first two games in the League of Nations, against Portugal and France. In this match against Sweden, coach Zlatko Dalic must keep the team 4-3-3, favoring the maintenance of ball possession and organized attacks on the flanks. Luka Modric will have to occupy the center of the field of the Croatian team, being very competent in the offensive organization. For this game the coach can count on the usual players.
Sweden :
After 0 victories, 0 draws and 2 defeats, the visiting team reaches this 3rd round in the 3rd position of Group 3, without having won any points. The previous round, they lost at home against Portugal by (0‑2), after in the first match of this group stage having lost by (0‑1) at home against France. This is a team that curiously tends to achieve more positive results as a visitor than at home, since in the last 30 games they have registered 7 victories, 3 draws and 5 defeats as a visitor, with 24 goals scored and 14 suffered; against 6 victories, 5 draws and 4 defeats in his stadium, with 17 goals scored and 12 suffered. The team comes to this match after an away win against Russia by (1‑2). In the last 8 away matches for all competitions, Sweden won 5, drew 2 and lost 1. Their attack has scored regularly, scoring goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In 15 games, they suffered the first goal 5 times and never got the comeback.
The Swedish national team comes into this match with a 1-2 victory in the visit to Russia, in a friendly preparation for the next official matches: Alexander Isak and Mattias Johansson scored the team’s goals. Like today’s rival, the Swedes lost both games to the Nations League. A. Emil Forsberg must be responsible for creating and organizing the offensive process. For this match the coach can count on all his athletes.
