Croatiavs.Poland

While the hosts were beaten by Portugal on the opening matchday, their League A Group 1 rivals snatched maximum points in Scotland.

Match preview

On Thursday night, Croatia began their quest to go one step further in the Nations League than last year - when they were beaten by Spain in the final - but ultimately ended up empty-handed against Portugal.

After conceding an early opener, Cristiano Ronaldo then notched his 900th career goal in the first half at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz, and despite being handed a route back into the match by a Diogo Dalot own-goal, the Croatians could not find an equaliser.

Pressure is on long-serving coach Zlatko Dalic to produce wins against Poland and Scotland, then, after his team unexpectedly fell at the first hurdle at Euro 2024, where they went winless in the so-called 'Group of Death'.

Dalic has stayed loyal to captain Luka Modric, who is emulating former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo by extending his international career, but some younger squad members are being brought through to gradually replace the 'golden generation'.

While the next World Cup will be Croatia's medium-term target, the chance of finally lifting some silverware should ensure they take this season's Nations League seriously, and even a second-placed finish in Group 1 would be enough to reach the newly introduced quarter-finals.

Despite blowing a two-goal lead at Hampden Park, Poland arrive in Osijek with three points in their pocket following a last-gasp spot kick from Nicola Zalewski, which wrapped up a dramatic 3-2 win over Scotland.

Sebastian Szymanski struck early on, before captain Robert Lewandowski doubled their advantage with a penalty; but after the Eagles had fumbled that lead it required the intervention of Zalewski - who won and converted a stoppage-time penalty - to snatch victory.

Like Sunday's hosts, Poland failed to get out of their European Championship group in the summer, taking just one point from three matches, with all-time top scorer Lewandowski salvaging a 1-1 draw against France.

Though that early exit continued a trend of disappointments at major finals, head coach Michal Probierz has been retained, and after Poland survived demotion in the last Nations League he is expected to keep his team afloat at Europe's elite level.

While the winners and runners-up in each League A group will go straight through to the final eight, third place would mean a relegation playoff - fourth results in an automatic drop down to League B.

Croatia Nations League form:

L

Croatia form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

D

L

Poland Nations League form:

W

Poland form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

D

W

Team News

As they seek a first win in five games, Croatia may refresh their lineup this weekend, when a switch to a back four may be on the cards.

After Domagoj Vida joined midfielder Marcelo Brozovic in retiring from international duty, Josip Stanisic and Martin Erlic were both ruled out of this month's camp by injury, while Duje Caleta-Car has been struggling for fitness.

That left Zlatko Dalic short-handed in defence, but Caleta-Car appeared as a substitute on Thursday, in addition to veteran winger Ivan Perisic, who has occasionally filled in at left-back.

Once again, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic should provide the platform for Andrej Kramaric up front, though Eintracht Frankfurt striker Igor Matanovic made his senior debut in midweek and could now be handed a start.

Meanwhile, Poland captain Robert Lewandowski leads a squad without long-serving pair Kamil Grosicki and Wojciech Szczesny - both of whom have retired from international duty and the latter from football entirely - plus his injured strike partner Arkadiusz Milik.

Enjoying some stellar form in the Turkish Super Lig, Krzysztof Piatek partnered his skipper in attack last time out, but Adam Buksa is an alternative option.

Szczesny's absence has allowed Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka to take the gloves, while playmaker Piotr Zielinski should feature in midfield despite barely figuring for new club Inter Milan.

Croatia possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Jakic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, Kovacic, L. Sucic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Ivanusec

Poland possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Zielinski, Szymanski, Moder, Zalewski; Piatek, Lewandowski

We say: Croatia 1-1 Poland

Croatia could be frustrated in their attempt to halt a worrying winless run, as Poland will be buoyed by events on Thursday and have enough nous to score at least once.

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