TipResumen

INTRODUCTION

After beating England 2-1 in their first match of the League of Nations, now Spain will want to get a win against Croatia who finished the recent World Cup in second place when they lost to France in the final. Croatia played a friendly with Portugal last week and that match ended in a 1-1 draw.



SPAIN

Three days ago Spain started their first match in the League of Nations in emphatic style as they beat England by 2-1 in Wembley. That was also the debut of new manager Enrique. Luis Enrique took over from Hierro who was given the job temporary after they had sacked Julen Lopetegui as he was announced as Real Madrid coach just before the World Cup had started. At the recently concluded World Cup in Russia, they were beaten by the hosts Russia in the last 16 going out on penalty kicks. The defeat was a bitter pill for them to swallow and it was no surprised then that three players decided to quit the national team - the likes of Pique, Iniesta and D. Silva. As for the team news ahead of this match we are likely to see the same team that played against England start here especially as the likes of defender Alba, midfielder Koke and striker Diego Costa are still out of the side.



CROATIA

Croatia did very well to reach the finals of the recent World Cup in Russia and they even managed to beat the Three Lions 2-1 in the semi finals. Croatia were only beaten by France who beat them 4-2 in the final. Even so, manager Dalic and his team were greeted like Champions when they returned home and so it is no surprise that they kept Dalic as their head coach. However three players has since left the national team and they are experienced players - Subasic, Corluka and Mandzukic. Croatia still have good midfielders from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Modric and Rakitic in the team. However Rakitic was not involved in the 1-1 draw with Portugal recently but he will now return to the team. Croatia will also welcome back stopper Vida into the starting lineup too. However, due to injuries, they will be without the likes of stopper Lovren, defender Strinic and strikers Rebic and Kramaric.



PAST MEETINGS

The sides have met six times, Spain have won three times and Croatia won twice. There has been one draw. The most recent meetings have being in Euro championship tournaments on neutral ground, when Spain won 1-0 in 2012, while four years later the Croats won by 2-1.