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Croatia vs France team news and predicted lineups
Croatia meet France at the Stadion Poljud in the first leg of their Uefa Nations League quarter-final on Thursday 20th March.
The game kicks off at 7:45pm (UK time), but a UK broadcaster is yet to be confirmed.
Croatia vs France predicted lineups
Croatia (4-3-2-1): Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric, Pasalic; Perisic, Baturina; Kramaric
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani
Croatia vs France team news
Both sides are almost at full strength, with one potential absentee each. For the hosts, Real Sociedad midfielder Luka Sucic has had to pull out of the squad due to injury, having been touch-and-go to feature in the first place.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has also address a problem with his goalkeeping options, with Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski and Nediliko Labrovic not playing often for their club teams. Both Franjo Ivanovic and Toni Kruk will be looking to make their senior debuts.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram was ruled out after he arrived at France’s training camp on Monday and underwent medical tests on an ankle injury.
Europe’s top goalscorer in 2025
No player has scored more goals in Europe’s top 10 leagues in 2025 than France’s Ousmane Dembele (22). The Paris Saint-Germain winger scored in his first eight games of the new year and is Ligue 1’s top scorer this season with 21 goals.
However, Dembele has scored just six goals for his national team in 53 caps. For context, he has managed as many goals in just the last three weeks for his club.
In a star-studded frontline, which includes Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Randal Kolo Muani, it will be interesting to see who Les Blues‘ main attacking outlet will be.
Considering Dembele’s unrivalled form this season, will Didier Deschamps utilise him as more of a traditional touchline winger or will he ask the 27-year-old to break defensive lines with runs in behind as he has so often done for PSG in 2024-25?
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