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The UEFA Euro 2020 is back in action with another round of matches this weekend as England lock horns with Croatia in a crucial Group D encounter at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Both teams have excellent players in their ranks and will want to lay down a marker this weekend.
Croatia are in a period of transition at the moment and will have to work hard to revive their fortunes ahead of a difficult schedule. The Balkan giants suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium earlier this week and will need to bounce back in this match.
England, on the other hand, have been impressive under Gareth Southgate and have assembled a formidable squad for Euro 2020. The Three Lions have lethal forwards in their ranks and have a point to prove against Croatia.
England look to avenge World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia
England were well on their way to a World Cup final in 2018 before an in-form Croatia outfit derailed their hopes in the semi-finals. The Croatians have aged as a squad over the past two years, however, and will find it difficult to keep a new-look England side at bay in this fixture.
Gareth Southgate has selected some of the brightest young talents in England for Euro 2020 and the likes of Mason Mount and Phil Foden will be looking to make a mark. In this article, we look at five key battles that could determine the outcome of England's first UEFA Euro 2020 match.
#5 Ante Rebic vs Luke Shaw
In a Serie A campaign that was supposed to be dominated by the evergreen Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan's Ante Rebic has held his own and has pulled off some excellent results for the Rossoneri. The Croatian forward has managed 11 goals and four assists in the Serie A and is in the form of his life.
Croatia have suffered in the final third in recent weeks and will need to get the best out of their attacking options at Euro 2020. England's defence will present a litmus test, however, with left-back Luke Shaw taking on Ante Rebic this weekend.
After a series of struggles with his fitness, the Manchester United full-back has come into his own this season and has been one of his club's best players. Rebic has plenty of pace at his disposal but will likely meet his match at UEFA Euro 2020 in England's Luke Shaw.
#4 Jack Grealish vs Sime Vrsaljko
Jack Grealish is only 25 years of age and has already had an eventful career. The charismatic forward is already a living legend at Aston Villa and will finally be given an opportunity to shine on the big stage with England at UEFA Euro 2020.
Grealish has registered 16 goal contributions in the Premier League and can be virtually unplayable on his day. The Aston Villa man transforms England's attack into a well-rounded unit and will look to replicate his Premier League form in the tournament.
Sime Vrsaljko has had to make do with a diminished role at Atletico Madrid after an injury-ridden year. The Croatia defender has plenty of experience, however, and will be up to a stern challenge as his side takes on England's forward line.
#3 Luka Modric vs Declan Rice
Croatia's difficult transitional period will face a reckoning against England at Euro 2020 this weekend and the away side may well find itself banking on the most important member of its famed old guard. Luka Modric remains as effervescent as ever on the football pitch and has been one of Real Madrid's better players this season.
While Luka Modric seemingly approaches the end of a glittering international career, 22-year-old midfielder Declan Rice is just getting started with England. West Ham United's midfielder lynchpin has been a brilliant find in the Premier League and has been linked to some of England's biggest clubs.
The one thing Rice does lack is experience on the big stage, however, and a battle against Luka Modric is no cakewalk. England's prodigious defensive midfielder has a long way to go and has a golden opportunity to prove his mettle against the best in the business.
#2 Mason Mount vs Mateo Kovacic
Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic have spent the past several months training together at Chelsea and are both important players in the Blues' midfield unit. On Sunday, however, the two midfielders will find themselves in direct opposition with each other as England take on Croatia at UEFA Euro 2020.
Mount has been one of Chelsea's most important players this season and has come into his own under Thomas Tuchel. The English midfield gem bagged an assist in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City and will play a key role in the Three Lions' fortunes this summer.
In contrast, Mateo Kovacic has found himself falling in Chelsea's pecking order but his talent and ability cannot be underestimated. Croatia have always relied on their formidable midfield and Kovacic will be intent on keeping his Blues teammate quiet this weekend.
#1 Harry Kane vs Duje Caleta-Car
England have several attacking options going into Euro 2020 but only one striker can arguably take them all the way this year. Harry Kane has enjoyed yet another exceptional Premier League campaign and has scored 23 goals with Tottenham Hotspur.
Kane has also worked on his all-round game this year and his 14 assists are a testament to his development into one of the game's most complete striker. The England captain can singlehandedly win matches on his day and will want to be at his best against Croatia this weekend.
In what has been a tumultuous season for Marseille, Duje Caleta-Car has been something of a silver lining and has put in some reliable performances. The highly-rated centre-back will face one of the most difficult tests of his career against Harry Kane, however, and cannot afford to put a foot wrong against the England striker.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020
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