Thrilling UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals Set To Unfold

As tensions build, Didier Deschamps's France and Croatia meet once more in a thrilling UEFA Nations League quarterfinal.

The rivalry ignited in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final continues as France travels to Split to face Croatia, marking yet another chapter in their competitive history. Fans recall the memorable 4-2 victory that awarded France the World Cup title, but since then, these teams have engaged in four more matches, with an exhilarating range of scores and a shared spirit of competition.

In their latest clash, Croatia edged the French team out with a striking 1-0 victory, courtesy of an early penalty from their captain Luka Modric. This win propelled Croatia to the top of Group A1 during the previous Nations League iteration, while France faced disappointment by failing to qualify for the finals.

Now, as the pressure mounts, the French squad aims to reclaim their stature in European football by avenging their previous loss. Deschamps and his squad will be eager to book a spot in the semifinals, while Croatia hopes to establish their dominance over their formidable opponent.

Adding to France’s firepower is the return of star player Kylian Mbappe, who has regained selection after a minor disciplinary issue that left him outside the November squad. Mbappe's extraordinary talent promises to contribute significantly to France's offensive efforts."Both sides have brushed aside any residue of their previous differences, with a shared focus on earning a trophy this time around. The Sporting News provides information on the latest team news and injury updates for both squads.

For Croatia, the injury list is a concern. They will be without two key forwards, as Bruno Petkovic is still recovering from a long-term hip injury, and Igor Matanovic is sidelined due to a foot issue. Additionally, midfielder Luka Sucic and Lovro Majer are both unavailable, putting more pressure on the rest of the squad as they prepare for their encounter.

On the projected lineup, expect Croatia to adopt a 3-4-3 formation with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic leading the charge backed by star players Josko Gvardiol, Luka Modric, and Ante Budimir. The lineup may look as follows: Livakovic in goal, with a defense of Sutalo, Caleta-Car, and Gvardiol, while Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, and Sosa form a robust midfield to support forwards Kramaric, Budimir, and Baturina.

Meanwhile, France’s head coach Deschamps faces tough decisions regarding his star-studded attack. With in-form players such as Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Michael Olise, choosing a starting lineup will not be straightforward. Furthermore, the side will be missing Marcus Thuram due to an ankle injury, prompting adjustments to their strategy.

France is anticipated to align in a 4-3-3 formation, likely featuring Mike Maignan in goal, surrounded by defenders Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, and Lucas Digne. In midfield, there may be space for Matteo Guendouzi, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Adrien Rabiot, with Mbappe, Dembele, and Olise spearheading the attack and looking to breach Croatia's defense.

Fans across the globe are eager for the match, with various viewing options available to cater to enthusiastic supporters. In the USA, those wanting to catch the action can tune into FS2 or stream via Fubo USA or ViX. Canadian viewers can catch the match on DAZN, while Australians can enjoy the game via Optus Sport. For audiences in India, streaming will be available through Sony TEN 1, Tony LIV, and JioTV.

In a separate but equally exciting matchup, Portugal travels to Denmark for their own quarterfinal. Head coach Roberto Martinez is set to reinstate many of his top players after resting them during a previous match against Croatia, aiming to reclaim a place on the podium. Portugal won the inaugural Nations League title in 2019 but has not seen success in the knockout phase since.

Denmark, competing in their first finals, looks to prove themselves as they strive to progress further after their promotion from League B to A in 2019. Injuries, however, pile up for Denmark, with Andreas Christensen and Kasper Dolberg both ruled out. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's absence from the squad adds to their troubles, although they remain optimistic about their prospects.

With an anticipated lineup consisting of a 4-4-2 formation, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will be supported by defenders Joakim Maehle, Patrick Dorgu, and Jannik Vestergaard. Midfielders Mikkel Damsgaard, Christian Eriksen, and Morten Hjulmand will aim to provide adequate support for forwards Olsen and Hojlund.

Portugal is prepared to deploy their star players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who could lead their attack paired with either Rafael Leao or Joao Felix. Although injuries have affected their squad, the depth and quality available should give Portugal a competitive edge in this matchup.

As the UEFA Nations League heater picks up, it remains to be seen which teams will assert their dominance in the knockout stages and advance toward the finals. The excitement is palpable in fans around the world, with a thrilling set of matches lined up this week.

In the USA, fans can tune in to Fubo USA or ViX to catch all the action, while Canadian fans can stream via DAZN. Australia has access through Optus Sport, and Indian viewers can watch the games via Sony TEN 2, Tony LIV, and JioTV.