Croatia hope to avoid shameful end for golden generation

The average age of the 15 players who featured in a demoralising 3-0 loss to Spain in Croatia's opener was 28.5 years old.

But coach Dalic insists that defeat was far from a fatal blow -after Albania in Hamburg, they face holders Italy in their last Group B clash in Leipzig on June 24.

Croatia finished third at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and lost to Spain in the Nations League final only last year.

"There is no room for pessimism, everything is still in our hands," Dalic said. "Of course, we have to be better. It's my job to turn the team around."

Rumours of a rift in the camp after Perisic allowed Bruno Petkovic to take a late penalty, which was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, have been played down despite Dalic publicly criticising his striker.

"I think that situation is over. The coach said everything on that topic," winger Lovro Majer said on Monday.

"Bruno took the penalty, unfortunately he didn't score, it can happen to anyone. It's a finished story and there's no need to add anything special."

Dalic is expected to opt for a switch in formation, potentially breaking up the midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic.

Former Inter Milan player Brozovic has increasingly looked off the pace for Croatia since his move to Saudi club Al-Nassr last year.

Croatia did create chances against Spain and were starting to look the more dangerous of the two teams when one through ball from Fabian Ruiz split them open and sent Alvaro Morata in on goal to score the first goal.

"I don't think it looked as bad as the result suggested," said Majer.

"It's football, sometimes you concede and you don't score, but it didn't look so terrible."

Croatia have experience of recovering from similar positions at major tournaments -- they progressed from the group stage at Euro 2020 despite an opening 1-0 loss to England and started their excellent Qatar World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Morocco.

Dalic apologised to the fans.