After a year-long delay, England get their EURO 2020 campaign underway, with hopes of a revenge-fuelled win against Croatia

On Sunday afternoon, England kick off their EURO 2020 campaign at Wembley against 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia…the very side the Three Lions lost out to in the semi-final.

Three years on, the pain is still raw. The national team are still under the stewardship of Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane is still captain as well as one of Europe’s top goalscorers and is one of the nine players who made it to Russia involved at this summer’s European Championships.

England boast the third-youngest squad (behind Spain and Turkey) at the tournament with an average age of 24.8 years; 17-year-old Jude Bellingham has certainly contributed to bringing that tally down.

Like with the World Cup squad, there is a healthy mix of youth and experience going into this tournament, with those included in both rosters possessing an extra three years of experience – that can only be a benefit to England.

Going into Sunday’s contest, the main concern appears to be the lack of fitness for Harry Maguire, who many would argue is England’s best defender.

The Manchester United captain suffered an ankle ligament injury in United’s 3-1 win at Aston Villa on 9 May, but a month on he’s currently training with England in the build-up to the Euro’s. However, there are fears that the 28-year-old will miss the opening two group matches and may be used as a substitute in the third against Czech Republic.

Alas, John Stones is available and it seems increasingly likely that Tyrone Mings will partner the Manchester City defender, despite Ben White’s late call-up as a replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Mings has been subject to criticism of late with the odd shaky moment for club and country but has picked up ten caps since his debut in October 2019, compared to the two of White, who came on as a substitute in the friendly against Austria and started against Romania four days later, and the five of Wolves’ Conor Coady.

With Maguire absent, the use of a back-five seems unlikely, with a 4-3-3 setup possible. At left-back, Luke Shaw may just edge Ben Chilwell and on the right, it’s a close battle between Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier, with the latter famously scoring a free-kick inside five minutes in the World Cup semi-final against Sunday’s opponents.

On the other hand, Walker can be deployed as a right-sided central defender in a back-three which will certainly be in the mind of Southgate.

The likes of Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Kalvin Phillips all have a decent shout of starting against Croatia with three places likely to be available.

However, like Maguire, Jordan Henderson is also struggling for fitness, according to Gareth Southgate.

“They [Maguire and Henderson] have a bit to do to become available”, said the England manager. “Hendo’s experience and leadership is having an effect on other people, particularly the younger ones in the group. But also all of the others as well.

“So, given that we were able to pick 26, we felt that the opportunity to have those two with us was a straightforward one really.”

England also boast a mouth-watering selection of forward players, with Harry Kane certain to start and the likes of Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho contesting for places on the flanks.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin may prove a useful asset off of the bench, as will those who miss the starting XI, but the talent that could be on show not just on Sunday but throughout the tournament for England is a delight.

As for Croatia, they still possess a plethora of exceptional talent with the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Sime Vrsaljko, Mateo Kovacic, Ante Rebic and Marcelo Brozovic all involved.

Any team news has been overshadowed by the news that the Croatia players won’t be taking the knee before kick-off on Sunday.

The Croatian Football Federation stated that they “strongly condemn any and all forms of discrimination” but clarified that it believes “the players have a right to choose whether they want to engage in any activity”.

England were victorious in the Nations League almost three years ago as Croatia visited Wembley after the two sides had drawn 0-0 in Split. However, this contest certainly feels more relevant and, naturally, has a chasm more of importance compared to the 2-1 win in late 2018.

Predicted lineup –

(4-3-3) Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane.

Some of those selections are a given, however, in other areas, it’s slight guesswork. The goalkeeper and defence is self-explanatory, however in midfield I expect Henderson and Phillips to miss out.

Henderson isn’t fit, we know that. But with Phillips, his role is rather similar to that of Declan Rice who will be entrusted in the hole and to sit above the back-four. Mason Mount has had a stellar season and offers plenty of creativity and offensive output.

As for Bellingham, he is sort of left as the only other option with his box-to-box play a vital asset for this England side. He’s been managed well by Southgate with appearances in friendlies, now it’s time for the big stage.

The fact that Rashford was entrusted with the captain’s armband against Romania could suggest Southgate plans to start the 23-year-old on the left of a front-three with Kane in the middle. England are blessed with options out wide but I believe Foden will start on the right after a stellar season with Manchester City.

On paper, this will prove to be England’s toughest test in the group stage. Win, and already a path towards finishing the group first will become clear. However, the players must ensure emotions relating to a certain previous fixture against the Croats overshadows the match and affects their performances. I’m confident they won’t.

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