Nicolo Barella was an instrumental figure in Italy's success at Euro 2020 and while he is a far more controlled version of the all-action midfielder from three years ago, he remains a key component in the Azzurri's engine room.
He will oppose the evergreen Luka Modric this evening, whose illustrious CV speaks for itself.
Croatia's hopes rest on their primary orchestrator and Barella must help to coordinate a plan that will limit Modric's influence on proceedings.
Croatia have effectively gone strikerless in this contest, though the onus still weighs on Andrej Kramaric's shoulders to score the goals that the Vatreni desire.
The TSG Hoffenheim man delivered the crucial breakthrough against Albania and he is 3/1 to get on the scoresheet again this evening.
Josip Stanisic returns to the starting lineup at right-back and the 24-year-old made 20 appearances in Bayer Leverkusen's undefeated Bundesliga triumph, though he predominantly operated at centre-back under Xabi Alonso.
Luciano Spaletti has revamped his Italian attack and Giacomo Raspadori is a player he knows well following his Scudetto-winning stint with Napoli.
Raspadori is 10/3 to score anytime in the match as he partners Genoa forward Mateo Retegui, who is 13/5 to open his account at Euro 2024.
Croatia XI (4-3-3) : Livakovic; Stanisic, Pongracic, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic; Sucic, Kramaric, Pasalic.
Italy XI (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Darmian, Bastoni, Calafiori; Di Lorenzo, Barella. Jorginho, Pellegrini, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui.
Zlatko Dalic makes four alterations to his starting XI, though he retains the midfield trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic.
As for Italy, Luciano Spalletti makes three changes from the side that were beaten by Spain.
Mateo Retegui, Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Darmian come in for Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa and Davide Frattesi.
Other than Spain's dominant era which saw them successfully defend their European Championship title in 2012, many reigning champions have struggled in attempts to retain their crown.
Portugal were beaten in the last 16 at Euro 2020, while Greece failed to accrue a single point in the group stage at Euro 2008.
France were conquered in the quarter-finals at Euro 2004 and at the start of the century, Germany's campaign concluded at the group stage at Euro 2000.
Italy will be hoping to avoid a similar fate to other defending champions and if they're to overcome Croatia in Leipzig tonight and finish runner-up, an encounter with Switzerland awaits in Berlin.
If you haven't checked it out already, we have a market available on which group will score the most goals at Euro 2024.
Group A delivered a total of 17 goals after it concluded on Sunday, which is the tally to beat. Will Group B be able to surpass that figure tonight?
Create the bet you want with our Bet Builder feature!
The below bet pays out at 25/1 , if successful.
Both Teams to Score - Yes
Luka Modric - Over 0.5 Assists
Giovanni Di Lorenzo to be Booked
Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella were on the scoresheet for Italy in their opening triumph over Albania, before the Azzurri drew a blank against Spain in Gelsenkirchen.
Heading into their final Group B fixture with Croatia, Barella shares favouritism with Gianluca Scamacca in the Top Team Goalscorer market, while defender Bastoni is priced at 10/1 to score the most goals for Italy in the tournament.
If your player is substituted before half-time in the Croatia v Italy match, we will refund your stake as Bet Credits on selected markets!
For multiples, your remaining selections will be left to run.
Italy Croatia Euros
Our partners at Spotlight Sports Group have provided their tips for tonight's clash:
For the full list of selections read the Croatia v Italy Tips & Predictions on site.
Ahead of tonight's crucial clash between Croatia and Italy we have Boosted a number of markets for the match, including the selections below:
Andrej Kramaric - First Goalscorer NOW 8/1
Italy 2-1 - Correct Score NOW 10/1
(Odds were correct at time of writing and are subject to fluctuation)
Points
GD
Spain
6
4
Italy
3
0
Albania
1
-1
Croatia
1
-3
Spain have already progressed as group winners and will face one of the four best third-placed teams in the last 16.
Italy can safely progress as runners-up if they either win or draw against Croatia, but defeat - coupled with an Albania victory over Spain - will see the defending champions crash out.
Albania must win against Spain to have any chance of progressing. If they were to conquer Spain and Italy were to lose to Croatia, Albania would progress as runner-up, providing their goal difference remains superior to Croatia's. There is also the chance they go through as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Croatia know only a victory against Italy will suffice if they're to go through. Even if Albania win, beating Italy still might be enough to secure a knockout stage berth as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Italy are slight favourites to overcome an experienced Croatia side in Leipzig this evening and Luciano Spalletti's will be desperate to finish as runners-up in Group B to avoid some high-profile opponents in the last 16.
Croatia improved last time out after a poor opener against Spain and looked set to win their second match before Albania snatched a point in the final moments of the contest.
(Odds will display when the market is available)
Follow all the latest news and updates for Croatia v Italy right here, with live text updates throughout from the action in Leipzig.
Live footage of the match will be broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
View the full details of all fixtures in our Euro 2024 Schedule
We have another Super Boost live for today's Euros action.
Italy to be the First Team to Score has been selected.
Welcome to our live coverage of Croatia v Italy as we approach a vital Euro 2024
Croatia had been touted as dark horses
Sitting bottom of Group B
Italy, meanwhile, haven't enjoyed the best of starts in Group B, having edged past Albania in a tight opener before being comfortably beaten by Spain last time out.
Luciano Spalletti's side need a win tonight to secure second place in the group and avoid some tricky opponents in the last 16.
The Group B clash gets underway at 8pm, we will bring you all the latest odds for Croatia v Italy Croatia v Italy tips and predictions Euro 2024 news
{"embed_type":"genericarticlepod","payload":{"title":"Croatia v Italy","button_link":"https://www.bet365.com/#/AC/B1/C1/D8/E155742907/F3/", "button_text":"View Latest Odds"}}
