Euro 2020 Group D preview: England, Scotland, Croatia, Czech Republic - fixtures, squads, schedule, predictions

Standard Sport7 June 2021

England head into Euro 2020 as one of the favourites... but Group D will offer some serious challenges for Gareth Southgate’s men.

The Three Lions will have to get off to a good start against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia at Wembley, and must also navigate tricky ties against Scotland and Czech Republic before they can start thinking about the knockout stages.

Euro 2020 Group D preview

England

Euro 2020 fixtures: vs. Croatia in London, June 13; vs. Scotland in London, June 18; vs. Czech Republic in London, June 22

Qualifying: Group A winner

Euro 2016 result: Round of 16

Best result: Third-place (1968)

FIFA ranking: Fourth

Coach: Gareth Southgate (England)

Squad

The FA via Getty Images

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford

Defenders: Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Ben White

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling

Key player: Harry Kane — The Tottenham striker, the leading scorer at the 2018 World Cup, led the Premier League in goals this season, even though his team finished in seventh place. He has also added an extra edge to his game by showing off his ability to drop deeper and be the link-up man in attacks.

Croatia

Euro 2020 fixtures: vs. England in London, June 13; vs. Czech Republic in Glasgow, June 18; vs. Scotland in Glasgow, June 22

Qualifying: Group E winner

Euro 2016 result: Round of 16

Best result: Quarterfinals (1996, 2008)

FIFA ranking: 14th

Coach: Zlatko Dalic (Croatia)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic, Simon Sluga

Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Borna Barisic, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Juranovic, Domagoj Bradaric, Mile Skoric, Josko Gvardiol

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Badelj, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Ivanusec

Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Rebic, Josip Brekalo, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir

Key player: Luka Modric — The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, who led the team to the 2018 World Cup final, is still the key to Croatia's game. He controls the midfield with his passing and vision. If left alone, he can dictate the entire match.

Scotland

AFP via Getty Images

Euro 2020 fixtures: vs. Czech Republic in Glasgow, June 14; vs. England in London, June 18; vs. Croatia in Glasgow, June 22

Qualifying: Playoff Path C winner

Euro 2016 result: Did not qualify

Best result: Group stage (1992, 1996)

FIFA ranking: 44th

Coach: Steve Clarke (Scotland)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, David Marshall, Jon McLaughlin

Defenders: Nathan Patterson, Stephen O'Donnell, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Greg Taylor, Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, Declan Gallagher, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry

Midfielders: Billy Gilmour, Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay, Stuart Armstrong, John McGinn, John Fleck, David Turnbull

Forwards: Che Adams, James Forrest, Ryan Christie, Ryan Fraser, Lyndon Dykes, Kevin Nisbet

Key Player: Andy Robertson — The Liverpool defender should be playing as a left wingback in Scotland's national team, making him an attacking threat. His experience against the best players in the world will also make him a leader in a team that hasn't played in a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Czech Republic

Euro 2020 fixtures: vs. Scotland in Glasgow, June 14; vs. Croatia in Glasgow, June 18; vs. England in London, June 22

Qualifying: Group A runner-up

Euro 2016 result: Group stage

Best result: Champion (1976, as Czechoslovakia)

FIFA ranking: 40th

Coach: Jaroslav Silhavy (Czech Republic)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Tomas Vaclik, Jiri Pavlenka, Ales Mandous

Defenders: Jan Boril, Jakub Brabec, Vladimir Coufal, Ondrej Celustka, Pavel Kaderabek, Tomas Kalas, Ales Mateju, David Zima

Midfielders: Antonin Barak, Vladimir Darida, Adam Hlozek, Tomas Holes, Jakub Jankto, Alex Kral, Lukas Masopust, Jakub Pesek, Tomas Soucek, Petr Sevcik, Michal Sadilek

Forwards: Michael Krmencik, Tomas Pekhart, Patrik Schick, Matej Vydra

Key Player: Tomas Soucek — Soucek is a tall defensive midfielder renowned for being a regular scorer at club level, first at Slavia Prague and for the past year and a half at West Ham in the Premier League. So far this season, he has scored 14 goals for his club and his country and has proved to be dangerous not just in the air — he is 6-foot-4 (1.92 meters) — but also with the ball at his feet.

Predictions

1st: England

2nd: Croatia

3rd: Scotland

4th: Czech Republic

Additional reporting by AP.

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