Czech Republic and Croatia Kick Off Nations League Campaigns With New Managers and High Stakes

The conventional wisdom in Prague this week is that Croatia arrives at Fortuna Arena as a team in transition, vulnerable after a frustrating World Cup exit and the departure of long-serving manager Zlatko Dalic. But the squad list Slaven Bilic brought to the Czech capital tells a different story entirely. A 41-year-old Luka Modric is still pulling the strings, Manchester City's Mateo Kovacic anchors the midfield, and a core that has never lost to the Czech Republic in six attempts remains largely intact.[1][2][3][5]

Saturday evening's UEFA Nations League opener represents a massive reset for both nations, who find themselves navigating the brutal waters of League A's Group 3 alongside heavyweights Spain and England. For the Czech Republic and Croatia, this opening fixture is effectively a must-not-lose scenario if either hopes to avoid a relegation scrap at the bottom of the section. Both sides are stepping onto the pitch with new managers in the dugout following deeply underwhelming North American World Cup campaigns.[1][2][3]

The hosts are in the midst of a profound rebuild. After crashing out of the World Cup group stage with just a single point from a 1-1 draw with South Africa, the Czech federation sacked Miroslav Koubek and handed the reins to former Spain youth coach Santi Denia. Denia's task is immense, compounded by the international retirement of star striker Patrik Schick. The 26 players named to Denia's first squad have scored a combined 28 international goals—a stark lack of proven firepower at this level.[1][2][4]

"Against an experienced Croatia side that conceded only four goals in qualifying for the World Cup, it is difficult to see the Czechs breaking down their opponents, even in front of their own supporters in Prague," notes the pre-match analysis from bet365. Denia will likely lean on captain and center-back Ladislav Krejci, who himself accounts for six of those 28 squad goals, while hoping forwards Adam Hlozek and Pavel Sulc can find a new gear in Schick's absence.[2]

Croatia's summer was only marginally better. They reached the Round of 32 at the World Cup before being knocked out by Portugal, signaling the end of Dalic's highly successful tenure. To steady the ship, the Croatian Football Federation turned to a familiar face: Slaven Bilic, who returns for a second spell in charge after previously managing the national side from 2006 to 2012. Bilic won 42 of his 65 games during that first stint and immediately recalled veteran defensive and midfield anchors to ensure stability.[1][2][5]

The headline, as it has been for nearly two decades, is Modric. The AC Milan midfielder is set to earn his 203rd cap on Saturday, extending a legendary international career that only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can rival for longevity. Bilic has been transparent about managing his captain's minutes through a compressed Nations League schedule that includes back-to-back windows, but Modric's presence alone dictates the tactical tempo of the Croatian side.[1][3][5]

Tactically, the matchup pits Czech physicality against Croatian possession. The hosts are expected to deploy a compact, disciplined structure designed to hit on the counter-attack, a style that traditionally plays well at Fortuna Arena. Croatia, meanwhile, will rely on their elite midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic, and Mario Pasalic to dominate the ball and dictate the transition game.[3][5]

History leans heavily toward the visitors. In six previous meetings, Croatia has won three and drawn three, including a dominant 5-1 victory on home soil during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The return leg in Prague four months later ended in a goalless stalemate, a result Denia would likely accept tonight as he attempts to establish a new defensive baseline.[2][4]

The stakes for Matchday 1 cannot be overstated. With a trip to Wembley to face England looming for the Czechs, and a clash with world champions Spain next on the docket for Croatia, dropping points in Prague could immediately condemn the loser to the basement of Group 3. The whistle blows at 18:45 UTC, and for 90 minutes, two nations desperate to turn the page on their World Cup hangovers will find out exactly where their rebuilds stand.[1][5]