With wounds to dress and points to prove, Italy and Croatia face each other knowing their Euro 2024 survival is on the line in Monday's decisive Group B match.
Italy's chastening 1-0 defeat by a dominant Spain on Thursday and Croatia's 2-2 draw with Albania after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer left both teams anxiously glancing at the table heading into their last game.
Italy, second with three points after their opening win over Albania, will be through to the last 16 as runners-up if they avoid defeat. They will be unable to progress, however, if they lose and Albania beat group winners Spain in the other Group B decider.
The situation is more pressing for Zlatko Dalic's Croatia, who began the tournament with a thumping 3-0 loss to Spain and prop up the table with a point. They will go through as runners-up if they beat Italy and Albania do not beat Spain.
A draw, however, is unlikely to be good enough as no team have made the next round with two points since the Euro finals expanded to 24 teams in 2016 – offering a place in the last 16 to the four best third-placed finishers.
Italy's loss to Spain prompted damning headlines and national soul-searching.
La Gazzetta dello Sport denounced Luciano Spalletti's side as "Little Italy" while Corriere dello Sport demanded a "Reset."
The loss was by a slender margin but it should have been far more emphatic as Spain's 20 attempts on goal contrasted with Italy's four, their fewest in a Euro or World Cup match since at least 1980.
Spalletti said his players lacked freshness, and wondered whether they needed more rest after Spain's relentless attacks left them chasing shadows for most of the 90 minutes.
Croatia's struggles have come as a surprise to coach Dalic, whose side reached the World Cup semifinals in Qatar two years ago and the final in 2018.
"We didn’t expect to have such a difficult story in these two matches, it has been a struggle," he said after their draw with Albania.
A major issue for Croatia has been their sleepy starts to games. They conceded three goals to Spain in the first half and fell behind to Albania with 11 minutes on the clock.
While their technical ability is not in question, having bossed possession against both Spain and Albania, they have seemed flat in the final third and been unable to build sustained pressure.
With midfield conjuror Luka Modric, now 38, converted full back Ivan Perisic, 35, and forward Andrej Kramaric, 33, Dalic has kept faith with the old guard that has served him so well in the past.
Yet this could be one tournament too far for a side who have frequently surpassed expectations.
"The World Cup was two years ago and slowly our players are getting older, and this whole tournament has shown us that everyone is having a hard time," Dalic said.
Impressive Spain have secured top spot in Group B and a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 but they will not be taking their foot off the gas against Albania in Duesseldorf on Monday.
While coach Luis de la Fuente has the luxury of being able to rest players for the final group game, he will also want to maintain the momentum Spain have built up.
"We're still a long way off winning the European Championship. We haven't yet achieved anything. Okay, we've won some important matches. We have wonderful prospects," De la Fuente said after his side outclassed holders Italy.
"But football can also be very cruel. So we need to be cautious. We need to be humble. We need to show respect."
Coaches are often reluctant, in public at least, to saddle their players with lofty expectations, but De la Fuente has not been slow in coming forward, describing his squad as the best in the tournament, if not the world.
On the evidence so far he has a point. Spain have looked the slickest outfit on display so far and have shortened the odds on them winning a record fourth Euros title.
The likes of teenager Lamine Yamal, winger Nico Williams and fellow 21-year-old Pedri all produced dazzling displays against Italy while striker Alvaro Morata, defender Dani Carvajal and midfielder Rodri provide invaluable tournament experience.
With their last-16 game against a third-placed team from Group A, B, C or D not until July 2, De la Fuente may decide that resting key players against Albania could disrupt the rhythm of his side and affect their sharpness.
He will be forced into at least one change, however, with Rodri suspended after picking up yellow cards in Spain's opening two games – his caution against Italy coming after breaking new UEFA rules about approaching a referee.
Albania will expect no favours from Spain as they seek the unlikely win they need to reach the knockout phase for the first time having exited in the group phase on their debut in 2016.
A last-gasp goal secured a 2-2 draw with Croatia to keep their hopes alive and their Brazilian coach Sylvinho has instilled a sense of belief in his squad.
"What I promise to the Albanian people is that we will fight for every point," the former Arsenal midfielder said.
"Against Spain it will be difficult but we must enjoy these moments."
