Image source, Getty Images

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti thinks his side will be better for their 1-0 loss to Spain last time out.

"I expect to see we have learned a great deal from the Spain game, even though we played badly and even though it was a very painful defeat in terms of how it panned out," he said.

"There are certain matches that ultimately dictate if it has been a great tale or a tale to forget. Ultimately the glory of your tale comes down to matches like this."

Spalletti took over as Italy boss last summer after leading Napoli to the Serie A title.

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Two

I have really enjoyed watching Spain, the wingers in particular Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. They seem to be playing with so much freedom.

Yamal and Williams do not start tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Combiman-gloster: Spain would be my favourites, if only they had a good centre forward. Morata needs about 20 chances to score one goal. This has been Spain's problem for years.

Wayne Rooney
Former England striker on BBC One

Croatia are very experienced and they have an older team. They knew what they are doing and they will make it hard for Italy tonight.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

Italy were chasing shadows against Spain.

Italy have made three changes and maybe a change to the system. They need to get something against this very ageing Croatian side.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

I keep having to revise who I think the noisiest fans have been here in Germany from the games I’ve attended.

At one stage the Dutch had the title, then the Portuguese but now Croatia supporters are giving them all a run for their money.

They saw Luka Modric lead out the players for the warm up and let out an almighty roar. Is this to be the final dance for Croatia’s ‘golden generation’ of players? Or will the story continue?

Only hosts Germany and Portugal won their first two group games at Euro 2024, along with Spain, and the 2008 and 2012 winners are in buoyant mood this evening.

Image source, Getty Images

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

Is the curtain coming down on Croatia's golden generation?

This could well be Luka Modric's final tournament as he turns 39 this year, while several other of their stars that helped them to the 2018 World Cup final and the semis four years later, are all the wrong side of 30.

The Croatia fans above certainly think time is against them, but is backing them for one last push to get a result.

"This team is old now I think but they have the power to give their best tonight," one of the group told me. "Croatia to win 2-1."

Image source, Getty Images

Want to hear a surprising stat?

Italy have never beaten Croatia in eight meetings since the Croats joined Fifa in 1994.

Croatia have won three times - including at the 2002 World Cup - and the other five have been draws - including at Euro 2012.

The only teams Italy have had longer winless streaks against are Austria (10 games, 1912-1929) and France* (nine games, 1982-2007).

*That France run does count the 2006 World Cup final which Italy won on penalties because it was technically a draw.

JSiv24: Great to see teams like Albania, Turkey and Georgia playing more direct, old school football instead of this turgid, boring, slow build-up from the back garbage that most teams try to play.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

Safe to say the Red Bull Arena looks a tad different on the inside as it does on the outside. That's because the new Zentralstadion, as it was previously known, was built inside the confines of the old stadium - which was built in 1956 and is itself on the site of a sports ground that dates back to 1896.

The Zentralstadion was once one of the biggest in Europe, hosting more than 100,000 fans and home to the East Germany national team, and was constructed using debris from the 1945 bombings of Leipzig.

The footballing scene in Leipzig, which as the city where the county's football association was founded can lay a claim to being the home of German football, was struggling when the new ground opened - FC Sachsen Leipzig played some home games here until 2007 but then moved back to their traditional home. The club folded a few years later, although a club of a similar name now play in the amatuer leagues.

The Zentralstadion hosted five games in the 2006 World Cup before RB Leipzig moved in and changed the name in 2010.

Image source, BBC Sport

Meanwhile, if you find yourself with a few minutes to spare in Leipzig’s central station, it’s worth checking out an exhibition on the ground floor showcasing football grounds around Germany and their history.

This particular picture gives you an insight into BSG Chemie Leipzig’s Alfred-Kunze-Sportpark.

Image source, BBC Sport

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC's Football Daily podcast

I like that the Spanish have different ways of winning games now. It's not just triangles and playing between the lines and stuff like that. If they can't do that, they will find another way.

Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

We talk about how Croatia have exceeded expectations and they reached the final of the World Cup in Russia and then the semi-finals in Qatar.

They are getting on a bit but I wouldn't write them off based on what I saw from Italy against Spain just yet. We know what to expect from them and we know what they are capable of.

BBC Sport

The BBC have TV and radio coverage tonight - all available on this page.

Croatia v Italy is live on BBC One with build-up from 19:30 BST. Gary Lineker is joined by three former England players in the studio - Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

You can watch Albania v Spain live on BBC Two. Gabby Logan presents build-up from 19:30 with former Wales defender Ashley Williams, Euro 2022 winner Ellen White and Portugal Euro 2016 winner Jose Fonte.

BBC Radio 5 Live has full commentary of Croatia v Italy.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

I've spent several days in Leipzig and it is a really beautiful city with lots of intriguing alleyways, grand buildings and sculptures and a large market square at its centre.

It is at this square that fans of several national teams have gathered ahead of their games to eat, drink, mingle with opposition supporters and generally have a great time before kick-off.

It was no different today, with Croatia and Italy fans chanting away and posing for photos with each other. A superb atmosphere before attention fully turns to tonight's football.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

As always, please let us know your thoughts on all things Euro 2024.

Do Spain look like champions? How deep will holders Italy go in the tournament? Will Albania upset the odds and sneak through?

#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826.

Spain are looking to win their opening three games at a European Championship for just a second time, having previously done so in 2008 - when they went on to beat Germany 1-0 in the final.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC's Football Daily podcast

Image source, Reuters

It's about getting results but I think [who progresses from] this group could come down to goal difference.

Alex Bysouth
BBC Sport at Red Bull Arena

It’s a beaut of an evening in Leipzig - a relief from the heavy rain last week - and both sets of fans have been lapping up the sunshine on their way to the ground.

Plenty of chanting, the Italian national anthem being belted out outside one bar, rival supporters taking pictures with each other. From what we’ve seen it’s been a very pleasant atmosphere.

Image source, BBC Sport

Earlier, there were plenty of crowds clamouring to the see the Italy squad as they left their hotel in central Leipzig - they may have had a long wait…

Image source, BBC Sport

Whatever the outcome of Croatia's Euro 2024 campaign, Luka Modric has no plans on ending his illustrious career with the national side.

The 38-year-old Real Madrid midfielder still has ambitions to play another World Cup - thus adding to his record 177 appearances for his country and his already iconic status.

They go into Monday's Group B match against Italy though knowing only victory can realistically save them, with defeat bringing the inevitable speculation Modric could have played his last game for his country - no matter his intentions.

Captain since August 2016, he is an idol in Croatia, a relatively new country that idolises its sporting giants.

Modric's greatness is amplified by the fact that it has been achieved in a fashion that many believe mirrors Croatia's own climb towards independence and ultimate victory.

And what a journey it has been... and continues to be.

Read more here.