When the EURO 2016 qualifying sections were announced last year, many figured that it would be a close battle between Italy and Croatia for who would take top spot in the group. In the end, it was indeed the Azzurri and the Vatreni to secure a ticket for next summer's affair in France, but for the latter, it was not as smooth sailing as their fans would have expected.
Things started off well enough, with three straight wins over Malta, Bulgaria, and Azerbaijan, followed by a not-surprising 1-1 draw with Italy. However, after crushing Norway 5-1, things began to come undone, as the team were first punished for some supporters' racist actions during the win over Norway and then again after some carved a swastika into the stadium ground prior to a game against Italy.
The fines and docked points appeared to affect the squad's morale as they were then held to a surprise draw with Azerbaijan and then lost to Norway, costing Niko Kovač his job. Despite recording back to back wins against Bulgaria and minnows Malta, Croatia's fate was still not in their own hands, as they had to rely on Italy to defeat Norway to send the Scandinavian side to the play-off rounds.
Although new coach Ante Čačić appears to have temporarily righted the ship, the team's performances overall over the past few months have not impressed and several players in particular have come under fire for their less than adequate showings whilst in the national shirt.
Striker Mario Mandžukić has been in disappointing form for both Croatia and Juventus as of late and will hope to find some of his goal-scoring touch against Russia this Tuesday
Whilst this game against Russia will be just a friendly, it nonetheless represents the first game for Croatia since concluding their EURO 2016 qualifying campaign in October and with the tournament just around the corner, there will be some players who enjoyed a virtually untouchable status under Kovač now concerned about their spot in the starting XI.
Meanwhile, others, like Fiorentina's Nikola Kalić, who has impressed since joining the Viola, will be hoping to further highlight his credentials as a first choice pick to lead the line for the Vatreni in France next summer. Čačić, however, will have to make do without key players like La Liga star duo Ivan Rakitić and Luka Modrić and first choice goalkeeper Danijel Subašić due to injury.
As for Tuesday's hosts Russia, they will be coming into this match having won their past four EURO 2016 qualifying matches - conceding just one against Moldova in the progress - and will be seeking to continue building on this after a confidence-boosting win over Portugal in their friendly clash earlier today. Should they win at home, Leonid Slutsky's will have made it six straight wins - something that will leave their fans happy to complete 2015.
Will the hosts round out this year with another win? Or will Croatia keep up their recently found better form under new coach Čačić?
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