BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Croatia and Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic are not playing but I think we have still such good quality. The players are doing really well at their clubs.

"I think at the moment we have a lot of chances but we don't score goals. In the game against Armenia it could have been 7-0 [it ended 1-1].

"When I played for national team I was always motivated because I'm very proud to play for my country. I don't know how it is in England but we're a small country. We are so proud to give everything, to give 200%."

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Harry Kane's club future wont be a problem for him at all. He's on England duty and that's all he will be thinking about at this moment in time.

If England are going to go far in this tournament he is going to have to score goals and he can do. Most assists last season, most goals, Golden Boot winner, Golden Boot winner in the World Cup.

Tottenham didn't have the best season but he did. He seems to be getting better.

Nice that.

Players are in the tunnel, the final preparations are being done.

Not too long now until we get it started.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley

Warm applause rang around Wembley from England and Croatia fans when the pitch announcer sent best wishes to Denmark's Christian Eriksen for a swift recovery - prolonged when the giant screens flashed up the message: "Best Wishes Christian".

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

Gareth Southgate has been faultless. We have all been involved in squads where things have derailed us a little bit. He hasn't. He has brought this squad together and created a culture of togetherness.

The taking of the knee has been a big issue going into the tournament but they have come together and said 'listen, we are not going to be bullied, we're not going to allow individuals to mislead the public in what our message is'.

They are standing up against racial discrimination and they will not be told how and which way they go about that.

Karen Carney
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kieran Trippier, I think he's in the team for set-pieces. Both him and Raheem Sterling on the left are right footed. But England DNA is heavily based on set-pieces.

Trippier can keep the ball, he's played there before, he's just won the title in Spain. He's probably the best full-back out of all of them statistically. Games are won on mistakes and set-plays.

People are asking why he's in there. I think that's why. I can't see any other reason because it doesn't make sense.

Kieran Trippier at left-back:

✅ Good 1 v 1

✅ Communication

✅ Leadership

✅ Experience

There you go.

England

England manager Gareth Southgate speaking to BBC One:

"We're very focused on today's game and prepared tactically for the game. We know everyone around is is hugely excited and the players are as well. We have to focus on the performance and put the other noise aside us to one side.

On Trippier playing at left-back; "With Kieran we feel he's a very experienced player and a good 1 v 1 defender to stop crosses coming in. His communication and leadership will be a help and his experience will help us. The two boys out of the squad and Harry Magurie, it's just unfortunate we can only name 23 and we've had to cover certain positions. I don't like having to leave players out of the squad at a major tournament.

On attacking players: That was out front six in our games in March and we had some continuity from those games. They have an understanding and they have fabulous depth. We know Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish are really pushing for starting positions this is going to be a game where substitutes are more important than ever.

On taking the knee: "We want that supoort. we know we will have it during the game. Whatever happens before is for individual people to decide. We know what we're doing and we're totally focussed.

On Christian Eriksen: "Firstly we hope that he's recovering well and our thoughts are with him, his family and his teammates as well who I thought were incredible. We have players who are very close with him and it was difficult for them to watch. thankfully the news sounds positive.

Frank Lampard
Former England midfielder on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

I'm a huge fan of Ivan Perisic. As a modern winger what you want is a bit of everything and he certainly gives that.

Over the last couple of years he's won the Champions League with Bayern Munich and the league with Inter Milan. He scored 28 goals n his international career. he's forever getting shots away with his right and left foot, he's a strong boy and is a threat at any moment.

Image source, Getty Images

England are taking part in their 10th European Championship - no team has played as many games in the tournament (31) without ever reaching the final.

The Three Lions have never won their opening game at a European Championship (D5 L4).

Phil been Googling or just knows the sketch about Croatia...?

He's seen them in action against England plenty of times, which way will his report go today?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Wembley

After "Three Lions" we now have Croatia's anthem. A rock power ballad called "Moja Domovina" (My Homeland). The Croatia fans loved that - you can imagine them waving their cigarette lighters to that one.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

England are going to have to get hold of Luka Modric. During the 2018 World Cup, he was the player who was dictating play. He is a player of huge ability, huge experience. He will warm to this atmosphere at Wembley. We didn't get hold of him last time - he had the freedom of the park. That is something that has to be addressed today.

Image source, Getty Images

England have won five of the 10 meetings against Croatia, but Zlatko Dalic's men have inflicted two heartbreaking defeats.

One was in the 2018 World Cup to deny England a place in the final and the other in 2007, when Steve McClaren's side suffered a 3-2 loss at Wembley and failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Alex Scott
Former England defender on BBC One

Having fans here is massive. It makes me feel excited and we're just pitch side. We feel like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and we've won the golden ticket. To actually be here, the atmosphere, the fans, the sunshine. I'm only missing my England shirt and maybe a cheeky shandy.

England

Harry Kane is the sixth player to captain England at the Euros and the World Cup, after Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, Alan Shearer, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Biggest cheers when the England teams was read out were for Harry Kane and … Mason Mount. Then the stadium start having a sing along of ‘Football’s coming home’ , the words are on the big screen if you need them… no-one here seems to!

Karen Carney
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I'm sure Gareth Southgate will tap into England's mindset and sometimes as a player you think would you rather play 60 minutes and see out the game, or 30 minutes when the game opens up and toy can go out and express yourself?

I'm in the shade and it's 28 degrees pitchside. It is going to be absolutely boiling so that last 30 minutes where you can bring on fresh legs will be a benefit to have those names on the bench.

It's always really edgy the first game, so the last 30 minutes are going to be vital for this game today.