The Croatian national football team play their opening match of the new Nations League edition tomorrow. The Blazers, in Group A3, face Czech Republic in Prague at 20:45, and for Slaven Bilić it will be his first match in his second spell in charge of Croatia.
At the start of the press conference, Bilić told reporters: "We are very motivated, but we also know that the Czechs are like that, also with a new manager." He added that "everything is at the highest level, and the most important for us is this first match," stressing: "We are ready, and I am maximally motivated at this start."
The manager did not hide his satisfaction at what he had seen during preparations. "I have to admit that the players excited me in an extremely positive way after I saw how they work, how they behave and what kind of atmosphere they created," Bilić said. "There is no tension at all among us, although I am sorry we did not have one more day of preparation," he added, expressing a wish "to get to know the new players a little better. But, I am satisfied."
On the condition of the squad, Bilić reported that Luka Modrić "had a temperature that went down quickly." "Two other players are not feeling quite well either, but we will see on match day what we do with all of them," he said. "As a precaution, Baturina will miss today's training, but he does not have a temperature," the manager explained.
Bilić stressed that he is thinking exclusively about Czech Republic. "We are not thinking about the match against Spain at all; we are going to face Czech Republic with the strongest possible forces," he said, adding: "This first duel is the priority." He also explained why: "The result of this first match will guide a lot."
On the distribution of minutes, Bilić said: "We keep in mind that we have four matches and we will be careful." He also stressed: "It is not important who starts but also who finishes matches," with the hope "that we will try as many players as possible at this pace." "I mostly know 90 per cent of the squad, and the rest depends on various details," he added. "The lineup is in my head. But, we will distribute the minutes to everyone and in that way we have the best chances in every match."
On the opponent, Bilić said: "They have a new manager and obviously they expect a home win." He warned: "They will play a somewhat different, new football and we do not know exactly what it will look like." He concluded that the Czechs are "a working team with an identity. They are strong in transitions and long balls, in physical readiness."
