Bilić for SK: It will be extremely difficult, Scotland is a brave and hearty national team
This week, Croatia has a great opportunity, which is to secure passage among the top eight in the League of Nations and stay in the elite League A. They need two things – to remain unbeaten against Scotland and for Poland not to beat Portugal. It is to be hoped that it will be so and that Zlatko Dalić’s chosen ones will cheer us up once again.
Mate Bilić announced this match for Sport Klub. He touched Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, the opponents who would be waiting for us if we finished second, Bruno Petković, Sandro Kulenović and Croatia in the play-off for the U21 Euro.
Your prediction for the match between Scotland and Croatia?
“This is practically very important for us. If I’m not mistaken, with a win, we qualify for the quarterfinals. It will be extremely difficult considering all the previous games with them. I wouldn’t say that we are the favorites and that Scotland is second class because it is a brave and hearty national team with a lot of energy. No matter what is played in Scotland, it will be very difficult. I expect a compact and hard game, but we have been smart lately and know how to play for the result. We know what this game brings us before Portugal.”
With a positive result, Croatia would advance to the quarterfinals and at the same time remain in the elite League A for the next edition of the competition, which will be held in two years.
“Victory, or a positive outcome, gives you wings and an additional impulse before Portugal. What is very important is that all our players are in good shape, and this can be seen in the leagues in which they play. I think the atmosphere is good and all we need is a positive result. It will be difficult considering the enormous pressure and euphoria of the Scots, but we showed that we know how to handle the biggest. With everything we have shown so far, it would be completely realistic and deserved to stay in the game with big national teams such as ourselves. The Nations League is a complex competition in the sense that there are a lot of games and that is great for the fans. However, the players and selectors are under constant pressure because they are looking for a result even though it is not like the European and World Cup.”
Scotland is the last in the standings, but against Portugal they managed to break the negative series of results (three consecutive defeats). They certainly have the ambition to get a positive result, which could give them a chance to grab third place and the playoffs to stay in League A. Although, it depends on the match between Portugal and Poland which can somehow decide our fate.
“I think Scotland is not a mentality that knows how to calculate. When he plays 90 minutes, it’s fighting and hearty, no matter what. They will not look towards the second game, but will want to do the best possible against us, so they will see for the last round. It is true that she won a point with Portugal and that she has a chance, but I repeat once again that it will be difficult for us. There is a very good atmosphere in Scotland and they will play all or nothing. Without calculations to achieve a positive result and get hope for the last round. We still have hope to win first place, but I think we are better, more experienced and of better quality in terms of names. I hope we won’t have any problems because we used to have absences during the game before.”
Scotland is followed by Portugal for the end of the group stage. Ronaldo and Modrić will meet again, and those who will be at Poljud will have the opportunity to enjoy the skills of these two geniuses.
“It’s true and above all I’m glad that the game is being played in Split. On the other hand, it should be emphasized that we may be seeing Ronaldo and Modrić for the last time. It will be a great privilege for all fans to watch two of the best players in the world. They will enjoy their mastery, but it is important that Croatia get a good result against Scotland, so that this is a game with a lot of goals and without burden. I think it should be a big day for Split and Croatian football. These two marked an era, and they’re still playing.”
In the event that Croatia finishes second (this is very certain because it is unlikely that Portugal will lose the leading position), potential rivals would be the first-placed ones from other groups. These are currently Italy, Germany and Spain.
“It doesn’t matter if we are first or second. When you get to the quarterfinals, the heavyweights await. If they played against France or Italy, it would happen in five years. It seems that in the last five or six years, Croatia played with them because the League of Nations was added. These are opponents we have already played against in the recent past, and that awaits us in the quarter-finals if you want to win this competition. It’s quite normal, and the first place would be somehow nicer even though it doesn’t have any indication that it means anything. Anyone who comes to us, we met with them and even won some of them. If I’m not mistaken, the quarterfinals are in the spring and the form of the players will have a lot of influence there. We will already start talking about their readiness and the finals of the championship, but many factors will have an impact with the hope that there will be no injuries. It is important that we fulfill our goal, which is to pass. There is a lot of noise around the League of Nations, but the European and World Championships are important and that Croatia participates in these competitions.”
Petković will not be in the squad for these two games due to a problem with the adductor, and in the end it was an agreement between Dinamo, coach Dalić and him. How do you comment on that?
“Every comment is redundant. The decision should be respected and the most important thing is that the player is healthy and can contribute for the club and the national team. Bruno is needed when he is fit and healthy. We know his qualities and what he is like as a player and what he can bring. It would be a shame if he performs and ends up even worse, and the story begins and ends with their agreement.”
In your opinion, did Kulenović deserve a call to the national team?
“First of all, we have to know that in the attack we have a profile of players who are very good and of high quality and who have put the national team in debt with their performances. Sandro is slowly advancing and scoring goals in the Champions League and the championship. He is in good shape and knowing coach Dalić, he will certainly be in the squad if he continues like this. It is certain that he comes around to be invited and time will tell, but just let him continue on this path.”
In addition to the senior national team, Croatia will play the first match of the play-off round for the U21 Euro, which will be held in Slovakia next year, against Georgia. Your forecast?
“I know the professional staff well, which includes Ivica Olić and Niko Kranjčar. I also know all the players and I know they will do everything to qualify. In the last five or six years, Georgia has taken an extraordinary step. He invests a lot in football and young players. A tough match awaits us, even though Georgia is not in the same league as our players. However, it deserves respect and can make us suffer a lot if we are not right. I believe that Olić will sort things out and that he will find the best solution. It’s always nice to play and win, but it’s important that we qualify for the Euros, even though it won’t be easy because Ljubičić, Prpić and some other players are missing due to injuries. I think that we have a higher quality, more prepared and wider staff and that the goal will be achieved. I wish them the best of luck.”
