Branko Ivankovic: Croatia will provide Brazil with real test

Branko Ivankovic 10:46 12/06/2014
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  • Promising group: Croatia have a squad brimming with talent all over the pitch.

    Former Al Wahda coach Branko Ivankovic was assistant coach of Croatia when they reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. Here he gives his thoughts on Croatia's chances of creating an upset against the home nation in their World Cup opener this evening.

    When I talk about Croatia it is with emotion, but I think we can do something at this World Cup.

    Everybody knows Brazil are one of the favourites because they are five-time champions, they are playing at home and because they have a very good national team. 

    But they don’t have as many stars as before.

    They have Hulk, Fred and Neymar but they are not the same level as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and other players from the past. 

    Also, Brazil are under pressure because this is the opening game and they are playing at home, and that is not easy.

    In my experience, the first match of any tournament is always very tough and sometimes the team that is not the favourite can do something.

    Indeed, Croatia have an excellent team, with players who play for the biggest clubs in the world.

    Luka Modric, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, was the key player for Real Madrid last season, while Ivan Rakitic was Sevilla captain. 

    Rakitic is now on his way to Barcelona and I think his midfield partnership with Modric is one of the best in the world –  I see them at the same level as Xavi and Andres Iniesta for Spain. 

    They are not the only midfield players we have either.

    Mateo Kovacic and Sammir are extremely talented and have the ability to create something out of nothing.

    Ivan Perisic also had a very good season with Wolfsburg, so we are well stocked in midfield. 

    People say we don’t have many good defenders, but that is not true.

    Goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has just won the Russian Cup, is very experienced, and will not make many mistakes. 

    Vedran Corluka is the best defender in Russia, while Dejan Lovren is one of the best centre-backs in England.

    Our only problem is left-back, because Ivan Strinic is injured.

    Croatia will be without Mario Mandzukic against Brazil which is a big problem, but we have three good strikers to replace him – Ivica Olic, Nikica Jelavic and Eduardo – and not many teams can say the same.

    Today is a much easier situation than we faced in 1998 because there is no pressure on the team to win.

    The staff and players have the full support of the media and fans, they have created an excellent atmosphere and with the national team that is the most important.

    Because of that I trust them to do something.

    For us a result will be qualifying to the next stage and then everything is open.

    The most important thing is to qualify for the next stage, that’s what happened in ‘98 and then it began to open up.

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