Confident Russia ready for Croatia
IT DOESN’T matter that few Russian fans ever expected the hosts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals Midfielder Alexander Golovin is already thinking about the final.
The creative breakout star for Russia never doubted the team would perform well – long before they beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16, setting up a match-up with Croatia in Sochi on tomorrow.
“We knew that everything was possible,” he said Wednesday. “Even before the beginning of the tournament, we all understood that we could reach the final. We seriously counted on this and see this as the real state of things for us now.”
Croatia also reached the quarter-finals on penalties after overcoming a spirited Denmark team and are now aiming to match their best-ever World Cup; they made the semi-finals in 1998.
Defender Domagoj Vida believes Croatia can take full advantage of being on what’s widely considered the easier side of the bracket.
“Now we are in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, which is a big success for us,” he said. “But our goals are higher. God willing, we would like to lift the World Cup trophy, and that’s why we are here.”
The winners will play either England or Sweden in the semifinals.
Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was Croatia’s star in the round of 16, with three saves in the shootout. He’s predicting Russia will repeat its defensive style from the Spain game, when Spain had possession of the ball 75 percent of the game but couldn’t break through Russia’s deep and dedicated defence.
“I expect a defensive-minded Russia,” Subasic said. “We expect a tough match, as all the others.”
Golovin predicts Croatia will offer Russia more opportunities to score because of its style, compared to Spain’s endless passing.
“They don’t have the aim of controlling the ball during the whole match. Their goal is to reach a result,” Golovin said. “And in this sense, it’s easier to play with such a team, in my opinion.”