LUK OUT ENGLAND
Bilic warns that Croatia are already set up for battle
Neil Moxley
SLAVEN BILIC has fired an X-rated warning at England that Croatia mean business next summer.
West Brom’s manager said the news that next year’s tournament would be opening with a repeat of the World Cup semi-final was greeted with eager anticipation in his homeland.
But the Baggies chief says the Group D clash will hold no fear for those players and Croatia will not be nervous at the prospect.
Heartache
Tight matches between the two countries in the Nations League since the Three Lions’ heartache in Moscow have done little but set the scene.
He said: “It’s a great opening for us – and for you also. But I don’t think there’s any team in the world that fancies playing
Croatia.
“Not just the last 10 years, but we have always had a good team – – ever since we gained independence in 1996 from that first Euros in England.
“Especially now that we have played in a World Cup final and our players are at big clubs all over Europe.
“It was in the Croatian papers the day after the draw about how pleased we are to be opening the tournament at Wembley against England.
“That game is going to be mentioned in Croatian papers almost every day from now on. In England, you’ve got the Premier League and Championship and everything else. It won’t get mentioned for ages.
“So that’s how much we are looking forward to it. But then England should also look forward to it. And we have a good team, you know. We beat you recently, at the World Cup and in the qualifiers for the Euros in 2008 – don’t forget that.”
Croatia do have an ageing team with spearhead Mario Mandzukic retired from the international scene and former Ballon d’or winner Luka Modric will be two months shy of his 35th birthday by the time the game kicks off.
Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren will be over 30, too.
But Croatia boast serious players at serious clubs throughout Europe.
Marcelo Brozovic and Ante Rebic are at Milan, Nikola Vlasic is with CSKA Moscow and Chelsea have Mateo Kovacic.
Pulling the strings will be evergreen Real Madrid ace Modric.
And the warnings from Bilic (left) for England certainly included the former Spurs man.
Bilic added: “Modric is 34 already – but, if you are talking about age, that matters if you are going to play for a season. “Age matters if you are talking about whether you are going to buy someone and give him a two-year contract.
Hungry
“But, if you are talking about four or five games in the summer, I will bet you here and now that he will be the best player at the tournament.
“He is still very, very hungry for it.
“Don’t count on Luka Modric being too old. England shouldn’t count on Luka being too old.
“They will be making a big mistake if that is what they think.”
Croatia
Play-o ff winner C