CROATIA READY TO ECLIPSE HEROES OF FRANCE 98
ALL successful World Cup campaigns contain key moments and in the Croatia squad they are already reflecting on one that helped them take a step towards today’s quarter-final with the host nation down on the Black Sea coast. Having watched Luka Modric miss a penalty in the last minute of extra time against Denmark, the Croatia squad gathered together before the shootout that followed and listened to Ivan Rakitic’s instructions to make things good on their captain’s behalf. ‘There are no words to describe those emotions,’ recalled Barcelona midfielder Rakitic (right). ‘Our captain deserves that we follow him and that was the message. ‘At any moment we do whatever he does and we go where he tells us. ‘Luckily, I’ve been playing alongside him for the past 10 years and in each game, ever since he got the armband, he’s leading us with a great deal of power, strength and self-confidence. ‘At that moment, we had to repay whatever he gave us on many occasions. He was the first who wished to score in the shootout and it was simply an occasion when I spoke from my heart.’ If there is a growing mania for the national team in Russia and indeed in England, then Croats also feel they are being pulled towards their destiny. It is not only the English — possible opponents for these two in next week’s Moscow semi-final — who feel the weight of history. A talented Croatia team lost in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals to host
nation France and then flunked a shootout against Turkey in the 2008 European Championship quarter-finals. Coach Zlatko Dalic said last night: ‘The whole of our nation is euphoric, upbeat. There are parties going on when Croatia play football. In the squares, in the cafes. ‘This week it was 20 years since we won our quarter-final in France, against Germany. Maybe history is repeating itself. We’re on the right track. ‘We’ve been discussing that from day one. ‘I was at those matches and later went to tournaments in Germany, and Poland and Ukraine and that’s why I’m so proud to be the head coach, having been a fan.’ Tonight in the humidity of the Fisht Stadium, Croatia will face a Russia team who know how to play only one way. The hosts’ shootout win over Spain in the last 16 was a triumph of organisation and stubbornness and it is likely they will approach today’s game with a similar attitude. Another penalty lottery would suit them perfectly. Nobody here expected Russia to advance beyond the group stages. For Stanislav Cherchesov and his players, a place in the last four would be reminiscent of South Korea and their progress through their own World Cup in 2002. ‘I can only speak for myself but I am trying not to watch the TV or read the papers,’ said the Russia coach. ‘It was great to beat Spain but let’s look forward. This is the last eight so the level will be higher. We are not euphoric but we have made one very good team pack and go home already. ‘I am at an age where I can’t be a day-dreamer. But we always had goals and missions and we have to plan to achieve good results. ‘This is the goal we will set ourselves. To win this game.’ Cherchesov revealed last night that President Vladimir Putin has been in regular contact. In Russia’s south, expectation is rising — in both camps. RUSSIA 3-4-3 (probable): Akinfeev; Kutepov, Ignashevich, Kudryashov; Fernandes, Kuzyaev, Zobnin, Cheryshev; Samedov, Dzyuba, Golovin.