Bullish Russians look beyond quarter-final clash with Croatia

It doesn’t matter that few Russian fans ever expected the hosts to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is already thinking about the final.

The breakout star for Russia never doubted the team would perform well – long before they beat Spain on penalties in the last 16, setting up a showdown with Croatia in Sochi tomorrow.

“We knew that everything was possible,” he said. “Even before the beginning of the tournamentweallunderstood 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 bestever World Cup having made the semi-finals in 1998. The winner will play either England or Sweden in the last four.

Defender Domagoj Vida believes Croatia can take full advantage of being on what’s widely considered the easier side of the draw.

“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.”

Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic was Croatia’s star in the last 16 with three saves in the shootout. He believes Russia will repeat their defensive style from the Spain game, when the Spanish had 75 per cent possession but couldn’t break through the Russian 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 goalscoring opportunities because of their 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,” he said. “And in this sense it’s easier to play with such a team.”

0 Golovin: Feeling confident.