Kovač: "No walk in the park"

Croatia visits Azerbaijan on 3 September and Norway on 6 September, searching for point that could seal EURO 2016 berth. Niko Kovač's men await these matches at the top of the group, despite UEFA sanctions.

"Robert Prosinečki did an impressive job at Azerbaijan, and everything will be different regarding Croatia's convincing win in Osijek. Azerbaijan is today an aggressive, tough team, but I do not see this match as a duel against Prosinečki. Their development is confirmed by two clubs reaching Europa League group stage. We hope to win, but it will not be a walk in the park", said Kovač.

Dejan Lovren and Marcelo Brozović had minor injuries, but will be ready for both matches, while lack of time for training sessions is not an alibi for Kovač.

"We can not do much, yet I hope we can show what we have shown before and reach our goals. We will not complain, all teams are in the same position. Croatia is focused on Azerbaijan, only after Baku encounter shall we know how to deal with Norway".

Mateo Kovačić and Ivan Perišić arrive on Monday as new Real Madrid and Inter players respectively, while Kovač added a few words on Hajduk's Mijo Caktaš and Leicester's Andrej Kramarić.

"These transfers are the proof that Croatian players are highly rated and that we have a number of young, quality players. We are overjoyed to see them in major clubs, and now they have to prove themselves week after week on a world class level. It will be difficult to pick the first XI with all these options. Caktaš was a key player at Croatia U-21 and is a versatile midfielder who played extraordinarily at Hajduk, and I do not fear for Kramarić. We would all like that he gets more chances at Leicester, but he invests in himself, and should that be need, he could find another club. That's all a part of this sport", concluded Kovač.

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