Čačić: "Croatia can rely on many players"

Croatia will face Finland with injured Modrić, Rakitić, Lovren, and Pjaca, as well as the defender Vedran Ćorluka, who will be replaced as captain by Mario Mandžukić.

"Finland will probably defend most of the time, wait their chance from the counterattack, but we have players who are able to attack. Of course, anyone would miss players like Modrić and Rakitić, but we have a wide selection of quality players. We can rely on many, there is a bright future for Croatia. No one asks whether we enjoy our opponents' styles, we need results against all of them. We need to confirm our victory over Kosovo. Individual quality does not have be decisive, what is important is to present unity, and Finland does that very well. However, we will be determined for 90 minutes and we can hope to win this", said Croatia head coach Ante Čačić.

Croatia international Ivan Perišić believes that the win at Kosovo is a quality guideline for Croatia.

"We have performed really well, scored six and let's continue in this way. If we fail to beat Finland, the win over Kosovo will be meaningless. We are all focused, and the most important thing is Croatia winning. Everybody plays football today and requires a serious approach, Finland lost to Iceland only in the last second with a doubtful goal. If we stay on the level presented against Kosovo, there is nothing to fear, we just have to start at our best. There is no need not to accept our role of favourites, but one has to prove himself on the pitch. We'll go game by game and let's hope this will lead us to Russia. Croatia is a good team and anything is possible".

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