Croatia competitive in the Northern Ireland friendly

Croatia head coach Ante Čačić is convinced that his team can put in a quality performance in Belfast, despite Modrić, Rakitić, Kovačić, Subašić, Perišić, and Ćorluka being relieved of their international duty for this friendly match.

"This friendly must be used to test some players that play less, in order to increase the number of available internationals, since this will be required in the World Cup qualifying. I want Croatia to remain true to its style, regardless of the opponent, to uphold the team spirit, and try to end the hosts' unbeaten streak. They will also want to win and I expect a competitive match where the players will be able to give their best. I am convinced that Croatia will play well", says Čačić.

"Northern Ireland is an adequate opponent. They are also high on team spirit, and we want to see who can we count on in competitive matches. Northern Ireland will want to achieve a positive result, since Croatia can motivate anyone, and thus bring a serious note to the match. They are a quality unit throughout the whole 90 minutes, and especially good in set pieces", he added.

In Belfast, Mario Mandžukić will be Croatia's captain.

"We are all happy that we won the qualifier against Iceland, and now we want to complete this international break in the best possible way. We have many brilliant young players and it is nice to be a part of a such team. Croatia was disappointed following the EURO 2016 defeat against Portugal, but we have turned a new page, continued with good performances and kept the unity. Now we want to go to the World Cup in Russia", he says.

"Northern Ireland is a good team, there is no friendly match for them, every single one is competitive. We have to respond in the same manner and then we can expect a good match. We are aware of the quality of some of their players, and they have convincingly beaten Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying, trailing only to Germany in the group. However, we will be well prepared, as always", concluded Mandžukić.

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