Čačić, Perišić agree: "Both Croatia and Turkey go for the win"

Deciding on the Croatia starting lineup, head coach Ante Čačić waits for Tuesday to see who is completely fit to challenge Turkey in another 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

"I need to see the reaction of my players after the official training session. It is clear that we do not score often, but we do not concede much either. We have conceded only twice this qualifying campaign, both from set-pieces. We have top midfielders, but their job at their respective clubs is not to score. Therefore we rely mostly on Mandžukić - who plays as a winger for Juventus - and Kalinić, who has to reach top form with his new club. We can expect better finishing, however, it is OK if we continue to score one goal per match without conceding", he said.  

"All qualifiers are equally important. Turkey will try to reach at least second place, while Croatia will once again seek positive result. I do not want to predict the outcome, I think only about Croatia. Croatia and Turkey know each other very well, and know what qualities have to be limited", added Čačić.

Winger Ivan Perišić has no doubts over Croatia's approach in Turkey.

"It is definitely not easy to play two matches in two days, but we know what this match means to us. Croatia is ready, we are not tired, and we will give our best to achieve victory, in order to secure World Cup berth as soon as possible. The points from Turkey could be the key, and we still have everything in our hands as we top the Group I from day one. We want to present ourselves in the best possible light and win", says Perišić.

"Turkey is in a difficult situation, but they will play their hearts out and try to win. Our aim is to score early, knowing we created a lot of chances against them in Zagreb, even though it ended in a 1:1 draw. We outplayed them last summer in Paris as well, and we hope for another good performance", he concluded.

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