Dalić expects pressure, Rakitić proud of his jubilee

Zlatko Dalić

"Croatia is ready for a tough match at an opponent who gained extra confidence with a win at Wembley. If we are to achieve a positive result, we need to play better and more aggressive than at Portugal. Midfield is the key - who wins this battle, wins the match. Croatia has some excellent results against former European and world champions in the past year, and we have an opportunity to continue along that path in the Nations League. We did not come to Spain to lose, but to win, regardless of the opponent's strength and home advantage. We expect Spanish pressure and need to respond accordingly. However, we also need to try some new players, and there is no better test than this one"

Ivan Rakitić

"I remember how I could hardly wait my first appearance for Croatia. Today, 11 years later, I can hardly wait my hundredth. It's incredible, I'm so happy and proud, and I could not have wished a better opponent. However, it will not be a real celebration for me without team success. We have to fight. I congratulate Spanish Football Federation for appointing Luis Enrique, he has already started to do things he has done with us at Barcelona. I'm happy to see him again, and I wish him all the best, but I hope Spain will not be at their best against us" 

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