Olić: "I'm pleased to see unity and desire; this is the path I want us to follow"

Olić emphasized that Portugal is at the top of European and world football, but also noted that the young Croatian team demonstrated determination.

"Portugal is a team that has been at the top of European and world football in all categories for years. They always have something to look forward to, and I don't even need to mention their consistency. You can see how well-drilled they are, and if you give them even a little space, they punish you for it. We’ve seen this with the senior team and now with the U-21s; they play fantastic football when there is no pressure, and they sense an opportunity to exploit space.

What pleased me, especially compared to the first match, is how well the boys played in the first half. We had some chances, but unfortunately, we didn't manage to score. I would have liked to see how the game would unfold then and how they would react, as there would have been more space for our counters. I'm glad that, compared to the first game, I saw unity and desire, which is the path I want this team to take. We have two games left, and everything is still in our hands. I hope that something will remain from the demands we've placed on them after this gathering. I would like to see players like Cvijanović, Hrgović, and Gabi, who has just changed clubs, and Lovro. We have a lot of players who aren't in the rhythm of matches, and I hope they get more minutes, which is very important when you come into matches like these", Olić said.

"They know where they stand at every moment; they don't lose their heads or minds. However, I have to admit, especially in the first half, we managed to connect two or three passes, creating half-chances and opportunities. I think it's very important that, after the game we lost there, today we made a step forward, and that's our path—nothing happens overnight. Sport is a longer story where it takes time for them to understand. We've had two matches and picked up three points. The first game perhaps undeservedly brought us three points, but in the second, we had chances to score. I'm most pleased that I saw a team, that they were there for each other, and that’s what I want to see. I knew Portugal was good; we know Spain is at the top, but I want us to be better and for a new player to make it to the senior team in the future", Olić emphasized.

"We took more risks and raised our game; we also wanted to equalize. It's unfortunate about the second goal, but we saw chances from Franjo, Crnac, Matković with a header—all these came when it was 1-0. We had our chances. I'm very pleased that we were in the game practically until the 90th minute", Olić stated.

The remaining two qualifiers will also be played at home, with the match against Andorra on October 11 and against Greece on October 15.

"Greece is a team that beat Portugal at home. We watched and analyzed that match, and they deservedly won. When we played in Greece, we conceded in the last minutes. It won’t be easy; a tough match awaits us, but I believe this team has the quality and strength, and I believe we will prepare well, play a good game, take second place, and hope to qualify directly on points or, if not, through the additional qualifiers", Olić concluded.

UEFA U-21 Euro Qualifiers, Group G:

1. Portugal 21 (8)
2. Greece 17 (9)
3. Croatia 16 (8)
4. Faroe Islands 7 (8)
5. Belarus 6 (9)
6. Andorra 3 (8)

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