Bilić: “It’s a shame, but we are satisfied with the performance, reaction and character”

Deserved at least a point

"It was a very good game. I’m sorry we didn’t take at least a point because we deserved it based on our performance. We were just missing a little something, but looking at this game in isolation, we were excellent. The players did everything we asked of them and everything we had prepared for. To beat the world champions, you have to score from every half-chance, you cannot miss clear opportunities, and on top of that we received a red card. It’s a shame, but we are satisfied with the performance, the reaction, the character and the pressing in the first half."

How it must not be done and how it must be done

"I’m pleased with our attacking and defensive play, our courage and character... They are the better team, but in the first half, in terms of dangerous situations, it was 70-30 in our favour. We created chances both through transitions and through passing. There are quite a few players who are not playing enough for their clubs, especially when you have four games, or three in a row against monsters. The whole group had also been affected by a virus — I didn’t want to mention it earlier because after a 0:7 defeat there was no point. I won’t hide behind that; it was an incredibly bad night. If these had been two friendly matches, it would have been fantastic, because we got answers about how things must not be done and how they must be done."

Kristijan Jakić

"Jakić was never in question for me, which is why he came on at Rujevica. He is versatile, aggressive, brave, has quality and reads the game well, and he was only on the standby list because he wasn’t getting enough minutes at Augsburg. Now he has found his rhythm at PAOK, and he has that relentless energy. He came on against England to try to save us and limit the damage. I think he earned a starting spot against Spain."

Suffering, pain and shame

"Unfortunately, nothing will erase that England game, but if it has already happened, it couldn’t have been a clearer lesson. I told the players that anyone who thinks tonight’s performance cannot become the standard should not even come. We paid a high price for it. You shouldn’t have to experience a Rujevica like that to know that it must never happen. That is my responsibility, but we have to remember and preserve these two examples, especially the first one, as well as everything we went through over these three days — we were crazy with suffering, pain and shame. No one needs that, but if that is the price for making sure it never happens again, then so be it."

The toughest period

"Without going into details, this is the toughest period of my career, and not just for me. If there is one reason why that game was useful, let it remain as an example of how things must never be done again. At the same time, tonight is an example of good commitment. We played well, and sometimes we will score all our chances, sometimes none of them."

The wing position

"We don’t have wingers and we have to play a different kind of football. We have potential in the youth national team, such as Šotiček and Segačić, but I’m glad that this group of players showed that they can compete with the best. Players will come and go, but not because of their age. Once again, the oldest players were outstanding tonight."

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