Kovač: "We knew how to fight back, the match was useful"

Six days before the World Cup opening match against Brazil, Croatia beat Australia 1:0 in Salvador, head coach Niko Kovač being more satisfied with the second half than the first.

"This match did not look like a friendly, but we knew how to fight back in the second half. We were too static in the first half, yet we have later improved and therefore I am satisfied", said Kovač after the match.

However, Danijel Pranjić and Mario Mandžukić had injury scares, with Pranjić leaving the pitch after 25 minutes.

"Pranjić's ankle is swollen. We shall see, and I hope he can recover in time. Vrsaljko covered him well, and Mandžukić received a blow and he will be OK", explained Croatia head coach.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

"This match was useful, even though Australia is not Brazil. Everybody got their chance, my staff has seen a lot. We are aware that it will be another story on 12 June, since Brazil is a top team, but we will be ready and if my team plays to its potential, I will feel optimistic. Hopefully, we will play as we did in the second half against Australia", he continued.

What has been changed during the break?

"We got the opportunity to rearrange a bit. We lacked depth, and improved on that with Brozović as a playmaker, with Modrić and Kovačić's more forward play, with Eduardo near the sidelines. Our positioning was better", said Kovač.

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