Olić: “We are treating this match as if it were the only one”

Ahead of the game, head coach Ivica Olić is satisfied with the work done during preparations so far. All players have trained according to plan, and he particularly highlighted how quickly the new players have adapted to the squad.

“First of all, all the players have completed every training session, so we have had no new injuries. We had three good training sessions, we worked well, and the young players who are here for the first time did not need much time to adapt. They settled in very quickly and have responded very well in training. Most importantly, the players are healthy and we will be ready for tomorrow’s match.”

Hungary will arrive in Varaždin with a new head coach and numerous changes to their squad. Olić and his staff have analysed their most recent matches, and he expects Croatia to face a team that will be significantly different from the one they faced in the first meeting.

“It is a completely different team – a new head coach who has managed two matches, against Ukraine and a friendly against Israel. We analysed and followed those two matches. In the squad they are bringing, there are nine new players who have not played for the U21 team before. They were born in 2005 and 2006 and play in the first and second divisions. We are certainly expecting a new team with many new players whom we have followed and whose positions at club level we have looked at. There are quite a few question marks regarding their lineup, so we cannot say which 11 players will start for them until the match itself.”

Croatia defeated Hungary 2-0 away from home in November, while Olić stresses that the Croatian team will be focused on its own game and continuing its positive run in the qualifiers.

“We are treating this match as if it were the only and the last one. We have been preparing for it from the very first day. Our focus is on Hungary; for us, this match is another step towards our goal, towards the European Championship. The players are aware of that and we hope to continue the positive run we have been on.”

One of the players expected to play an important role in Saturday’s match is Lovro Zvonarek. The Croatian midfielder says the team has analysed Hungary well and worked through all the details of their game in training.

“We managed to analyse Hungary, and on the pitch we were able to go through how we want to play. I think everything has gone well so far. We still have one final training session and I believe we will put into practice what we have agreed and worked on.”

Zvonarek also recalled the first meeting with Hungary in November, when Croatia recorded a 2-0 victory.

“That match was not easy at all, even though the result shows 2-0, but we know how hard we had to work. We do not know what kind of team they will bring, but we are focused on how we want to play and on what has worked for us so far. We will enter the match as group leaders and try to secure our place at the European Championship already now.”

Croatia have several new young players in the squad for this international window, and Zvonarek says they have settled in quickly.

“All the guys are great, they are quality players, otherwise they would not be here, and I really have nothing but praise for them.”

Since July, Zvonarek has been a member of Portuguese top-flight club CF Estrela Amadora. He has played in all seven of the club’s matches so far this season, completing the full 90 minutes in each, and is also pleased with his new surroundings.

“The club is great and very well organised. There is a new board, a new coach, and I am playing, so I am really happy. As for my private life, I do not even need to say anything – the sunshine says it all.

I am very happy because I am playing the kind of football that suits me, the coach has the same ideas as I do, so we have really clicked. The club has the ambition to become stable and reach European competition within three or four years. We are doing well so far, we are stable, we have started better than we expected, and I am really satisfied. This club is a stepping stone for me to move forward.”

Croatia currently top the group with 13 points, followed by Türkiye on 11 points and Ukraine on eight. Hungary have three points, while Lithuania have two.

After the match against Hungary in Varaždin, the Young Vatreni will have two more away fixtures – against Ukraine on 2 October and Lithuania on 6 October.

Admission to the match in Varaždin is free for all spectators.

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