Defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Mateo Kovacic said Croatia’s World Cup quarter-final opponents are brimming with quality and could field two starting 11s going into the tournament, but the Balkan nation may still have the better of them despite the honours.
The 2018 World Cup finalists, aiming to play two consecutive semi-final matches, have a mountain to climb with pre-tournament favorites Brazil confirming their status with a 4-1 round of 16 demolition of South Korea .
“Before the tournament, Brazil were favourites. They have two teams that can play at this level,” Lauren said on Wednesday. “Any of his choices can come and make an immediate impact. We respect everyone and that’s how we work.”
Croatia, whose coach Zlatko Dalic described Brazil as “terrible”, had a tough route into the last eight, needing a penalty to knock Japan out after a 1-1 draw after more than 120 minutes, but fitness was not an issue. Not there.