Croatia boss Bilic shrugs off Ireland challenge

Slaven Bilic has shrugged off the threat of the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2012 openerin Poznan on June 10 by declaring that his Croatia team are better, and proved as much in their goalless draw in Dublin last August.

Bilic has been in buoyant mood since Croatia beat Turkey in the qualifying play-offs and though since then they have been alongside Spain, Italy and Ireland in Group C at Euro 2012, he fully expects his team to progress to the knock-out round.

But he has warned that the first game, against Giovanni Trapattoni’s men, will be make-or-break for their chances of progression.

“The first match is very important, we know that from past experience and we’re preparing in that manner,” said Bilic.

“It’s essential that we match Ireland’s running, we need to get to the second ball first and be compact. If we do that, we have a realistic chance.

“I respect the Irish team and the legendary Trapattoni immensely, but we’ve showed in Dublin in August that we are a better team.”

Back in August, Croatia fielded a full-strength XI in a summer friendly, but could not get past the Irish defence, despitehaving two excellent penalty shouts in the first half, then seeing Dejan Lovren, Mario Mandzukic and substitute Nikola Kalinic all squander chances in the secondperiod.

Croatia face Sweden tomorrow night in their final friendly before Bilic names his squad in May, and has told his players this will be their last opportunity to earn a spot in the squad.

“This squad means littlebecause we called up the players that we want to try out. They will all get a chance. For instance, we always call up five forwards, but this time, we’ve only called up four,because we want them all to play.If we can stayinjury-free, if we manage to show the level of play that we want to establish during the preparation period, then we can qualify for the next stage,” he said.

“After the group stage, anything ispossible. Maybe people will find me crazy, but I really do believe we can fight for the title. If we do all the things that I’ve just mentioned and have a bit of luck, we can go all the way. We need to convince the players that they have the ability to do it.

But due to the potential in our team, I would be extremely disappointed if we did not go through the group stage.”