National Teams

Another step towards EURO 2020

Excellent Croatia
performance for a
valuable win in
Slovakia

06.09.2019.
Excellent Croatia performance for a valuable win in Slovakia
photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
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The Vatreni have passed an important Trnava exam with highest grades, defeating hosts with a convincing four-goal margin.

SLOVAKIA - CROATIA 0:4 (0:1)
EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E.
Stadium Anton Malatinsky, Trnava.

Referee: F. Brych (Germany)

Goals: 0:1 - Vlašić (45'), 0:2 - Perišić (46'), 0:3 - Petković (72'), 0:4 - Lovren (89')

Cautions: -

Slovakia: Dubravka, Hancko, Škriniar, Vavro, Valjent, Hamšik, Lobotka, Kucka (63' Haraslin), Mak (79' Duriš), Duda, Rusnak (46' Boženik). Head coach: P. Hapal.

Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Bartolec, Brozović, Modrić, Vlašić (81' Badelj), Perišić, Rebić (70' Brekalo), Petković (83' Pašalić). Head coach: Z. Dalić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Zlatko Dalić's men celebrate their third victory in four EURO 2020 qualifiers. Following home wins over Azerbaijan and Wales, they topped Slovakia away, with Vlašić finding the net in the last second of the first half.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Croatia's lead was more than deserved. The Vatreni were in full swing, creating chances, and Brozović hit the bar after just eight minutes. Vida missed from close range, Petković run through Slovakia's defence only to be denied by Dubravka, and Perišić then hit the woodwork - twice.

The second half started even better. Perišić's effort from outside of the box was deflected out of Dubravka's reach and it was 2:0 to Croatia.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
 

The World Cup runners-up have continued to play in the same manner, and were rewarded on 72 minutes, when Petković provided a cheeky finish. Bartolec, Brekalo, and Pašalić tried to find a fourth, but it was Lovren who finally headed home in the closing minutes to make it 4:0.

In the other Group E match on Friday, Wales beat Azerbaijan 2:1. On Monday, Croatia visits Azerbaijan, while Slovakia visits Hungary.

EURO 2020 qualifying, Group E:
1. Hungary 9 (4)
2. Croatia 9 (4)
3. Wales 6 (4)
4. Slovakia 6 (4)
5. Azerbaijan 0 (4)

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

06.09.2019., FC Spartak, Trnava. Spectators: 18098
Referees: Felix Brych (GER), Mark Borsch (GER), Stefan Lupp (GER)
Fourth referee: Marco Fritz (GER)
Slovakia
0
Croatia
4
23Martin Dúbravka1Dominik Livaković
17Marek Hamsik10Luka Modrić
20Robert Mak
79'		6Dejan Lovren
89'
19Juraj Kucka
63'		4Ivan Perišić
46'
10Albert Rusnak
46'		21Domagoj Vida
14Milan Škriniar18Ante Rebić
70'
8Ondrej Duda11Marcelo Brozović
22Stanislav Lobotka20Bruno Petković
72'
83'
3Denis Vavro13Nikola Vlašić
45'
82'
4Martin Valjent22Karlo Bartolec
16David Hancko3Borna Barišić
Bench
1Matúš Kozáčik12Lovre Kalinić
12Dominik Greif23Simon Sluga
21Michal Duris
79'		19Milan Badelj
82'
6Jan Gregus14Mile Škorić
15Róbert Mazáň9Mislav Oršić
11Matus Bero16Tin Jedvaj
5Ľubomír Šatka15Mario Pašalić
83'
13Patrik Hrosovsky2Mijo Caktaš
7Lukáš Haraslín
63'		5Matej Mitrović
2László Bénes7Josip Brekalo
70'
18Pavol Šafranko8Marko Rog
9Róbert Boženík
46'		17Dario Melnjak
Coaches
Pavel HapalZlatko Dalić

On the eve of the EURO 2020 qualifier in Slovakia, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić and team captain Luka Modrić held a press conference.

Zlatko Dalić

"It would be wrong to discuss the missing players, I fully support my internationals that are here, and we are seeking a positive result. My players are motivated, in good spirits, and they performed excellently in practice sessions. Croatia will try to attack, with lessons learned from Hungary. This could be a similar match, and now we have to reply in style - with aggression, giving our best. Everybody goes full throttle against the World Cup runners-up. However, the World Cup is in the past, now we are aware of our current situation. Slovakia is strongest in the midfield, but many things will depend on Croatia's approach"

Luka Modrić

"Following a summer break, I've gone through the entire Real Madrid preparations, and I'm full of energy and desire. Croatia presented unity and fighting spirit in June against Wales, and we have to repeat this. Then we can expect a victory, which would be a phenomenal outcome. Playing for Croatia is my greatest honour and I will always give my best. Hamšik is the star of Slovakian team, but there are other quality players, such as Lobotka - I know his from Spanish league. Slovakia has a compact defence, and likes to play football, but we are ready to respond to this major challenge"

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foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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