Croatia aims for dominant performance against Panama in World Cup clash

Croatia's national football team is gearing up for their second World Cup match against Panama in Toronto. The game is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. local time, which translates to 1 a.m. Wednesday in Croatia. Both teams lost their opening group stage matches, setting the stage for a crucial encounter.

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The preparations for this match have started seriously, and we can expect a dominant and attacking Croatia.

Assistant coach Ivica Olić expressed confidence in the team's preparation, anticipating a dominant and attacking display from Croatia. "The preparations for this match have started seriously, and we can expect a dominant and attacking Croatia," Olić stated. Defender Josip Šutalo and midfielder Petar Sučić previewed the match, with Šutalo acknowledging Panama's tendency for long balls and crosses. "We have analyzed them briefly, we saw that they play a lot of long balls and crosses. We still have three days to analyze them and get to know them better," Šutalo said.

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We have analyzed them briefly, we saw that they play a lot of long balls and crosses. We still have three days to analyze them and get to know them better.

Šutalo also addressed the team's defensive performance, particularly in set-piece situations, following their loss to England. "Set pieces, it wasn't the best in that match. We had three days to clear our heads, we will definitely work on it. Everyone has to work individually and take responsibility for defending set pieces," he commented. Sučić reflected on the England match, emphasizing the positive lessons learned. "Every match is a great experience, and you can learn from every one, including the match against England. I don't like to look at it negatively, I look at it positively, and from the negative, I either learn or forget. Against England, we saw that we can play against a top team and even be better in the first half," Sučić noted.

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Set pieces, it wasn't the best in that match. We had three days to clear our heads, we will definitely work on it. Everyone has to work individually and take responsibility for defending set pieces.

Sučić also touched upon his own adaptation to the national team and his club, Inter. "Adaptation is not a problem for me, I've been through many clubs, many environments. You always want more, and then you have to be ready when it comes," he explained. Both players expressed admiration for Luka Modrić, who is set to play his 200th match for the national team. "We can only admire him. We all know what kind of person and player he is, what he has done for the national team. I can only say 'Congratulations'," Sučić added.

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Every match is a great experience, and you can learn from every one, including the match against England. I don't like to look at it negatively, I look at it positively, and from the negative, I either learn or forget. Against England, we saw that we can play against a top team and even be better in the first half.