Croatia coach looks beyond Ronaldo showdown to midfield battle with Portugal

Croatia's coach is looking past the star power of Cristiano Ronaldo and focusing on his team's midfield dominance as they prepare to face Portugal. While acknowledging Ronaldo's significant threat, the coach emphasized that controlling the central area of the pitch will be crucial for Croatia's success.

"We have to play our game, control the midfield, and not let them dictate the tempo," the coach stated. He believes that by winning the midfield battle, Croatia can create more opportunities and limit Portugal's attacking chances. The team has been training rigorously, focusing on tactical discipline and collective effort.

The coach expressed confidence in his squad's ability to execute the game plan. He highlighted the team's strong performance in previous matches and their determination to go further in the tournament. The focus remains on a cohesive team effort rather than individual brilliance, aiming for a victory that will see them progress.

“

We have to play our game, control the midfield, and not let them dictate the tempo.