Croatia shifts focus to Panama after England loss, aims to correct defensive errors

Croatia's national football team has moved past their World Cup opening defeat to England and is now entirely focused on their next match against Panama. Ivica Olić, a member of Zlatko Dalić's coaching staff, confirmed the team's shift in concentration during a recent meeting with journalists at the team's camp.

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Today is the third day since the match, and it's the first real, serious training in terms of preparations for Panama.

"Today is the third day since the match, and it's the first real, serious training in terms of preparations for Panama," Olić stated. He believes both players and staff have had sufficient time for rest and analysis of the England game, identifying both positives and areas for improvement. The team is now channeling its energy exclusively towards the challenge posed by Panama.

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We have analyzed them well, and I can say for sure that we will want to be the ones to take possession, to take control, and through high pressing, be a constant threat to their goal.

Olić acknowledged Panama as a formidable opponent, noting their strong unbeaten run before a recent loss to Mexico. He described them as a team that seeks dominance and an attacking approach. "We have analyzed them well," Olić said, "and I can say for sure that we will want to be the ones to take possession, to take control, and through high pressing, be a constant threat to their goal."

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Considering that we did that very well in previous matches, I think the fact that we conceded only two or three goals in 23 matches before that, makes us one of the better teams in Europe in that segment.

Despite the disappointment of conceding two goals from set pieces against England, Olić highlighted Croatia's historically strong defense. "Considering that we did that very well in previous matches, I think the fact that we conceded only two or three goals in 23 matches before that, makes us one of the better teams in Europe in that segment," he explained. He stressed that the defensive lapses against England were a matter of concentration and character, issues the team has been working to rectify. Olić expressed optimism about the team's psychological state, stating, "With us, it's fantastic. Every new training session, every new day makes us happy, and we want to correct what wasn't good."

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With us, it's fantastic. Every new training session, every new day makes us happy, and we want to correct what wasn't good.