iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
As part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, food, shelter tents, and basic supplies were provided to Palestinian families
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Croatia coach Bilic denies conspiracy theories
Croatia will not play for a 2-2 draw against Spain at the European Championship, a result that would knock Italy out of the tournament.
“I can guarantee you I’m a sportsman, and they (the team) are sportsmen,” Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said Friday. “No way that we would, even if we have a chance to do it, we wouldn’t even consider it. I can tell the whole of Italy that no way. You can’t believe in God and do it that way, and expect something good to happen in your life.”
After two matches in Group C, Spain and Croatia have four points, while Italy has two. If Italy defeats Ireland in its last game and Spain and Croatia draw 2-2, then the Italians would be eliminated.
At Euro 2004, Italy was knocked out after Denmark drew 2-2 with Sweden, fueling conspiracy theories in the Italian media.
On Thursday, Croatia drew 1-1 with Italy at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan. Mario Mandzukic’s equalizer in the 72nd minute capped a second half recovery after Bilic had changed the formation to deal with Italy’s dominance in midfield.
Given the strength of the Spanish midfield, Bilic may be inclined to play the narrower formation that Croatia used in the second half against Italy. At halftime, Bilic moved Ivan Rakitic from right midfield to a holding position in front of the defense alongside Ognjen Vukojevic. He also pushed Mandzukic out of attack and onto the right wing, leaving Nikica Jelavic alone upfront.
“For me it was very good that we changed the system at halftime, but it was not only because we changed the system, the metamorphosis came more because we changed the style of the play. We pressured them high,” Bilic said. “We have strong belief in our physical strength, and that was a bigger change than the system.”
Bilic, who is stepping down from his role at the end of the tournament to take over at Lokomotiv Moscow, said Croatia will have to play even better if it’s going to get anything from the game against Spain.
“We need to play individually,” Bilic said, “and as a team, the best game of our lives.”
More news from
The South African is tied with Denmark’s Nicolai Kristensen at the halfway stage of the tournament
The neighbourhood around the consulate was closed after the 60-year-old entered the premises, claiming to be armed with an explosive vest
All competent authorities must work together and coordinate to expedite possible means of support
Emirati Jiu-Jitsu stars win 23 medals, athletes grab 11 medals, and People of Determination excel with 14 medals
The first of seven phases, Friday's vote covered 166 million voters in 102 constituencies across 21 states and territories
The unique showcase brings together a diverse lineup of comedians from India and Pakistan, promising an hour of non-stop entertainment
Work teams across all customs centres continued to process cargo clearance and inspections
