Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident his side can handle the atmosphere as they take on hosts Russia for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Croatia will come up against a partisan Russian crowd in their last eight-tie in Sochi on Saturday evening.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Dalic said: “We cannot choose our opponents, hosts or otherwise. We are facing a huge game in the quarter-finals and it doesn’t matter who the opponents are.
“We will not be looking for excuses. We have to play our own game regardless of who is in the stands.”
Russia’s run to the quarter-finals, which included a shock defeat of Spain in the last round, has been unexpected. Croatia will go into the game as favourites but Dalic is not underestimating the hosts.
“I can’t tell you their gameplan or tactics – but I know our gameplan. We have to repeat what we have been doing in the last four games, be well organised and defend well.
“We have to be united, go forward and apply pressure. We have the strength and quality to do that.”
Dalic said: “That was a great success for Croatia as a nation. We are on the right track to repeat that feat but it is not going to be easy.
“We have to find the motivation to play a good game and progress against a very respected host nation.”
“I know all their players,” he said. “We have been briefed in detail about them and how they play, and I know them personally.
“They have a very serious national team. They deserve to have reached the quarter-finals. It is up to us to take the game to them and play our game.”
