We're 20 days away from Croatia's first World Cup game against Nigeria.
The Croatia national football team held their first training session on Sunday at the Valbruna sports center in Rovinj. The team arrived on Saturday and will stay in Rovinj until June 2 when they will depart from the Pula Airport for their first friendly match against Brazil in Liverpool, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on May 27, 2018.
?Otvoreni trening Vatrenih u Rovinju obradovao je i reprezentativce i navijače!#BudiPonosan #Hrvatska?? #Obitelj #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/bRmAmPttWf
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 27, 2018
After training, the first briefing with journalists was held where Josip Pivarić and Filip Bradarić stressed the importance of these preparations to fight for a place on the World Cup squad.
"Our goal is to prepare the best we can to be ready for what awaits us in Russia,” Pivarić said. "In Rovinj, the emphasis will surely be put on the physical preparation of all players. I'm excited, and I can hardly wait for all of this to finish up,” Pivarić added.
?? Hvala svim navijačima koji su došli podržati hrvatsku reprezentaciju na otvorenom treningu u Rovinju!#BudiPonosan #Obitelj #Hrvatska #Vatreni? pic.twitter.com/6rLAARdxZd
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 27, 2018
When asked which position he would play on the national team, Pivarić replied: "This is a question for coach Dalić."
"This is a question for the coach. Every player wants to play, and we will train and fight for a place. The national team is a place where players need to put their egos aside. All of us have to be supportive of each player, and all eleven are important for success,” he said. When talking about the expectations at the World Cup, Pivarić noted that it is most important to pass through the group and the first match against Nigeria.
??⚽️#croatia #training #nike #rovinj #russia2018 #stepbystep #neverstop #mm17? pic.twitter.com/FIxpmbO8fs
— Mario Mandžukić MM17 (@MarioMandzukic9) May 27, 2018
"We all live for that match; we will give our best for a good result, which would mean a lot for the confidence and the atmosphere in the team,” Pivarić concluded.
Filip Bradarić of HNK Rijeka said he was extremely happy to be in the company of the best footballers in the world.
"For a single HNL player to enter such a competition is a big thing. I'm fully prepared, I'm healthy and I believe we have a chance for a great result. Of course, I hope I will use this chance and get a chance against Brazil and Senegal because I believe that the coach did not call me by accident. A good season is behind me, and now I'm ready for a new step,” Bradarić said.
?Croatia goalkeepers getting ready for the @FIFAWorldCup ?#BeProud #Croatia?? #Family #WorldCup #Vatreni? pic.twitter.com/TV3sckLHI5
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 27, 2018
"I'm happy that I will defend the colors of the national team. The World Cup is a dream for me every day. It is why you work, it is why you play, it is why you live,” Bradarić concluded.
