Mateo Kovacic says Croatia will not be intimidated by Spain when the two sides meet in the Nations League, despite the world champions’ remarkable 39-match unbeaten run.
Spain have emerged as the leading force in world football and secured their second World Cup over the summer after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final. They have not lost in 39 consecutive matches across 90 minutes, recording 30 wins and nine draws – the longest unbeaten run by a European nation in history.
Both teams began their Nations League campaigns with victories. Croatia defeated Czechia 2-1, while Spain recovered from behind to beat England 3-2. The results leave the sides level on points before their meeting on Tuesday.
Spain are nevertheless strong favourites. The Opta supercomputer gives them a 78.3% chance of winning, compared with 8.4% for Croatia.
Kovacic, who has played against Spain several times, insists Croatia are ready to embrace the challenge rather than be overawed by it.
“Of course. Spain, right now, is the best team in the world,” he said. “There’s nothing better than playing against the best.
“It will be a difficult match against the best team in the world. But it will be difficult for them too. We have played against them several times, and sometimes we have done very well. Hopefully, we can repeat that.
“We’re not afraid of anyone. We respect everyone. Spain is a very strong team. They’re very united. They’re a top team, but we’ll focus on our own game.”
Asked whether a Croatia victory on Tuesday would be impossible, Kovacic rejected the suggestion.
“No.
“We know about the 39 games without losing, but I don’t want to dwell on that; I want to focus on our game and take the ball away from them.”
Spain are unbeaten in their past three matches against Croatia, winning two and drawing one. They eventually prevailed on penalties in that draw, which came in the Nations League.
Croatia’s most recent victory over Spain also came in this competition, when they won 3-2 in November 2018.
Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic believes Spain can be exposed if his former side follow their tactical plan and maintain their belief.
“Spain has some strengths that can be exploited, as England showed,” Bilic said.
“We don’t need a miracle; we need faith. We’ve played great matches against them. Matches are long.
“Against the Czechs, there were moments when we didn’t know how to suffer. We can’t repeat that. We know they’ll have possession, but it can’t always be theirs.
“We must have confidence in what we do, in ourselves.”
