“Russia will feel like a guest of the devil. We have one option – victory. ” Lovren about the match in Split – Football
Zenit defender Dejan Lovren spoke about the upcoming match between the national teams of Croatia and Russia in the qualification of the 2022 World Cup.
– The qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup comes to a climax. Any thoughts on the decisive Croatia-Russia game?
– To begin with, we must fully concentrate on the game with Malta. I think that we will face a difficult match with this team. And after that, the real final of the entire qualifying cycle will take place.
It will be great to see my friends from Russia in Split, but I look forward to winning this match. A great game awaits us all!
The Russian national team in it for the first place in the group may be enough for one point, but we will only be satisfied with the victory. I am sure that not a single ticket will remain on sale and the fans will fill the stadium one hundred percent.
– Does the Croatian national team and its fans miss the legendary Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, which has always had a crazy atmosphere?
– To be honest, I like the atmosphere at the stadium in Split even more. There you will feel as if you are on a visit to the devil. It will be awesome!
– Like at Anfield at home for Liverpool, which you played for?
– Even a little more abruptly! A real finale awaits us. The Croatian national team does not play very often in Split, so I think that people will be happy to come to the stadium and will give all their strength and emotions to support us. It will be great!
– Will you be rooting for Cyprus in the match against Russia on November 11?
– Just like in Russia, on the same day everyone will be rooting for Malta in the match against Croatia! I think that both for Russia and for us the games against Cyprus and Malta will not be easy.
Yes, everyone is already talking about our decisive meeting, but now our teams should be concentrated in Cyprus and Malta, respectively.
– In case of victory of Russia over Cyprus and Croatia over Malta, your opponents in Split, as you have already said, will have enough and a draw. In that case, will it turn you on even more?
– If we were now in the place of the Russian national team, we would still only play to win. We will never play for a draw. At the same time, I do not think that the Russian national team thinks differently, that it will keep in mind the tournament layouts in the split, which means that it will rely on one point. She will probably try to create scoring chances at our goal.
Well, for us there will be only one possible option – victory. But we must be careful and attentive, because the Russian national team is conducting good counterattacks. In any case, it will be a difficult match, – said Lovren.
Russia will play Croatia on Sunday 14 November. The match will start at 17:00 Moscow time.