42
Barcelona and Croatia Superstar Ivan Rakitic has expressed his fears ahead of the World Cup Group D opener against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday in Kaliningrad.
Croatia are in the same situation as the Super Eagles as they have not won an opening game at the World Cup since 1998, but the Barcelona midfielder is hoping they improve on their opening day fixtures when they face the three-time African champions.
”We know how important it is to have a good tournament, and we have to do everything to beat Nigeria, even though nothing has been resolved,” Rakitic told Sportske Novosti.
Â
”We know they’re a dangerous team with good players, we have to be ready. We know that everyone is expecting to be right, we first, I’m confident we will be ready.”
Â
Meanwhile, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić plans to field four strikers against Nigeria in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with four strikers expected to be named in the starting lineup.Â
Croatia will be hoping to go past the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday.
