Bilic: Like Everyone, We Must Be Full Of Ourselves

Selector Bilic confessed he had stage fright before the match against Austria, but also that self-confidence was great

Croatian football team selector Slaven Bilic confessed at a press conference before the first match of the EURO competition that he had stage fright – positive stage fright.

- There is stage fright, my God, I don`t know who hasn`t got it. What goes for the players, goes for the coaches as well, this doesn`t mean it`s fear. It is a specific state before a match. We had it before Macedonia and this is present before every other match – Bilic said.

The players who addressed the media before the selector`s press conference said the Austrians must “fall”, but Bilic did not see it as arrogance.

- We have been convinced of that from day one. It keeps growing, before Livorno, we had to convince them they were good after failure at the World Championship. But that was a slight disappointment, more talk was necessary afterwards. Later on, we gained that self-confidence and we have gained it through our play and results. We don`t have more self-confidence now than we did three weeks ago. We have watched the Austrians and we know what they can do. Bad words were never uttered by us, we just have faith in ourselves. Like any other team, we have to be full of ourselves – the selector added.

“The way the Austrians will line up on the pitch depends on us”

This morning, they watched a video tape with the Austrians and the selector pointed to several matters.

- We spoke about the opponent every day, from the beginning, we warned them about certain areas they were strong at, not just about some interruptions. We warned them of certain things where they were a bit poorer in the test matches, but this is like a type of a secret – said the selector, adding that the rain, which relentlessly keeps on pouring, has not disturbed Croatia`s practice and that it will not change the way the Austrians will be playing against them.

- They have two options, they will either press us or back off. It depends on us and how much we let them. We warned at the meeting about both versions, which have their advantages. They cannot surprise us, like the Israelis in Zagreb because they have completely changed the way they played Austria has two game systems it cherishes, they can change the personnel, but this is what suits them best. I don`t know if they will let Pletikosa play, but it doesn`t matter. They will try to stop us with early pressure – Nane said.

Unlike the Austrian selector Hickersberger, Bilic does not want to discuss victory in percentages.

- It is stupid to talk in percentages, every match brings something new. Many times, greater favourites do not turn victory on paper into victory on the pitch. We will try to impose ourselves and look for a win. I don`t like talking in percentages – Bilic said in the end.

The Croatian team will train today in Bad Tatzmannsdorf and head out for Vienna tomorrow at 11 hours.