Intro:

Croatian players lamented the match day closure of their stadium as they prepared to meet Italy in Group H European Championship qualifier

Script:

SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Darijo Srna:

"Vedran Corluka and Luka Modric and young Tin Jedvaj, they are all injured, but the Italians are missing many players as I can see. I think the game would be totally different if Poljud stadium was full tomorrow. But, unfortunately, it will be empty, so we have the same conditions as the Italians, so game will be difficult. We have to use our chances to the maximum to move forward up the table, but we have to be cautious. Italy is Italy, they have experienced players, they have an experienced coach, and we do respect them. We will push for our game from minute one, the same game we showed at the San Siro."

SOUNDBITE (Croatian) Niko Kovac:

"I hope that we will be able to find that thing that we were missing back in Italy, that last pass, the finish, the chance to score. Again what I want to say, what has happened in the past is behind us. Tomorrow is the new game, new challenge, and it will be very hard. We should not be deceived. We should not think that we have the game won already. When we walk into the game tomorrow and start from scratch, then I know that my boys will play a fine game."