‘An eternal shame’: Bilic and Croatia aim to use 7-0 humbling as fuel against England

The home humiliation last month has left a scar on Croatian football but their manager wants them to use it to positive effect in the Wembley rematch As Croatia prepare to face England at Wembley on Thursday in the Nations League, wounds from a humiliating defeat by the same opponents just over a month ago are fresh and there is a lingering feeling of unease. No one will say it – certainly not Slaven Bilic, who always believes in goals that may seem unreachable to most others – but the impression is that Croatia would be satisfied to accept another defeat, provided it was gentle enough by score and hard-fought by approach; that this game is not so much about the points as the (self-)respect they can regain. Continue reading...