On Monday, Croatia national football team will start the preparations for Bulgaria and Malta encounters, with RB Salzburg defender Duje Ćaleta-Car replacing the injured Celtic defender Jozo Šimunović, who originally replaced Liverpool's Dejan Lovren.

"The expectations are clear, we have to do everything in our power to reach the necessary level to beat Bulgaria and Malta. Any team can be dangerous if we let it, but I believe Croatia has more quality than Bulgaria, and with full respect towards our opponents, Croatia will dictate the play in that match", says Croatia head coach Ante Čačić.

With two victories, Croatia has the chance to reach EURO 2016 in France without play-off matches.

"Should we finish third, it is still important to create a winning atmosphere and then be ready for the play-offs. We have done so on more than one occasion", Čačić added.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Head coach Čačić has already spoken to the national team players and also visited many of them.

"There are no problem inside the locker room, the relations are friendly. They are thinking responsibly, they realize this is the opportunity of a generation and will do everything to avoid negativity, find inner strength and make the national team the pride of a nation".

Moreover, Croatia should play an important part in France 2016 and Russia 2018.

"Our players should not be content with their success in the major European clubs. To play for the national team is above everything else, and this generation is now at its best. It is natural to try and achieve more then your predecessors. Why hide such ambitions?", asks Čačić.

foto: Drago Sopta/HNS