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Cape Town - Luka Modric believes attack will be Croatia's best form of
defence when they face Brazil in the opening game of the 2014 World Cup
on Thursday.
The five-time world champions are among the favourites to again lift the title, this time in their own backyard, and they raise the curtain on the global event at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo this week.
Croatia, meanwhile, are making only their fourth appearance at the finals and seemingly could not have drawn a tougher opening opponent, and although Real Madrid midfielder Modric is all too aware of the talent that makes up the Samba Kings squad, he insists his side will not be holding back.
"It has been a long while since Croatia played a match as big as this one," he said in The Sun.
"We are all aware of how fired up the Brazilians are to make a winning start on home soil.
"They are a phenomenal team, with Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Neymar the three outstanding players in their team.
"It means we have to breathe as one on the pitch because none of us can put up a one-man show against a team of such quality.
"It will be a titanic tussle in midfield and we are doomed if we surrender possession and try to sit back and defend."
The five-time world champions are among the favourites to again lift the title, this time in their own backyard, and they raise the curtain on the global event at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo this week.
Croatia, meanwhile, are making only their fourth appearance at the finals and seemingly could not have drawn a tougher opening opponent, and although Real Madrid midfielder Modric is all too aware of the talent that makes up the Samba Kings squad, he insists his side will not be holding back.
"It has been a long while since Croatia played a match as big as this one," he said in The Sun.
"We are all aware of how fired up the Brazilians are to make a winning start on home soil.
"They are a phenomenal team, with Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Neymar the three outstanding players in their team.
"It means we have to breathe as one on the pitch because none of us can put up a one-man show against a team of such quality.
"It will be a titanic tussle in midfield and we are doomed if we surrender possession and try to sit back and defend."
