CROATIA GOALKEEPER: We are happy to have Modric, Rakitic

Ahead of the Group D opening match against Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Croatia and Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic has claimed the Super Eagles are scared of the abilities of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic.

The Monaco goal tender said the Croatian midfield is one of the best at the World Cup and the Croatian team as a whole is very happy to have such players in the team.

Subasic said: “Any team in the world will be a little scared about our midfield because the likes of Modric, Rakitic, Perisic are world class players, so the Super Eagles of Nigeria are scared of our midfield right now. It’s nice to know that we have some of the best players in our squad playing in Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Nigeria team will find it hard to play against such midfield and it will be a big advantage for us against them, but we all have to act as a team,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Rakitic has provided an insight into Croatia’s ambitions at the World Cup. “The greatest ever pride is to play for the Croatia national team.

We will all do our best to the last second of the match against Nigeria and throughout this competition. We expect great results in Russia”.