CROATIA defender Dario Simic has warned Poland not to expect an easy ride in Tuesday`s Group B encounter, even though coach Slaven Bilic is set to ring the changes with his side already guaranteed top spot.
Croatia cannot be overtaken at the top of the standings after winning their opening two matches against Austria and Germany, and as such Bilic is likely to shuffle his pack and give some new faces a chance.
It is a different story for Poland, though, as they need a victory and for the result of the Austria-Germany match to go their way if they are to achieve the improbable and join Croatia in the quarter-finals.
The fact they are set to be facing a new-look Croatia could give encouragement to Leo Beenhakker`s men, but Simic, who has yet to feature in the finals, was quick to dispel any suggestion that the fringe players will provide less of a challenge for the Poles.
"We players who have played less during the tournament will get an opportunity tomorrow. We also want to show our quality to the coach, play a good match and make our contribution to the success of the national team," said Simic.
"I think this will be a real match, although we have nothing to lose in terms of the outcome. All the players are top-notch players, and we are all highly motivated. I'm sure we will play a good match tomorrow."
If he takes the field against Poland then Simic will move a step closer to becoming the first Croatian player to win 100 caps - something the AC Milan defender is hoping to achieve during the tournament.
"Tomorrow's match will be the 99th and I hope that the 100th match will be during this tournament, we have qualified for the quarter-finals and I hope we go further than that," he said.
For Poland to progress through to the last eight, they need to not only beat Croatia but hope that Austria beat Germany with an inferior scoreline to the one that Beenhakker`s side achieve in Klagenfurt. Austria`s goal difference is currently 1-2, compared to Poland`s 1-3.
Beenhakker insists he is not worrying about what might happen in the other match in Vienna though, saying: "You have to put your energy and time in things that are in your hands.
"The only thing we have in our hands is that we can win over Croatia. We are focused on doing well tomorrow.
"We know exactly what our situation is. We have a lot of confidence that we can have a positive result against Croatia, and at the same time we have the small hope it will be enough to stay in the tournament via the back door," the veteran Dutchman added.
It is a different story for Poland, though, as they need a victory and for the result of the Austria-Germany match to go their way if they are to achieve the improbable and join Croatia in the quarter-finals.
The fact they are set to be facing a new-look Croatia could give encouragement to Leo Beenhakker`s men, but Simic, who has yet to feature in the finals, was quick to dispel any suggestion that the fringe players will provide less of a challenge for the Poles.
"We players who have played less during the tournament will get an opportunity tomorrow. We also want to show our quality to the coach, play a good match and make our contribution to the success of the national team," said Simic.
"I think this will be a real match, although we have nothing to lose in terms of the outcome. All the players are top-notch players, and we are all highly motivated. I'm sure we will play a good match tomorrow."
If he takes the field against Poland then Simic will move a step closer to becoming the first Croatian player to win 100 caps - something the AC Milan defender is hoping to achieve during the tournament.
"Tomorrow's match will be the 99th and I hope that the 100th match will be during this tournament, we have qualified for the quarter-finals and I hope we go further than that," he said.
For Poland to progress through to the last eight, they need to not only beat Croatia but hope that Austria beat Germany with an inferior scoreline to the one that Beenhakker`s side achieve in Klagenfurt. Austria`s goal difference is currently 1-2, compared to Poland`s 1-3.
Beenhakker insists he is not worrying about what might happen in the other match in Vienna though, saying: "You have to put your energy and time in things that are in your hands.
"The only thing we have in our hands is that we can win over Croatia. We are focused on doing well tomorrow.
"We know exactly what our situation is. We have a lot of confidence that we can have a positive result against Croatia, and at the same time we have the small hope it will be enough to stay in the tournament via the back door," the veteran Dutchman added.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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