Pressure on for Pršo

By Danijel Lijovic

Having scored four goals in AS Monaco FC's 8-3 UEFA Champions League win against RC Deportivo La Coruña last week, and another against AC Ajaccio at the weekend to keep his club at the top of Ligue 1, no one can doubt that striker Dado Pršo is in sensational form.

Cool confidence
That is great news for Croatia as they go into the first leg of their UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off against neighbours Slovenia in Zagreb on Saturday. The 29-year-old striker's skill, stamina and commitment have been a revelation for Croatia in recent months, and as he spoke to uefa.com at the national team's training camp outside Zagreb, Pršo oozed cool confidence.

Croatian engine
The man who has become the engine of the Croatian side in recent games does not underestimate Slovenia, who finished as runners-up to France in qualifying Group 1. "Slovenia are a side worthy of respect," he said. "They have a very good defence and the right winger [Milenko] Acimovic is very good. I think we all know what kind of player Zlatko Zahovic is. He can win a match with one move. He is one of the best players to come out of this region."

'Our advantage'
His respect for Croatia's opponents notwithstanding, Pršo and his team-mates are convinced that over two games they will have the edge. "I believe we are going to win," said Pršo. "We recently played decisive matches against Belgium and Bulgaria to take runners-up slot in Group 8 and now we have two matches against Slovenia. That is to our advantage. Anything can happen in one match - the weaker team may win - but over two matches, the one who is better will prevail. Our quality will come out."

Extra pressure
Slovenia coach Bojan Prašnikar has already alerted his players to the threat that Pršo can pose, describing him as Croatia's danger man in the lead-up to the tie. These words, together with his increased notoriety following his remarkable haul against Deportivo, have created a sense of expectation around Pršo, but he is unconcerned.

'Good form'
"I thank Prašnikar for his comments, but really I am always the same on the pitch," he said. "I haven't scored that many goals for the national team, but I am in good scoring form at Monaco. But I am not preoccupied or under pressure to score against Slovenia. If I can't score, [Ivica] Olic or [Ivica] Mornar will."

Gruelling schedule
The fact that he had played a gruelling four matches in eleven days prior to returning to join his team-mates in Croatia has not dampened Pršo's ardour. Nor, indeed, has the increased speculation over his future. Pršo's Monaco contract expires at the end of the season, but he insists he is not anticipating a move yet. "I wish to stay at Monaco," he said. "Yes, Fulham [FC] have shown interest, but if I have to go, I want to win the French title before I leave."

European dream
However, for the time being, all thoughts of domestic success have gone out of the window. The focus is entirely on another dream. "I have never played in the [UEFA] European Championship finals or the [FIFA] World Cup finals, so I have this huge desire to finally make it. And I will not let these two matches keep me from that goal. We're just going to have to get through!"