Croatia on a learning curve

By Manfed Christoph in Bochum

Croatia coach Martin Novoselac has all but given up hope of leading his side through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship ahead of their final Group A fixture with Italy in Bochum on Tuesday.

'Deserved more'
Despite playing some attractive football, Croatia have picked up just one point from their opening two games and need to defeat - and therefore eliminate - pre-tournament favourites Italy to stand any chance of making the last four.

Education important
"We deserved more than one point," said Novoselac. "But education counts more than the result. For us the most important thing is producing two or three full internationals. In two years' time we will definitely have a really strong side. "

Family spirit
Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfield player Marko Babic suggested spirits in the Croatian camp are still high after an exhausting season. He said: "Life goes on. Maybe it was a little too hard after such a long season, but the atmosphere in the team is still like on the very first day. We are still a family."

Mesto doubt
Danjiel Pranjic has recovered from a thigh strain to face the Azzurrini along with Marjian Buljat, who is likely to come in for Darijo Srna. The Italians' only injury worry is over Reggina Calcio midfield player Giandomenico Mesto, as coach Claudio Gentile explained. "Mesto had to undergo an echography this morning," he said. "We should have the result soon."

'Play to win'
A draw will be enough for Gentile's side to reach the semi-finals, providing Serbia and Montenegro do not defeat Belarus in the day's other game. But the coach said: "We will not be looking forward to a draw even though it might be enough. We will go out to win from the very first minute."

Gentile focus
With Sweden already guaranteed to progress as Group B winners, Italian fans know their team finishing as runners-up in Group A would put off a possible meeting with hosts Germany until the final. But Gentile was quick to add: "Whether we'd prefer Sweden or Germany is not important. We need to concentrate on Croatia.

Result imperative
"The players who have received a yellow card in the previous matches can't have this in mind when they enter the pitch either. The result of the team is more important than their eligibility for the semi-final. It is an important game for all of us."