Cucurella: “He gives everything for his team, but of course he provokes”

“Who isn’t frustrated with Cucurella when he isn’t on their team? He’s a great player; I admire what he does on the pitch and the story of his son. He defends his team with everything he has, but of course he provokes,” Cucurella said.

The remark came as Slaven Bilic, back in Split with the Croatian national team, spoke to the press after the match against Spain. He had just addressed reporters in the Hajduk stadium press room. The coach said he regretted the result but felt his side had played well. In his view, a point would have meant a great deal; he was pleased, especially with the first half, and said his players had carried out their preparation.

Bilic also spoke about the 0-7 defeat to England in Rijeka, describing the shame and hurt it had caused and saying it would never be forgotten. He praised his team’s play and courage, saying it had created better chances than Spain in the first half before feeling the physical strain after the break. He also mentioned a viral cold that had affected the squad.

On the tactical choices, the coach defended a player he considers brave, able to read the game and endowed with energy the team needs, despite limited playing time at his club. He described the tension in the dugouts as part of football, said he had gone to congratulate Spain and accused the world champions of provoking, citing the red card. He also said Spain had no obvious weakness, while noting that Croatia had pressed well and caused them more problems than England.