Bilić keeps cards close to his chest

Croatia coach Slaven Bilić was in typically secretive mood on Saturday but that did not stop Elvir Islamović speculating about the team he might pick against the Republic of Ireland.


Slaven Bilić wasn't giving much away about his starting XI to face the Republic of Ireland when he addressed the media on Saturday. There is little doubt he already knows his team, but he was not about to divulge it to the Irish. It seems that even the Croatia players have not yet been informed who will make the cut.

"It's better that the Irish don't know our team before the match," said Bilić. "My decision on who will play will be based on our own quality, not on a guess about who will respond best to how the Irish play."

 

 

Slaven Bilić was relaxed during training on Saturday

My latest talks with fellow journalists, as well as the open training sessions we have witnessed and the communication we have had with Bilić, suggest the coach might make one particularly notable call. Captain Darijo Srna could be moved from the right wing into defence, potentially a better option than having Domagoj Vida at right-back. Doing this would allow Ivan Rakitić to move up the right flank, with Ivan Perišić going over to the left. Ognjen Vukojević and Tomislav Dujmović look to be competing to partner Luka Modrić in the middle.

This, though, is of course all speculation. Bilić has been determined to keep mum about his side despite the endless conjecture, analysis and predictions both here and back home. However, this hasn't stopped me compiling the side I expect to run out against Ireland: Pletikosa; Srna, Ćorluka, Schildenfeld, Strinić; Rakitić, Vukojević, Modrić, Perišić; Mandžukić, Jelavić.

But, as Bilić has said many times before: "You will see my first XI one hour before the match ..."