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I've only heard speculation from onefootball.com then I saw this today from reuters.
Croatia drop Prosinecki and Suker
By Simon Evans
IBARAKI, Japan, June 7 (Reuters) - Croatia coach Mirko Jozic has axed midfielder Robert Prosinecki and striker Davor Suker from the starting line-up ahead of Saturday's World Cup group G game with Italy.
The big name pair, members of the side which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in France four years ago, were both substituted after poor showings in Croatia's 1-0 opening defeat to Mexico.
Suker was top scorer in the 1998 tournament with six goals.
Jozic said he had a list of 14 players who were in contention for a starting place against the Italians and Prosinecki and Suker were not in the list.
But the Croatia coach said the duo could play some part in the match as substitutes.
"I didn't say that they will not play some part in the game," said Jozic, "They could play a part, it depends on the situation."
While Jozic was tight-lipped about the 11 players who will face Giovanni Trapattoni's side, forward Milan Rapaic and attacking midfielder Davor Vugrinec look the most likely replacements.
DIFFICULT TASK
Vugrinec plays in Italy with Lecce while Fenerbahce's Rapaic previously played for Serie A club Perugia.
Jozic admitted his side faced a difficult task against the Italians, one of the favourites for the title. He said: "Miracles don't happen often but we have to believe in ourselves."
The Croatia coach is clearly hoping that the changes he plans for the team will help upset the confident Italians, who have conceded just 10 goals in their last 20 World Cup finals games.
"We will try and change our tactics and our approach. It won't be easy because the Italian defence is very strong. But don't forget that our defence only conceded two goals in qualification," said Jozic.
"We will try to change things from the Mexico game and look to the one-one situations and the moments of inspiration that arrive in a game which are so important," added the Croatia coach.
06/07/02 04:36 ET
Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Croatia drop Prosinecki and Suker
By Simon Evans
IBARAKI, Japan, June 7 (Reuters) - Croatia coach Mirko Jozic has axed midfielder Robert Prosinecki and striker Davor Suker from the starting line-up ahead of Saturday's World Cup group G game with Italy.
The big name pair, members of the side which reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in France four years ago, were both substituted after poor showings in Croatia's 1-0 opening defeat to Mexico.
Suker was top scorer in the 1998 tournament with six goals.
Jozic said he had a list of 14 players who were in contention for a starting place against the Italians and Prosinecki and Suker were not in the list.
But the Croatia coach said the duo could play some part in the match as substitutes.
"I didn't say that they will not play some part in the game," said Jozic, "They could play a part, it depends on the situation."
While Jozic was tight-lipped about the 11 players who will face Giovanni Trapattoni's side, forward Milan Rapaic and attacking midfielder Davor Vugrinec look the most likely replacements.
DIFFICULT TASK
Vugrinec plays in Italy with Lecce while Fenerbahce's Rapaic previously played for Serie A club Perugia.
Jozic admitted his side faced a difficult task against the Italians, one of the favourites for the title. He said: "Miracles don't happen often but we have to believe in ourselves."
The Croatia coach is clearly hoping that the changes he plans for the team will help upset the confident Italians, who have conceded just 10 goals in their last 20 World Cup finals games.
"We will try and change our tactics and our approach. It won't be easy because the Italian defence is very strong. But don't forget that our defence only conceded two goals in qualification," said Jozic.
"We will try to change things from the Mexico game and look to the one-one situations and the moments of inspiration that arrive in a game which are so important," added the Croatia coach.
06/07/02 04:36 ET
Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.