Croatia to rest big names

Bilic avoids any ban fears

By Vlatko Siljanovski   Last updated: 15th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Croatia to rest big names

Bilic: Resting players

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Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has confirmed he will not play any player who already has a yellow card, in their final Euro 2008 group match against Poland.

The Croats have already booked top-sport in Group B and so Bilic is eager to avoid any suspensions in their quarter-final, which will be against Czech Republic or Turkey.

Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Darijo Srna and Luka Modric are all first-choices on bookings who will not play against the Polish.

But they are not the only players who will not be played as Bilic is also looking to rest some of his other big names likes Niko Kranjcar, Ivica Olic, Vedran Corluka and Niko Kovac.

"Players with yellow cards will not play against Poland," said Bilic.

Bilic also admitted his delight at claiming top spot in their group which means they will avoid Portugal in the last eight.

"I am quite happy that we avoided mighty Portugal," Bilic continued.

"We are satisfied but both the Czechs and Turkey have their own strengths and weaknesses.

"We have followed closely both teams but at the moment our next game against Poland is the priority."