Slaven Bilic Slams Croatia's Lack of Fight After Crushing Spain Defeat

Slaven Bilic did not hold back in his harsh critique of Croatia’s performance following their heavy loss to Spain in Seville. The Croatian coach was clearly frustrated as he watched his team struggle against the reigning world champions, describing their effort as lacking the necessary aggression to compete at that level.

Frustration Over Lack of Intensity

Bilic expressed deep disappointment with how his side approached the game, suggesting that many players seemed overwhelmed by the occasion and the reputation of their opponents. Despite the squad being in a rebuilding phase, he stressed that a lack of fighting spirit was unacceptable for a team with Croatia’s proud football history.

"A difficult night for us. We were bad in every way, we are disappointed. We can find some excuse in the fact that it is Spain, the world champion, and that our team is new, but we cannot play with such a lack of aggression, as if we were here just to celebrate their winning of the World Cup. We can’t come here just to be part of the celebration. That’s not us," Bilic said.

Defensive Struggles and Individual Efforts

The match quickly turned sour for Croatia after conceding a goal in the opening minute. Although they managed to equalize briefly, defensive mistakes, especially on set-pieces, let Spain pull ahead again. Bilic pointed out the team’s failure to stay composed and disciplined under pressure, particularly against the fluid Spanish attack.

"When you concede a goal in the first minute against the world champions, you need a few minutes to recover. We equalized, and when we needed strength, calmness and intelligence to disrupt them, we conceded another goal from a set piece, and maybe it should have been the other way around," he added.

Despite the defeat, Bilic found some positives in individual performances. He praised players like Kovacic, Perisic, and Beljo, who showed moments of quality amid the tough night.

Reality Check for the New Croatian Squad

The loss served as a stark reminder of the gulf between Croatia and top-tier teams right now. Bilic remains confident about the talent within his squad but acknowledged their execution on the pitch was far from what is needed at this level. The difference was clear not only in the score but also in tactical discipline and physicality.

"We put this team together for a reason. On paper, the guys who played tonight have everything, but we showed very little," Bilic remarked.

Upcoming Key Match Against England

After this setback, Croatia must quickly refocus as they prepare for a crucial match against England on Saturday. Both teams sit level on three points in the group, trailing Spain, who lead with six points. With Spain facing Czechia before meeting Croatia next week, this clash against England carries huge significance for qualification hopes.

A win would boost Croatia’s campaign and move them ahead of England in the standings ahead of their rematch against Spain. The pressure is on for Bilic’s team to respond strongly.

UEFA Nations League A Fixtures:

• Croatia vs England: 3 Oct 2026, 19:00
• Spain vs Czechia: 3 Oct 2026, 21:45