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Croatian national coach Bilic deeply ashamed after historic
Teams 5 October 2026

Croatian national coach Bilic deeply ashamed after historic

After Croatia's unprecedented 0-7 defeat against England in Rijeka, national coach Slaven Bilic expressed his great shame. Bilic searches for answers and calls for unity and character to regain the fans' trust.

Croatian national coach Bilic deeply ashamed after historic

According to Vi.

Background

National coach Slaven Bilic has the responsibility to get his team back on track after this heavy defeat. Criticism from the media has increased, and Bilic will have to work on both the mental and tactical aspects of the game to re-motivate the players for the upcoming challenges in the UEFA Nations League.

Why this matters

Croatia's 0-7 defeat against England is not only a painful shame, but also has major consequences for the team dynamics and the confidence of the fans. National coach Slaven Bilic now faces the challenge of rebuilding his players and creating unity within the team. This historic defeat could affect Croatia's prospects for the season in the UEFA Nations League as they are now under pressure to bounce back.

Key points

  • Croatian national coach Bilic deeply ashamed after historic.
  • After an unprecedented 0-7 defeat of Croatia against England in Rijeka, national coach Slaven Bilic expressed his great shame.
  • Croatian coach's disbelief: 'England wouldn't even beat Estonia 7-0'.

Croatia had a dramatic evening in Rijeka, where the national team was beaten 0-7 by England. A rare heavy defeat that leaves deep marks on players, staff and fans of the Croatian team. Afterwards, national coach Slaven Bilic was faced with the difficult task of explaining this poor performance, which can even be described as historic.

Bilic, visibly affected, raised his hands and addressed the audience with a sincere message. “This is a moment when we as a team really have to show unity,” the coach said during the press moment. The criticism from the press was harsh, but Bilic continued to insist on the importance of joint responsibility. "It's easy to be positive when everything is going well, but now we have to show character. We will have to play a mature game to regain confidence."

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Despite the painful result, Bilic made no attempt to hide: "I'm sorry for the fans, for the children in the stands. Believe me, this result hits us just as hard." The Croatian coach acknowledged that it is pointless to analyze the match in detail. “We knew that England are in a class of their own, but we could not keep up with them in any area: not in terms of aggressiveness, technique, power or confidence.”

What makes the defeat extra painful according to Bilic is that Croatia was not surprised by England's play. “They did exactly what we expected and yet at no point could we make a difference. That is perhaps the most disappointing thing.”

Bilic emphasized his own responsibility and expressed the seriousness of the situation: "A 0-7 loss is unacceptable for the level we strive for. England would never achieve such a result even against a country like Estonia." The national coach made it clear that he and his selection would only go through onestrong performance against Spain was able to restore some honour. The pressure is only increasing, because Croatian football has a lot to make up for after this blow. The focus must immediately be on the next challenge and the team will have to show that it has learned from this bitter evening in Rijeka.

What's happening now

Croatia will have to regroup and prepare for the next matches in the UEFA Nations League. Bilic has indicated that the team must show character and play maturely to regain the fans' trust. The upcoming international matches will be crucial for the team's future and its ability to qualify for the next round of the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the result of the Croatia vs England match?

Croatia lost 0-7 to England.

How does this defeat affect the standings in the UEFA Nations League?

The defeat has a negative impact on Croatia's position in the UEFA Nations League, but specific details about the standings are not mentioned.

What did Slaven Bilic say after the match?

Slaven Bilic acknowledged the severity of the defeat and spoke about the need for unity and character within the team.

When will Croatia play its next match?

The date of Croatia's next match is not mentioned in the article.

Why is this defeat historic for Croatia?

The 0-7 defeat to England has been described as historic due to its rarity and the heavy impact it has on the team and the fans.

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