Scorer of the equalizing goal in extra time, which took the duel against Brazil to penalties, Croatian striker Bruno Petkovic was one of the most celebrated after qualifying for the semifinals was guaranteed. In the mixed zone, where players talk to journalists, he tried to describe how he felt when he scored.
“I was burning inside, I jumped out of my skin. I can’t describe it, the most important goal in my life. My dad Jakov always says I’m going to score, maybe it would be better if I listened to him more often”, stated the Dinamo Zagreb player to the Sportske Novosti newspaper. He also thanked goalkeeper Livakovic.
“Livi always facilitates drama for us by defending early on in the series. Normally this would be drama because we feel cramp, but we show faith and character, that’s how we can do everything,” said Petkovic.
“Brazil really has a strong school, but in football, when you give everything, in the end you can achieve your goal.”
Another player who gave an interview crying was striker Andrej Kramaric.
“I rarely cry in my life. Something we did four years ago has happened again, and now against Brazil, and I have no words. This is a dream, unbelievable. We have two more games and I hope we can go until the end”, he said. .
“Indescribable. There are no words to explain it. Reaching the semifinals, staying until the last day of the biggest tournament in the world, it’s unbelievable. I’m very happy for my family, for the Croatian people. We enjoy the great atmosphere every day and I don’t know what else. I mean, unbelievable.”
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic also spoke about the emotion of reaching the vacancy.
“I can’t find the words, this is incredible, this is incredible… We knew we could do it, and we believed in it, but still, we knew Brazil would be difficult. Then you concede a goal in I don’t know what minute and you’re back in the game . This is amazing. Thank you to all of Croatia, this is for them,” he said.
“There is no such thing as giving up, we are stronger when it is difficult and we showed that again today. Even when we were losing, we tried and tried and in the end, God helped us”, added the midfielder.
Croatia’s second penalty taker, Lovro Majer said he was overcome by an inexplicable feeling.
“When Marquinhos hit the post, I was taken by a feeling that I can’t explain, that never happened to me. Honestly, the goal didn’t decrease when we took penalties, maybe that experience in Japan and Russia’s experience made this situation easier for us” , said Majer, stating that the penalties against Japan and in the Russian Cup helped to calm his selection.
“The coach told us that we had to keep believing, we scored the equalizer and celebrated deservedly. The Brazilians were not at a certain level, but I think that the merits are mainly ours. [goleiro] Livi saved three or four clean chances, we neutralized some of his attacks and we go game by game throughout the tournament. If everything goes well, I think we can win the championship, but first we’ll make the final.”
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