Dani Olmo Warns Spain of Fierce Croatian Reaction After England Rout
Dani Olmo has cautioned his Spanish teammates to be ready for a tough challenge from Croatia in their upcoming UEFA Nations League match. This comes after Croatia’s shocking 7-0 home loss to England, a record defeat that is expected to fuel their determination.
Olmo Calls for Vigilance Against Croatia
The Barcelona midfielder emphasized that Spain must stay alert when facing Croatia at the Poljud Stadium. The Croatian squad, led by Slaven Bilic, suffered their worst-ever defeat against England on home soil, but Olmo believes this humiliation will ignite their desire to reclaim pride in front of their fans.
Personal Connection Adds Depth
For Olmo, this match carries extra meaning. He began his professional career at Dinamo Zagreb, learning Croatian and developing his skills from age 16. In a pre-match press conference, he described the Croatian side as more dangerous now, saying: "I expect a more dangerous Croatia. They aren’t coming off an easy match, but playing in front of their home crowd won’t be easy for us."
On Croatia's heavy defeat, Olmo added: "We were very surprised. But tomorrow we’ll see how they react... We’ve played many matches against them. We know they are very strong and have great players. It won’t be easy for us. We have to focus on ourselves and our own game."
Atmosphere at Poljud Stadium Inspires
Spain’s visit to Split excites Olmo due to the intense atmosphere created by Hajduk Split’s passionate supporters. He said: "It’s a heated atmosphere. The fans press hard and get strongly behind their team and players. It’s a beautiful football match that we’ll be able to enjoy out on the pitch. That kind of atmosphere gives you extra motivation. Matches in this stadium bring back good memories for me. I have great respect for Hajduk."
Reflecting on his move to Zagreb as a teenager, Olmo shared: "Everyone has their own story, path, and reasons. I made that decision because of Dinamo’s interest and their desire to help me grow. I trusted in that, and it turned out to be one of the best moments of my career. I left at 16 and was alone with my mother in a new country with a new language. It was hard, but beautiful. I’m happy to be back."
He expressed gratitude toward Croatia, saying: "They are unique feelings. It’s a country that gave me everything - or almost everything - I have. It’s a lovely opportunity to come back here, even if it’s in Split rather than Zagreb. Family and friends will be coming... I’m really looking forward to it."
Key Nations League Showdown
Spain aims to secure their lead in Group A3 after winning all three of their opening games, including a dominant 4-1 win over Croatia earlier. Croatia faces a stern test hosting the world champions at the fierce Poljud Stadium following recent defensive collapses that saw them concede 11 goals in two matches. This encounter will likely set the tone for the group before the November international break.
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A
- Date: 6 October 2026
- Time: 21:45
- Fixture: Croatia vs Spain
