SLAVEN BILIC has questioned England's mentality ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.
The Three Lions led Sunday's opponents in the World Cup semi-final three years ago.
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
But despite taking an early lead, goals from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic turned the game on its head.
And Bilic reckons the scarring from that result could come back to haunt Gareth Southgate's men at Wembley this weekend.
The former Croatia manager, who took charge between 2006 and 2012, was asked where the game will be won and lost.
He told The Telegraph: "Mentality. Remember the World Cup semi-final?
"In the first-half England dominated, were 1-0 up and it should have been 2-0. But as soon as we scored an equaliser it was game over for you.
"There was nobody on the pitch who said, ‘Wait, wait, we have time’. It was gone."
Bilic added: "In 2018 only two Croatia players who started the semi-final did not play under me and I left in 2012.
"So the core of the team has cried, laughed, celebrated, gone through all of the emotions together and of course that is going to help them.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
"Let’s say after half an hour it’s 1-0 to England, we can go ‘Come on guys, we have been here before.’ So it helps.
"Is it crucial? Not necessarily. It’s good to be young and have that freedom but it’s also good to have that know-how and experience.
"Of course, England are favourites and we also see it that way.
"We have not been playing great but I know that when the big games come – and it doesn’t get much bigger than this one – we have know-how, quality, brains and courage."
Like SunSport columnist Jose Mourinho, Bilic was quick to highlight the strength of Croatia's midfield.
Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic are set to try and dictate the game from the middle of the park.
But he also admitted England's attacking threat can cause Zlatko Dalic's side plenty of headaches, especially with influential defender and leader Dejan Lovren out injured.
Source: Read Full Article