Zlatko Dalic insists Croatia will keep the head at Hampden to get their Euro 2020 hopes back on track after wilting in the Wembley warmth.
The Vatreni head coach says his side are focused on three points in Glasgow this evening to tee-up a shot of qualification against Scotland next week - a game he hopes to welcome back Rangers star Borna Barisic.
Barisic has been left back at their base in Rovini as he continues his recovery from a back injury which ruled him out of the opening Group D defeat to England.
That game was played out in blazing heat in London.
But Dalic was offering no excuses ahead of the clash with Czech Republic in a mild Mount Florida.
He said: “It will be easier for us to play in this weather, it will be better for us.
“In London it was hard to sit in it and to run, so it will be easier for us in Glasgow over the next two matches.
“The temperature in London was an issue but we have some training sessions here and we will adapt to it better.
“Every single defeat feels hard and leave consequences. On the other hand, we know everything is still up to us. There is a good atmosphere.
“We need to elevate ourselves and I believe we can achieve that. I am an optimist.
“Why? When you play against a team like England or Belgium, they are the best in the world.
“We can improve tomorrow in the attacking situation. We are going to try and play a more offensive game.
“We also have to adapt some other things. But we are ready to go.
“We need to win this. We need to have a good result. Without this going into the later stages will not be possible.
“Borna Barisic unfortunately is out of the team. That’s a great pity because he has had a great season at Rangers. He was in great condition.
“But since he came in to the camp he managed to get injured and unfortunately he’s not been able to get back in the greatest shape.
“He has been left back at home so he can work on preparing as best possible for the last game. We expect him and need him then.”
Croatia have won just three of their last 10 matches. But impressively in 10 major finals appearances they’ve never lost the second game in a group.
Dalic added: “We are not in the same position as the Czech Republic with three points from the first match.
“That’s why we need this first victory, which is going to push us on and give us self confidence.
“We are in a difficult situation. We are playing on a pitch that is not ours. We have seen other nations playing at home in front of their own fans.
“We have to travel. And we miss our fans. But there are no excuses.
“We have to run, do our best and get a good result.
“The situation in England and Scotland is such that we cannot come over here so our fans can’t come to the match. That’s not great but the Czechs are in the same situation when it comes to this.”
Barisic may be out but Dejan Lovren is expected to return to the heart of defence after missing the England defeat.
The former Liverpool stopper insists he won’t be looking for any favours from the Auld Enemy clash at Wembley.
Lovren said: “We’re not going to be looking for anything at the other game because we have to focus on ourselves.
“We have two games left so we have to concentrate on them.
“Everything is in our own hands and I am sure England will be thinking the same way.
“It is not going to be easy against Scotland either, for sure.
“We have been watching all the games, we don’t have much else to do and so far France and Italy have been impressive.
“The favourites are the French, they know what to do and they have quality in every position.
“They have so many excellent players, even among their substitutes and are playing very well.”
