Playing In An Empty Stadium Would Be Strange – Modric

Luka Modric has admitted Croatia and England must overcome the “strange” atmosphere of facing each other in a stadium without supporters in Friday’s UEFA Nations League clash in Rijeka.

The hosts will serve the second game of a two-match UEFA punishment after a swastika symbol was bleached onto the pitch prior to the Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy in Split in Jun 2015.

With the game being played behind closed doors at the HNK Stadion, only match officials, VIPs from the Croatian and English associations, team staff, media, and police officers will be allowed into the 8,000-capacity arena.

The game will be the first time that England have played in an empty stadium — Croatia played the first game of their two-match stadium ban against Bulgaria in October 2015 — and the Real Madrid midfielder says the atmosphere will be an unusual test for both teams.

“It will be tough,” Modric said. “It’s a strange environment for both teams, playing in front of an empty stadium.

“It’s important for us to achieve a good result. It’s hard to play without fans, but we have to adapt to that.

“I don’t think anyone has the advantage in this kind of game. Nobody is accustomed to play in front of an empty stadium.

“Maybe we’ve had some experience of it with the game already, but it is what it is. We have to adapt as quickly as possible.”

Croatia, who defeated England in the World Cup semifinal before losing to France in the final, go into the game stung by last month’s 6-0 Nations League defeat in Spain.