The sun-drenched Maksimir Stadium pitch had a familiar feel to it as the Malta players went through their paces yesterday.

The stands were empty, the atmo-sphere tranquil but that was the calm before the storm as this eve-ning Malta will be up against “one of the best teams in Europe” when they meet Croatia in their opening Euro 2016 Group H qualifier.

Croatia will be hellbent on getting their campaign for France 2016 off to a flying start, knowing that anything less than a comprehensive win against the lowest-ranked team in the group would unleash a storm of criticism in the wake of the country’s failure to reach the knock-out stages at the World Cup.

Yet, their group-stage exit in Brazil has done nothing to diminish Ghedin’s respect for Croatia.

“Croatia are very strong,” Ghedin told reporters.

“I watched them play on television the other day and I saw many good things. Croatia did well at the World Cup and they are 16th in the FIFA rankings.

“It will be very difficult for us to play against them but we will try to do our best. We have been together for seven days and the training has been very good.”

Last Thursday, Malta lost 1-0 to Slovakia in a friendly but, despite the upset, the team’s composed performance went some way towards enhancing optimism ahead of this daunting clash in Zagreb.

The mood within the squad is upbeat as seen in the Facebook video showing the players singing popular track ‘Xemx wisq sabiha’ during the long bus ride to reach Zagreb on Sunday.

“The game in Slovakia was tough but I feel a little bit more confident after that performance,” Ghedin added.

“But this will be another big test for us. Croatia and Italy will be the main challengers for the top two positions in this group.”

Ghedin had declared himself pleased with the way his team adapted to the new 3-5-2 tactical module in the Slovakia warm-up.

The indications are that the Italian will retain that formation tonight, safe in the knowledge that his players can easily revert to four at the back if the need arises.

“We will see,” Ghedin replied to a question about his tactical intentions yesterday. “The most important thing is that the physical condition of the players is good. If we are confident, we can play.”

Ghedin is unlikely to make alterations from the Slovakia friendly but revealed that some players are doubtful.

Jonathan Caruana appears to have a slight injury problem which will be assessed today. If the Valletta defender fails to recover, his place is likely to go to Zach Muscat, the young Birkirkara centre-half who made his Malta debut as a second-half substitute in Zilina.

Andrew Hogg will remain in goal with Andrei Agius and Ryan Camilleri taking up the other roles in central defence.

Patrolling duties on the flanks will again be assigned to Clayton Failla and Steve Borg.

Ryan Fenech, Paul Fenech and Rowen Muscat will be asked to combine craft with graft in midfield with André Schembri partnering Michael Mifsud up front.

Croatia warmed up for their meeting with Malta with a 2-0 friendly win over Cyprus, courtesy of a Mario Mandzukic brace.

When a Croatian journalist asked Ghedin to name the strengths and weaknesses of Malta’s impending opponents, Ghedin replied: “As I said, Croatia are strong... every player is good.

“Their players have this inner strength that comes from the history and tradition of this nation.

“Croatia are one of the best teams in Europe at present. Their key players all play for the top European clubs, like Rakitic, who has joined Barcelona, and Modric of Real Madrid.”

As always, Malta being the minnows of the group, their chances of pulling off a positive result against one of the heavyweights again look remote.

For Ghedin, the objective is to play well and earn respect.

“Our chance... we want to play well,” he said.

“We will be going out to gain respect. We have a good idea of how we intend to approach the game and the players look confident.

“But, on paper things look one way and on the pitch, the situation is usually different. We will see what happens in the game.”

We must put pressure on Malta – Kovac

On his part, Croatia coach Niko Kovac said that his team will be looking to put pressure on Malta from the first minute.

“We are thinking about it,” Kovac told reporters when asked about his team and tactical selection.

“We are looking at some ideas. We must put pressure on Malta from the first minute.”

While acknowledging that, on paper, Croatia should win this game with something to spare, Kovac insisted that he is treating Malta with respect.

“Malta are tricky opponents,” Kovac said.

“They have some good players. We respect our opponents.

“It is our task to be on top during this game from the beginning.”

Croatia-Malta previous matches

European Championship
10-10-98: Malta vs Croatia - 1-4
21-08-99: Croatia vs Malta - 2-1
17-11-10: Croatia vs Malta - 3-0
02-09-11: Malta vs Croatia - 1-3

World Cup
29-03-05: Croatia vs Malta - 3-0
07-09-05: Malta vs Croatia - 1-1

Formations (probable)
Malta: Hogg, Caruana (Z. Muscat), Borg, Agius, Fenech, Failla, Fenech, Mifsud, Schembri, R. Muscat, Camilleri.
Croatia: Subasic, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic, Rakitic, Modric, Halilovic, Kovacic, Olic, Mandzukic.

Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (Russia).