Pletikosa problem for Croatia

MRI scan
The FC Shakhtar Donetsk player had an MRI scan today which revealed the extent of the problem despite team doctor Boris Nemec initially maintaining he was "optimistic" about the 25-year-old's prospects.

Thigh tear
However, the scan subsequently revealed a tear that will sideline the goalkeeper for the Swiss test and may even mean he misses both of Croatia's other UEFA EURO 2004™ group games against Frnace and England.

Right thigh
Pletikosa felt a sharp pain in his right thigh during training yesterday and his injury could open the door to either Tomislav Butina or Joseph Didulica to start against the Swiss.

'Ready to do the job'
Butina is the more experienced of the two but assistant coach Drazen Ladic said: "I am convinced both Butina and Didulica are ready to do the job if asked."

Studying videos
Better news is that Ivica Olic was declared fit to rejoin the squad at their closed training session at 18.00CET today. Yesterday the group worked on passing, while today shooting practice was planned. Away from the training ground the Croatians have been studying videos of Switzerland in action.

Swiss threat
Ladic considers Croatia "slight favourites" for Sunday's match in Leiria but his fellow assistant coach, Zoran Bulic, warned of their attacking prowess. "The Swiss are excellent as a unit," he said. "Their strength is the attack and we are paying special attention to strikers Alex Frei and Stéphane Chapuisat, not to forget Hakan Yakin. By watching videos we are looking for ways to neutralise them."