HNK Rijeka midfielder Vedran Jugovic is confident his side is ready to face Aberdeen in the Europa League despite failing to score in their opening game of the season on Friday.
The Croats drew 0-0 at Inter Zapresic in the first game of the Prva Liga despite dominating the game with 21 shots on goal, 10 on target.
Despite failing to score 25-year-old midfielder Jugovic believes his team is ready to face the Dons in the second qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday.
He said: “This is a warning to us that we have hard work to do, but we’ll put it right and I know we have the quality to progress.
“We failed against Inter because we only took one point when we wanted all three. It’s a huge disappointment and I’m sorry for the supporters who made the match like a home game for us.
“Inter were dangerous on the counter but we were dominant, should have had a penalty and hit the post, but the ball just would not go in.”
Rijeka head coach Matjaz Kek, however, was far from impressed with his players and is demanding an improvement against Derek McInnes’ team.
He said: “We have a problem and we have to put it right for the next game as our opponents will punish us.
“Our performance was far from what it should be and we gave Inter too many opportunities to shoot at goal.
“We are hosting Aberdeen in a few days and the performance was not what we want at Rijeka. I cannot be pleased with what we showed, especially in the first half.
“We lacked concentration and determination and can have no excuses. We must do better.”
The Dons warmed up for their trip to Croatia with a 2-0 friendly win at Raith Rovers with David Goodwillie and Ashton Taylor netting the goals at Stark’s Park.
Assistant manager Tony Docherty knows his side face a step up in class in Rijeka on Thursday and has identified midfield duo Anar Sharbini and Brazilian Moises Lima Magalhaes as key dangermen in the opposition ranks.
He said: “There’s a few of their players who have stood out. Sharbini, who plays off the front and Moises, in particular.
“They’ve got good technical players all round, as a unit they play well, they know their system.
“We’ll make sure we do our preparation on how we’re going to play against them and make sure we’re right.
“You just need to look at their European ranking and see the type of players they’ve got and the money they’re on – eight international players start in their team.
“It is a step up but we’re very confident. We’ve got a strong group of players and hopefully if we equip ourselves and do the right things then we’ll give ourselves every chance.”