Piksi: We'll do good, don't doubt it VIDEO

Piksi: We'll do good, don't doubt it VIDEO

The press conference is over.

Piksi's last message was: "We'll do good, don't doubt it".

Is it realistic to reach the knockout phase?

"I said I haven't seen the players yet. I hope they are informed that they have to be here today. That is of utmost importance, and then let's see how they are feeling. I'm not someone who lightly makes some statements that are not supported by realistic circumstances, nor do I want to be interesting to the media. There's no need for that. We're going one step at a time, because we've reached the stage where we have to go game by game. The first three games are the most important. Once we've got those issues sorted out, then we'll go into thoughts and assessments. First the health bulletin, let's see in what condition the players are. The first match is against Bahrain, I guess some players won't even play, there's no need for that."

About the first rival - Brazil:

"We know that our first match is against Brazil, and I won't comment on it ten days earlier... I was neither preparing nor thinking about it. Brazil, we all know, is one of the main contenders to become the world champion. Names on paper are not enough, they have to prove it on the field. I can't wait for that game. It's an easy game to play, in what sense? Well, to compete. With all due respect to Brazil, we won't surrender. That's for sure. There's still time to analyze, we know almost everything, I know by heart the starting composition of Brazil."

About going to the World Cup as a coach and as a player:

"It's good to be at the World Cup, regardless of the role. There are differences because being a player, you don't have that kind of responsibility. As a coach, there is a kind of responsibility and I'm aware of that. When I accepted the job, I knew what was waiting for me. I believed and still believe that everything is going in the direction we want our team to play. Of course, the public will give its verdict, but no one will have the right to insult us. Even when Serbia loses, it must be accompanied by applause and we hold ourselves to that standard. There are differences in leading and playing, but in any case, it's a great pleasure to be part of the biggest show. It gives you satisfaction because that work of yours, how you should look on and off the field, gives you satisfaction because you didn't let anyone down. Winning and losing depends on many things. There are differences between being a coach or a player, but you're in the same place. You're here because you deserve it, not because you're pretty and cute."

"You need to play good football, to be smart, intelligent, physically fit, to have no injuries... For all that to happen. To have a little luck, not much. Some penalty... Croatia made a great result, and they went through on penalties twice. It could have been the other way around. You have to have clear thoughts to be better than your opponent. If you have a little luck, I don't know if it's called luck. You need to roll the dice. The best 32 teams will be there. Imagine how many 200, or so, there are worldwide, and you are among the chosen 32. Serbia is a small country, and you are there. You know what the conditions are like. Wherever we play, I take pictures like a little child. Seriously, it's very nice when I see those stadiums. And we... I guess we'll have a good stadium."

On public expectations

"It is completely normal. The players are aware of the responsibility they bear. We are going to Qatar completely unburdened and in a very tough competition. Only malicious people can make negative comments. I don't like excessive pride, but I like the necessary modesty. That's how I live and my family lives like that. I also look at doing business. The results will come, but you have to earn them. Let's modestly go to Qatar, like we did in Lisbon exactly a year ago. This is exactly the kind of behavior I want to see, and there is no doubt that it's about motivation and the chance we have to show our potential. So far, it has worked as we all wanted. We have shown that Serbia knows how to play football regardless of who the opponent is. We have a difficult group, one of the most difficult. This is an opportunity to show as much as we can. Expectations are high, I agree. We are a group that welcomes the World Cup completely modestly, calmly and soberly."

A conference room packed with journalists