Coach Slaven Bilic said Croatia had to raise their game despite beating co-hosts Austria 1-0 in their Euro 2008 opener on Sunday.

“We were not aggressive enough in the second half and allowed the Austrians to pass the ball around too easily,” he told a news conference.

“We soaked up a lot of pressure and we will have to look at several departments in which we have to improve for our next match against Germany (on Thursday).”

Bilic said many of his players were less than satisfied with their performances in the Group B game.

“Some players were overawed by the occasion and not many of them were entirely happy when they walked into the dressing room after the match,” said the coach.

“But we are delighted to have won our opening game and it will certainly boost our morale.”

Croatia dominated early after Luka Modric’s fourth-minute penalty put them in front but only fine goalkeeping by man of the match Stipe Pletikosa denied the co-hosts an equaliser.

OLIC PRAISE

Bilic’s strikers, who last scored in the 3-2 qualifying win over England at Wembley in November, were again subdued although the coach praised Ivica Olic.

“He won the penalty kick and his tireless running kept us afloat when the Austrians piled on the pressure,” said Bilic.

“It’s a pity we didn’t take our chances when we were in control but we defended well while on the back foot.”

Modric said he saw Juergen Macho move to the keeper’s right before he steered the ball into the middle of the net.

“I took a glance while running up to the ball and I really wasn’t nervous,” said Croatia’s playmaker.

“We had to win to get our campaign on the right track but we have to move up a gear and I am sure we will be a different side in the remaining group matches.”

Croatia take on Germany in Klagenfurt before meeting Poland at the same venue on June 16.