The football teams of England and Croatia have to deal with the "strange" situation of playing in an empty stadium in Friday's UEFA Nations League clash in Rijeka, Croatia.
The first home game since this year's World Cup will be played behind closed doors in an 8,000-capacity arena as the Croatia are under a UEFA ground ban for having a swastika image on the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy.
The game will be the first time that England have played in an empty stadium. "It will be a strange experience. I guess we effectively do that every day of our lives - we play football in front of a handful of people watching, so it's not totally unique," England team manager Gareth Southgate said on Thursday.
Players of England team warm up during an open training session at St George's Park in central England on October 9, 2018, ahead of their UEFA Nations League match against Croatia. /VCG Photo
"I am sure Croatia feel the same. For them, not to have the encouragement of what is an incredibly passionate support will be very different for them. "
Southgate has selected two teenagers - Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Chelsea's Mason Mount, currently on loan at Derby - in his squad, while Leicester's James Maddison has been called up for the first time.
Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah is another hoping to win his first cap, with Leicester's Ben Chilwell and Tottenham's Harry Winks aiming to win their second.
"The team we play will be a team we believe in, whoever is ready to start," Southgate told reporters.
Croatia tak training session ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against England in Rijeka, Croatia on October 11, 2018. /VCG Photo
Croatia finished as World Cup runners-up after losing the final to France and Southgate is expecting another stern examination from Zlatko Dalic's team.
"I am looking at their midfield - Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, with Rebic and Perisic. I think they're OK!" he said.
"So, it's a really good test for us. We've obviously got a different team from the team that played in the semi-final and it's a good challenge for us.
Last month, Croatia was defeated by a stunning 0-6 in Nations League against Spain.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, the winner of Best FIFA Men's Player of 2018 Award, said the Croats are determined to bounce back from the loss in the upcoming game, according to ESPN.
(With input from AFP)