Zlatko Dalić held a press conference before the start of the final preparations of the Croatian national team for the World Cup, which will be played in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The coach referred to the state of health of the national team members, expectations from the tournament, tactical ideas and the expansion of the professional staff.
At the beginning of the preparations, Dalić is worried about the injuries of several important players, but he says how believes that the team will to be ready by the first game against England. He emphasized that the national team has enough time to get the players back in optimal shape through training and friendly matches.
I won’t be negative and worried, I want to create a positive atmospheresaid Dalić, adding that the players couldn’t wait to join the national team. He especially emphasized that Andrej Kramarić is training normally and that there is no knowledge of serious problems with his health.
Speaking about game holders, the coach reminded that after the World Cup in Qatar, the national team got a large number of new players who are more experienced today and ready to take on greater responsibility. He especially expects a breakthrough from younger players like Guardiola, Sučić and Vuškovićwhich should be an important support for more experienced representatives.
Dalić believes that the atmosphere before this World Cup is different than before Croatia’s previous two performances. He recalled how the national team went to Russia without great expectations and reached the finalwhile skeptics doubted the new great story of the Fiery even before Katar.
The third time is a different environment, different expectations, now we expect similar successes. My goal is to pass the group, then as much as possible, said the selector. He added that the March cycle gave him a lot of optimism because the national team looked good and the players responded in the right way.
The selector announced i possible tactical changesincluding a system with three defenders, which he wants to play additionally during the preparations. Special emphasis will be placed on solid defense and discipline of the entire team.
Number one is that every player plays the defense phase until exhaustion, this is a tournament and beauty is not requiredemphasized Dalić, recalling that even Brazil failed to seriously threaten Croatia when the team was compact and organized.
Dalić also reflected on the success Sergej Jakirovićpointing out that Croatian coaches achieve excellent results, but often do not receive enough recognition in domestic football. He also gave special praise to coaches like Nikola Šafarić and Mario Kovačević, whom he believes deserve greater respect.
Again, it turned out yes Croatia has great coachesand that we respect ourselves the least because someone else is always better than us. Our people do fantastic things wherever they go, but we don’t have good marketing for the big leagues, except maybe Nike Kovac who has a constant. Big congratulations to Jakirović, it is a big thing for Croatian coaches to make such a success. Kudos to him, hat to the floor. The fact that other people’s passports are worth more seems to motivate us even more for great things. In the Croatian league, it seems that nobody trusts Nikola Šafarić and Mario Kovačević, and they are the best coaches. Dalic said.
In the end, it was confirmed that the professional staff of the national team will be joined after the action of the young national team Ivica Olić.
He will join us after the action of the young national team, we need another man because we are only in Ćorlukaand he has been in our system for seven years and knows everything, it was announced from of HNS.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: X)
