Clear-attitude coach and a world-class team

From 17 October 1990 and Zagreb friendly with USA (2:1), up to 9 October 2017 and Kiev qualifier against Ukraine (2:0), Croatia senior national football team has played a total of 272 matches – both competitive and friendly. In each and every one Croatian players invested the maximum effort, regardless of the opponent or squad issues. We are inclined to conclude that the Kiev encounter, especially the second half, is in the Top 10 of this entire, largely successful era, considering the optimistic mood of the hosts in Croatia's compromising situation following the negative streak that included two losses (0:1 at Iceland and Turkey), one draw (1:1 with Finland), and a single win (1:0 over Kosovo).

The new head coach Zlatko Dalić used two renowned days to settle many issues, implement changes, bring stability and make rival manager Andriy Shevchenko sincerely congratulate, even though the famous Ukrainian did not enjoy the moment.

„Of course, the second half was fantastic, but nothing was missing from the first. We did what we wanted to do, to play with calm and precision in order to disarm Ukraine players and 70.000 of their fans. I was afraid that one conceded goal would probably result in a defeat for us, and we had to make sure to keep a clean sheet“, says the head coach.

In the meantime, Dalić traveled to Italy, witnessed the Inter – Sampdoria (3:2) league match, met Ivan Perišić, Marcelo Brozović, and Ivan Strinić, contacted Mario Mandžukić, Nikola Kalinić, Milan Badelj, Marko Pjaca, and Marko Rog. Naturally, his watchful eye was following all other candidates for the World Cup play-offs against Greece.

„The key is to have them all fit on Monday, 6 November in Zagreb. That's my only desire. I do not doubt the team spirit“.

He is not worried that the captain, the leading star Luka Modrić is having a rough patch in Real Madrid:

„This is no real issue, Luka has never let down the national team. The Madrid rumours do not concern me – when they are winning, it's all about Cristiano Ronaldo. When he is just standing, being mad about not scoring, it is Luka's fault. The lack of objectivity is catastrophic“.

Back to Greece. The head coach was watching many videos, analyzing?

„Yes. Not just me, many other coaches have called, offering friendly advice, making suggestions. Any analyst offered some help“.

Commendable was the public outing of Mehmed Baždarević, Bosnia and Herzegovina manager, who faced Greece in Group H, drawing 1:1 away and 0:0 at home.

„My assistant Ivica Olić spoke to him. I was talking to Belgium manager, Spanish expert Roberto Martinez“.

The Red Devils shared the spoils with Greece in Brussels (1:1) and won in Piraeus 2:1. Greece hosted both rivals at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium instead of Spyros Louis Olympic arena in Athens, since the noisy Piraeus suburb provides infernally hot atmosphere. Dalić has no doubts considering the final hurdle on the Road to Russia:

„Greece does not play the best of football, but they are the toughest opponent, regarding perseverance, fighting spirit, and aggressive approach. I do not hesitate to mention that they sometimes undertake dirty tackles. It is well-known what kind of organization, discipline, style, and method won them European title in 2004 in Portugal, managed by a German, Otto Rehhagel. Today, their manager is his compatriot Michael Skibbe. The similarity is unavoidable“.

Still, Croatia hopes to reach its objective, since the Greeks cannot match the quality?

„There shouldn't be any major problems on 9 and 12 November in this play-off round, despite the fact that the tough return leg requires extreme caution. We will definitely not be afraid of the 35.000 loud Greek fans, we were not afraid of twice as much fans in Kiev. We are aware that a Greek „parked bus“ awaits us at Maksimir. They will close us on both sides, stay firm in midfield, all of them will try to block us, but I expect us to find a way. Croatia is better, that fact has no alternative“. 

During the preparation period, there will be one training session a day, alongside numerous meetings, as well as group and individual talks. What Greek internationals will get the most attention?

„The centre-backs Konstantinos Manolas and Sokratis Papastathopoulos, classy first choices of Roma and Borussia Dortmund“.

Their value is estimated at 30 and 28 million euros, not without a reason, with Manolas to miss Zagreb clash due to FIFA suspension.

„In midfield, there is a skillful Konstantinos Fortounis of Olympiakos, and another Kostas – the third in this short summary –  stands out in attack, powerful striker Mitroglou of Olympique Marseille“.

Dalić adds:

„Others are good as well, but it will be of no use to them if we play our best!“

Dalić denies that the HNS president Davor Šuker or any other Executive Committee or operating member has been unfair to him, as media speculation suggested:

„On the contrary, I was offered several options, and I declined them all, as I consider them unimportant at this moment. I have decided to send a message – what matters now is only Croatia national team. I am fed up with these Croatian habits in politics, economy, sports, everywhere; seeking contracts, seeking paperwork, securing fees, bonuses, wages, retirement incomes, and not caring about the results! I am not like that. Let us first achieve the objective, and then we can easily agree“.

He agrees to no compromise, let alone outside pressure:

 „I am responsible for the job I was entrusted. I believe in myself and my decisions and my gut feeling. I have absolute belief in my players. Let no one force or suggest me any players, whether officials or agents. I have no interest in who belongs to whom, my choice will be the best, the fittest, and the strongest“.

Finally, he emphasized:

„I notice growing positivity. The Maksimir Stadium will be full. Disregarding some exceptions, the nation is backing the Vatreni. Our common duty is to boost the level of Croatia football, just as we did enjoying the final tournaments in France, Portugal, Germany, Austria, and Poland, the destinations I have visited as a supporter, in red-and-white jersey, holding the national flag and cheering the team. It was beautiful. Why not repeat it?“

In Russia 2018, for starters. With a clear-attitude coach and a world-class team.

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