ZLATKO DALIĆ: OUR GOAL IS THE FINAL FOUR

The Croatian national football team is gathering in Split ahead of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final match against France.

On the gathering day, selector Zlatko Dalić addressed the journalists as usual.

We have matches against one of the best national teams in the world, and it won’t be easy at all, but we are looking to pass to the Final Four. As always, I am an optimist and hope we can get a good result. We have little time, as do the French. “Unfortunately, Luka Sučić will not be with us, which is a big handicap

We always have similar problems, some play more, some less. It’s been going on for a long time. I’m sorry that Luka Sučić is not there. He is essential to us. Ivan Perišić is back in shape, Luka Modrić is playing, Mateo Kovačić a little less. Our defenders must be back, while Ćaleta-Car does not play often in the club. The French are in great form. Mbappé Dembélé and Barcola are fast and vertical players who can cause problems for anyone. If we give them time and space, they will become very dangerous. The last two games brought us good results, which must be our guide. We must not rush

About the goalkeepers …

For the first time, we have a problem with the goalkeepers. Dominik Livaković has not defended for some time, and Dominik Kotarski and Nediljko Labrović are also not defending. The only regular is Ivica Ivušić. I have faith in Livaković, but the problem is that he is not currently defending. There are a lot of goalkeepers in the staff, so they will know better than me how to react

About activating pre-invitation …

We are staying with this list. We have twenty players and three goalkeepers at our disposal, and we will not call anyone else. I feel sorry for Luka Sučić, he started playing strong matches too soon and renewed his injury

About debutants Franjo Ivanović and Toni Fruk …

Ivanović plays very well in Belgium, and Fruk carries Rijeka and is the best player in the league. This is a step for them, but they can help us. Ivanovic reminds us of our strikers like Olić and Mandžukić, while Fruk is a technically sound player who can contribute to our game

About Ivan Perišić…

I never doubted Ivan Perišić. I proved that when we invited him four months ago when there was a lot of controversy about whether he should be invited. I think that the national team also gave him strength. He deserved all the support and praise that at 36, he is working like this, training and coming back in this way; only professionals like Perišić can do that. Perišić is one of the most important national team players during my tenure and will play in the attack. We have Josip Juranović and Josip Stanišić on the side, so we don’t have to waste Ivan in that position. Stanišić has already shown that he can protect Mbappé well. Now we have natural solutions and don’t need to improvise

About a clear goal …

Our goal is the Final Four. I’ve talked badly about the UEFA Nations League, but it was a good story. It doesn’t matter whether our opponent will be Ukraine, Iceland, or the Czech Republic. I’ve never calculated in my life

About the conversation with Marko Livaja …

You know, I don’t like to comment on that. With his performances, he earned an invitation to the national team and had his place. I respect his decision. For my part, I did everything I could

The duel with France was the biggest match in Croatia …

I didn’t think like that, but when I look closer, it’s true—quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League of, such a strong opponent, relegation match. Of course, the Final Four is our motive when we think of Rotterdam and how nice it was.

About France …

Mbappé is back. It’s about a big national team and a big game. Our goal is the finish line. We have a better midfield than them, and they are without Griezmann, which can be a relief for us. This is the first half, and we must be competitive and build attacks through possession. We plan to press them high. We have to make it difficult for them because their first idea is to look for depth as soon as they win the ball

About Split as a host …

We beat Portugal and Russia in Split; we have some good memories, and that’s why we chose Split for this match. I hope we will do good things again

About Ante Budimir’s form …

He became a club legend as a foreigner, which is a great achievement. Look at the list of scorers: Mbappé 21 goals, Lewandowski 20, followed by Budimir with 15. He achieved everything with his work. I will remember the past. I left him off the list because I wanted to give the youth a chance, but after a year, I brought him back. He fought and imposed himself. I was often asked how I used it, but analysis showed that every time it entered, it brought something extra. It is up to us to choose what is best. Budimir is a player who deserved to be there, he showed that the most important thing is to speak on the field, not to speak to the media, he can be an example to everyone

About the decision in Paris …

Not everything will be solved in Paris. The most important thing is to have a good result in return, maybe it will be easier for us to play there, they will have to put pressure and take possession in front of their 80 thousand fans. The most important thing is that the first match goes well, that we are competitive, that we don’t have any bad moments. Coming to France with good results is a big motivation for us. We have a chance and can do it, but a lot will depend on the first game

SOURCE: Croatian Football Federation