Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has described the World Cup opener against England as a match that 'can destroy everything', highlighting the immense pressure on his squad as they prepare for the tournament. Speaking ahead of the clash, Dalic admitted that an easier first match might have been preferable given his team's current form and fitness concerns.
Dalic admits England game pivotal to Croatia's hopes
Dalic sees the 17 June encounter as crucial to Croatia's summer fortunes. He noted that a slow start could derail their campaign, referencing their 3-0 loss to Spain at Euro 2024 which left them unable to recover. However, he also recalled positive results in opening games, such as the 2018 win over Nigeria and the 2022 draw with Morocco. 'We can't choose anything else now. The first game is the most important game. Against England we'll fight, try to do our best and try to win,' he said.
Kovacic, Gvardiol and Modric lacking match sharpness
Croatia's preparations have been hampered by injuries to key players. Manchester City duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol are both returning from setbacks, while Luka Modric, wearing a protective mask after a fractured cheekbone, scored a fine goal in a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia but is not at full sharpness. 'Kovacic, Gvardiol and Modric didn't play much for a long time and they are not in optimal form,' Dalic explained. 'Especially Kovacic, he hardly played this season and now we need him. It's not easy and we need time. Gvardiol is now back but I know they are not at the optimal level. We don't have a big roster and these are some of our most important players.'
Dalic, who led Croatia to victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, dismissed talk of psychological scars, noting England have since beaten Croatia twice. He praised Thomas Tuchel's side as 'a very strong team whose league is the best in the world and who play very offensive, very fast.' He also commended England's lengthy US-based preparation, saying, 'It shows how serious your team is when they come to America nearly 20 days before to prepare everything.' Despite the challenges, Dalic remains optimistic: 'I'm always an optimist, I will push my team and do the best on my side to win the game.'
