Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has admitted that the team's World Cup opener against England could 'destroy everything' if they fail to perform. Speaking ahead of the match on 17 June, Dalic acknowledged that a softer first game might have been preferable for a side grappling with form and fitness issues.
Selection concerns ahead of England clash
Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 in their final friendly before flying to the United States, but Dalic faces selection problems. Manchester City duo Mateo Kovacic and Josip Gvardiol are both returning from injury, adding to the sense that Dalic's team—who finished third in 2022 and runners-up in 2018—risk starting the tournament on the back foot.
“Maybe, because the first game can destroy everything,” Dalic said when asked if he would have preferred to play England later in the group stage. “At Euro 2024 we lost 3-0 to Spain in the first game and we fell down, couldn’t come back. But in the past we’ve beaten Nigeria [in 2018] and drawn with Morocco [in 2022].
“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.”
Key players lacking sharpness
Luka Modric, wearing a protective mask as he recovers from a fractured cheekbone, scored a beautifully taken goal in Varazdin but is among several stalwarts lacking match fitness. “Kovacic, Gvardiol and Modric didn’t play much for a long time and they are not in optimal form,” Dalic said. “Especially Kovacic, he hardly played this season and now we need him. It’s not easy and we need time. We don’t have a big roster and these are some of our most important players.”
Dalic was in charge when Croatia defeated England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but he dismissed the idea of any psychological scars remaining in their opponents, noting that England have beaten Croatia twice since. He was effusive about the prowess of Thomas Tuchel's team and praised their lengthy US-based preparation. England flew to Miami a week ago, even though the match with Croatia, which will take place in Dallas, is not until 17 June.
“A very strong team whose league is the best in the world and who play very offensive, very fast,” Dalic said. “We will have to do something more.
“I watched the game against New Zealand but it wasn’t a real situation, it was something different. It shows how serious your team is when they come to America nearly 20 days before to prepare everything. But I’m always an optimist, I will push my team and do the best on my side to win the game.”
