The Croatia national football team begins their qualifications for Euro 2020 on Thursday. Zlatko Dalić gathered the team on Monday and spoke to the media about the changes he’ll have to make in the starting lineup, reports Gol.hr on March 18, 2019.
The Croatia national team awaits their first qualifiers for Euro 2020 on Thursday and Sunday. Croatia's opening match against Azerbaijan is at Maksimir, while the following qualifier is in Budapest against Hungary.
Coach Zlatko Dalić has already had to make some changes to his initial list. Due to the injuries of Marko Pjaca and Tin Jedvaj, Dalić has activated backup players Bruno Petković from Dinamo and Karlo Bartolec of Danish club Nordsjaelland.
"There are a couple of things you already know: we have activated backup players Petković and Bartolec. Pjaca had an operation, and I wish him luck to return to the national team. Bartolec has been called up because we have a problem with Jedvaj, we'll see how it is today, but he probably will not be ready. Today there will be regenerative training because the guys played over the weekend, and two days of preparation for Azerbaijan. I again invite fans to support us, ahead of us are two tough games,” the coach said at the beginning of the press conference.
The biggest concern for Dalić is the defense, which is quite weakened compared to the World Cup.
"I'm constantly saying that I will not talk about the problems or look at the negatives, if we talk about who we are missing, we'll go in the wrong direction and look for an alibi. We don’t have it. I accept that we do not have it. Only Vida is available from the World Cup in the defence. Rebić was injured, Brozović has problems, but I believe I have the alternatives, and I think we can agree on a good team. The biggest problem is the defense; they have not played together long."
There is also a problem with Croatia's first goalkeeper, as Lovre Kalinić has not defended Aston Villa's goal for some time.
"I said I do not like to change much, especially the goalkeepers, but in the last five games Kalinić did not defend, he had an injury, and Livaković has been constant and defended well in Europe.”
What about Jedvaj’s injury and Kramarić’s form?
‘’Jedvaj was injured last week from the snow-covered terrain, the club thought that he would be okay, but over the weekend he felt pain again. If it is a problem and a risk, we will not force it. And Krama is regularly scoring, is maybe in the best form of all the players who play forward. It makes me happy, and it will be good for us.”
How will Dalić play Croatia in these qualifications?
"We definitely have to change the style of the game since the World Cup. We are no longer in a position against Argentina, England, or France, to wait for the situation and need counter-attacks and semi-counter attacks, which we have perfected to the maximum. Now we are the favorite and we have to possess the ball. In that possession, we have to be serious and secure. The most dangerous situation will be when we lose the ball, then it is imperative that we quickly get the ball back. I've been thinking a lot about it. We have to be very patient when we are in possession. I said tiki-taka is out of fashion, but we're going to be forced to do it, keep the ball and possess it, but look for more vertical passes.”
Azerbaijan will probably come out with a dense block. Is Bartolec an option or will it be an experiment like Rog against Spain (right back)?
"We will try this option, and we have to find solutions. They have two fast players up top and the Brazilian Almeida who is good at finishing. But there are solutions; I have an idea and a vision, Bartolec is one of those ideas."
Does Dalicć see Bruno Petković in his plans?
"Petković is a type of player we do not currently have; he is good at the 16, he has a good jump and knows how to keep the ball. This type of player may be needed against such teams."
And thoughts on Azerbaijan?
"Nikola Jurčević has invited several new players, five of them are playing outside of Azerbaijan, and the others are from two or three clubs from their domestic league. They know each other and have a constant. The Brazilian Almeida is a creative midfielder, a lot of things go from him, and they have two quick players up top. Their striker who plays in Russia has scored three goals in the last three matches; it's not a team to underestimate. I expect a full Maksimir. After the World Cup fans could enjoy Dinamo's autumn, and I hope that this synergy will continue. We need to go through these qualifications elegantly, but if we do not get serious, we will have problems,” Dalić concluded.
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