October 7, 2019 - Coach Zlatko Dalic announced the match between Croatia and Hungary at a press conference in Split on Monday.
On Thursday at 8:45 pm, Croatia will welcome Hungary in their next Euro 2020 qualifying match at Poljud Stadium in Split.
The national team will prepare for the match in Omis, where they played a friendly against NK Omis earlier this year. Coach Zlatko Dalic will hold several press conferences this week at the Le Meridien Lav Hotel, the first of which was held on Monday.
“Not all players have arrived yet; some are late because they had games last night. I expect all the players to be available, and no one has problems so far. The most important thing is that we depend on ourselves; we need 5-6 points to be sure. The first step is Hungary, but no less important is the game against Wales. We had a defeat there, and I expect we will fix it. I think 15 points will be enough to move on, but let's go one step at a time. These three points would be critical to us, and most importantly, we depend on ourselves.”
Everyone is interested in Dalic's biggest dilemma, whether he will play Rakitic, who just returned to the national team, or the young Vlasic, who is in great form?
“We'll see these next two days, I have a vision in my head, two games in three days await us, and we must divide our forces and use things differently. We will certainly use 15-16 players in these two games; we will see during these next two days and training.”
Will Rebic play?
“He's not been playing lately in Milan, and that's a problem, but when he comes, we'll see. When he's with the national team, he does his best.”
Does Dalic admit he made a mistake in the last game when he didn't change the lineup?
“I said and will repeat - it was my fault. The game against Slovakia took me back, it was probably the best match since I was a coach, but I didn't react in time.”
A big spectacle awaits us in Split on Thursday.
"I look forward to the match and what awaits us. If Poljud had a capacity of 100,000, it would be full. I expect a great match and a win. Tickets were sold in one day and that shows how much Dalmatia and Croatia love the national team. The things that are being emphasized, the problems between HNS and Hajduk, should be solved through meetings and the system, not through the national team. What do Vlasic, Modric, and Rebic have to do with it, what do we have to do with it? It is not good that Croatia does not often play in Split. Now that we are playing there, the question is, why are we playing in Split? So we're never clear, but I'm glad most are on our side. The Croatia national team is playing in Split. "
Are the players in good form?
“I said these were tricky situations, we get together on Monday and play on Thursday, but it's not an excuse. Some players are not at the top of their club, but when we get to the national team, we have to create a group that believes in itself. I think the national team is something special. When you come, you forget about your club, and you do your best.”
Source: Gol.hr
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
