Zlatko Dalic considers Croatia’s upcoming World Cup match against England crucial for the team’s prospects this summer. He acknowledged that a less challenging opening game might have been more beneficial, particularly for a squad grappling with injuries and inconsistent performance.
In their last friendly before heading to the United States, Croatia secured a 2-1 victory over Slovenia. However, Dalic is likely to face several challenges in selecting his lineup for the encounter against England on June 17. Both Mateo Kovacic and Josip Gvardiol, key players from Manchester City, are returning from injuries, contributing to concerns that Croatia, who placed third in 2022 and second in 2018, could begin their tournament at a disadvantage.
“Perhaps, because the first game can ruin everything,” Dalic remarked when asked if he would have preferred to face England later in the group stage. “In Euro 2024, we lost 3-0 to Spain in our opening match and fell apart, unable to recover. Yet, previously, we defeated Nigeria in 2018 and drew with Morocco in 2022.”
“Currently, we cannot change anything. The first match is the most crucial. Against England, we will fight, do our utmost, and aim for victory.”
Luka Modric, who is recovering from a fractured cheekbone and wearing a protective mask, netted a well-executed goal in Varazdin. Nevertheless, he, along with Dalic’s other key players, is not at peak performance. “Kovacic, Gvardiol, and Modric haven’t played much lately, and they are not in ideal shape,” Dalic explained. “Especially Kovacic, who has barely featured this season, and now we require his contributions. It’s challenging and we need time. Gvardiol has returned, but I recognize they are not at their top level. Our roster isn’t large, and these players are among our most critical.”
Dalic, who led Croatia to victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, refrained from discussing any lingering psychological effects on their opponents. He noted that England has triumphed over Croatia twice since then. He expressed admiration for the strength of Thomas Tuchel’s squad and their extensive preparations in the U.S. England arrived in Miami a week ago, even though their match against Croatia in Dallas is scheduled for June 17.
“They are an exceptionally strong team from the best league in the world, playing very offensively and at a rapid pace,” he remarked. “We will need to elevate our game.”
“I observed their game against New Zealand, but that didn’t represent a true test; it was quite different. It demonstrates a team’s seriousness when they arrive in America nearly 20 days early to prepare thoroughly. However, I remain optimistic and will encourage my team while doing everything possible to secure a win.”
