The Croatian coach’s illusion for the semi-final against Argentina: “If we win it will be the most important match in our history”

“Whatever happens, I will feel proud of what we have achieved with Croatia and proud of my players. I dreamed of being the manager of my national team, but I never imagined that I could go so far in two World Cups. I am very happy and I think we have to enjoy all of this”. The technician zlatko dalicsecond in Russia 2018 and semi-finalist in Qatar 2022, he is aware of it he’s making history for a small country of 4 million inhabitants, as he himself explains. “We are much less but our passion for football is the same as that of the Argentines”.

Always very respectful, Dalic praised the Argentina national team who will face this Tuesday at the Lusail stadium for a place in the definition next Sunday. “It’s a great team, with Messi at the helm. We know how he plays and how we want the game to go. I am optimistic and have great faith in my players. We know Argentina’s strengths, but we have to play our own football,” explained the 56-year-old coach, who has led his team since 2017.

On making a repeat appearance in a World Cup semi-final four and a half years later, he said: “It’s amazing to be in this place twice in a rowbut we want to go further”. Dalic clarified that despite the extra time played against Brazil the team has no injuries: “We are still strong, with energy and enthusiasm. Everyone is fit and doesn’t feel tired. We will give our best as in previous games.”

The coach, who was also involved in Croatia’s 3-0 win against Argentina in the last World Cup, thought about it “it will be a completely different party”. And he explained: “That was the group stage, not as decisive as this Tuesday. Now the two teams are playing a lot and I think both Croatia and Argentina deserve to move on. Argentina is an extraordinary national team, one of the best in the world and in history. We know what they can do, with a high-level Messi and a team that dies on the pitch. I think they have more pressure than us.”

When asked about the alleged provocations of the Argentine team mentioned by a Croatian newspaper, Dalic was clear: “So says the pressbut I don’t want to get into that. We must not breed any hard feelings. As for what happened against the Netherlands… We know that emotions are sky-high in these moments and everyone reacts differently. It was a hot game and some things happened that don’t have much to do with the spirit of the sport, but let’s hope they don’t happen again.“.

The coach also considered Croatia doing it in Russia 2018 as “an example of inspiration” for other teams, highlighting Morocco. “We all have the right to dream. Our team moves with pride and passion. We want to pursue another dream and for now it has gone well. But the most important thing is to enjoy what we do, otherwise the result will not have sense,” he said. .

Finally, Zlatko Dalic contextualizes the importance of the match against Argentina, beyond the third place in 1998 and second in 2018. “If we win tomorrow it will be the most important match in the history of Croatia”.