Croatia’s World Cup preparations and fitness challenges
Croatia is gearing up for their World Cup opener against England, a match head coach Zlatko Dalic views as crucial for their tournament prospects. The team recently secured a 2-1 victory over Slovenia in their final friendly match before heading to the United States. Despite the win, Dalic has expressed concerns regarding the form and fitness of several key players, suggesting that a less challenging initial fixture might have been more favourable for his squad.
The upcoming match against England is scheduled for 17 June in Dallas. Dalic noted that the first game in a major tournament can significantly impact a team’s journey. He recalled Croatia’s 3-0 loss to Spain in their opening match at Euro 2024, which he felt the team struggled to recover from. However, he also highlighted past instances where Croatia performed well in their opening games, such as their victory against Nigeria in 2018 and a draw with Morocco in 2022.
Dalic acknowledged that they cannot alter the schedule now and emphasised the importance of the first game. He stated that his team would fight and strive to win against England, a side he described as very strong with a highly offensive and fast playing style. He also praised England’s thorough preparation, noting their early arrival in the US, nearly 20 days before the match, to prepare everything.
Key players’ fitness concerns
Among the players raising fitness concerns are Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic and Josip Gvardiol, both of whom are returning from injuries. Dalic mentioned that these players, along with veteran Luka Modric, have not had significant playing time recently and are not in optimal form. Modric, who scored a goal in the friendly against Slovenia while wearing a protective mask due to a fractured cheekbone, is also working to regain full match sharpness.
Dalic specifically pointed out Kovacic’s situation, stating that he hardly played during the recent season and is now needed by the national team. The coach admitted that this situation is challenging and requires time, especially given Croatia’s limited roster depth and the importance of these players to the squad. Croatia finished third in the 2022 World Cup and were runners-up four years prior, indicating their high aspirations for the upcoming tournament.
In their friendly match against Slovenia, Croatia demonstrated strong possession, holding 66.9% compared to Slovenia’s 33.1%. They also registered 22 shots, with 6 on target, while Slovenia had 13 shots, with 4 on target. Croatia also had a higher number of total touches inside the opposition box, with 28 compared to Slovenia’s 20. The match saw Croatia complete 623 passes with an 88.8% accuracy, significantly higher than Slovenia’s 306 passes and 78.1% accuracy. Modric opened the scoring in the match, which was later levelled by Sporar in the 83rd minute before Pasalic secured the winner in the 93rd minute.
Historical context and upcoming challenge
Dalic was at the helm when Croatia defeated England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. However, he downplayed any lingering psychological impact from that match, noting that England has since beaten Croatia twice. He expressed admiration for Thomas Tuchel’s team, highlighting the strength of their league and their offensive capabilities.
The coach remains optimistic despite the challenges, stating his commitment to pushing his team to perform their best and secure a victory. The match against England on 17 June marks the beginning of their World Cup campaign.
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Source: theguardian.com
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