Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed that the upcoming match against Brazil, in the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, tomorrow, Friday, is similar to the 2018 World Cup final, which he lost against France.
Sharjah 24 – Asaad Khalil:
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic saw today, Thursday, that he could compare the upcoming match against Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, tomorrow, Friday, with the 2018 World Cup final, which he lost against France.
Selecao will meet Croatia at the Education City Stadium for the third time in the World Cup finals after 2006 and 2014, both of which ended with Brazil’s victory in the group stage.
In 2018, Croatia reached the final for the first time in its history, losing it 4-2 to the French national team.
Dalic said, during a press conference, today, Wednesday, I think that tomorrow’s match is the most difficult, against one of the most prominent candidates for the title, I can compare it to the French final because France was a significant opponent.
And the coach continued, nothing is better than playing against Brazil in the quarter-finals, we can dream in this legendary match, we want to win and face this opponent.
Captain Luka Modric will meet many of his Real Madrid colleagues, such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Casemiro, who is now in Manchester United.
In response to a question about whether this would help him give advice to his colleagues, he added that Vinicius is a great player and we have a good relationship, since he joined Real he has made great progress, we have a difficult task to stop him and I will give my colleagues some advice according to my opinion, I do not know if that will help us or not but I will tell them what I know and try to neutralize Vinicius.
Write a new date
Croatia reached the quarter-finals by defeating Japan, last Monday, on penalties (3-1) after they tied in the regular and extra time (1-1), while the task was easier for Brazil, with a sweeping victory 4-1 over South Korea.
Dalic added, I wish we had more rest days but that’s how things are, we achieved good results in two World Cups and we don’t settle for this, and he continued that “containing Neymar” will be important.
As for Modric, he believed that we should play tomorrow, perhaps the best and most important match in the World Cup. We believe in our abilities.
Modric was in the squad that fell 3-1 in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup against Brazil, and his country was eliminated in the group stage.
In this regard, he said, we have great players and I think our chances are good. I faced Brazil on different occasions and unfortunately we were not lucky. We hope to write a new history. We have good players in all lines. We have to monitor their way of playing, contain them, press and keep the match under control. Adding in the past, it was proven that such teams lost and could be contained and fall with their weaknesses.
No problem with dancing however
The issue of the Brazilian players celebrating a dance was raised, which angered some, especially during the victory over South Korea, as the players not only celebrated together, but their coach Tite danced with them, who also confirmed Wednesday, “I will continue to dance.”
In response to a question about whether he sees this as a lack of respect, Dalic replied, “Brazilians celebrate as they always celebrate. I can’t judge, I don’t want to see my players celebrate like this but it’s a beautiful culture and they celebrate like this.
In another context, Modric praised the Qatar World Cup, saying: I think that the organization in the World Cup and the stadiums is wonderful and we are fine and happy. It is nice to be stable and not have to travel long distances. This is good in organization.
And about his future, he added, “I focus on playing with the national team and I focus 100% on this World Cup and not the next.”