Doha (AFP)
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic saw that he might compare the upcoming match once morest Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup “Friday” with the 2018 World Cup final, which he lost once morest France.
Selecao will meet Croatia at the Education City Stadium for the third time in the World Cup finals following 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 4-2 to the French national team.
Dalic said during a press conference: I think tomorrow’s match is the most difficult, once morest one of the leading candidates for the title, I can compare it to the final of France because France was a significant opponent.
He continued: Nothing is better than playing once morest 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 regarding whether this would help him in giving advice to his colleagues, he said that Vinicius: 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 in 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.
Croatia reached the quarter-finals by defeating Japan on penalties (3-1) following they tied in regular and extra time (1-1), while the task was easier for Brazil with a sweeping 4-1 victory over South Korea.
Dalic said: I wish we had more rest days, but that’s how things are, we’ve achieved good results in two World Cups and we don’t settle for this, adding that containing Neymar will be important.
As for Modric, he said: We must 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 once morest Brazil, and his country was eliminated in the group stage.
He said in this regard: 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. He added: In the past, it was proven that such teams lost and might be contained and fall with their weaknesses.
The issue of the Brazilian players celebrating a dance was raised, which angered some of them, especially during the victory over South Korea, as the players not only celebrated together, but their coach Tite danced with them, who also confirmed, “I will continue to dance.”
In response to a question regarding whether he sees this as disrespectful, Dalic replied: Brazilians celebrate as they always celebrate. They are a people who love to celebrate, dance and express their personality, customs and culture in this way, adding: Disrespect or not? 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 that.
In another context, Modric praised the Qatar World Cup: I think that the organization in the World Cup and the stadiums is a wonderful thing, and we are fine and happy. It is nice to be stable and not have to travel long distances. This is good in the organization.
And regarding his future, he added: I focus on playing with the national team, and I focus 100% on this World Cup or the next, adding with a smile regarding maintaining his physical fitness at the age of 37: Unfortunately, I cannot share with you the secrets regarding my youth.
