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Croatia ready for important clash with Wales: “It is crucial everything is in our hands”

The Croatian national football team will play an important qualifying match for the 2024 European Championship in Germany against Wales in Cardiff tomorrow.

The match is especially demanding following their defeat against Turkey last Thursday in Osijek.

“It is crucial that everything is in our hands; we are aware that the match was poor. It surprised you as well, we were not good and deserved the loss. We must not repeat that, especially not in the first half. If we do, we will have significant problems. We respect the opponent; tomorrow will be a fierce match, a big battle, aggression on their part, we must know how to respond to that,” coach Zlatko Dalić told the HNS website. 

Dalić touched on potential changes in the team from the match against Turkey.

“We are considering what to do. Bruno Petković has stayed home; his desire is one thing, but readiness and possibility are another. We have decided that he should prepare and recover for what comes next. We are sticking with Musa and Beljo; both are classic center-forwards, a different profile of players compared to how we have been playing lately with the false nine. We don’t have many choices; we will see if we will change something in the backline. I hope we will do our best.”

Croatia’s ambitions

“The most important thing is to qualify; that is our first step. That is our focus, that’s what we’re thinking about. We were in the semi-finals and finals in the last two World Cups; our ambition is always significant, and we want to achieve something. I wouldn’t want to go so far, we’re thinking about how to qualify and earn enough points, then we’ll see what comes next.”

Criticisms

“It doesn’t matter, criticisms or not. We are aware that we need to regroup. After two and a half years, we’ve been going at full throttle, some situation had to arise, it’s impossible to constantly have top-notch results. Many things coincided; I don’t want an excuse in the context of the absence of key players, simply put, Croatia wasn’t good, we haven’t been that bad in a long time. We lost, and for ourselves, we have to play a good match to forget what happened. It will be tough; we want to take a step towards the Euros. If we do, great, and if not, we will have significant problems.”

Ivan Perišić

 “A significant loss. We lost Perišić, who is one of our best players. When things got tough and we struggled, he would have his day and solve matches. It’s very difficult; we’ve learned that he is always healthy and ready, he has never been absent. I expect him back very soon, which is in six months. We expect to qualify for the Euros, and then he can join us; I believe in that. He is a professional and a hard worker, and I expect him to get ready. We miss him; we lost one of the most important players.”

Livaković

“Livi has the full support of all of us; he was our best player up to the goal, he saved three situations. Mistakes happen; it’s normal, I don’t believe it will affect him, he has enough experience. We are prepared for long balls; we conceded a goal from a throw-in in Split’s final stages; we know it’s a danger, especially from the right side. We have to minimise set-pieces; when the crosses and aerial play start, anything is possible. We have to avoid that.”

Mateo Kovačić also faced the press before tomorrow’s match 

“We want to improve the impression and show our true face. Of course, we were disappointed with the result against Turkey, especially for our fans in Osijek. Sometimes things happen in football that you don’t want, but fortunately, we have the opportunity to rectify it, and we must show a better face,” Kovačić stated, pointing out the quality of the hosts.

“Wales is always very dangerous, especially because they must win, and we must too; we want to get back on the winning track as soon as possible. We saw in Split that they are uncomfortable; we conceded a goal in the last minute. We must be strong and enter the match firmly and aggressively.”

Croatia is always expected to perform well in qualifiers. 

“Good football and results are always expected from Croatia. So far, we have been good in qualifiers; we expect victories from ourselves and to perform well. Sometimes you lose. We have a chance to show our true selves and play well against Wales. What did we do wrong? We started poorly and weren’t right and aggressive in the duel. Everything started badly, and we were inefficient going forward. It wasn’t good; we have an important match tomorrow; we want to improve the impression and show our true face.”

“I expect a similar, competitive match. If you don’t enter firmly, they punish you. The Welsh play long balls, the crowd is behind them, they go all-in. The match will be tough, but we’ve had many tough ones; we can’t wait to step out tomorrow, put on the Croatian jersey, and show our true face,” Kovačić concluded.

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