Dalić not worried after Croatia’s draw with Armenia and announces final Euro squad

Zlatko Dalić (Screenshot)

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić has spoken to the media after his side’s 1-1 draw with Armenia in a friendly in Velika Gorica tonight ahead of Euro 2020. 

Ivan Perišić’s 24th minute header, scored on his 100th appearance, was cancelled out in the 71st minute by Wbeymar. 

This is what Dalić had to say after the draw. 

Missed chances

“We created a lot of chances, we missed a lot, we didn’t manage to score that second goal to bring the game to an end and it happened to us for who knows how many times that we conceded  a goal from one chance. I’m not too worried, we worked well in the last days. I expect better on attack and the realisation of chances.”

Injuries 

“We replaced Brekalo preventively, he twisted his ankle and felt pain, we didn’t want to take any risks. According to the first examination, everything is fine with him. Lovren is here, he trained today. Based on medical documentation, we can still replace the player if someone has big problems.”

Lack of determination

“We weren’t concentrated enough, maybe we lacked a little seriousness and we shouldn’t do that again. We have to be serious, concentrated and responsible – me first – and do our best. It’s not good that we didn’t score those goals, with them the whole story would be much better. Missed chances bother us. We lack that determination, we circle around the bunker too much, and when we create a chance, we don’t score.”

Formation 

“We will play our 4-2-3-1 with a classic striker, it suits us better, although we also tried with two half-strikers. There are no more rehearsals and searches, we will play against Belgium as we plan to play against England.”

Perišić in the 100 club

“It’s great to enter the 100 club, it’s a great success to join such big names. He still has a lot of games ahead of him, and he gives his best in each one, he comes to gatherings with great will.”

Olic, Kovačić, Bradarić, Guardiol, Ivanušec

“Olić will be with us for the first ten days because he is tied to his club. Players from the young national team join on Friday, just like Kovačić, and come as equal members in their positions. If they show through training that they can count on them, they will not be just passers-by.“

Dress rehearsal in Belgium

“Belgium will be a real test for England, where we will have to get stuck in, they are first in the world in the Fifa rankings. We will not have big ball possession, but we have to get back in the game and show strength and character.”

Dalić confirmed his 26-man squad which has to be submitted to UEFA by midnight.

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Simon Sluga (Luton Town).

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Šime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Borna Barišić (Glasgow Rangers), Duje Ćaleta-Car (Olympique Marseille), Josip Juranović (Legia), Domagoj Bradarić (Lille), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Joško Gvardiol (Dinamo).

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Milan Badelj (Genoa), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (CSKA Moskva), Luka Ivanušec (Dinamo).

Strikers: Ivan Perišić (Inter), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Rebić (Milan), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Bruno Petković (Dinamo), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo), Ante Budimir (Osasuna).

Croatia opens its Euro 2020 campaign against England on June 13 at Wembley.