World Cup: Croatia players and coach react after Morocco match

Croatia and Morocco drew 0-0 in their opening group match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The reaction from the manager and players after the match.

Zlatko Dalić:

“It was a tough game which we expected it would be. They were compact and organised which we knew. We were scared to make mistakes and lacked depth. Today we opted for more experienced players in defence. Unfortunately, Nikola (Vlašić) was injured in the first half. I can only complain that there was a lack of determination and verticality. We lacked courage. This was different than four and a half years ago. We have to get 4 or 5 points to advance out of the group, we won’t complain and we move forward now.”

Luka Modrić:

“It was a tough match, especially the first half. The last 10-15 minutes of the first half we started to play better. We were better in the second half and it is a shame we couldn’t score. We were the better side but we had to open them up more. We have two games more now to advance from the group.”

Heads up! We keep going. #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #Croatia #Family ❤️‍🔥 #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/S4u0QnjQKL

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) November 23, 2022

Mateo Kovačić:

“It wasn’t our best performance and we have to improve. We lacked being decisive on attack and needed to get forward more. We will analyse the match and Canada and be better in the next one and look for the win.”

Nikola Vlašić:

“It was a hard match, they defended well and it was hard to find space. We didn’t lose which was important and we must go on, we have two games left.”

Joško Gvardiol:

“We started tense but towards the end of the first half we opened up and had chances which unfortunately we couldn’t take. We have to sit down and analyse it. The next game we have to concentrate and take three points to make our path easier.”

Croatia faces Canada next on 27 November before meeting Belgium in their final group match on 1 December.