Croat coach calls for one last push
Moscow, July 14: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is prepared to make changes for Sunday’s World Cup final against France if some of his players have not recovered from their exertions in reaching football’s biggest game. Dalic’s men have been forced to go through three periods of extra-time, against Denmark, Russia and England, to become the smallest country in 68 years to make the final.
“One thing that brings me happiness is that all my players tell me if they are not 100 per cent fit. They will concede they are not fit. They know what is at stake but if they are unable to give their all they will tell us. They have such an attitude,” Dalic said.
Ivan Perisic, who scored and set up Mario Mandzukic’s winner in a 2-1 semifinal win over England, was among five Croatian players to miss training on Friday. “We have nothing to train. We need relaxation and rest to gain freshness for tomorrow,” said Dalic.
“We have some minor injuries, minor problems, and I hope my players will be ready. If not, I have great players on the bench who will be raring to go,” he added.
Dalic, 51, was little known outside his homeland until the tournament, but has masterminded an incredible turnaround in Croatia’s fortunes after the team were struggling even to qualify for the World Cup before his appointment in October last year. His first match in charge was a must-win qualifier away to Ukraine just to make it into a playoff where they beat Greece. — AFP