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Dalić finds positives from USA tour despite loss to Brazil

Zlatko Dalić

Zlatko Dalić

Croatia suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brazil in their second friendly match in Orlando overnight, but coach Zlatko Dalić remained upbeat about the performance and the overall tour of the United States.

Brazil sealed the victory with a penalty and a goal in added time after Lovro Majer had earlier brought Croatia level late in the second half.

Despite the result, Dalić highlighted several positive aspects from the match and the two-game tour.

“We were compact in the first half and they did not create much apart from two chances that came after our mistakes,” Dalić told Sportske novosti. “Dominik Livaković made some important saves.”

According to Dalić, the team showed better control and attacking threat in the second half.

“In the second half we were more dominant and better with the ball. Our possession was stronger and we looked more dangerous,” he added.

However, Dalić pointed out that costly defensive errors ultimately decided the match.

“We must not concede a goal in the final minute of the first half and we have to react better in those situations. Those are things that cannot happen at this level,” he said.

The Croatian coach described the overall tour as having mixed impressions. While acknowledging the mistakes that led to Brazil’s chances, he stressed that the team still produced encouraging moments.

Some of Brazil’s most dangerous opportunities came from Croatia losing possession in risky areas, including after one attacking corner.

“We must not lose the ball like that after our own corner and we have to deal better with long passes behind the defence,” Dalić explained.

The match also allowed Croatia to test a different tactical system against one of the world’s strongest teams, something Dalić suggested could be relevant for the upcoming World Cup opener against England.

“We wanted to try this system against a strong side that is on England’s level,” he said.

Dalić also noted that the squad will look different once key players such as Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić return to the team.

The Brazilian penalty came after a long ball forward, with the Croatian coach saying the forward cleverly drew the foul.

“It was a long ball and we had to react better. The Brazilian player experiencedly stuck his leg out and won the penalty,” Dalić said.

One of the brighter moments for Croatia came from the performance of young defender Luka Vušković, who is pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

“I think he played well. There are still things he needs to improve, but the overall impression is positive,” Dalić noted.

The coach added that the tour allowed Croatia to rotate the squad and assess options ahead of the World Cup. Midfielder Kristijan Jakić was not used after experiencing a minor muscle issue.

“We used all the players as planned. The tour has given us another young option for the World Cup and there were many good things to take from these matches,” Dalić concluded.

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