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Dalić praises Croatia’s character after comeback victory over Colombia in Orlando

Zlatko Dalić

Zlatko Dalić

Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance after Croatia defeated Colombia 2-1 in a friendly match in Orlando as preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup gather momentum.

The victory, achieved in front of a packed stadium largely supporting the South American side, provided a strong start to Croatia’s World Cup preparations and gave the coaching staff plenty of encouragement.

Croatia were forced to respond quickly after conceding as early as the second minute. Despite the early blow and the intense atmosphere generated by the home crowd, the Croatian side showed resilience to turn the match around.

Dalić praised his players for their reaction.

“We conceded very early, in the second minute, in front of a full stadium against an opponent who immediately put pressure on us,” he said. “But we showed character, energy and strength. We came back into the match and played very well.”

He highlighted Croatia’s organisation and determination throughout the match, noting that the team created numerous chances while maintaining a disciplined approach.

“Croatia were compact, responsible and worked tirelessly in every aspect of the game. To beat Colombia in Orlando in front of a full stadium is a big achievement and a great motivation for what lies ahead.”

Dalić stressed that the foundation of the win was Croatia’s defensive discipline combined with the team’s character and quality.

“In agreement with my coaching staff, we focused heavily on the defensive phase. We worked on it relentlessly and managed to stop many of Colombia’s attacking moves while creating several very good chances ourselves,” he explained.

Although satisfied overall, he acknowledged that the team still has areas to improve, particularly considering the limited preparation time before the match.

“We had only one proper training session before the game because of jet lag and adjusting to the climate. Given those circumstances, I can be very satisfied with the performance.”

Dalić also chose not to single out individual players, emphasising that the entire squad performed at a high level.

The Croatian coach also praised the quality of the Colombian side, highlighting several of their standout players.

He pointed to the threat posed by Luis Díaz, who he said is capable of deciding a match in a moment, as well as attacking options such as Luis Suárez and playmaker James Rodríguez.

“Colombia are a very good team with speed and dangerous transitions. They are difficult to stop,” Dalić said.

Despite the positive result, the coach admitted that Croatia were occasionally vulnerable defensively, particularly against long balls played behind the defence.

“At times we were too far from our opponents and some long passes caught us out. We were not well coordinated in those moments and that allowed Colombia to create dangerous situations from the wings,” he said.

He also noted that Croatia must improve ball retention and decision-making under pressure.

“In certain situations we should have kept the ball better and brought it forward more calmly instead of losing it too easily and creating pressure for ourselves.”

Dalić also provided an update on the fitness of defender Joško Gvardiol, who is currently recovering from injury.

“He is in the recovery phase and we all hope he will be ready for the World Cup. He is a very important player for us and we are waiting for him. He brings great strength to this team,” Dalić said.

The coach was also asked about the international future of Croatia’s captain Luka Modrić.

Dalić made it clear that the decision rests solely with the veteran midfielder.

“Luka knows best what he wants and how he feels. He is our captain and the player who carries this national team. Many have written him off before, but he is unique and irreplaceable,” he said.

“I hope he will be at a high level at the World Cup and help Croatia achieve great things. What comes after that will be his decision.”

Looking ahead to the tournament, Dalić described Croatia’s group as one of the toughest at the World Cup, with the opening match against England national football team expected to be particularly demanding.

“England are an extremely strong team with a huge number of quality players. That first match will be very difficult for us,” he said.

Preparatory matches against teams such as Colombia and Brazil national football team are therefore seen as crucial tests before the tournament begins.

According to Dalić, the Croatia–England clash could become one of the standout matches of the tournament’s opening phase.

“It will be played at the biggest stadium and in front of the largest crowd. That is a fantastic occasion for Croatia.”

Dalić also explained the decision to allow a large number of substitutions during the friendly.

With many players in the middle of demanding club seasons, the coaching staff opted to rotate the squad to manage fatigue and avoid potential injuries.

“The players are in the middle of their club seasons and many are tired. It would not be ideal for them to play full minutes in both matches,” he said.

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