Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has acknowledged his team’s underwhelming performances at Euro 2024 and the crucial nature of their upcoming clash against Italy.
Croatia, once a European powerhouse, finds itself in unfamiliar territory after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Spain and a scrappy 2-2 draw with Albania in the group stage. These results have sparked concerns about the team’s aging core and defensive vulnerabilities.
“We haven’t started well,” Dalic admitted at a press conference. “We haven’t been up to our usual standards because we’ve been conceding too many goals. We only conceded once in the group stage at the World Cup in Qatar, while here we’ve conceded five already.”
Dalic recognizes the physical toll of recent years, but also acknowledges the quality of the opposition.
“The players are three years older,” he said. “We are also coming up against strong opposition.”
Croatia currently sits precariously at the bottom of Group B with just one point. Only a win against Italy, coupled with an Albanian loss to Spain, will guarantee their progression. A draw could even send them packing depending on other results.
“We know it’s essentially a knockout match tomorrow,” Dalic emphasized. “There won’t be any extra time and we must simply win the game. Any other result will send us home. We don’t want to go home so soon.”
While Croatia has dominated in possession (over 60% in both games) and created chances (leading in expected goals and shots on target), their finishing has been woeful.
“We need to show our true level,” Dalic stated. “So right from the word go, we need to try to put things right.”
The pressure is on for Croatia, with not just the need for results but also the expectations of fans who have traveled to support them.
Dalic’s message to his team is clear: maintain composure, avoid conceding, and convert their chances. This winner-takes-all clash against Italy will be a true test of Croatia’s resilience and their ability to rise to the occasion.
