Croatia will try to score 7 out of 9 possible points against Slovenia in the World Cup qualification in September 2022 at the Poljud stadium in Split on Tuesday evening.
Slovenia surprised Croatia in their first meeting with 1-0 and coach Zlatko Dalić said tonight that there will be changes compared to the team that defeated Slovakia on Saturday.
“We have to be favorites in our stadium, in front of our fans. Maybe this will be our toughest game, this is the third in seven days, against an aggressive and combative opponent who defeated us in Slovenia and if we don’t show the energy to run from Bratislava and Moscow it will be difficult for us. I have no doubts about our motive, we are carried by the fans and I think we will win. So it doesn’t matter, only the points count, « said Dalić before revealing the current situation with his team.
» There will be no Livaković in goal, we won’t take any chances, Gvardiol is also questionable . I am not inclined to force myself into something that I am not sure about, as in the case of Modrić and Budimir. We’ll go fit and done. Some players played a lot like Sosa, Juranovic, Lovren. I’m a bit afraid to start with players who play a lot, we’ll know more after our last training session. «
» Here I will say that (Marko) Livaja will start the game. He has known that for a few days now and I expect great things from him, he deserves it as he plays as a leader in Hajduk. What position will he play in? Everyone is there to play what is meant for them. Nobody plays a dominant position, no matter what the media constantly emphasizes. «
» They will play as much as we allow them and as we set out to do. We didn’t allow Russia or the Slovaks to play under pressure. I am very satisfied with that. It’s also important that we react well to the second phase ball, « said Dalić before adding.
» We were a bit pointless in the future, but that’s not a beauty game, points are more important than the impression. We know we have to get a result. Slovenia is not just Jan Oblak, Iličić has rested, he is fresh and the greatest threat, he is an attack axis with Lovrić and I expect Mlakar to play too. Kek changed 17 players in two games. «
» I said that I have no objections to Croatia’s game, apart from this final phase and the chances. Luka won’t be there forever, we can’t always be Luka, Luka, Luka. Nobody can replace him personally, we only have to find out as a team. He has started training, he will be with us in October. We have to get rid of this rumor and do without the captain, whom we miss a lot, « he said.
» The support of the fans will be important to us, we remember Hungary and this atmosphere gave us goose bumps. Wherever we played since I was a coach, it was nice in Osijek, Rijeka, Zagreb. No matter what someone wants it to be worthless, that it belittles, the Croatian people recognize the good. I expect a lot of support and we will try to thank them with three points, « concluded Dalić.
» The mood after the victory in Slovakia is great, that gave us additional energy. We did well in these two games, we didn’t concede a goal and we can be satisfied with what may be the most difficult away games. But if we don’t win tomorrow it won’t mean much, ”said Perišić.
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