Croatia has long been not only a potential candidate for placement in the finals of major competitions, but a team that legitimately rushes at least to the semi-finals, either of the World Cup or the European Championship. Ambitions do not change even before the Euro in Germany, although it is clear that the heart of the team Zlatko Dalić is slowly coming down from the biggest stage. First in line Luka Modrić who is expected to say goodbye to the national team after the summer.
The goals of the "fiery" certainly do not change despite the very difficult group, with giants Spain and Italy, and unpleasant Albania...
- I know we can do a lot, but there are many big selections at the Euro. Pressure? It is not there, because we have done a lot so far - we have raised the bar, maybe that is not realistic - said Dalić.
He reflected on all the successes of the Croats:
- In the last 58 years, England won only one medal, and Croatia three, or four in total. We showed that we are the best when it is the most difficult and we will try to live up to expectations even now - Dalić added.
Croatia debuted at the European Championship in 1996 in England, and was absent four years later in Belgium and the Netherlands. Since then, she has not skipped a single continental competition - 16 years ago, she played in the quarterfinals, and that is her best result at the European championships. In the last two performances, she reached the eighth place, she did not live up to expectations, so she wants to at least go one step further in Germany. Or two...
The question is how realistic it is that they are chasing a historic ranking in 2024, but Croatia has someone to oppose - first Spain and Italy in the group, and then also big rivals in the knockout phase if it comes to that. National charge is a great quality of Croatia, and when quality is added to that - then the results cannot be accidental.
Modrić was and remains the most important link, in the midfield are also Mateo Kovačić, Marcelo Brozović, Mario Pasalić, Lovro Majer, and also recovered Nikola Vlasic which is a big question mark for the Euro.
The quality of the 2018 world vice-champions will also depend significantly on their form Ivan Perišić, who returned to Hajduk in the winter and recently played after knee ligament surgery - at the age of 35, the question is how much the former Inter ace will be able to help the national team, but for Dalić he was and remains untouchable... They are safe in defense Josko Guardiol i Domagoj Vida, those two Josip at fullback position (Juranovic right and Stanisic left), and in the attack they have an advantage in relation to the others Andrej Kramaric i Bruno Petkovic.
How much this Croatia can do could already be seen in the first round when they play against Spain (June 15 in Berlin).
- All three games are equally important. Who thinks that it will be easy against Albania? - asks Dalić.
Probable lineup of Croatia (4-3-3): Livaković - Juranović, Vida, Gvardiol, Stanišić - Modrić, Brozović, Kovačić - Perišić, Kramarić, Pašalić.
Bonus video:
