Photo by Slobodan Kadic
June 5, 2023 – The Croatia national team gathered in Rijeka today ahead of the UEFA Nations Lague finals, which will be played from June 14 to 18 in the Netherlands.
Before the final preparations, coach Zlatko Dalić addressed the media. At the end of May, Dalić invited 24 players with seven call-ups. Midnight is the deadline to send UEFA the final list with the names of 23 players for the final tournament in the Netherlands.
“Just getting to the final tournament is a fantastic success. Of course, we have a tough job in the semi-final against the host Netherlands, but I expect great support from our fans,” Dalić said in the introduction.
At the end of May, Dalić announced 24 players. He has now shortened it by one name.
“We will all be together on June 8, except for Brozović, who is playing in the Champions League final. I put 24 players on the list so that we have a full team until he arrives. We invited Beljo because we want him to feel the atmosphere of the national team. We are counting on him in the future, but on June 12, when we go to the Netherlands, he will join the young national team. We are counting on him in the fall.”
Brozović will join the national team after the Champions League final.
“Of course, we will miss Brozović in training We will miss his energy and everything he does for the team. I hope he will win the Champions League and come to our camp happy. He will join us on June 12.”
Can Croatia win the trophy?
“It would be nice to win the first trophy in Croatian football history, but it cannot be imperative for us because we have good opponents. Besides, the players are tired from a busy season, but I’m sure there is motivation for two more games.”
On June 9, Dalić and the team will travel to Rome for a private meeting with Pope Francis.
“It’s a big thing; we’re not going to pray but to say thanks for everything so far. That was our wish, we had an invitation after the final in Russia, but it didn’t come true then, so we’ve been looking for a suitable date ever since.”
After the press conference, Croatia will have an open training for the media. They will train at Rujevica in the evening in the following days until they leave for the Netherlands on June 12
In addition to Croatia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy are also competing in the third edition of the Nations League finals.
In the first semi-final match on June 14 at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Croatia will meet, while Italy and Spain will play a day later at De Grolsch Veste in Enschede.
Source: HRT
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