Zlatko Dalić has published his first lineup of the Croatian national team as the new coach, immediately making changes to his predecessor Ante Čačić.
Particularly, Dalić has invited Nikola Vlašić, the former Hajduk footballer and current regular of Everton’s first eleven, for the two upcoming World Cup playoffs against Greece on November 9 and 12, 2017, reports HNS on October 23, 2017.
#Croatia squad list for November @EuroQualifiers play-off clashes with @EthnikiOmada.#BeProud #Vatreni #WCQ @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/qZXLlGfDVf
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) October 23, 2017
“The model we have is similar to the second half in Kiev. We will be more offensive and have more quality forward. I took the young players Vlašić and Rebić for the wings, they are quality with one-on-one play. We need to attack Greece’s defense. We have to have a lot of psychological preparation to preserve our composure on the field. We will be monitoring the players who have been called up over these next two weeks and we will monitor the situation of their form,” said Dalić, before he added:
“Čop and Antonio Milić are also available, while we will monitor the conditions of Brozović, Pjaca, and Jedvaj, and see what their situations are with injuries,” Dalić explained. HNS has sent to calls to the clubs of Pjaca, Brozović, and Jedvaj, and if any are cleared of injuries and can compete, they will be placed in the lineup.
Dalić commented on his thoughts ahead of Greece.
“We hope that everything will be positive and that we will meet Greece in front of a full stadium. We are working on the analysis of Greece’s matches; we are in contact with the coaches of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium, we follow the form of their players, including the best stopper Manolas. But, I repeat, the most important thing is Croatia.”
It was announced earlier this week that Dalić invited former Croatian representative Ivica Olić to join his coaching staff. The new coach commented on his hopes for the rest of his staff.
“I have three wishes with my staff, and I will continue to persevere. Along with Ivica Olić, I would like Darijo Srna and Drazen Ladić. I want trusting people around me. I want those who are proud, those who know the players and have a good relationship with them. The atmosphere is essential for the team, and we have to be prepared for it all. No matter what, we will be compact and make the right result,” said Dalić said, who commented:
“I do not think about Ancelotti, only about Greece and the advancement to Russia. I do not want to lose concentration on other things, I do not care, and I will not care.”
Darijo Srna, however, is still waiting for the outcome of his doping case. His potential suspension would mean his inability to participate in any football activity.
“His situation is very complicated, and it will certainly not be possible for the matches against Greece,” Dalić added.
In the first game of the playoffs for World Cup 2018 in Russia, Croatia will host Greece on November 9, 2017, at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb. The return match will be scheduled three days later, on November 12, 2017, in Greece.
The national team will gather on November 6, 2017, in Zagreb.
Excerpts taken from HNS
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