Croatia’s Dalic Hopes for Applause as Modric Takes the Field

Croatia’s head coach, Zlatko Dalic, expressed his hope that fans in Montenegro will give a warm welcome to Luka Modric during their upcoming match. As Croatia prepares for the final round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Dalic reflected on his fond memories of the country while viewing photos of Montenegrin football legends at the Football House of the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG).

Dalic reminisced about his time playing for Buducnost in the late 1980s, recalling encounters with notable players like Branko Brnovic and Predrag Mijatovic. “I recognized Branko Brnovic in the pictures… After many years, I return to Podgorica, where I hold beautiful memories,” he said, highlighting the significance of the location.

Despite securing their place in the World Cup, Dalic emphasized that Croatia’s ambitions remain high. “We have qualified, but the qualifiers are not over for us. We face a tough match against a motivated opponent and want to win to make these qualifiers our best yet,” he stated. Croatia previously triumphed over Montenegro with a score of 4-0 at Maksimir Stadium in September, but Dalic anticipates a more challenging contest on the road.

The match is scheduled for tomorrow at 20:45 local time. “Montenegro has a new coach and younger players who will aim to challenge us,” Dalic commented. He underscored the need for his players to be prepared, stating, “We will give opportunities to some players who did not play in the last match. However, our primary goal is to play well and strive for victory.”

The Croatian coach acknowledged that the final match of the qualifiers carries less pressure, a welcome change after previous experiences filled with stress. “We knew the qualifiers would be tough, and every team has strong motivation against us. Montenegro has had good games this year, but they have also faced challenges. With a new coach and fresh players, this is an ideal opportunity to test some of them,” he added.

Dalic highlighted Stefan Jovetic as Montenegro’s most talented player, noting his return following a previous absence. He also mentioned Marko Krstovic as a potential threat, emphasizing the importance of being cautious. “They have several talented players in midfield, which makes this match demanding. Their youth gives them energy, and they will push to the end,” he said.

The coach confirmed that Modric will indeed play, which is particularly significant for the Montenegrin audience. “Luka will definitely play. The audience in Montenegro deserves to see him on the pitch. I hope you will welcome him with applause because he deserves it; he is among the best in the world,” Dalic stated, affirming Modric’s stature in the sport.

Defender Josip Sutalo echoed Dalic’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of each match for the national team. “We are always motivated when representing our country. The qualifiers are not over yet, and we must take Montenegro seriously and aim to finish the group undefeated,” he said.

Sutalo acknowledged the challenge posed by Montenegro, noting that their recent performance at Maksimir does not accurately reflect their capabilities, as they played with ten men for the second half. “They have a new coach, and we expect a very different match. We will do our best to handle all the threats they present,” he concluded.

As Croatia gears up for this pivotal encounter, the spotlight remains on Modric, a player who continues to inspire admiration across the footballing world.