Dalic: “I hope after the game we don’t talk about the referee anymore”

Zlatko Dalic, the Croatia coach, said today that in FIFA’s selection of Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim for Saturday’s third and fourth place match against Morocco, the body “took a big risk” and hopefully they don’t talk “of the referee” at the end of the match

The Croats criticized Italian referee Daniele Orsato for his work in the semifinals against Argentina (3-0) by signaling goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s penalty to Julián Álvarez that led to 1-0.

“To be honest, FIFA has taken a huge risk. I don’t want to underestimate anyone, but I hope that after the game we won’t talk about the referee anymore,” said Dalic in the pre-match press conference.

He gives great importance to the game

“For us, it was a good game. We fight for the medal. We have a lot of respect for the tournament that Morocco has done and I am sure that for them this is also an important match and they will face it with the best line-up possible”, he assured.

“No one expected Morocco to go as far as we did four years ago. I am sure that tomorrow the opponent will be more difficult than in the first game, because they grew during the tournament”, added Dalic.

“In 1998 it was the first great medal for Croatia and a recognition of our country’s independence, the beginning of a brilliant era for our football. It’s different now because we got second place, but it still means a lot Of course, the one in 1998 was more important because of what it meant for our country”, commented Dalic in comparison to the World Cup in France where they finished third.

some doubts

In addition, Dalic spoke about the physical level of his players, naming Juranovic, Brozovic and Gvardiol as some of those who will wait until the last minute to find out if he can count on them.

“This is the seventh game in less than a month. We are tired of course. Let’s see what happens during the day. I told my players to be honest with us and their teammates if they felt any discomfort. We all want to be a part of the game, but we have to be careful with our players. I don’t want to start the game with players who are not at 100% and then have to change them”, answered the Croatian coach.

Bury the ‘tiki-taka’

A Dalic is emphatic about the debate over whether the possession game has a place in today’s football.

“I think you’re right that ‘tika-taka’ is history. Spain had 900 passes against Morocco and didn’t win, France had less possession and beat Morocco. A compact and solid block, fast players and counterattacks are the key to the football of the future,” said Dalic.

There is no forecast for the final

In addition, the Croatian coach does not want to give a favorite for the final on Sunday. “Both teams have great quality, with different styles. France has the experience of being in their second consecutive final, they are dangerous in attack and have, with Mbappé and others other players, the ability to do damage, even if they don’t have the ball”, he analyzed.

“And Argentina has Messi. I don’t want to make any predictions,” he concluded.