With the constant demand for selfies and autographs from Vatreni supporters, the luxury of having a few minutes of peace in his hotel lobby is a luxury that Zlatko Dalic has not been afforded of late. As they prepare for their biggest ever challenge – Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final against France at the Luzhiki Stadium in Moscow, the former defensive midfielder is enjoying his time being in charge of the Balkan side.
Calmly sitting from the team’s hotel in the center of Moscow he said: “We are still living our dreams, we are so close. Through my life and career, I went the hard way. I did not want to be just an average coach in Croatia. I had to start from the lowest club,” he said. “Within a year in Asia, I became the best coach, and for three years, I was coach of Al Ain [in the United Arab Emirates], who are like Real [Madrid] in Europe. That was a tremendous experience for me. I coached two of the biggest clubs in Asia, so when Croatia’s call arrived, I did not hesitate.”
Dalic’s efforts have surpassed those of his mentor, Miroslav Blazevic a few months on, who led Croatia to a third-place finish in the country’s World Cup debut back in 1998.
Croatia’s run in Russia, Dalic has compared to that of a fellow Mediterranean country that surprised the football world at UEFA EURO 2004.
He said: “I see the connection between Croatia now and Greece in 2004, although they are two different styles of football. No one believed that they could be the [European] champions, but they were compact and had great teamwork. “There are two top teams in the World Cup Final. This will be our biggest game and our toughest opponent, for sure. France is very dangerous on the counter-attack. We had a tough journey to the Final, but there are no excuses, we are ready for the last game of the tournament.”
Dalic believers that Croatia has what it takes to win the Trophy on Sunday evening, as the smallest nation to reach a World Cup Final since Uruguay back in 1950.