Maximum motivation and a magical collective
Zlatko Dalic, the coach of Croatia has done something incredible. Something the players have repeatedly said is that the atmosphere has never been better. During this World Cup, they have felt like a real family has been together for 50 days. On the pitch, the players look like they would die for each other with the effort they put in. they have shown that the desire to win as a collective is very high, despite playing in three consecutive extra time matches.
Character and mental strength
There were three come-from-behind wins for Vatreni, against Denmark, Russia, and England, with two of them coming from winning in penalty
shootouts. From a mental and physical perspective, the Croatian comeback kings dominated those games.
Croatia’s strength of personality and their determination will serve them well against France. “We have shown our character” – repeatedly said Captain Luka Modric. Throughout history, every World Cup-winning team has had to have a great amount of character.
Experience equals self-confidence
Of this great Vatreni generation, Modric is the leader. There are other stars in Dali’s squad besides the Real Madrid talisman, including players from Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool like Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren. Croatia has a lot of experience and self-confidence as well, with an average age of 27 years and ten months, because almost everyone has their place in their clubs’ first XI. They are fully aware of their capabilities.