Zlatko Dalic warned his Croatia team over the enduring goal-scoring qualities of Harry Kane as the 2018 World Cup runners-up prepare to take on England in their Group L opener at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday.
After scoring 61 goals in 51 games in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season, Kane is in terrible form going into the World Cup, and Dalic is afraid of the England captain. “They have the world’s best striker, Kane, who can accomplish a great deal,” Dalic remarked. “We will do a lot, we will do our best not only to defend ourselves but to attack, to go forward. “We are ready for the set pieces, which will be challenging. I anticipate a fantastic game, and it will serve as an excellent prelude to the group’s next two games.”
Luka Modric, Kane’s former teammate at Tottenham Hotspur, is still a key member of the Croatian team. On Wednesday, the 40-year-old will make his 199th appearance for his nation. Regarding the AC Milan midfielder, Dalic remarked, “He is my right hand on the pitch and he means a lot, both as a captain of our team and as a person.”The fact that Luka and a few other veteran players are guiding the younger guys and are capable of great things means a lot to the squad.
“They are very lucky to have him, Luka, as a role model in how to fight for the national team jersey and we’re lucky to still have him with us.”
Croatia’s success in the previous two World Cup competitions has been largely attributed to Modric and Dalic.
The nation advanced to the final four in 2022 but lost to eventual champions Argentina. In 2018, they finished second after defeating England in the semi-finals.Regarding his team’s performance in the competition, Dalic remarked, “That’s history for us.” “We can’t simply dwell in the past; we need to perform great things in the upcoming matches and World Cup.
“Everyone is expecting a lot from Croatia, and we have very high hopes. We are prepared for this, even though it wasn’t the case previously.History is still written, but we are prepared for these significant expectations and want to project the greatest possible image of ourselves.Nobody anticipated that we would be so close at the last two World Cups, but our first goal is to advance to the group stage.”
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