ZAGREB • Like Germany's Joachim Low, Zlatko Dalic has also opted to rebuild his squad following last year's World Cup and the Croatia coach was delighted with his new-look team on Thursday.
With only four starters from last year's World Cup final, Croatia started the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback win against Azerbaijan in their Group E match at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb.
Runners-up in Russia, Croatia fell behind early to a 19th-minute Ramil Sheydaev goal. Borna Barisic made it 1-1 just before half-time and substitute Andrej Kramaric hit the winner 11 minutes from time.
"We will have to switch from counter-punchers to the team that will dominate the possession and attack," Dalic said, describing his side's intended new style of play.
"I want the young, potential players to bring us another dimension."
Team captain Luka Modric, Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic and Besiktas central defender Domagoj Vida were the only players retained from the starting XI against France in the World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow nine months ago.
FORWARD LOOKING
We will have to switch from counter-punchers to the team that will dominate the possession and attack. I want the young, potential players to bring us another dimension.
ZLATKO DALIC, Croatia coach, on their new strategy.
Two starters from Moscow, forward Mario Mandzukic and goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, have retired from international football.
Liverpool central defender Dejan Lovren was suspended for this match, while Inter right-back Sime Vrsaljko and AC Milan left-back Ivan Strinic were injured.
Dalic opted to leave Eintracht Frankfurt forward Ante Rebic and Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic on the bench, but stayed true to his words ahead of the clash by naming newcomers - Wolfsburg winger Josip Brekalo and Dinamo Zagreb forward Bruno Petkovic - in his attack-oriented starting line-up.
"I am satisfied. The win and three points are the most important," the 52-year-old added.
"It was difficult - more than we expected - but, when you concede such a goal, it is difficult to break their wall. We were patient, persistent and deserved this win."
Besides Azerbaijan, Croatia are in the same group as Hungary, Slovakia and Wales. Dalic's men travel to Budapest to face Hungary tomorrow.
DPA, XINHUA
⠤⠤ Happy Playground - Croatia ⠤⠤ SOMETIMES I GO PRIVATE TO HELP FRIENDS. DURING THAT TIME I DON'T VISIT OTHER GARDENS!!!I'm low on gold so please remember I haven't forgotten you, I just can't return sprinkles as often as I would like.
Jul 01, 2018 · The Croatia-Denmark game, in Nizhny Novgorod, started with a stunning outburst, both sides scoring within the first four minutes. But the last 116 or so mostly had defensive play, plus plenty of
⠤⠤ Happy Playground - Croatia ⠤⠤ - Fairyland
OSIJEK, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatia and Hungary pulled away at the top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group E after victories on Saturday in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive pool.
Croatia survive England onslaught, thrive in extra time to
Refreshed Croatia win with attack-focused play ZAGREB • Like Germany's Joachim Low, Zlatko Dalic has also opted to rebuild his squad following last year's World Cup and the Croatia coach was delighted with his new-look team on Thursday.
The Straits Times - Breaking News, Lifestyle & Multimedia News
Refreshed Croatia win with attack-focused play
The latest Tweets from CroatianSports (@CroatianSoccer). Your 'ONE STOP SHOP' for all things Croatian sports! Soccer, basketball, MMAwe cover it all!. Los Angeles, CA
Slaven Bilic: 'Croatia can win it. When we take off, it's an
Jun 06, 2012 · The Guardian - Back to home. Slaven Bilic: 'Croatia can win it. When we take off, it's an explosion' At Croatia, we have always tried to play and we always look better when our opponents
Croatia (handball) live score, schedule and results - SofaScore
MOSCOW -- Here are three quick thoughts from Croatia's 2-1 extra-time win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium. 1. Tireless Croatia thrive in extra time. Croatia will face France in their first World Cup final on Sunday after overturning a 1-0 deficit to beat England 2-1 after extra time in the semifinal in
CroatianSports (@CroatianSoccer) | Twitter
Croatia fixtures tab is showing last 100 handball matches with statistics and win/lose icons. There are also all Croatia scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future. Croatia performance & form graph is SofaScore Handball livescore unique algorithm that we are generating from last 10 matches, statistics, detailed analysis and our
Shootout Sunday: Croatia Follows Russia's Lead and Wins on
MOSCOW -- Here are three quick thoughts from Croatia's 2-1 extra-time win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium. 1. Tireless Croatia thrive in extra time
Croatia survive England onslaught, thrive in extra time to
The Straits Times - Get latest breaking news, business, sports, lifestyle, tech & multimedia and more news in Singapore, Asia & rest of the world at straitstimes.com.
Croatia, Hungary win to pull away in Group E | SBS News
No comments:
Post a Comment