Croatia’s Dalic Hails Modric’s Return Ahead of Montenegro Match

As Croatia prepares for its final qualifying match for the FIFA World Cup, coach Zlatko Dalic expressed his excitement for the opportunity to showcase star player Luka Modric in front of the Montenegrin audience. Speaking at a press conference held at the Football House of the Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) in Podgorica, Dalic reflected on fond memories from his time playing for Buducnost in the late 1980s.

Dalic noted, “I recognized Branko Brnovic in the pictures around me. After so many years, it’s great to be back in Podgorica, a city that holds many happy memories for me.” He acknowledged the significant talent in the Montenegrin team, emphasizing that despite securing their own place in the World Cup, his team remains focused on achieving a strong performance in this match.

Focus on Winning and Testing New Players

Despite Croatia’s recent 4-0 victory at Maksimir Stadium in September, Dalic is bracing for a challenging encounter against Montenegro, scheduled for tomorrow at 20:45. “Montenegro has a new coach and several younger players eager to make a mark,” he stated. “We want the three points ourselves, and we will head into the match with maximum strength and motivation.”

While the Croatian coach confirmed that he would give playing time to some players who did not feature in the last match, he reiterated that the primary goal is to perform well and secure a win. “It is good that this last match does not determine everything,” Dalic added. “We are aware of the challenges ahead; all teams are highly motivated when playing against us.”

Dalic highlighted that Montenegro has demonstrated potential throughout the year, noting both their strong performances and unfortunate setbacks. He mentioned the return of Stefan Jovetic, whom he considers Montenegro’s top player, and acknowledged the threat posed by Marko Krstovic and other talented midfielders.

Modric’s Impact and Team Motivation

In a statement that resonated with the Montenegrin public, Dalic promised that Luka Modric would play. “The audience in Montenegro deserves to see him on the field. I hope he will receive a warm welcome, as he is among the best in the world,” he said. “You will not be deprived of his appearance.”

Defender Josip Sutalo echoed Dalic’s sentiments about the significance of every match for the Croatian national team. “Every game is meaningful when representing your country. The qualifying rounds are not over yet; we need to approach this match against Montenegro with the utmost seriousness and aim to finish the group stage undefeated,” Sutalo explained.

He acknowledged the challenges Montenegro poses, particularly in light of their recent changes in management and player dynamics. “The previous result at Maksimir does not reflect the true capabilities of Montenegro, especially since they played with one less player for the entire second half,” Sutalo noted. “We expect a very different match this time.”

As Croatia seeks to solidify its status in international football, all eyes will be on the upcoming clash, with both teams motivated to make a strong statement.