Zlatko Dalic Tuntut Kroasia Benahi Pertahanan Jelang Lawan Panama

Pelatih tim nasional Kroasia Zlatko Dalic menuntut evaluasi total pada lini pertahanan menjelang laga krusial menghadapi Panama di Toronto, setelah timnya menelan kekalahan 4-2 dari Inggris pada laga pembuka Grup L Piala Dunia 2026.

Kekalahan dari Inggris membuat posisi runner-up Piala Dunia 2018 dan peraih tempat ketiga Piala Dunia 2022 tersebut kini tertekan untuk mengamankan poin penuh, sembari mengusung misi tambahan memenangkan turnamen demi sang kapten Luka Modric yang bersiap mencatatkan penampilan internasional ke-200.

Dalic mengecam kelengahan lini belakang timnya yang berujung pada sepasang gol Harry Kane untuk Inggris, serta menegaskan bahwa Vatreni harus tampil dengan mentalitas sebagai tim unggulan saat menghadapi kecepatan para pemain Panama.

"We have to be better and have to fix mistakes in defence. We gifted England a lot in the last match. Panama is a good side with some fast players, but we must be very courageous, very brave, very decisive and determined.

We are the favourites, we have to act like it. And we expect results," kata Zlatko Dalic, Pelatih Kroasia.

Dalic juga merefleksikan ekspektasi tinggi dari para pendukung yang lahir akibat prestasi gemilang Kroasia pada dua edisi Piala Dunia terakhir.

"We have set the bar high for ourselves with two medals in the last two tournaments. You cannot live off the glory of the old days. I know that we have high expectations from our fans. Every match is an opportunity to prove yourself," ujar Zlatko Dalic, Pelatih Kroasia.

Di sisi lain, Dalic memberikan pujian tinggi kepada Modric, gelandang veteran berusia 40 tahun yang telah bekerja sama dengannya di tim nasional selama satu dekade terakhir.

"He is my right hand on the pitch. Luka Modric sets an example to all on how we should do things. Luka has won the Golden Ball and everything possible in football.

His key feature is the fact that he never gives up. He is the leader on the pitch and outside the pitch," puji Zlatko Dalic, Pelatih Kroasia.

Apresiasi terhadap loyalitas mantan bintang Real Madrid tersebut juga datang dari lini belakang Kroasia, di mana bek Josip Stanisic mengaku sangat mengagumi dedikasi sang kapten.

"he can only dream of reaching 100 caps, let alone 200," cetus Josip Stanisic, Bek Kroasia.

Stanisic menilai bahwa karakter rendah hati yang dimiliki Modric menjadi nilai paling berharga di luar kemampuan teknisnya di lapangan hijau.

"But Luka is a role model to all of us, for how to play for Croatia and how to carry yourself. He is a star not just in Croatia but around the world and yet he still behaves like a completely normal person and never looks down on anyone. Maybe that is even his greatest quality," tambah Josip Stanisic, Bek Kroasia.