Zlatko Dalic (Croatia): "Abnormal to whistle this penalty in the final" – CM 2018

CM 2018
            

CRO

Published on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 22:25 | Updated on 15/07/2018 at 22:34

He entered the press conference room while still wet, but the face serene, almost smiling. Applauded on his arrival and departure, Zlatko Dalic, the coach of Croatia congratulated the Blues for their title of world champion, but he also stressed his "pride" for the course of his team in Russia.

"You dominate the beginning of the match but you cash two goals on facts of play, including one after video intervention. What is your badysis of this final?
First, I must congratulate France for this title of world champion. We played well and controlled the game for the first twenty minutes. Then we conceded a goal against our camp but we quickly recovered and we continued to play. And then the penalty was awarded. Normally, I do not comment on refereeing, but I will say that in a World Cup final we do not give this kind of penalty. Which does not detract from the merit of France. We missed a little luck, maybe we had the first six games, but not today. But I want to congratulate my players for their match, which is probably the best we have done in this tournament. We controlled it but we conceded goals. Against a team like France, we can not afford this type of error. We are sad but proud too.
        

What was missing in Croatia?
We conceded two goals on set pieces. After their fourth goal, I started to tell myself that it would be difficult to score again. It was difficult for the players to find that energy, but they did not give up and we scored a second goal, thanks to Mandzukic's perseverance. We continued to hope but it was complicated in front of a team as strong as France. We had a good game but we conceded four goals and we can not get a good result when we concede four goals.
        

What did you say to your players after the meeting, when you put them all together in a circle?
We were all sad, very sad, but I told them that you had to go out with your head up, not feeling disappointed. They gave the maximum, so I told them to go out with their heads up. If someone had told us that we would be a finalist before the tournament, we would have thought it was great. We played well, but there is still a feeling of sadness. The players believed in themselves, but sometimes we lose and that's football. We have been worthy in the victory, we must be worthy in defeat. It's sport. That's the message I gave to the players.

Is the fact that Luka Modric was voted World's Best Player a consolation for you?
We are very happy for Luka Modric, he deserves it, he played amazingly during this tournament. "
        

L. D., in Moscow.