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MOSCOW (AFP) – Croatia defender Dejan Lovren believes his team is ready to take the opportunity of a lifetime when they face England in the World Cup semi-finals in Moscow on Wednesday (July 11).
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There are concerns that fatigue could be a factor for Zlatko the first time since 1998 Dalic's side, given they were forced to come through 120 minutes and penalties against both the hosts and Denmark in the last two rounds.
However, Liverpool center-back Lovren dismissed such fears.
"I am perfectly ready and fit and I can say the same for my teammates. "Said the 29-year-old at Tuesday's eve-of-game press conference at the Luzhniki Stadium. 19659002] "This is a chance in a lifetime opportunity. It may repeat itself once, maybe never. "
Croatia lost to hosts France in the semi-finals 20 years ago in what was their first World Cup as an independent nation, going on to beat the Netherlands in the third-place play -off.
Dalic admits that he was successful in the performance of his team, he was skated by the brilliant Luka Modric
"We should not be surprised that Croatia is in the last oven "said Dalic, who only took up the position of" Vatreni "towards the end of their qualifying campaign.
" This generation has been underrated for a long time but they have shown their qualities when it matters and they will go down in history as a close to the 'bronze Vatreni' of 1998.
"This is what drives us. we want it.
"I can not imagine what will happen if Croatia were to win the World Cup, I really can not. Probably nobody would go to work! "
DO NOT MENTION KANE …
The semi-final will see Lovren reacquainted with Kane, who has had his first career in the Premier League to Russia and is the leading scorer at the tournament with six goals.
Last October, Lovren was taken over by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp just 31 minutes into a game against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, when Kane scored twice in a 4-1 win for his side. [19659002] Needless to say, Lovren was not impressed when he was reminded of that day by an English reporter
"I do not know what to say. That 4-1 defeat is completely irrelevant, "he said.
" Why did not you ask me when I played well? You're just nitpicking at my poor performances. "
He added:" I have full respect for Kane. He is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and he is not alone. "
Meanwhile, Dalic refused to confirm either right-back Sime Vrsaljko would miss the game after the Atletico Madrid player came off in extra-time against Russia.
"We want players to be 100 percent but we will see after training. He has some minor problems but we are facing a huge game. We need all the players but those on the pitch must be fully fit. "
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