Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalic, says that the appointment of German coach Gernot Rohr has been key to the recent impressive rise of the Super Eagles.
Rohr was appointed Super Eagles coach in 2016, and he guided them to their sixth World Cup qualification after finishing atop a tough qualifying group that also had Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia for 2018 World Cup.
The Eagles’ first game in Russia is against Croatia on June 16. They will also face debutant Iceland and Argentina.
In a chat with Associated Press Television News (APTN) Dalić, 51, admits the game against the Eagles will be his side’s hardest in the group.
“The first match against Nigeria will be the key to our group. We are playing against an African team. They have a German coach that has changed the style of their game and has introduced a lot of young players in the national team who are young, hungry and ambitious and that’s their advantage. This is going to be the toughest game for us,” Zlatko Dalic stated.
On their clash against group favourites Argentina, Dalic believes it will be easy compared to the game against the Super Eagles.
“For me, the match against Argentina will be the easiest match in the group. We are against the favorites to win the World Cup.
“Any team that has Messi can make a miracle. He is the best player in the world for me. It will be a great match for the two teams that play good football and have great technical skills.
“We have nothing to lose in the fight, and we are playing against one of the best teams in the world. It is a great motive for us.”
COMMENTS
Before now you were making mouth but few days to the championship, you are feeling the heat of the wings of African pride. You guys haven’t seen nothing yet, Nigeria will show you pepper. God bless Nigeria!!!
Exactly!
Mr Dalic Continue With Ur Mind Games
But Sorry Rohr Is Not Buying It
Dont let us dwell on his comment, he’s playing a mind game so that we will take the match simple. I see super eagle coming out with 6-7 points. Gosupereagle
You know what? I don’t think Coach Dalic of Croatia is playing mind games at all!
In fact, when you read into his statement, you will see that this is a coach that is doing a thorough homework of his opponents in order to identify strengths (to neutralise) and weaknesses (to take advantage of).
He uses key words like young and hungry(Iheanacho, Uzoho, Ndidi), and ambitious (Mikel Obi and Ighalo).
A determined African team with a German coach – what a lethal combination.
Indeed, the first game will be key for both games. I sort of agree with him that the Argentina match will be “easier” for both teams.
Why? Argentina are no strangers to either Nigeria nor Croatia; indeed both teams will be expected to play with more freedom and a “what have we got to lose” attitude against Argentina because already to neutrals, Argentina will be favourites.
But the Croatia Vs Nigeria match will create a sort of anxiety for both teams because they will want to start well and realistically, each team believe they should be capable of claiming maximum points from the match.
For me as a Super Eagle fan, the Croatia match is the one I expect to keep me at the edge of my seat most.
Won’t lie , I don’t see Argentina making it out of this group, mostly if The pride of Africa football gets 3points (anyway it comes) over Croatia (that will be the turning point for Super Eagles) and we fight to win Island (My greatest fear in the group), 6 point in d bag we good to draw Argentina.
I predict a serious match up between Croatia vs Argentina and Croatia to win with a slight margin.
Croatia having 3 point will do everything possible to win Island.
My Prediction
Nigeria 7 points
Croatia 6 points
Argentina 4 points
Island 0.
My Opinion..
Galic don dey fear
this guy has 1st class information about d Nigerian team. its obvious he has done his research. that’s a game we cannot afford not to win. we must play our very best…
I do hope Nigeria players should not relent their eforths because of the comments made by Croacia teamManager
the cup is our own
It is a mind game but the man still has a point. It is the firat gane and both teams would wanna claim a vital 3points. Football is full of surprises.the key to 9ja qualifying from the grp depends on the first match. The qorst reault that shld have shld be a draw. However, Croatian coach has been sending spy more on the super eagles team. Also comparing to super eagles physical football it will be tough for them to win Nigerian so easily. It is a 50 50 game