Zlatko Dalic: We need to guard against Messi, but not in a player-on-player style

Added at:

Zlatko Dalic said the "key to our defensive phase will be discipline" when his Croatia team take on Lionel Messi and Argentina on Tuesday.

"We need to guard against Messi, but not in a player-on-player style, as we didn't [do that] in our last meeting.

"We know how much he runs, how much he likes to play with the ball at his feet and the key to our defensive phase will be discipline. If we repeat the same thing as against Brazil, which is that we are close [to him], that we stand by the player, we have nothing to fear."

"We will make a detailed analysis of [Argentina] because we have not been so focused on them so far," he said. "Messi is still their main player, who plays great and carries this national team. They also have some young, talented players and they look very dangerous.

"However, they showed they are vulnerable because they led 2-0 against the Netherlands, and in the end they barely reached penalties at 2-2. It's up to us to give our best and go into the game one hundred per cent focused."

Sport NewsRSS - Sport News - Terrikon

25 June

12:59
Barcelona Announce Completion of Camp Nou Renovation Ahead of 2025 Return
11:00
€70M Battle for Zabarnyi: Newcastle Join PSG in Race for Bournemouth Star
10:33
Los Angeles FC 1–1 Flamengo: Late Drama as Brazilians Strike Back
10:01
Espérance 0–3 Chelsea: Blues Cruise into Club World Cup Knockouts
08:17
Which teams have qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16?
01:50
FIFA Club World Cup shock: Auckland City hold Boca Juniors to sensational draw
01:36
Benfica beat Bayern to top Group С at FIFA Club World Cup 2025

24 June

23:02
Official: Olympique Lyon Relegated to Ligue 2
19:20
Beşiktaş Eyes Ambitious Summer Rebuild with Rashford, Schick, and Muriqi Among Targets
17:42
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: top-scorer race
16:34
Champions League 2025/26: 29 Teams Already Qualified
15:15
Mascherano on Messi’s Mindset: “He’s Better When He’s Angry”
14:44
Bundesliga 2025/26 Fixtures to Be Released This Friday
07:20
Palmeiras Leave It Late to Top Group A After Dramatic Draw with Inter Miami
00:53
Atletico Gift PSG Top Spot but Bow Out of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
00:47
PSG Secure Top Spot in Group B to Reach Club World Cup Last 16

23 June

20:17
Manchester United’s 2025 Pre-Season: Fixtures, Transfers & Key Dates
19:53
Viktor Vatsko: Mykhailo Mudryk’s Immediate Future Lies Away from Chelsea
17:19
Al Hilal Offer Victor Osimhen €160M Deal in Saudi Transfer Push
16:25
Darwin Núñez Set to Join Napoli in €50M Move from Liverpool
13:58
Athletic Club Favour Bayern Munich Over Barcelona in Nico Williams Transfer Saga
11:44
Jude Bellingham to Undergo Shoulder Surgery After FIFA Club World Cup
10:39
Al Hilal Reach Verbal Agreement with Theo Hernandez
10:20
Salzburg and Al Hilal Leave Qualification Hanging Ahead of Final Group Stage Clash
09:55
Total Domination: Manchester City Obliterate Al Ain with Ruthless 6–0 Victory