The Croatia manager, Zlatko Dalic, has launched an impassioned defence of his side, insisting it is wrong they are viewed as dark horses to win Euro 2024 compared to England despite being more successful than Gareth Southgate’s side in recent years and saying his team deserve more respect.
Dalic delved into the history books and brought up England’s record to emphasise his side’s credentials before Croatia face Albania in Hamburg on Wednesday. In a punchy press conference, Dalic said he is fed up of his team being patronised and he took aim at those writing off his side after a difficult start in Germany. Croatia, whose base is in Neuruppin, an hour northwest of Berlin, lost their opening Group B match 3-0 against Spain.
