Zlatko Dalic: Croatia are meeting toughest opponents in Nations League | OneFootball

Zlatko Dalic has admitted facing Croatia have landed the hardest draw in the Nations League finals after drawing hosts the Netherlands, Voetbal International reports.

Croatia’s head coach reacted after the draw, featuring former Oranje playmaker Wesley Sneijder, as he prepares to face the hosts in June at De Kuip.

He said: “We are meeting perhaps the toughest opponent in the tournament. The stadium will be sold out, the Netherlands have a new head coach and they have a fantastic team especially the defence. It is very strong and they have young, powerful players. But I also expect our supporters to make themselves heard during the match and to support us.”

But despite his comments, Dalic does not feel there is a clear favourite in this tournament as Spain face Italy in the other semi-final.

He added: “All teams are among the top ten in the world in terms of level. Of course, we want to reach the final, that is our goal. We are going for the win.”

Oranje finished top of Group A4 in the Nations League and undefeated after facing Belgium, Poland and Wales during the campaign while Croatia finished top in A1 after facing Denmark, France and Austria.

This is not the first time the Dutch national squad are involved in the Nations League finals having qualified for the inaugural tournament in 2019 where they lost in the finals to hosts Portugal.

Currently, France are the holders after lifting the trophy in 2021 after beating Belgium in semi-final and Spain in the final in Italy.

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips