Croatia thumped Argentina 3-0 in the group stages en route to the World Cup final and their head coach has opened up on his game-plan for that match.
Lionel Messi
Zlatko Dalic's side emerged unscathed from their encounter with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi in Russia, and the Croatian tactician explains how he managed to contain the lethal forward.
Dalic led Croatia to the World Cup final - making national history in the process - and navigated a tricky-looking group containing South American giants Argentina with relative ease - handing their illustrious opponents a 3-0 drubbing.
However, the head coach was unequivocal about Messi's status as the world's best, despite his ineffectiveness in that game.
Zlatko Dalic's side emerged unscathed from their encounter with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi in Russia, and the Croatian tactician explains how he managed to contain the lethal forward.
Dalic led Croatia to the World Cup final - making national history in the process - and navigated a tricky-looking group containing South American giants Argentina with relative ease - handing their illustrious opponents a 3-0 drubbing.
However, the head coach was unequivocal about Messi's status as the world's best, despite his ineffectiveness in that game.
"Dejan is a great player and I think he shows that at Liverpool as well," Dalic said.
"It is not easy to play the centre-back position - you depend on the rest of the team. If the team plays well, and everybody is involved in the defensive play, it makes it easier for centre-backs. If they are left exposed in the big areas of the pitch, not even the best ones can stop the best forwards in the game.
"When Liverpool played well as a team, Dejan was also great - just like in the Champions League final where he was one of the best players. Our whole team played good, disciplined football during the tournament, and that makes it easier for the centre-backs, and Lovren and Vida played their part accordingly. He was surely among the best defenders at the World Cup."