Miguel Augusto (*)
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić, who led the national team to the World Cup finals in Russia, is a man of faith.
Zlatko Dalić was the first coach of Croatia to reach a final of the most prestigious World Soccer competition of the nations. He made history with an organized, intelligent and strong team, in which the teamwork excelled. The team plays as a whole, not in a “triangle” as some teams have done with their stars, and these soon went home.
Bosnian, born in former Yugoslavia, Dalić will be forever linked to the history of the Croatian team. He took command of the national team only a year ago, when the World Cup qualification was very compromised, despite stars such as Luka Modrić, Ivan Raikitić, Mario Mandžukić and Ivan Perišić.
In this World Cup in Russia, Croatia were absolute leaders in their group, beating great teams like Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland, thus avoiding to pass sooner through the threats of the favorite teams like Brazil and France. Then they beat Denmark, Russia and England. This past Sunday, Croatia faced France in the final, but to the sadness of many, they did not have the “star of luck”, the physical and mental freshness, to take the trophy so desired for the first time to his country, and put the star in their jersey.
Much of this good performance from Croatia was due to the coach, for whom the players have always shown great affection and gratitude, for keeping the working group always united.
Dalić, 51 years old, was a professional player. In 2005, he began his career as a coach and since then has been working in clubs in Croatia, Albania, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The profession often took him away from home. And that’s why he always thanks his wife for the effort she has made to care for her children. In an interview with the newspaper in the Archdiocese of Zagreb, the technician spoke about the value of the family and the importance of the prayer. “Each one of us, in one way or another, carries his cross. There are heavy moments in life when man can surrender, sink or fall. In faith, one can return to the right path. For me and my family, faith is very important. Every Sunday I try to go to Mass. Faith gives me strength. I always have a rosary in my pocket and I pray before every game,” said Dalić.
In fact a photo taken during the World Cup, shows the coach putting his rosary, to which he clings with great devotion, in his pocket.
Another finalist player who never hides his faith is Mateo Kovacić: “I have no problem saying that believing [in Christ] gives me strength, it helps me to play better,” said the athlete, who is also an assiduous pilgrim to the sanctuary of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(*) with Aleteia
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