On Tuesday, the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup will get underway as Argentina take on Croatia. This will be the second consecutive tournament that the Vatreni and La Albiceleste meet, albeit the first time they will lock horns in the knockout rounds with a spot in the finals at stake.
Ahead of the big game, Croatia's manager Zlatko Dalic spoke with the press and the 56-year-old had some interesting thoughts as his team prepare for taking on Lionel Messi and co.
Notably, Argentina's match against the Netherlands, which saw the South American giants prevail after a tense 120 minutes and ensuing penalty shoot-out was an ill-tempered affair. A total of 18 yellow cards - yes, that's 18 - were handed out. It surpassed another game that the Netherlands were involved in, a 2006 round of 16 tie that was won by Portugal that saw a then-record 16 yellows dished out (albeit four reds as well).
As such, given that a multitude of Argentina's players were booked - including skipper Messi as well as the suspended Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna - it is no surprise that Dalic is hoping for a much "calmer" game when his side face the 2021 Copa America winners on Tuesday evening.
"[The game featuring] Argentina against Netherlands was also quite feisty and difficult with many non-football related behaviours. I really hope this will not be the case tomorrow," he remarked.
"[Besides], tomorrow's match is a great match for Argentina as well as us. The stakes are high for both and a spot in the final is at stake".
Dalic will certainly remember some of the poor manners shown by the Argentinian side four years ago, when then-coach Jorge Sampaoli infamously refused to shake his hand after Croatia cruised to a 3-0 win, but it's safe to say that he will be firmly focused on helping Croatia make it to what will be their second consecutive final at a World Cup by beating yet another South American powerhouse on Tuesday evening.
