Croatia Head Coach: We Need to Deliver a Better Performance

Zlatko Dalić said Croatia must raise their level after a narrow win over Panama, admitting he was unhappy with parts of the display.

The Croatia head coach said his players were under heavy pressure and spent much of the match without the ball. He added that the team did not cope well early on, which led to his frustration on the touchline.

Dalić, whose side lost 4-2 to England in their opening game, said he had not expected such a difficult contest. He suggested the need for points to keep their World Cup campaign moving may have added to the tension.

Looking ahead to the next match against Ghana in Philadelphia, Dalić said Croatia must improve in every area, particularly in defence. He said the first half was below the standard he wanted, but insisted the team would move on quickly and focus on the next fixture.