Croatian national team coach Zlatko Dalic feels that the injury problems that Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has dealt with since the return from the winter break are a good example of how the World Cup affected players’ fitness.
Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews, the coach talked about the way that the World Cup put player fitness to the test, bringing up the 30-year-old Nerazzurri midfielder as a particular example.
Brozovic featured in all of Croatia’s matches at the World Cup, including knockout matches against Japan and Brazil which went to extra time.
The Nerazzurri midfielder’s energy and fitness were certainly on show as he played a major role in those lengthy matches, but perhaps at the cost of his longer-term fitness.
Whilst Brozovic is now back fit and available, having been in the Nerazzurri’s squad for the past several matches, there has even now been a certain sense that he hasn’t been at his best.
“Many players who were at the World Cup, certainly not just our players, have dealt with some fitness and form issues after the tournament,” Dalic said.
“For example, Brozovic was out with a long injury, Kovacic didn’t play for a while, Kramaric as well,” the Croatia coach added.
