Moscow For the unforgettable moment of a World Cup triumph, the football heroes from France and Croatia mobilize their very last strength. Even after six tough games, three of which even included extra time for the small Balkan country, all the protagonists are still looking forward to the final of the World Cup and want to take over the gold cup from Germany in 2014. “We came here to enjoy it,” emphasized Croatia’s successful coach Zlatko Dalic on Saturday. Like his captain Luka Modric, the 51-year-old looked relaxed hours before kick-off.
“The whole world is watching. I won’t put any pressure on the players, we don’t want to tense up or be in awe,” said Dalic. For the first time, the selection of the four million people can conquer the title this Sunday (5:00 p.m. CEST/ZDF and Sky) in Moscow’s Luschniki Stadium against the 1998 world champion.
Opponent France is more than warned. “They are physically very strong and mentally incredible,” said goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris on Saturday: “We have to deliver a great game.” The French also don’t believe that they have a slight advantage because they can rest one more day . Not only because Croatia’s veteran Ivan Rakitic announced: “You get your strength in the final, wherever you come from.” For France, it is important not to lose a final again as a favorite. Even at the EM 2016, the team against Portugal was almost a sure winner – only to fail bitterly in Paris.
While the newspaper “La Liberation” said “Merci” to the Équipe Tricolore on Saturday, whatever may happen, the anticipation was palpable on the part of France’s coach Didier Deschamps. “There is nothing nicer and nothing more intense than playing a World Cup final,” said the 49-year-old, who was the first to hold the World Cup trophy in his hands as captain 20 years ago. Along the way, France had beaten Croatia 2-1 in the semi-finals of the only World Cup duel so far.
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“We’re preparing as best we can,” emphasized Deschamps 25 hours before kick-off. His recipe for success in the final: “Balance, trust and concentration.” Because one day after the national holiday in France, they want to thank the fans at home and in Russia with a win. “We saw pictures and videos. We want to give back the joy,” announced attacking star Antoine Griezmann.
Even if it’s about the greatest thing for a footballer – everyone wants to enjoy this final. “It’s a privilege to play a World Cup,” said France keeper Lloris. “There’s still one game left and it’s without a doubt the most important of our careers.”
What the Croatians have already achieved, no one can take away from them. “Whatever happens, we will be happy and proud, we deserve it. If we win the cup, no one will be prouder than us because we come from such a small country,” said Croatia coach Dalic.
After Uruguay in 1930 and 1950, Croatia would be the smallest nation to ever win the World Cup. But the enthusiasm for the outsider goes beyond the borders of the country, which is just 56,538 square kilometers in size. “I have a feeling hundreds of millions are for us on Sunday. I have messages from Germany, from all over the world. Which makes me really happy,” Rakitic said.
And the enthusiasm in both countries extends to the highest political offices. Croatia’s President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic doesn’t even know “how I’m going to hold out until Sunday”. France’s Emmanuel Macron also wants to travel to Moscow again and support the Équipe Tricolore at the stadium. “A competition is successful when it is won. Makes us dream,” said the head of state of the team before the World Cup.
France and Croatia have reached the final thanks to the highest individual class paired with tactical discipline, passion and team spirit. She is not interested in the fact that the French in particular had to accept criticism because of their pragmatic style of play, which was not always intoxicating and was only aimed at success. “I don’t care how: I want this star!” Griezmann said.
If they make it, Deschamps will draw level with Franz Beckenbauer and the Brazilian Mario Zagallo – only they have won the world championship title as a player and coach so far. “As a coach, you’re more of a psychologist and you work on mental freshness, which is sometimes the most difficult thing,” said Deschamps.
His Croatian colleague Dalic conquered the World Cup stage as a nobody, most recently he worked in the Arab world. But he has his stars like Modric, Rakitic or Mario Mandzukic under control just as Deschamps has his top players Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé or Paul Pogba. The Frenchman and his players, who took part in the home European Championship two years ago, also learned from the biggest mistake of that time. After beating world champions Germany in the semi-finals, Matuidi stressed that they were too euphoric. France lost the final 0-1 to Portugal after extra time. The French definitely want to avoid déjà vu.
