Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has hailed Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte for the work he has done improving Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic.
Conte seems to have settled to Perisic at left wing-back this season with the Croatian rediscovering his feet. Dalic speaks after internationals claiming that Perisic and Brozovic have cemented his place at the Nerazzurri under Conte.
“I have a lot of respect for Conte’s results, he’s a winner and brought new life to Inter,” Dalic said.
“Conte has revived the 3-5-2 system; it was considered an old formation but now it’s a good option for lots of coaches,” he hails the tactician.
“And he’s been important both for Brozovic and Perisic,” he added.
He singled out Perisic that Conte has been clear in what he needs out of him. He pointed that he is outstanding in defense as well as in attack.
“Ivan, in particular, is playing very well both in attack and in defense, which means Conte has been clear with his instructions. And that Perisic is intelligent and has sacrificed himself for the good of the team,” he pointed.
He argued that Perisic has proven himself despite Conte initially rejecting him.
“Perisic has proven he deserves to be at Inter now. But I don’t think you could ever have doubted him: if you play in the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the European Championships at his level. You can play anywhere,” Dalic argued.
“Maybe Ivan and Conte hadn’t found the perfect understanding at the start. But now they’re working well together,” he added.
Dalic explained that Brozovic seems a perfect fit in Conte’s midfield. He says he is perfect in between Nicolo Barella and Christian Eriksen, his best qualities is his flexibility.
“He can play in lots of positions; I see him as a defensive midfielder because he’s instinctive in winning the ball back, he’s very intelligent and he has tempo.
“But he thinks quickly and is a good passer, so he can play a more central position as well,” he argued.