Mourinho nudges Dalić: 'I don't want to interfere, but...'

Benfica secured a vital 4-1 victory over Moreirense, with Croatian striker Franjo Ivanović emerging as the star of the match. The 22-year-old, who joined Benfica for approximately 25 million euros, came off the bench in the 75th minute and made an immediate impact, scoring in the 83rd and 92nd minutes to seal the win. This performance not only solidified Benfica's victory but also drew significant attention from coach Jose Mourinho, who lauded Ivanović's contribution.

Mourinho's post-match comments extended beyond mere praise for his player. He directly addressed Croatian national team coach Zlatko Dalić, suggesting that Ivanović's current form and goal-scoring ability warrant consideration for the upcoming World Cup. "The coach is the coach. Dalić is Dalić. He decides, far be it from me to interfere. But Ivanović is currently playing more, and his goals show what he can bring in certain situations," Mourinho stated, highlighting the striker's potential impact.

“

The coach is the coach. Dalić is Dalić. He decides, far be it from me to interfere. But Ivanović is currently playing more, and his goals show what he can bring in certain situations.

While Ivanović has had a limited role this season, with eight goals in 40 appearances across all competitions, his late-game heroics against Moreirense underscore his potential. This performance comes at a crucial time, as he vies for a spot in the World Cup squad. Portuguese media have already noted that Ivanović's form could present a "good headache" for Dalić, a sentiment echoed by Mourinho's public endorsement. This situation is particularly interesting from a Croatian perspective, as it highlights the depth of talent available and the difficult decisions facing the national team coach.

“

I want to believe that the World Cup forces coaches to think about a thousand and one situations in the game, and he is a very dangerous player in certain specific circumstances who can give a lot to teams. With all due respect to Dalić, let him decide what is best for Croatia.