Croatian star Pasalic attended the press conference before their first FIFA World Cup group stage match against England, stating that the Three Lions also have weaknesses, and their primary goal is to advance from the group stage.
"The FIFA World Cup is always special, and I am as happy as I was when I participated in my first FIFA World Cup. Every tournament is unique, and this one is no exception, that's how I approach it. I'm excited and can't wait for it to start," Pasalic said.
"The FIFA World Cup is a top-tier event, although the format might be expanding now. We'll see what impressions we get when the tournament ends. It's only the first round, teams are cautious, and everyone's first thought is to get a positive result."
Pasalic also spoke about his career growth: "I went abroad at a very young age, and after signing with Chelsea, I knew what to expect: a series of loan spells. This toughens your character. I always tried to establish myself at every club, and I succeeded, I am proud of my career. To be honest, when I first arrived at Atalanta, I thought it was just another loan spell on the list, but from the beginning, I felt the city's and fans' love for the team."
"What kept me at Atalanta was primarily our achievements and historic success. Over the past decade, Atalanta has consistently been in the top five or six in Italy, and has also become an important club in European competitions. Bergamo is a beautiful city perfect for family life, and I have always preferred this quiet life. I never thought of leaving."
Pasalic has played multiple positions in his career, from defensive midfielder to central midfielder, and then to attacking midfielder and shadow striker: "I started as a central midfielder, and I think that's where I can perform at my best. At Atalanta, I adapted very well, and the same goes for the national team. For me, playing any position is not a problem."
Finally, Pasalic talked about the opening match against England: "We know England is a dangerous and strong opponent, especially in midfield and attack. We have analyzed them and will continue to do so. They also have their weaknesses, and we will try our best to be prepared, maximize those weaknesses, and strive for a positive result. The primary goal must be to advance from the group stage, and after that, it largely depends on the team's form, physical condition, and injuries. Of course, it also depends on the opponent. We know how to play knockout matches, which has been proven in the past two FIFA World Cups, and I believe we will be ready."