Igor Štimac, the manager who took charge of Zrinjski in August last year, appeared on the Podcast Inkubator show. He reflected on the squad that reached the play-off stage of the Europa Conference League, highlighting two players of interest to Slaven Bilić during the interview.
Štimac stated that there are two players at Zrinjski whom Bili could consider. These are wide players described as 'vertical', skilled on the ball, and possessing energy and repeatability in their play. According to Štimac, these players achieve a speed of 36 kilometres per hour, with seven players in the squad capable of reaching this standard.
Štimac mentioned Karlo Abramović and Antonio Ilić. Abramović, a midfielder who joined from Jarun, has not yet come to the attention of the national team coaching staff. Ilić, on the other hand, is already on the radar of the U-21 national team coach, Ivan Olić.
Štimac specifically highlighted Ilić's situation regarding national team selection. He stated that Ilić has signed a document expressing his desire to play for Croatia, despite receiving offers from the Austrian youth national team and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ilić was invited to the Bosnia and Herzegovina youth national team for the recent international break but declined, stating his desire to play for Croatia.
This is not the first time Štimac has recommended players from Zrinjski. Following the home draw in the play-off against the eventual Europa Conference League winners, Crystal Palace, he recommended defender Dino Dujmović to the then-manager, Zlatko Dalić. Štimac stated that Dujmović had played excellently and that 'doubts' had not shaken the offers he had rejected in the winter. Dujmović was told to be patient and that he had six months of work ahead. Štimac expressed pleasure that Dujmović listened, noting that the offers he rejected had not shaken him. Despite the recommendation, Dujmović did not receive a call-up from Dalić, and last summer he made a transfer to the Polish first division side, Wisła Kraków.
