Spain lifted but wary of eternal Modric
Spain have finally clicked into gear after a sloppy start at Euro 2020 but will face their sternest test yet in the last-16 from Croatia today, led by a sensational Luka Modric, who keeps raging against the dying of the light.
The champagne football certainly flowed in Spain’s 5-0 win over Slovakia as coach Luis Enrique had promised after dull draws with Sweden and Poland, but his side had the luck of facing an accommodating opponent, and Croatia will not be so generous when they lock horns today.
“In every sport they play, Croatians are always very competitive; they are lion-hearted and give everything for their country,” said Spain forward Dani Olmo, who spent five years at Croatia’s premier club Dinamo Zagreb.
“They really appreciate every objective they achieve. They have proven themselves in this Euros and in other tournaments; they thrive in difficult situations. There’s no favourite in this fixture, it’s anyone’s game.”
Modric, 36, led Croatia into the next round with a sumptuous goal in the 3-1 win over Scotland, while also setting up Ivan Perisic’s headed goal with a deadly corner. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is Croatia’s talisman and arguably the most talented player in today’s clash. Spain’s players know Modric all too well after nine magical seasons with Real Madrid, although they will not be able to count on any inside information on the midfielder as Luis Enrique decided not to include any Real players in his squad.
“He is their motor, the heartbeat of Croatia who conducts their orchestra. All their play goes through his feet,” Olmo added. “But Croatia is not just Modric.”
Spain were beaten 2-1 by Croatia in the Euro 2016 group stage, and then hammered them 6-0 in the Uefa Nations League in 2018, only to lose 3-2 away from home two months later. The 2018 World Cup runners-up will be missing centre-back Dejan Lovren through suspension, with Duje Caleta-Car set to take his place.
Caleta-Car said Croatia must improve defensively after conceding in each of their three group matches. “We’ve let in some soft goals as we haven’t been compact enough. Against Spain, we have to keep it airtight in the midfield and at the back in order to close them down,” he told reporters on Saturday.