NEW LOV IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD
DEJAN LOVREN insists he has had the last laugh on his critics and proved them wrong once and for all.
Lovren feels vindicated after helping Croatia ruin England’s World Cup dream and set-up a final showdown with France in Moscow on Sunday.
Croatia came from behind to beat the Three Lions 2-1 in extra-time and reach the final for the first time in their history.
And it was sweet revenge for Lovren on England captain Harry Kane, who caused one of the most embarrassing moments of Lovren’s career last season.
The Liverpool defender was substituted after just 31 minutes after being run ragged by the Tottenham striker in a 4-1 Premier League defeat.
Lovren has recovered to reach both the Champions League and World Cup finals and said: “It feels incredible, especially after everything that was said about us before the game.
“We have showed our character, we showed that we deserved to be in the final and people should respect us.
“It wasn’t just the English press. Sometimes it is just unfair, like in my case when you are talking about me.
“I think people should respect me. But from today everyone in Croatia and around the world thinks that we managed to make history.
“It’s beautiful. If somebody told me that from the beginning of the season I would be in two of the biggest finals in the world, I would have signed up straight away, because I went through a lot of s**t.
“I think I have done that without being arrogant. I think definitely if you are in the final you are the two best teams in the world. But on Tuesday I received a question like, ‘What do you think about the 4-1?’
“I don’t understand these questions, always looking back to where I made some mistakes.
“I really don’t understand. There is too much about me. But this is what gets me more motivated to work harder and prove everyone wrong.”
Lovren reckons Croatia had more mental strength than England – and is now targeting beating France in the final to pull off what would be one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
He added: “The difference was mental. We knew we could write history – and we did it.
“Now there is only one game left to make it forever. This is what I wanted. This is why I am proud. I deserve this.
“France are definitely the favourites, there is no hiding that, but we love to be the underdogs and we have from day one.
“We went through a lot of s**t again, the war and all these things and even now the situation is not the best – but it is unbelievable how many talents we have in sport if you look at it.
“We wrote history – and we should not forget this achievement.”