Modric ignores ‘arrogant’ English attitude

LUKA MODRIC says he has stopped reading the comments of English journalists, despite their ‘arrogance’ fuelling Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final.

The two sides meet in their Euro 2020 opener today, three years after clashing in the semi-finals in Russia.

After Croatia won 2-1 that night, Modric accused the English media of underestimating his side and said their words provided motivation.

Some of Zlatko Dalic’s side took particular issue with the notion of ‘football’s coming home’ and yesterday, Modric addressed English arrogance once more. The 35-year-old said: ‘That arrogance, it’s not so much related to the players, and to the English national team but to the people around them.

‘Some of the journalists, commentators and so forth. Recently, to be honest I didn’t really read much of the media outlets, I’m looking forward to the match and I don’t want to bother too much of what’s said on the other side.’

Croatia were beaten on their previous visit to Wembley, in the Nations League in 2018, and Modric admitted: ‘I expect an English team that is going to be very aggressive, very powerful from the start.

‘And they’re going to have the public also on their side at the beginning of the Euros… it is up to us to give whatever we can, all we can, to do as much as we can.’

Dalic said it will make little difference whether Gareth Southgate opts for a back three or a back four.

‘Whatever system the English coach uses, we’re going to be ready,’ he said.

And however England set up, Dalic expects Phil Foden to feature. ‘He has lots of energy, he plays regularly for City… he’s a playmaker, an organiser,’ he added. ‘I expect him to be on the pitch.’