Modric reprimands Baturina and Croatia: "I've been here for 20
According to Tuttomercatoweb.
Context
Luka Modric, with two decades of national team experience, is a central figure in Croatia, and his criticism of the team after the defeat indicates the need for change. Martin Baturina, who returned to the squad, had a disappointing performance, raising questions about his future inclusion. Croatia, runner-up in the world champions in 2018, now faces a significant challenge to recover its reputation in international football.
Why this matters
Croatia's 0-7 defeat against England in the Nations League is a negative milestone in the team's history, reflecting a performance far below expectations. Luka Modric, one of the team's pillars, expressed his shame, which highlights the seriousness of the situation and the need for internal reflection. This result could impact the team's morale and their approach to upcoming competitions.
Main conclusions
- Modric reprimands Baturina and Croatia: "I've been here for 20.
- Luka Modric harshly criticized Croatia after the 0-7 against England in the Nations League and admitted to feeling ashamed; Martin Baturina had a poor performance on his return, with negative statistics.
- Modric rimprovera Baturina e la Croazia: "Qui da 20 anni, prima volta che provo vergogna".
The heavy defeat suffered by Croatia against England, 0-7, in the Nations League, went around the world and left deep marks in the locker room of the 2018 World Cup runners-up. On a night to forget, the Balkan team suffered the biggest defeat in its history in terms of goals conceded, in a match in which practically nothing went well for Zlatko Dalic's men and in which England were relentless from start to finish.
Martin Baturina's return to the competition also did not go well. Used only for 45 minutes, the young international presented numbers that reflect the collective and individual difficulties of the Vatreni: he won only 1 of 5 duels on the ground, he did not win any contrast, he failed the two dribbles he tried and, in attack, he made 8 effective passes out of 11 attempted in the opponent's midfield. A portrait of a gray performance, conditioned by a team constantly suffering, unable to stop the English momentum and effectiveness.
Still, it would be unfair to point the finger at a single player. Croatia, as a whole, fell far short of what it has become accustomed to in recent years. On the other hand, England displayed a high rotation and took advantage of all the facilities provided, adding three important points in an attempt to keep pace with Spain in their respective Nations League group.
In the end, Luka Modric took the lead and did not hide his frustration in front of the journalists: "It's difficult to find an explanation for a performance like this, without duels, fouls, aggression, cohesion... I've been here for 20 years, but this is the first time I feel ashamed after a game! You can lose, someone can be stronger, at the moment they are stronger, but losing like this and wasting the reputation we have built over these years is unacceptable! I really feel ashamed". Harsh words from the Croatian captain, which reflect the dimension of the defeat and the internal demand for an immediate reaction.
Croatia has accustomed the football world to always competing near the top in major competitions – it was a finalist in the 2018 World Cup and finished on the podium in the 2022 World Cup –, supported by a base of talent, character and organization. That's why the catastrophe against England was so out of place. For Dalic's team, the essential thing now is to coldly analyze what went wrong, recover principles and identity, and respond in the next appointment, under penalty of worsening a negative cycle in a competition where detail and solidity usually decide.
For England, the night served to reinforce confidence and confirm squad depth in an increasingly competitive Nations League. For Croatia, there is the lesson and public demand from a leader like Modric: go back to basics, compete in duels, be aggressive without the ball and show solidarity between sectors. Only in this way will it be able to leave behind the darkest night in its recent history and rediscover the level that made it a regular presence among the best teams in Europe.
What happens next
After this humiliating defeat, Croatia will have to reevaluate their strategy and the way they present themselves on the field. The pressure on Zlatko Dalic and the players will increase, especially with the next phase of the Nations League approaching. The team must work to regain confidence and improve its performance, especially with players like Luka Modric leading the way.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Croatia and England?
Croatia lost to England 0-7 in the Nations League.
How did the defeat impact Croatia's Nations League ranking?
The defeat left deep marks on the Croatian dressing room, which fell far short of what it was used to in recent years.
Who was the player who played an outstanding role in Croatia's defeat?
Martin Baturina had a difficult performance, winning just 1 of 5 duels on the ground and missing the two dribbles he attempted.
What's the next game?
Croatia in the Nations League?
Croatia's next match was not mentioned in the article.
What did Luka Modric say about Croatia's performance in the game?
Luka Modric expressed his frustration, stating that this is the first time in 20 years that he has felt embarrassed after a game.