Midfielder Mateo Kovacic praised the level of the Spanish team they will face on Monday in the round of 16 of the Eurocup, and highlighted Sergio Busquets, whom he considered the key player in Luis Enrique's team.
“The best of the Spanish? If I started to list it would take up a lot of time. But I'll stick with Busquets, who is the one who start all plays. We will have to stop him, that it cannot be moved without being pressed. We will have to pressure him, “said Kovacic, who played four seasons at Real Madrid.
Kovacic, who starts with Croatia, was surprised by the absence of players from the white team in the Spanish team.
“It is true that it is rare that there are no players of the Real
Madrid in the Spanish team. That never happened before in history and that means that players from other clubs have prevailed. The Spanish have great players in all the clubs in Europe, “said the midfielder.
The game with Spain will be very difficult, it will be very important to try to have the ball in our possession
Kovacic recognizes the difficulty of the round of 16 against Spain and pointed the ball possession as an aspect that can determine the encounter.
“We have a match very difficult in front. the Spanish are a team that loves possession, loves to play. It will be important for us to try have the ball on our legs as much as possible, to take away what they want, “he said.
“I know they will be prepared against us because we are a great team and because we have played against them many times. They will both want to improve themselves, “analyzed the former Real Madrid player.
Kovacic has become a more mature player than the one who played in the Spanish league. He went to Chelsea since Madrid and in London he has found the minutes that he lacked in the white team. In addition, he is a fixture on the Croatian squad.
Since I left Real Madrid I have progressed, I have had more continuity at Chelsea “
“I progressed. I am a few years older than that player who was at Real Madrid. I have had more continuity at Chelsea. I feel good, better because they trust me more. I play and that is very important. It is important for every player that he is not traded soon. The coach Dalic has given me confidencetonza and I try to respond to him in each training session, “said the midfielder.
Croatia has one of the best centers in the field of the Eurocup with Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic.
“I have played with Luka and Brozo for many years and we feel good when We are togethers. Brozovic is very good for the national team. He is calm and constantly looking for the ball and is always close. It is of great help for Luka and for me. And we can progress if we get even further ahead. What we did against Scotland. We have to get in
more to the opponent's area and create occasions, “Kovacic warned.
Winning Scotland was a huge boost for Croatia, we needed that win
Croatia could not with England and tied with the Czech Republic. The victory against Scotland qualified the Balkan side who did not offer a good level in the group stage.
“The win against Scotland was a big boost for Croatia. We needed that victory. Against the English we conceded a goal due to a mistake and lost and against the Czech Republic we don't play well. The victory against Scotland gave us the confidence to be able to play a great game. It was seen in the training“, revealed the Croatian player who praised the atmosphere that the current world runner-up lives.
“The environment in the team is cool. Always has been. When we come to a rally it is a joy and an honor. It can't be bad, “concluded Kovacic.