Modrić: ‘If we play like this we are dangerous for everyone’

Luka Modrić

Croatia has finished second in Group D at Euro 2020 after a 3-1 victory tonight against Scotland to advance to the last 16.

Goals to Nikola Vlašić, Ivan Perišić and a scorcher from captain Luka Modrić gave Croatia the victory and three points to see them jump past the Czech Republic. 

After the match, Modrić had this to say:

“We are happy that we played a great game and have advanced through to the next round which was our goal. We were not happy how we played in the first two games and we wanted to correct it,” Modrić said, before touching on his goal.

“It means a lot to score but the play of the team means more, I am happy that I scored but I am happier with the win. If we play like this we are dangerous for everyone. We will rest and prepare now for next game,” Modrić concluded.

Fellow goalscorer Nikola Vlašić also talked to the media after the match. 

“We started excellent and controlled the game and created chances. We were the better side and knew when chances came we would take them. I am always ready for any role to help the team and I am happy to score and help the team. I want us to be like this and even better now,” he said.  

Bruno Petković, who done well today holding the ball up, said there was no panic at halftime. 

“It was a great game, we complicated things at the end of half but we controlled the game, played good football and created chances. We should be proud. At halftime time the coach said just to keep the same rhythm as the first half and in the end we deserved the win. We have achieved our first goal, we go step by step now. I want to thank the fans who were here and those at home, we will continue to give our best,” he said. 

Dejan Lovren, who misses the next match because of two yellow cards, said the win will do a lot for their confidence.

“We gathered strength, had some conversations amongst ourselves during the week and it clicked again. The win was important and will lift our confidence. It was a big win. You can not under estimate Croatia when it is the toughest. We need to concentrate on ourselves and not worry who is next.” 

Josip Juranović, who helped set up the first goal, was happy with his performance at right back.

 “From the first minute we played our game and we deserved the three points. We did not panic at halftime, the coach said a few words and so did Modrić. I am proud to have taken part tonight.”

In the end, coach Zlatko Dalić only had praise for his side.

“Congratulations first to the guys on a great win and finishing second at advancing to the last 16. Now it will be easier, our fans will now be there and I want to thank all those who have supported us. I told the guys at halftime to keep up the same rhythm, we believed we could do it and we stayed calm. It was a question of time when the goal would come. The whole team deserve praise, we were a team tonight. Who do we want next? I just want Croatian fans at the next game, it is what I dream of. That is all.”

Croatia will now meet the second-placed team in Group E in the last 16 in Copenhagen on 28 June at 6 p.m.

Currently Sweden are in first place in the group with 4 points,  Slovakia are second with 3 points, Spain are third with 2 points and Poland are last with 1 point. 

Slovakia play Spain and Sweden take on Poland tomorrow in the final games of the group.