LUKA MODRIC has slammed the ‘arrogant’ English media ahead of Croatia’s European Championship clash with the Three Lions on Sunday.
The 35-year-old will lead his team out against England in the first of their three Group D games at Euro 2020.
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And the Real Madrid midfielder feels the overconfident nature of the England camp is more the case among the the media than the team themselves.
He told reporters: “That arrogance is not so much related to the players but the people around them, some of the journalists and the commentators.
“I haven’t really been following their media lately because we only want to deal with football.”
Modric and Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic also labelled the ‘It’s coming home’ chant synonymous with England fans ‘disrespectful’ to them.
They insisted it fuelled them before the World Cup semi-final which Croatia came out on top in back in 2018.
Meanwhile, Modric did take the time to praise England for having improved since that World Cup clash three years ago.
He told talkSPORT: “For me, they are better than they were three years ago. No doubt.
“The main threats? To say one player is difficult because they have so many great players, talented players, young players that are hungry for the success and will be very dangerous at this Euros. For me, they are one of the favourites.
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“Especially as they are playing at home and it’s a good part for them. Advantage? It’s not a huge one but it is as there will not be away fans.”
Croatia lost 4-2 to France in the World Cup final back in 2018, the first time the country had ever reached that stage of the competition.
They remain a side who very few have tipped to win the upcoming Euros, but Modric is not phased at all by that.
“It’s our destiny that everyone underestimates us before a big tournament, but it’s not bothering us that people don’t see us as favourites,” he said.
“We’re there and we will fight and give everything like we always give when playing for Croatia.
“We will see where we will reach, what stage of the tournament. We’re not the same team as we were in the World Cup, there are some players who have left and some young players who have come in and you need time for everything to be put in place.
“We are still dangerous for everything. I don’t think everyone is looking forward to playing against us.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
