Modric, about his Brazilian teammates: "We can be friends after the game"

MADRID, 8 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The captain of the Croatian national team, Luka Modric, was confident this Thursday ahead of the quarterfinal match against Brazil next Friday, at the same time that he highlighted Vinicius's good form and his desire to face some of his teammates at Real Madrid.

"He is in incredible shape. He is a great guy and we have a great relationship. He has improved a lot. It shows both at the club and in the national team. We have a difficult task because it is difficult to stop Vinicius. Everyone already knows his virtues but if I can complicate him at a certain moment, I will do it," the player acknowledged at a press conference.

In this sense, Modric will face several clubmates such as Vinicius, Rodrygo or Eder Militao, whom he confessed, he wants to face. "Play against colleagues at Real Madrid? We can be friends after the game. But meanwhile, everyone fights for their country and we'll do everything to win. I'm looking forward to playing against them," he said.

"We did something important by getting past the round of 16 and reaching the quarterfinals, but regardless of that, we want even more. The biggest game of the tournament awaits us, against one of the favorites for the title. Brazil are always favorites and they have shown it in so far in the tournament. We have to be in good shape and give our best. If so, we will have options. It's a game against a great rival but we have our qualities and confidence," he said.

In addition, the Croatian was confident of being able to get his first victory against Brazil, which he has never won before. "I played several times against them but I couldn't beat them. I hope this changes. Brazil has great players in all positions. We have to be aggressive, run like them and not let them play. That's important. When we don't have the ball we must be aggressive and firm," he said.

"We don't deal with the statistics. We are focused on ourselves. Of course, everyone gives more options to Brazil and to all the teams that play against us like Argentina, Brazil and Spain who are always favourites. But we have shown many times that not always the favorites win. That doesn't worry us. We respect everyone but we are also capable of anything", he highlighted.

Asked about the regeneration suffered by the Croatian squad after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the captain valued his role in the locker room. "Now I have more responsibility. I've always had responsibility. Despite Ivan's departure we have a great midfield. There's Mateo Kovacic, who is at a great level and took Rakitic's place. We're good again. Still not the same at the level of Russia 2018 but a great team", he pointed out.

"Croatia is a very talented nation and not only in football. We always produce talents in all sports. In football it has always been like this. We had great talents. Croatia is recognizable for that. I don't have a special explanation. We love sports. and talents are born. It works well in football schools and we are just a talented nation. It's hard for me to say why," he warned.

In this sense, the Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalic, was also confident ahead of the match against the 'Canarinha', although he acknowledged that the generational change in his team made them a "different team from four years ago". which was runner-up in the world.

"This is a new team. We have eighteen new players and it's impossible to compare. We had a great generation that played together for ten years, ups and downs, culminating in Russia. They were players at the best clubs in the world and now it's not like that. For It's a success for me. And luckily there are players who were in Russia like Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lvren or Domagoj Vida," said the coach at a press conference.

Regarding the rival they will face, the Croatian coach acknowledged the superiority of the Brazilians. "Brazil is the best team in this tournament, they are the fastest and most energetic, with much more variety than other teams. If we don't play together we will have big problems. When they lose the ball, they press high and sometimes they get into trouble because they don't come back quickly That is what we want to do, we cannot go one by one, but act as a team and help each other", he added.

"You don't need a bigger motivation than a quarterfinal and against Brazil. We all dream of matches like this. We know what Brazil means in football, it is by itself an incentive for everyone. We have nothing to lose. Croatia already had a great role although we want more. If it had been in the final it would have been better", he concluded.