RIJEKA (CROATIA) (ITALPRESS) – “It’s hard to find an explanation for a performance like ours. There was no aggression, no team spirit. I have to say, I’ve been here for 20 years, but this is the first time I’ve felt ashamed after a match.“ Luka Modric stepped up and faced the press following the humiliating 0-7 defeat his Croatia side suffered against England in Rijeka.
“Losing is one thing—that’s not a problem; right now, they are the stronger team. But losing like this and throwing away the reputation we’ve worked so hard to build over the years—that is unacceptable. It’s the first time in my 20 years here that I’ve felt actual shame. It looked as though we were playing with four or five men down. It was truly a catastrophic night,” said the midfielder, though he was quick to add: “We mustn’t point fingers at one another or look for scapegoats; we need to stand united right now, just as we always have. We have to pick ourselves up, regroup, and stick together because another very difficult match awaits us in Split”—referring to the upcoming clash with Spain—“and we need to show our true selves, the team we are right now. We need to prove that we still have grit and pride within us. The only thing we can do is apologize. I hope the fans in Split will be by our side, supporting us and spurring us on. I hope we can repay them in the best possible way,” Modric said.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
