A few days ago, Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio was lamenting Croatia’s decision to send Luka Modric and Marcelo Brozovic back to Europe ahead of the two nations’ meeting on Tuesday night. Osorio was looking forward to playing one of Europe's most talented midfields, and the loss of those two exceptional talents appeared to have dumbed down the excercise.
However, after coming face-to-face with a midfield trio of Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic and Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj (now the Italian club’s captain following the passing of Davide Astori), Osorio is probably a little thankful regarding the abdications.
Mexico’s midfield was still given an international footballing lesson on a night that was ultimately dominated by unfortunate injuries to El Tri players and the sighting of Dak Prescott kitted out in verde.
With the midfield battle favoring Croatia at the half, Osorio sent on Monterrey defensive mid Jesus Molina to help turn the tide. Kovacic, the 23-year-old who’s been tagged as Modric’s successor for both Real Madrid and Croatia, gave Molina this warm welcome.
Croatia is no longer Mexico’s problem, and El Tri will be better prepared for both Germany and South Korea because of it.
It’s now down to friendlies against Wales, Scotland and Denmark before the June 17 clash with the defending world champions in Moscow.
*Just some bonus Kovacic action down below*
Ladies and gentlemen, Mateo Kovacic.
The Croatian prince of Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/dS3oegI0le— Madrid Xtra (@madridxtra) March 18, 2018
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