By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Croatia underlined their potential as a real challenger for
EURO 2016 on Sunday afternoon with a classy display against Turkey in the Group
D opener.
Luka Modric’s sublime volley in the 41st minute
at the Parc des Princes in Paris was the difference between the two sides,
although in truth, there was a bigger gulfing class.
Only some bad misfortune and slightly wasteful finishing
denied Croatia a win by a far bigger margin. Group D was always going to be one
of the hardest groups to get out of, but they won’t have any problems on this
evidence.
Modric’s
technique
 |
| Luka Modric strikes the winning goal in Paris to give Croatia victory |
Goalscoring at club level has become a bit of a lost art for
Modric (pictured striking the winner). He only registered three times in all competitions last season for Real
Madrid but he has a far bigger impact as a holding/central midfielder, allowing
the other attacking talent to shine for the new club champions of Europe.
This goal in the Paris rain was brilliant, simply because
the technique he displayed in connecting with the ball was special. Question
marks would and should be aimed at the Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Babacan who
reacted far too late and seemed to dive over the ball. However, the strike was
so good; it deserved the outcome it got.
This was Modric’s first goal since April and he continues to
be the playmaker and overall lynchpin in a very dynamic and creative Croatian
midfield. Of course, some people (namely Kevin Keatings) forget he even plays
football with the job he does!
Turks
disappoint
Having seen Turkey give England a stern test at the Etihad
Stadium three weeks ago, this performance from them was disappointing.
They never looked like scoring and Danijel Subasic in the
Croatian goal had a relatively untroubled afternoon. Only when the lively Emre
Mor came on did they look more threatening. Mor, who is the third youngest
player in the tournament was lively and offered something that the rest of the
attacking options did not. The 18-year-old has just signed for Borussia
Dortmund and he could figure more prominently for Fatih Terim’s side as the
group stages progress.
This is the fourth consecutive European Championships that
Turkey have lost their opening match but they’ve progressed from the last two
in this situation so it won’t be new to them. They will have to improve though
to avoid an early exit.
My best
three players of the match
Man of the Match: Luka Modric (Croatia)
He made Croatia tick throughout and his goal was simply
sublime. Croatia were better in all departments but he was the shining light.
2nd: Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
Perisic was a constant threat all game on the left-hand
side. He hit the bar with a header and produced two great balls which his
teammates couldn’t convert. It was an excellent all-round display.
3rd: Vedran Corluka (Croatia)
Vedran Corluka looked like a bruised boxer by the full-time
whistle. He took many knocks and needed several bandages but he was a rock at
the back and made a brilliant last-ditch challenge in stoppage time to preserve
the Croatian lead.
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