Mateo Kovacic: ‘Croatia does not feel any pressure before the match against Italy’

Mateo Kovacic and his teammates will be forced to win against Italy if they want to qualify for this year’s Euro play-offs.

The star of the Croatian national team and Manchester City, Mateo Kovacic, asserts that he and his teammates are not facing any pressure ahead of the crucial match against Italy in Group B of this year’s Euros.

“We don’t feel any pressure. We know we are not playing well, not controlling the game as we usually do, lacking calmness and solidity. We need to improve this. We have played together for a long time, we understand each other, and I believe the whole team will prove themselves in the next match,” Kovacic shared at the pre-match press conference.

Mateo Kovacic at the pre-match press conference between Italy vs Croatia

Additionally, Kovacic emphasized the importance of captain Luka Modric to Croatia and did not consider that Euro 2024 might be the last major tournament in “Lukita’s” career.

“We’re not thinking about whether this is Luka’s last major tournament. We are very happy and proud that he is still here leading us. We hope he will play his best football in the upcoming match. Luka is aware of his great responsibility, and we will follow him.”

Croatia is not performing well in this year’s Euros, being in the “group of death” with Spain, Italy, and Albania. In their opening match, Croatia lost 3-0 to Spain. Next, coach Zlatko Dalic’s team only managed to secure 1 point after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Albania.

Currently, Croatia is at the bottom of Group B with a worse goal difference than Albania. Only a win will help Mateo Kovacic and his teammates qualify for the play-offs by surpassing Italy in the standings.

The match between Croatia vs Italy in Group B of Euro 2024 will take place at 8:00 PM (UK time) on June 24.