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Lovren on Modrić: Luka can get angry, but he's a true captain behind the scenes
🇭🇷 Croatia /Sports

Lovren on Modrić: Luka can get angry, but he's a true captain behind the scenes

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Former Croatian national team player Dejan Lovren finds it more challenging to watch matches from afar than to play them.
  • Lovren expressed confidence in the current Croatian team ahead of their World Cup match against Portugal, emphasizing the importance of heart and effort.
  • He described captain Luka Modrić as a true leader who can be intense during training but remains a unifying force for the team.

Former Croatian international Dejan Lovren admitted that watching his national team compete from thousands of kilometers away is more emotionally taxing than playing on the field. Lovren, a key member of Croatia's silver medal-winning squad in 2018 and bronze medalists in 2022, retired from international duty in 2023. He shared his continued support for the current squad as they face Portugal in the World Cup.

Definitely, it's harder to watch from home and follow them from ten thousand kilometers away. I support them with all my heart. I regret I'm not there, but I'm with them and I believe in these guys.

— Dejan LovrenLovren discusses the emotional difficulty of watching his national team play from afar.

"Definitely, it's harder to watch from home and follow them from ten thousand kilometers away," Lovren stated. "I support them with all my heart. I regret I'm not there, but I'm with them and I believe in these guys." He revealed he had been in contact with former teammates, including Šime Vrsaljko and Mateo Kovačić, sharing positive words and jokes to boost morale before the crucial match.

Anything is possible in tonight's game. Definitely, it will be a tough match, but I believe in the guys.

— Dejan LovrenLovren expresses his confidence in the Croatian team's ability to perform against Portugal.

Lovren expressed optimism about Croatia's chances against Portugal, emphasizing that "anything is possible in tonight's game." He highlighted the importance of passion and commitment, noting that "in games like these, technique is sometimes irrelevant; what matters is giving your heart on the field." He believes the current players have the potential to succeed.

In games like these, technique is sometimes irrelevant; what matters is giving your heart on the field.

— Dejan LovrenLovren emphasizes the importance of passion and effort over technical skill in crucial matches.

Reflecting on his relationship with captain Luka Modrić, Lovren described him as a true leader. "I know Luka personally. He gets angry in training and tells the guys that enough is enough with conceding goals from set pieces," Lovren said. "I think all our players have understood. I see no reason why we should concede goals from set pieces. We have height and strength. Luka can get angry, but behind the scenes. He is a true captain, a leader, and he shows it on the field without big words."

Luka can get angry, but behind the scenes. He is a true captain, a leader, and he shows it on the field without big words.

— Dejan LovrenLovren describes Luka Modrić's leadership style, noting his intensity and influence on the team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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