That’s mine: Spain’s Alex Baena (left) and Fermin Lopez tussling for the ball at a training session ahead of their Group B match against Croatia tomorrow. — AP
BERLIN: Pedri Gonzalez is back in form and the Barcelona playmaker could prove crucial in Spain’s stern opening battle against Luka Modric’s dangerous Croatia.
At 38, Real Madrid midfielder Modric is still the standard-bearer for his country and his midfield duel with Pedri lends a Clasico feel to the heavyweight clash in Berlin on Saturday.
Spain, Croatia, Italy and Albania comprise Group B, the tournament’s toughest quartet, but a resurgent Pedri could give La Roja the edge they crave. He was vital as Spain reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals but repeated hamstring injuries have set his career back in the years since.
In the final weeks of the season and in Spain’s warm-up friendlies, Pedri has shown strong signs of returning to his best.
The midfielder struck twice last week playing in an advanced role as Spain thrashed Northern Ireland 5-1 in their final warm-up friendly.
It opened a debate in Spain over Pedri’s best position, as he sometimes operates deeper in midfield, but coach Luis de la Fuente says he needs the Canary Islander to make the difference in the final third.
“We want him to play closer to the area, between the lines, taking advantage of the final ball. I think we can get a great deal from him,” said De la Fuente, grateful for Pedri’s grit in his fitness battle.
“I thank Pedri, he’s an example of overcoming, effort, a school of values (in himself), he’s important for everyone.”
Keeping it low-key: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic leading his players out for a training session. — AFP
The coach has been a strong supporter of Pedri and the midfielder revealed with every injury setback, De la Fuente would call to offer support.
The coach says he does not know where Pedri’s ceiling is and encouraged the midfielder to keep improving.
“Pedri had to find himself, we don’t know what his best version is because he’s so good, he is infinite,” added De la Fuente.
“We coaches can give confidence to players, but it is the player who has to take the step forward.”
“We didn’t come to Germany on vacation, on a tour trip, we are here to win and we’ll do our best to do that,” 16-year-old winger Yamal told reporters on Wednesday. “Saturday’s game against Croatia is probably the most important of my career.
“They are a very strong team, very difficult to beat because they grow in these competitions. They have a lot of experience and it’s clear to us that it’s going to be one of the most difficult matches we will face.”
Up against an elite midfield trio of Modric, Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic and Al-Nassr’s Marcelo Brozovic, Pedri and Co will be thrown in at the deep end.
In the World Cup, Croatia reached the 2018 final and 2022 semi-finals, while Spain beat them in extra-time in the last 16 in Euro 2020.
The Spaniards did it again in last year’s nervy UEFA Nations League final, beating the Croatians on penalties.
The goalless draw over 120 minutes exemplified how evenly matched the teams are, although Spain were without Pedri because of his fitness state at the time.
That heartbreaking shootout defeat is still fresh in their minds, and Modric’s perennial overachievers seem ready to again challenge the pre-tournament odds.
Croatia did, however, beat Spain 2-1 in the group stage at Euro 2016 to top the group ahead of them.
“We have played them many times and we know what kind of football Spain like to play, they like possession and lulling the opposition to sleep,” Croatia striker Ante Budimir told a press conference on Wednesday.
“They can be very quick and vertical at any time. As a team, they are nice to watch and easy to enjoy. (Midfielder) Rodri is very important for them. They have a lot of young players who can make a difference. A very talented and dangerous team...” — Agencies
