Matteo Kovacic
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barry
Bring me Messi
- May 22, 2005
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I think excellent might be stretching it. Even though they battered us I didn't think any inter player was massively special.
King of Otters
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- Jun 11, 2012
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Very ordinary player.
It's all relative. The Italian media, Moratti, Stramaccioni, fans, etc. are all raving about him.
Watching it as a Spurs supporter I doubt you would notice "the little things" he did last night. Totally understandable and to be expected. But his display was a huge glimpse to what kind of player he can be(come) for Inter.
At 18 he already has a great maturity. Demands the ball, always available, works hard, great touch and close control. If you don't/didn't get it yet, I don't blame you.
It took some fans months "to get" what Modric brings to the table (for example). I don't expect you to get Kovacic after a game-and-a-half, particularly when your focus was understandably and obviously with Spurs.
I've already said what kind of player I expect him to be in the future. Last night's performance only made me even more sure of it.
King of Otters
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Anyone who thinks that this kid will ever come close to emulating Modric, let alone fucking Zidane, needs serious help. He's Joe Allen with a fancy name.
King of Otters
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I see a tidy but unambitious passer who doesn't pose a goal threat and is a less than remarkable physical specimen. He's Joe Allen.
CJMurray
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- Aug 3, 2011
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When Modric was 18 he was playing on loan at Inter Zapresic. Kovacic is 18 and is starting for Inter Milan.
How on earth can you rule it out?
King of Otters
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You've just answered your own question. Breaking into a big club at a young age is more a recommendation of a players talent than playing for a small club in the Bosnian league is a condemnation of Modric's potential as a footballer. I assume you were one of the people who thought that Gio Dos Santos would naturally become a world class player just because he was playing for Barca at 17?
Out of the (now) world class players who are of similar age to Gio none were playing for big clubs at 17/18. Ozil was at Schalke, Busquets stuck in Barca B, Bale at Southampton, Suarez (little bit older) at Groningen, Reus at Rot Weiss Ahlen (!), Juan Mata was in Real Madrid B, Muller in Munich reserves, Di Maria at Rosario, Jordi Alba was playing for Valencia B and Pastore was at Huracan.
I think you see my point.
CJMurray
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Err, ok. I can see your point about world class players not necessarily needing to play at at high level at 17/18, but I just find it ridiculous that you can say that this lad has no chance of getting close to being on Modric's level, when he's far exceeding him when he was at his age.
Yes, he may not go onto be as good as Modric, thats a possibility, but its looking like he's got a very good chance. Utter nonsense.
Sorry Otters, but you're talking nonsense.
Crazy to think that Kovacic can "even come close to Modric"? Based on what?
The fact is that Kovacic has been highly sought after since he was 12/13 years old. His family chose to settle in Zagreb (at Dinamo) rather than to go to Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, etc.. He's been closely monitored since and he has continued to be a standout at every age group (both for club and country). Never a bad word said/written about him. If anything, the hype around him only got bigger (as he continued to prove himself at higher levels).
He started to play for Dinamo's senior team at 16. He's the youngest ever goal scorer in the 1.HNL (Croatian Football League), second youngest scorer in the Champions League (21 days off that record).
He's impressed at Dinamo both in the Croatian League as well as in the Champions League (the last two seasons). This season (despite Dinamo's poor showings) in the group stages he was amongst the leaders in successful dribbles per match:
1 Isco Malaga 4.8
2 Aliaksandr Hleb BATE Borisov 3.5
3 Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk 3.2
4 Willian Shakhtar Donetsk 3
5 Mateo Kovacic Dinamo Zagreb 2.8
6 Ramires Chelsea 2.8
7 Eden Hazard Chelsea 2.7
8 Andrés Iniesta Barcelona 2.5
9 Julian Draxler Schalke 04 2.5
10 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2.3
He's not the finished product yet, but he's already very good. He oozes class. Already a member of Croatia's full NT and had it not been for an injury earlier this season, he would have probably already played in the qualifiers. He's that good.
"Everyone" already knew of his ability to beat players off the dribble and provide the killer pass. But what's really catching the eye at Inter is how defensively aware and responsible he is. Already becoming a solid "two-way" player. Inter are going to build around him (this was already voiced by Moratti and Stramaccioni and urged by others).
Today, he is already a good (to very good) player. He has the potential to be great.
This is what I wrote earlier in this thread:
"Kovacic, for me, is almost a sure thing (barring a major injury or something of that nature). A top player good enough to play for the biggest of clubs. Has a great attitude as well."
Dinamo fans are angry that they didn't get to see him at the club longer. That he was sold for less than Modric went for. Everyone was convinced that he would break that transfer record. Had he stayed longer I have no doubts that he would have.
You haven't seen much of him and can only base your opinion on what you have seen. Fair enough. But you're still making rather outlandish claims. Contrary to what the majority of people who have seen him play would conclude. Without question.
Crazy to think that Kovacic can "even come close to Modric"? Based on what?
The fact is that Kovacic has been highly sought after since he was 12/13 years old. His family chose to settle in Zagreb (at Dinamo) rather than to go to Ajax, Juventus, Bayern Munich, etc.. He's been closely monitored since and he has continued to be a standout at every age group (both for club and country). Never a bad word said/written about him. If anything, the hype around him only got bigger (as he continued to prove himself at higher levels).
He started to play for Dinamo's senior team at 16. He's the youngest ever goal scorer in the 1.HNL (Croatian Football League), second youngest scorer in the Champions League (21 days off that record).
He's impressed at Dinamo both in the Croatian League as well as in the Champions League (the last two seasons). This season (despite Dinamo's poor showings) in the group stages he was amongst the leaders in successful dribbles per match:
1 Isco Malaga 4.8
2 Aliaksandr Hleb BATE Borisov 3.5
3 Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk 3.2
4 Willian Shakhtar Donetsk 3
5 Mateo Kovacic Dinamo Zagreb 2.8
6 Ramires Chelsea 2.8
7 Eden Hazard Chelsea 2.7
8 Andrés Iniesta Barcelona 2.5
9 Julian Draxler Schalke 04 2.5
10 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 2.3
He's not the finished product yet, but he's already very good. He oozes class. Already a member of Croatia's full NT and had it not been for an injury earlier this season, he would have probably already played in the qualifiers. He's that good.
"Everyone" already knew of his ability to beat players off the dribble and provide the killer pass. But what's really catching the eye at Inter is how defensively aware and responsible he is. Already becoming a solid "two-way" player. Inter are going to build around him (this was already voiced by Moratti and Stramaccioni and urged by others).
Today, he is already a good (to very good) player. He has the potential to be great.
This is what I wrote earlier in this thread:
"Kovacic, for me, is almost a sure thing (barring a major injury or something of that nature). A top player good enough to play for the biggest of clubs. Has a great attitude as well."
Dinamo fans are angry that they didn't get to see him at the club longer. That he was sold for less than Modric went for. Everyone was convinced that he would break that transfer record. Had he stayed longer I have no doubts that he would have.
You haven't seen much of him and can only base your opinion on what you have seen. Fair enough. But you're still making rather outlandish claims. Contrary to what the majority of people who have seen him play would conclude. Without question.
shelfmonkey
Weird is different, different is interesting.
- Mar 21, 2007
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He was excellent (last night). First leg he was invisible as Inter couldn't get hold of the ball.
One write-up:
Mateo Kovacic has made the most number of tackles (6) and interceptions (5), best pass completion (94%) and most passes- 64. (even though he left the match in the 79th min., while most played the full 120 min.).
Stephen Hawkins would've got that write-up against us yesterday!!
ClintEastwould
Well-Known Member
- Jul 3, 2012
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Inter are playing the wrong team, including kovacic
According to Spursking that is
According to Spursking that is
http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/uxp79...layer-Focus-Potential-International-Debutants
Mateo Kovacic
A lot of Croatian hopes lay on the young shoulders of Mateo Kovacic, tipped to be the next Luka Modric, and a senior international call-up at the age of just 18 is testament to his potential. Kovacic demanded a considerable fee when Inter completed his signing from Dinamo Zagreb in January, and he’s already started 5 games (4 in the Europa League) for the Serie A giants.
Although comparisons to Modric are not illogical - both keep and carry the ball well due to such a low centre of gravity - the teenager is known more for his dribbling ability than his playmaking. Only four players completed more dribbles in the Champions League group stages this season (17), but that adventure has been culled somewhat at Inter, where he's been asked to play deeper.
In turn his passing stats are impressive, maintaining a 92.1% accuracy in the Europa League, which is better than any other player that hasn’t played in defence in the competition to date. However, most are keen to see him play in a conventional number 10 role, as vacated by Wesley Sneijder, and it will be intriguing to see how he's used in the national team alongside the man he's tipped to emulate.
Mateo Kovacic
A lot of Croatian hopes lay on the young shoulders of Mateo Kovacic, tipped to be the next Luka Modric, and a senior international call-up at the age of just 18 is testament to his potential. Kovacic demanded a considerable fee when Inter completed his signing from Dinamo Zagreb in January, and he’s already started 5 games (4 in the Europa League) for the Serie A giants.
Although comparisons to Modric are not illogical - both keep and carry the ball well due to such a low centre of gravity - the teenager is known more for his dribbling ability than his playmaking. Only four players completed more dribbles in the Champions League group stages this season (17), but that adventure has been culled somewhat at Inter, where he's been asked to play deeper.
In turn his passing stats are impressive, maintaining a 92.1% accuracy in the Europa League, which is better than any other player that hasn’t played in defence in the competition to date. However, most are keen to see him play in a conventional number 10 role, as vacated by Wesley Sneijder, and it will be intriguing to see how he's used in the national team alongside the man he's tipped to emulate.
Kovacic (18-years-old) just made his international debut for Croatia vs. Serbia (2:0). In the middle of a 4-4-2, next to Modric, without a true defensive midfielder. A surprise inclusion into the starting 11, and a move that many thought was too risky (only became known earlier today).
Not an easy game to debut in(!). Worked hard and played the full 90 minutes. Some nice surges forward. He's class and is set for a great career.
Modric was MOM by some distance.
Not an easy game to debut in(!). Worked hard and played the full 90 minutes. Some nice surges forward. He's class and is set for a great career.
Modric was MOM by some distance.
Continues to impress. Such a composed debut.
Kovacic 'professor of football'
By Football Italia staff
Inter teen Mateo Kovacic has been called “a professor of football” after his senior debut saw Croatia beat Serbia 2-0.
The 18-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes in Friday’s World Cup qualifier, just two months after Inter paid €15m to take him from Dynamo Zagreb.
Croatia star Niko Kranjcar nicknamed him “a professor of football” after the remarkably self-assured debut.
Kovacic 'professor of football'
By Football Italia staff
Inter teen Mateo Kovacic has been called “a professor of football” after his senior debut saw Croatia beat Serbia 2-0.
The 18-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes in Friday’s World Cup qualifier, just two months after Inter paid €15m to take him from Dynamo Zagreb.
Croatia star Niko Kranjcar nicknamed him “a professor of football” after the remarkably self-assured debut.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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People seem to be forgetting this kid is only 18 yo. Seems like a very decent footballer in the making to me.
Another good game vs. Juventus.
Was involved in the goal, most passes 66 (94% completion), some nice dribbles and should have won a penalty after a nice run:
A lot of debate (in Italy) about where he should be played. It will be interesting to see how he develops in the next couple of years.
Was involved in the goal, most passes 66 (94% completion), some nice dribbles and should have won a penalty after a nice run:
A lot of debate (in Italy) about where he should be played. It will be interesting to see how he develops in the next couple of years.
