Modrić after England thrash Croatia: 'For the first time I feel ashamed after a game'
Luka Modrić with the Croatia national team (Photo: instagram.com/lukamodric10)
Croatia captain Luka Modrić reacted emotionally to a crushing 0:7 home defeat by England in the UEFA Nations League. The 41-year-old midfielder said that, for the first time in 20 years of playing for the national team, he felt ashamed after a match, according to the BBC.
A disastrous night for Croatia
"You can't play football like that... we looked like we had four or five players less. It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness. I've been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game," Modrić said.
He admitted that England was the stronger side, but stressed that such a result is unacceptable for the Croatian national team.
"You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better - and they are right now. But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation we've built over the years is unacceptable... It was a catastrophic night for Croatia," the midfielder added.
The match was Modric’s 205th appearance for the Croatian national team. By the time he was substituted in the 57th minute, the hosts were already trailing 0-5.
Standings
After three matches, Croatia sit third in their Nations League group. Modrić urged his teammates to quickly respond to the setback and show character in their upcoming games.
"We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us. We have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight," Modrić concluded.
