Luka Modric: England under more pressure than Croatia in 'special' World Cup semi-final

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Ben Morgan10 July 2018

Croatia captain Luka Modric praised England’s World Cup campaign — but said his confident side was ready for a “special” semi-final showdown.

The Real Madrid midfielder, whose squad put hosts Russia out in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out, said the Three Lions have “great quality” ahead of the match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

“Always playing England is special," he said. "They’re a great team, doing a great tournament so far, like us.

“They’re suffering less, but showed against Sweden the great quality they have and we’re expecting a tough match — but we will be ready.” Modric, 32, has scored twice at this World Cup, and also converted both of his penalties in Croatia’s two shoot-out successes against Denmark and Russia.

His wife Vanja Bosnic, 35, has made the trip to Russia with their three young children. She is also his agent and was pivotal in brokering a £30 million move from Spurs to Real Madrid in 2012.

Ahead of the quarter final, Modric posted a photograph of Vanja with their son Ivano and daughters Ema and Sofia wearing Croatia kits.

The couple met in 2007 when she was working at the Mamic sports agency, where he was a client. After getting together Vanja became his full-time agent and they moved to London. Modric claimed Gareth Southgate’s team was under more pressure than his own. He said: “With England, it’s always pressure.”

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