Yesterday they officially kicked off Europeans, with hosts Germany’s resounding victory against Scotland. The most anticipated match of the first day of the group stage is without a doubt Spain-Croatia, which will be staged today. Furthermore, the two are in the same group as Italy. A match where there will be many interesting duels, but the one between will certainly stand out Rodri and Modric. And now it becomes more than reasonable to ask whether the Spaniard can follow in the Croatian’s footsteps. To try to answer, all that remains is to start a sort of real face-to-face meeting.
Modric, a career full of triumphs
There is no point in analyzing the career of the Real Madrid midfielder too much. His childhood was marked by the war between Serbia and Croatia and football for him was a sort of real salvation. His debut in the senior national team came at just twenty years old. It was 2006 and, in that year, he was also called up for the World Cup. But it is with the clubs that he showed all his value and his crystalline class. Established himself with the Dinamo Zagreb, where he won his first trophies, 2008 was an important year for him. In fact, the transfer took place Tottenham. In the Premier League, after a difficult start, he found continuity and completed his footballing maturation. A footballing maturation that led to the call of real Madrid.
In 2012 Modric signed a five-year contract with the Spanish side, in a deal worth 42 million euros. With i Blancos he has amassed national and international trophies, coming to be defined as one of the best midfielders in the world. His signature was there in many matches, but an example could be the 2014 Champions League final, when he provided Sergio Ramos with the assist that sparked the comeback against Atletico Madrid. There were six Champions Leagues with Real, the latest one arrived just this year. As time passed, he also had to deal with injuries and physical problems, but his star continued to shine. A star who led his national team to a World Cup final and semi-final. However, a victory is missing which would be the real icing on the cake. And this European Championship, at 38 years old, could really be his last big chance.
Rodri, a pillar for everyone
Born in 1996, raised in the youth teams of Atletico Madrid, the Iberian made his name with the shirt of Villarreal. His debut in the first team dates back to 2015. He made 34 appearances, having good quality and above all a lot of continuity, even enjoying the satisfaction of scoring two goals. His performances therefore earned him the return home toAthleticwhere he was one of the best in a season for the Colchoneros a little too swingy. And so, to bet on him, it was the Manchester City. The English invested 70 million euros, paying the release clause. And Rodri, in these five seasons, has certainly not disappointed expectations. 257 appearances and 26 goals, with monstrous continuity and the signature at the bottom of the triumphs of the team coached by Guardiola.
The Spanish national team is also focusing on him, with first Lopetegui and then Luis Enrique who have always called him up regularly. However, it was the current coach who entrusted him with the keys to the midfield De la Fuente. In short, Rodri will be one of Spain’s leaders in these European Championships. Because he too is missing a great triumph with his national team.
Is Rodri like Modric?
So how many chances does Rodri have of following in Modric’s footsteps? It must be said that we are talking about two slightly different players. The Croatian is a playmaker with strong offensive skills, who can in fact also be used between the lines and as an attacking midfielder. His vision of the game is practically unmatched and few can argue with this. The Spaniard is much more of a midfielder, operating mainly in front of the defense and excelling in recovering balls and in aerial play. However, even the good Luka has shown that he knows how to excel in pressing, recovering the ball and winning back second balls. In short, there are points of contact. The reality is that we are talking of two authentic phenomena. So different and so the same.
