Luka Modric's comments on Arda and Livakovic

Luka Modric, captain of Croatia, which will host the A National Team tomorrow in the sixth week of the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying Group D, said that Turkey is a very high-quality team but that they want to win the first match they will play in the country's newest stadium.

Luka Modric made statements at the press conference held at Opus Arena, where the match will be played.

Emphasizing that a difficult match awaits them, the star footballer said, "A very difficult match awaits us tomorrow against a very good team. Turkey is a great team, we always respect them. We have played against Turkey many times; these matches have always been very difficult and the results have been uncertain. Turkey is a very high-quality team, but we are the hosts; we want to win in the new stadium, in front of our fans. It is clear that we are playing against a great team that we respect."

Reminding that Opus Arena is the country's newest and most modern stadium and that the national team will play its first match in this stadium, Modric said, "The stadium looks wonderful. I have been playing for the national team for 15 years. I had the opportunity to see the stadium from the outside, but I haven't been able to tour the whole stadium yet. I can say that there is finally a stadium worthy of Croatia. I hope the result will also be good tomorrow."

Stating, "We have absences, but I know that whoever plays will be ready," the experienced footballer continued his words as follows:

"Absences are a big handicap for us, but this is also a great opportunity for the players who have just joined the team. Because this can change their national team careers. The match we will play is not an ordinary match; it is a match we will play against a very big team. Ivan Perisic had a difficult injury. I talk to him; this is a big blow for us, he is a very important player. I know his character, I am sure he will return the same way. I don't know when he will return, let him return healthy, there is no need to rush. Some players are injured, but this is an opportunity for young players. When such situations occur, Croatia likes complicated situations and enjoys the game more."

"Arda is a wonderful kid, a very talented player"

Regarding his Real Madrid teammate Arda Guler, Luka Modric commented, "Arda is a wonderful kid, a very talented player. A very bright future awaits him. I am sure he will bring great joy to Real Madrid fans. Unfortunately, due to the injury he suffered, he has not yet had the opportunity to show this talent. I am sure he has a wonderful future ahead of him."

When asked, "Will Arda Guler be Turkey's Luka Modric?", Modric replied, "Let Arda Guler be Arda Guler. There is no need to compare him to anyone. I am sure he will show his quality and have a great career. There is no need for him to be under pressure."

The Croatian captain answered the question, "Did you get information about the Turkish National Team from Livakovic?" by saying, "We know the Turkish players and the Turkish National Team very well; we don't need to ask Livakovic anything."

Regarding his reduced playing time at Real Madrid this season, Modric assessed, "This is a new situation for me; I always want to play, I don't want to sit on the sidelines. I am in good physical and mental condition. This is a normal process for every player; we will see in the future if it will be good for me."