The Croatia captain is furious about the red card.
Cristiano Ronaldo first. Luka Modric now. Following Friday’s 1-0 loss to Scotland, the Croatian sensation became the second consecutive Ballon D’Or winner to depart Hampden in a rage.
While Ronaldo produced a petulant tantrum after the final whistle over the award of a corner kick when Portugal were kept to a goalless draw last month, Modric was more calm in expressing his displeasure about the red card issued to team-mate Petr Sucic just before half-time.
Modric and his teammates were furious when Sucic was given a second yellow card for a challenge on John Souttar, and they gathered around referee Orel Grinfield to voice their displeasure. Despite avoiding a punishment that would have prevented him from playing against Portugal this week, Modric, 39, believed the Israeli referee had dashed his team’s chances of winning following a strong first half.
The Croatian captain remarked, “It’s difficult to analyse a game when the referee kills it for you.” “We deserved to lead by one or two goals because we were the superior team in the first half, but the referee destroyed the match. We didn’t make it to the end, even though I believe we fought like lions. Mario Pasalic even gave us a chance to win it.
The referee was conceited; he would only speak to me and not the other players. Petr Sucic received two yellow cards after committing two fouls. Out of six or seven fouls, we were given four yellow cards. He has to be reminded that not all fouls result in a yellow card. To ruin a game like this, which was quiet and not rough at all, with no big fouls or anything, is truly amazing in my opinion.”
If Scotland hopes to finish second in Nations League Group A1 with a victory over Poland, they will now need Portugal to defeat Croatia in Zagreb on Tuesday. However, Modric has other ideas.
“We didn’t deserve to lose to Scotland, but we did, and we have to focus on the next game now,” he continued. We’re playing at home, in front of our own supporters, and the stadium will be packed. I’m hoping we’ll play well and win.”
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