The Italian press had mixed feelings about Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic’s performance in Croatia’s World Cup draw with Morocco.
The 30-year-old Nerazzurri midfielder played the full 90 minutes of his nation’s World Cup opener, playing a full game for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury back in September. It was a tense and edgy affair between Morocco and Croatia and neither team could break the deadlock in the Group F clash, forcing them to share a point apiece.
La Gazzetta dello Sport were not best impressed with Brozovic’s performance in Croatia’s World Cup opener, suggesting that “against a closed team, he circulated, but did not find a special play. Ordinary.” Corriere dello Sport mostly echoed these sentiments, disappointed that he couldn’t help find a breakthrough.
Tuttosport were a little more forgiving of Brozovic’s work in Qatar, noting how the Moroccan midfielders pressed him constantly, he tried to escape with his class.”
The pressure is now on Brozovic and Croatia ahead of their final two group games. The 2018 runners up will face Canada on November 27 before playing Belgium on December 1, a match that could be crucial in reaching the knock-out stages.
Brozovic’s ratings in the Italian newspapers:
La Gazzetta dello Sport: 5.5
Tuttosport: 6
Corriere dello Sport: 5.5