Real Madrid’s Unsung Hero: Mateo Kovacic
With the 2016–2017 season coming to an end, Real Madrid are on track to reach the finish line with two titles under their belt: The UEFA Champions League and La Liga. Real Madrid will be facing Juventus on the 3rd of June in Cardiff in hopes of lifting the 12th Champions League title and have clinched the league title on the final match day away in La Rosaleda against a tough Malaga side.
This season has seen Zidane’s Real Madrid play beautiful football, scoring in every single match this season and breaking Bayern’s European record of scoring in 64 consecutive games, when Nacho scored the opener in the crucial game against Sevilla. Each and every player on the roster has given it his all for the team on the pitch this year, and needless to say that every player on the roster is of world class quality and would be in the Starting Eleven of any other team in the world. This year we have seen Ramos take upon himself a huge leadership role where he scored multiple goals in Ramos Time to save Los Merengues from defeats. Cristiano Ronaldo has been magnificent in recent weeks, coming off back to back Champions League hat-tricks against Bayern and Atletico Madrid to guide Real Madrid in the final.
However, most of what people talk about and discuss about Real Madrid isn’t about the starters, it’s about the bench. Who’s leaving and who’s staying? Is James headed to Chelsea or Manchester United? Is Isco going to renew his contract? Is Morata going to be a starter next year? The media and the fans have focused way too much on Isco and James and urging them to get more minutes, which they undoubtedly deserve. But throughout all this mayhem, a world class star has gone unnoticed. His name is Mateo Kovacic.
The 23-year-old Croatian International has been nothing but extraordinary out on the pitch this year, exerting brilliance with every touch of the ball. Although Mateo is 11th in number of minutes played in the Real Madrid roster this season, we witnessed a unique talent. Kovacic’s speed and ball control when dribbling sets him apart from the rest of the players. Having played in 34 games this year (starting 21,) Zidane has begun to trust Kovacic more as an integral pillar in the Los Blancos squad.
Whenever Modric, Kroos, or Casemiro were unavailable this year, Kovacic was there to pick up the slack. He’s very adept at falling back to defend and getting the ball from deep and then lead the counter attack in quick fashion. Former Italy and Inter manager Giovanni Trapattoni has said the Kovacic is a “mixture of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka.” Comparisons have started to arise with the incredible Luka Modric. Mateo has been Modric’s understudy and it has been obvious with the quick turns Kovacic has incorporated into his game. This year Kovacic’s passing accuracy has been above 90% and is third highest passing percentage in the league, only behind Kroos and Modric.
When Mateo plays next to Modric on the pitch, he allows Modric to take his breath and stay back to defend occasionally as Kovacic leads the counter attack. When Kovacic plays next to Toni Kroos, the formation changes from a 4–3–3 line up to 4–2–3–1 and then the Croatian takes on the support role in both defense and offense, providing the front and back lines with options to go forward. Mateo is a very offensive-minded player that always bursts from Madrid’s own half to the opposing team’s half causing havoc for the opponent.
Although Mateo has learned a lot from Modric, its time to stop the comparisons between the Croatians. Kovacic isn’t trying to be Modric, Kaka, nor Seedorf. He’s playing his own game, a new style we haven’t witnessed before. He’s not the next Modric, he’s the first Mateo Kovacic. His versatility in midfield already sets him apart from Modric, Mateo can play as a defensive midfielder, or a playmaker. He can (and will) be the maestro to orchestrate the team from defense to attack. In the games we saw Kovacic play we saw his aggression and power on defense and we also saw his ability to balance the team in midfield.
Brought in from Inter Milan for only €30 million, Kovacic was brought in for way below what he’s worth. One thing we know for sure, Modric is now on the ugly side of 30’s and I foresee two more good years for him in the starting 11 of Real Madrid. When its time to hand off the torch to the next player, the Croatian will be waiting with open arms to take upon himself the responsibility of Real Madrid’s midfield. Not to mention, by the time he’s a starter, Kovacic would be only 25 years old! We have only seen glimpses of the Croatian star, but without a doubt, the future is only bright and paved for Mateo to become the best in the world.
