MOSCOW, July 9 -- England will be wary of the threat posed by Croatia midfielder Luka Modric when the teams meet in their World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, according to Eric Dier and Ashley Young.
England progressed to the last four of football's flagship tournament for the first time since 1990 with a 2-0 win over Sweden on Saturday while Croatia advanced by overcoming hosts Russia on penalties.
Real Madrid playmaker Modric has been in sparkling form for Croatia, leading a midfield that also includes Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic.
"Luka Modric is a fantastic player but they have players around the squad who are going to be difficult opponents," England and Manchester United full-back Young told reporters here on Monday.
"Croatia are a very good team. They are not in the semi-final for no reason. We have got to be prepared for them," he added.
His teammate Dier said Croatia's entire midfield deserved respect ahead of the match at Luzhniki Stadium.
"Modric and Rakitic are world class players in their positions that have been playing at an extremely high level for their clubs," the Tottenham midfielder said.
"I've never played against Rakitic before so it's difficult to observe as much. But I've played against Modric twice this year and obviously everyone knows from his time in the Premier League that he's a fantastic player. He can create magical moments and he's been one of the outstanding performers so far in this World Cup.
"Two great players, everyone knows that, but hopefully we can do our job as a team and individuals to contain them."
Croatia are vying for a place in their first ever World Cup final on July 15 while England are hoping to feature in the decider for the first time since 1966.
"We are just focusing on the semi-final right now, like we said before we are just going game by game," Dier said. "We're purely focusing on what is in front us and it will continue to be on that until Wednesday."
美文:爱的奇迹
美文阅读:青春物语
精选英语美文阅读:无雨的梅雨天 (双语)
精选英语美文阅读:爱的奇迹 Keep on Singing
精选英语美文阅读:在你的镜头前,我总是很美
美文美诗:仙女对牧羊人的回答
浪漫英文情书精选:The Best Surprise最好的惊喜
诗歌:永远向前(双语)
浪漫英文情书精选:Boundless Love无边的爱
精选英语美文阅读:木鱼声声
浪漫英文情书精选:True Love Of My Life我的真爱
浪漫英文情书精选:To Be Close To You Again再次靠近你
浪漫英文情书精选:Good Morning早上好
献给女性:如果生命可以重来
精选英语散文欣赏:微笑挽救生命
浪漫英文情书精选:My Heart And Soul我的灵魂
精美散文:我就是我
精选英语美文阅读:你见或者不见我(中英对照)
Love Your Life 热爱生活
精选英语美文阅读:哪有一株忘忧草? (双语)
双语美文:在思考中成长
爱情英语十句
浪漫英文情书精选:Starting Over Again重新来过
精选英语散文欣赏:平等的爱
浪漫英文情书精选:My Love Will Reach Any Distance爱无边
浪漫英文情书精选:Is It Love?这是爱么?
英文《小王子》温情语录
浪漫英文情书精选:To Prince Perfect献给心中的王子
双语美文欣赏:孤独人生
精选英文情诗:请允许我成为你的夏季
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |