Mateo Kovačić

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Mateo Kovačić

Kovačić with Croatia in June 2013
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994
Place of birthLinz, Austria
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current clubInternazionale
Number10
Youth career
2000–2007LASK Linz
2007–2010Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010–2013Dinamo Zagreb43(7)
2013–Internazionale34(0)
National team‡
2008Croatia U142(1)
2008Croatia U152(0)
2009–2011Croatia U1715(0)
2011–Croatia U192(0)
2011–Croatia U214(0)
2013–Croatia7(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 February 2014.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2013

Mateo Kovačić (born 6 May 1994) is a Croatian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A team Internazionale and the Croatian national team. Kovačić is usually deployed as a central midfielder (mezz'ala) or deep-lying playmaker (regista) for Inter Milan, but he is considered to be a versatile midfielder, having played in different positions and can adapt to playing either wide on the left or as a trequartista if required.[1][2] He started his professional career with Dinamo Zagreb at the age of 16, with whom he won 2 consecutive league titles, before joining Inter in 2013.

Club career

Youth career

Born in Linz, Austria, to Bosnian Croat parents who had moved there in 1991 from Kotor Varoš, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kovačić began playing at an early age at the local LASK Linz's academy.[3][4] In 2007, when Kovačić was 13, the talented midfielder was spotted by scouts from several prominent European clubs, including VfB Stuttgart, AFC Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, but his family opted to move to Zagreb instead, where he joined Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb.[4] Kovačić suffered a serious injury in 2009 in which his leg was broken, but he returned to the pitch after a lengthy recovery on 31 May 2010, appearing in the last match of the Croatian under-17 academy league, a 5–0 win against RNK Split under-17s.[5]

Dinamo Zagreb

Kovačić started training with the club's senior squad under manager, Vahid Halilhodžić, four months later, on 6 October 2010,[6] but continued to appear for the club in academy league matches during October. Later that month, it was reported by the local sports daily, Sportske novosti, that Arsenal's chief scout, Steve Rowley, had arrived in Zagreb to watch him perform in under-17 matches against Cibalia and NK Zagreb.[7] In the senior squad, Kovačić was given the number 8 shirt, a number that was once worn by one of the biggest Dinamo legends, Robert Prosinečki.

Kovačić eventually had his professional league debut in the 2010–11 Prva HNL away match against Hrvatski Dragovoljac on 20 November 2010, in which he scored Dinamo's fourth goal in their 6–0 win.[8] This made him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the league, at the age of 16 years and 198 days, breaking the record set only a week earlier by Dino Špehar who had scored for NK Osijek at the age of 16 years and 278 days on 13 November 2010.[9][10] In his first senior season with Dinamo Zagreb he managed to appear in 7 matches, making a contribution in winning the league title.[11]

In the 2011–12 season, Kovačić rapidly established himself as a first team regular. He played mainly in the position of left midfielder in 4–2–3–1 system. In the beginning of the season, he helped the team reach the Group Stage of the season's Champions League for the first time in 12 years. Being only 17 years old, he appeared in the starting lineup of Dinamo's first group match against Real Madrid.[12] He finished his first European season with Dinamo by scoring a goal against Olympique Lyonnais in the last game of the Group Stage in Zagreb and thus became the second youngest ever scorer in the Champions League. In the domestic league, he was a regular starter, appearing in 25 league matches and scoring five goals in the process. During a league match against NK Lučko, he became the youngest player to wear the captain's armband in Dinamo's history, taking the captaincy from Leandro Cufre.[13] It was another successful season for him in domestic competitions as he appeared in 32 domestic league and cup matches during that season, helping Dinamo to win their seventh consecutive league title. He also scored in the Croatian Cup final against NK Osijek on Maksimir Stadium. In December 2011, he was named Croatian Football Hope of the Year.[14]

In the beginning of 2012–13 season, he suffered a metatarsal bone injury that caused him to miss several games on the club's qualifying road to another Champions League. He returned just in time to play in Dinamo's first Champions League game against FC Porto. Kovačić played in all six Dinamo Zagreb's matches in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League Group Stage, against Porto, Paris Saint-Germain, and Dynamo Kyiv. He continued to impress with his mature performances at a young age during the first half of the season. In October 2012, he was nominated for Golden Boy, an award given by sports journalists to a young player from Europe perceived to have been the most impressive during a season.[15] During the season's winter break, Dinamo's board threw away the speculations about Kovačić leaving the club in the near future by saying they are building a new team around him and another rising star, Alen Halilović.[16] On 30 January 2013, however, the media, surprisingly, revealed that Kovačić was sold to Inter Milan of the Italian Serie A. During his time with Dinamo, Kovačić won two domestic league titles and two Croatian Cup titles, appearing in a total of 73 official matches, including 12 appearances in the Champions League.

Internazionale

On 31 January 2013, Kovačić agreed to a transfer to Inter. It was revealed that the deal was worth €15 million in total, with €13 million paid immediately and €2 million when and if Inter qualifies for the UEFA Champions League.[17] Upon his arrival, Kovačić was given the number 10 shirt, previously worn by Wesley Sneijder.[18]

2012–13 season

Kovačić during Europa League match in 2013

Kovačić made his debut for Inter three days later, on 3 February, coming on as a half-time substitute in a Serie A match against Siena.[19] Although he was announced in the starting 11 for the next Serie A match against Chievo, he missed the game due to a minor muscle injury.[20] On 14 February, Kovačić made his European debut before the home crowd at San Siro in Europa League match against CFR Cluj. He provided a beautiful winning assist for Rodrigo Palacio, who made it 2–0 for Inter. He impressed the crowd with his performance, and was given standing ovations while being substituted off in the 89th minute.[21] He also played full 90 minutes in the 3–0 away win against CFR Cluj, as Inter proceeded to the next round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League.

Kovačić made his first domestic league start for Inter in the next round of Serie A in a 1–4 away loss against Fiorentina. In the Europa League Round of 16, Inter was drawn to play against Tottenham Hotspur. After a 3–0 loss in London, Inter needed a 4–0 win in Milan to proceed to the next round. The game ended in a 4–1 win for Inter after the match went into extra-time, with Kovačić playing as a starter. He impressed with his composure and playmaking ability, once again receiving ovations by the fans.[22][23] After the match, coach Andrea Stramaccioni hailed his passing ability, calling it "incredible".[24] On 30 March, Kovačić was a starter in his first Derby d'Italia against Juventus at San Siro. The derby ended in a 1–2 win for Juventus, with Kovačić starting the action that resulted in Rodrigo Palacio's 1–1 equalizer.[25] After the defeat from Juve, Inter needed to get back on track as they were chasing the UEFA Champions League spot. Kovačić was a starter in their next Serie A match, a 0–2 away win against Sampdoria, as well as in their surprising 3–4 loss to Atalanta at San Siro, where he provided an assist for Ricky Álvarez's goal.[26] By the end of the season, he was a starter in all of the club's Serie A fixtures, as Inter finished a disappointing ninth in the Serie A table. During his first half-season with the club, Kovačić made total of 18 appearances in all competitions. In May, he was given the "Gentleman Revelation of the Year" award, an award given by Inter fans.

2013–14 season

Before the preseason, Internazonale management refused Kovačić`s desire to go to Turkey to play for Croatia at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Although it seemed that having him skip the U-20 World Cup was the right move in terms of adjusting his role to the new tactical schemes of the new coach Walter Mazzarri, Kovačić missed most of the pre-season training with the club due to series of small injuries[27][28] and made his comeback just few days before the first official match of the new season, a Coppa Italia match against Cittadella at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.[29] During the pre-season interviews, new Inter coach alluded that Kovačić will be given a new role on the pitch, a role similar to that of Marek Hamšík ’s during his time under Mazzarri.[30][31] During the first half of the new Serie A season Kovačić played regularly, although having smaller problems with adjusting to new tactical role on the pitch and thus his performances have not been up to the standard that Inter fans were accustomed to last season.[32] Kovačić made his first assist of the season in the match against AS Livorno, when he delivered an extraordinary assist for Yuto Nagatomo.[33]

International career

Kovačić with the national team in June 2013.

Kovačić appeared for the Croatian national team at various youth levels, debuting in May 2008 in an under-15 friendly match against Slovakia.[34] As of 2011, he is a regular member of the Croatia under-19 and under-21 team. In August 2012, Kovačić received his first call-up for the Croatian senior team match against Switzerland, but did not play because of injury.[35] He received his first competitive call up for 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Serbia and Wales in March 2013. He made his senior debut in a derby match against Serbia on 22 March 2013, playing as a central midfielder alongside Luka Modrić, instead of a regular team starter, Ognjen Vukojević. In a post-match interview, his teammate, Niko Kranjčar, praised his performance and called him “a professor of football."[36][37] Four days later, he played against Wales at Liberty Stadium, coming on as a second half substitute in a 1–2 win. His third match of the campaign came in June, when Croatia faced Scotland in Zagreb and suffered a frustrating defeat as they were unable to score despite a string of good chances.[38] By the end of the qualifiers, Kovačić made two more competitive appearances for Croatia in their matches against Serbia in Belgrade and Belgium in Zagreb, as Croatia scraped into the World Cup playoffs having taken only one point from their last four qualifiers. Although he didn`t participate in the scoreless first leg of 2014 World Cup playoffs against Iceland in Reykyavik, Kovačić started the second and decesive leg between the two national teams in Zagreb. In the beggining of the second half Croatian captain Darijo Srna rifled in a low shot as he cut in on the right flank after a darting run and pinpoint delivery by Kovačić.[39]

Style of play

In training with the national team in March 2013.

Kovačić has been described as a great technician with excellent dribbling abilities.[40] He is often characterized as a classic playmaker with amazing attacking threat who at the same time has the immense potential to play ahead or behind that role.[41] He can play anywhere in the midfield, in the centre, behind the striker or on the flanks. He started off as an attacking midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb , but he has astoundingly transformed his game in Inter Milan. While being coached by Andrea Stramaccioni he was always deployed as a regista or a deep-lying playmaker where he showed that he has good vision of the game, can make great interceptions and is able to perform a clean tackle.[42] Under the coach Walter Mazzarri, he is often used in a more advanced position. His trademarks are dropping deep to get the ball and then drive forward, often performing his slalom runs.[43] Kovačić is considered to be one of the Europe`s most successful dribblers.[44][45]

The Croatia under-17 manager, Martin Novoselac, reportedly said of Kovačić, "I haven't seen a youngster with so much talent since the days of Robert Prosinečki," referring to his fast development and huge talent.[4][6] Kovačić revealed that precisely Prosinečki is the player he admired the most.[46] His compatriot, Zvonimir Boban, who played for Milan for over a decade, in an interview with Sky Italia said, "He has talents that could make him even better than me, he is an incredibly serious professional for someone his age. Kovačić is a complete player. He is not a born regista but he is playing there now. He is a complete talent that can still grow — he has incredible potential."[47] Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni has hailed his performances on several occasions, describing him as a "star for the future."[48] Italian coach Walter Mazzarri has also praised the youngster and has tipped him to be a star of the future.[49] Italian manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, described him as "a mixture of Kaká and Clarence Seedorf", because of his style of play and technical characteristics.[50] Long standing Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti stated that, with the exception of Ronaldo, who had arrived to Inter when he was 21, Mateo is the most promising youngster he’s seen in his 18 years at Inter.[51]

Career statistics

As of 2 February 2014
Team Season Domestic
League		 Domestic
Cup		 European
Competition		 Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Dinamo Zagreb[52] 2010–11 7 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 0
2011–12 25 5 6 7 1 0 12 1 0 44 7 6
2012–13 11 1 4 1 0 0 8 0 0 20 1 4
Total 437101010201073910
Inter 2012–13 13 0 1 1 0 0 4 0 1 18 0 2
2013–14 21 0 1 3 0 0 – 24 0 1
Total 34024004014203
Career totals 77 7 12 14 1 0 24 1 1 115 9 13

Honours

Club

Dinamo Zagreb

Individual

  • Croatian Football Hope of the Year (2011)
  • Gentleman Revelation of the Year (2013)

References

  1. ↑ "Who Is Inter New Boy Mateo Kovacic?". ForzaItalianFootball. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Ecco il regista per Strama". Gazzetta dello Sport. January 30, 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Mateo Kovačić - Player changes, player transfers". Transfermarkt. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Židak, Tomislav. "Meteor Kovačić: Svi su ludi za dječakom koji je već sa 13 igrao zrelo kao nekad Maradona". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  5. ↑ Rupnik, Borna (31 May 2010). "Kadeti Dinama za naslov prestigli Hajduk". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Mateo Kovačić od danas trenira sa seniorima Dinama: Plaši me nadimak Hrvatski Messi". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 6 October 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Arsenal došao po Matea Kovačića, Dinamo našao novo čudo od djeteta - Miralema Ramića". Sportske novosti (in Croatian). 29 October 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  8. ↑ Rupnik, Borna (20 November 2010). "I Kovačić strijelac u Dinamovoj šestici". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Mateo Kovačić najmlađi je strijelac Prve HNL" (in Croatian). TPortal. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  10. ↑ Plavčić, Mario (13 November 2010). "Špehar spasio bijelo-plave". Sportnet.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Mateo Kovacic - Leistungsdaten der Saison 10/11". Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  12. ↑ "Spielbericht - Spielbericht GNK Dinamo Zagreb - Real Madrid, 14.09.2011 - UEFA Champions League - transfermarkt.de" (in German). Retrieved 30 January 2013. 
  13. ↑ "Kvačić najmlađi kapetan u Dnamovoj povijesti". tportal.hr. 27.08.2011. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  14. ↑ "Kovačiću trofej Nada godine: Liga prvaka je bila uživancija". 24 sata. Retrieved 31 December 2011. 
  15. ↑ "Mateo Kovačić u konkurenciji za nagradu "Golden boy 2012."". 30.10.2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  16. ↑ "Kovačića i Halilovića nećemo prodati!". index.hr. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  17. ↑ "Mamić: Predsjednik Arsenala me uvrijedio ponudom za Kovačića i Vrsaljka" (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 February 2013. 
  18. ↑ "Kovačićev prvi da u Interu" (in Croatian). Retrieved 1 February 2013. 
  19. ↑ "Debi Kovačića u porazu Intera: Ima karizmu, zaslužuje broj 10" (in Croatian). 24sata.hr. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  20. ↑ "Kovacic injured-misses Chievo game". 10 February 2013. Sky Calcio. 
  21. ↑ "Brace for Palacio Terrific Kovacic, but Milito stretchered off". Gazzetta dello Sport. 15 February 2013. 
  22. ↑ "Inter pao u produžecima, Mateu Kovačiću ovacije". Večernji list (in Croatian). 14 March 2013. 
  23. ↑ "Cassano fuoriclasse, Kovacic talento puro, Adebayor fortunato. Le pagelle di Inter-Tottenham!" (in Italian). parliamodicalcio.it. Retrieved 14 March 2013. 
  24. ↑ "Stramaccioni hails Mateo Kovacic". SportsMole.co.uk. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013. 
  25. ↑ "Inter-Juve. Con Kovacic e Pirlo, precisione al potere". Gazzetta Dello Sport (in Italian). 31 March 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Rocchi, Alvarez e Kovacic, eroi di una non favola." (in Italian). parliamodicalcio.it. Retrieved 12 April 2013. 
  27. ↑ "Kovacic to miss another 10 days, out against Hamburg and Chelsea". GdS. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  28. ↑ "Kovacic out seven days, will miss first friendly match". fedenerazzura. 
  29. ↑ "Kovacic ready to return versus Cittadella". GdS. 
  30. ↑ "Kovacic as Mazzarri’s new Hamsik". FC Inter News. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  31. ↑ "Mazzarri: "Non vendo fumo, Kovacic alla Hamsik"". http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  32. ↑ "Mazzola: “Kovacic is still not ready”". Novastadio. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  33. ↑ "Zanetti was the main event but everyone forgot about Kovacic". Sky Italia. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  34. ↑ "Statistike - Nastupi: Mateo Kovačić" (in Croatian). Croatian Football Federation. Retrieved 20 November 2010. 
  35. ↑ "Štimac pozvao Kovačića" (in Croatian). 30.07.2012. Retrieved 31 January 2013. 
  36. ↑ "Štimac: "Odluku o Kovačiću 'prelomio' sam sinoć, odigrao je za desetku"" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. Retrieved 23 March 2013. 
  37. ↑ "Kovacic 'professor of football'". Football Italia. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  38. ↑ "Croatia vs Scotland Report". www.goal.com. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  39. ↑ "Ten-man Croatia reached the 2014 World Cup finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2014. 
  40. ↑ "Kovacic compared with Baggio". football-italia.net. February 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-17. 
  41. ↑ Mehrotra, Aakriti. "Mateo Kovacic: Scout Report | Inter’s creative midfield talent". Outside of the Boot. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  42. ↑ Mehrotra, Aakriti. "Mateo Kovacic: Scout Report | Inter’s creative midfield talent". Outside of the Boot. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  43. ↑ Mehrotra, Aakriti. "Mateo Kovacic: Scout Report | Inter’s creative midfield talent". Outside of the Boot. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  44. ↑ "Stats Show Mateo Kovacic As One Of Europe’s Best Dribblers". interfanclub.com. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  45. ↑ "Mateo drugi najbolji dribler u Ligama petice". 24sata. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  46. ↑ "Kovačić otkrio Talijanima koga je 'snimao'" (in Croatian). Tportal.hr. February 8, 2013. Retrieved 05/12/2013. 
  47. ↑ "Inter snap up Kovacic and Kuzmanovic". ESPN. January 31, 2013. Retrieved 03/02/2013. 
  48. ↑ Mondal, Subhankar. "Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni hails Mateo Kovacic". Sportsmole.co.uk. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  49. ↑ "Inter boss hails Kovacic talent Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/serie-a/inter-boss-hails-kovacic-talent-1597590.html". clubcall.com. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  50. ↑ "'Kovacic is a mix of Kaka and Seedorf' - Trapattoni". Goal.com. November 24, 2013. Retrieved 05/12/2013. 
  51. ↑ "Face to face: Javier Zanetti". WorldSoccer. Retrieved 1 February 2014. 
  52. ↑ "Mateo Kovačić - stats" (in Croatian). hrsport.net. Retrieved 01/02/2013. 

External links

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