Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni feels that the sale of midfielder Matteo Kovacic to Real Madrid was unfortunate given the player’s quality, but economically necessary.
Speaking on commentary for the World Cup match between Croatia and Morocco, as reported by FCInterNews, the former Nerazzurri coach gave his thoughts on Kovacic’s time at Inter and eventual departure.
Kovacic had been regarded as a top young talent when Inter signed the Croat from Dinamo Zagreb, and he lived up to this reputation as one of the standout players in a Nerazzurri team who were struggling in Serie A at the time.
The Nerazzurri were unable to keep hold of the Croat, who they decided to sell to Real Madrid for financial reasons related to Financial Fair Play.
Kovacic then went on to transfer to Chelsea, with whom he has now won the Champions League, and remains an important player for the Croatian national team as well.
“I was a huge fan of Matteo,” Stramaccioni looked back, “I would have gladly kept him, but the economic opportunity was there to be taken.”
“And to think that then, with Brozovic’s arrival, Inter would have had two-thirds of the Croatian national team’s midfield…”
