By Matija Šerić
One of the most outstanding Croatian footballers who has never had the chance to fully showcase his talent for the Croatian national team is Hajduk’s best midfielder, Filip Krovinović. He deserves trust and an opportunity to become a regular starter for the Vatreni ahead of next year’s World Cup. And no, this is not a joke—it’s a serious option that should be seriously considered, even if it might not seem obvious at first glance.
A Deep Creative Crisis for the Vatreni
At first glance, casual football fans might assume Croatia plays “champagne football,” but in reality, the team plays a classic Italian-style catenaccio (bunker), relying on whatever happens in attack. In recent years, Croatia has fallen into a deep creative crisis in midfield, marked by catastrophically slow, uninspired, and ineffective ball distribution. Croatian midfielders struggle to impose the rhythm of the game or provide quality vertical passes, and rarely succeed in creating numerical superiority through duels. The strategy largely boils down to sending the ball to the wings and hoping for individual brilliance.
This crisis is a result of aging key players (Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić), the departure of midfield pillars (Ivan Rakitić, Marcelo Brozović), the inability of new hopefuls to show their skills for various reasons (Lovro Majer, Mario Pašalić), and the phenomenon of Mateo Kovačić, who has played below his usual level for the national team in about 90% of his appearances. In such circumstances, it is clear something new must be done. Krovinović is that hidden gem who could revive the Vatreni.
Why Krovinović Hasn’t Become a National Team Regular
It’s important to note that Krovinović played for Croatia at youth levels and was among the best. He represented the U19 team in 2013 and the U21 team from 2014 to 2016. The reasons he never got a chance with the senior team are multiple but can be summarized in four main points:
- He was not part of the player circle managed by Zdravko Mamić;
- A serious knee injury he suffered while playing for Benfica in January 2018;
- Stiff competition in the national team midfield;
- Playing for a “small club” like Hajduk, which, in the eyes of coach Zlatko Dalić, is not considered strong enough.
The Almost-Dinamo Player
Though born in Zagreb, Krovinović was never really part of Dinamo’s project. He passed through the youth academies of Dinamo and Lokomotiva but got his real development opportunity only at NK Zagreb. At that time, Zdravko Mamić did not see him as a future star to cash in on—a technically talented player but, in his opinion, lacking the physical dominance needed for Dinamo’s ambitions back then. Still, in 2015, Krovinović was recognized when his brilliant performances earned him a transfer to Rio Ave, which proved to be a very wise move.
Krovinović in Benfica
Renaissance on the Iberian Peninsula
Over the next two seasons in the Portuguese club, he had to fight hard for his place in the team. This challenge spurred his football development. While playing and training at Rio Ave, Krovinović significantly improved his technical and tactical skills, refining his craft to fit the fast and technically refined football played in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. Credit must be given to the Portuguese coaches.
After impressive performances at Rio Ave, Krovinović signed a five-year contract with Benfica in summer 2017. During the 2017/18 season, he was part of the starting eleven until an unfortunate injury sidelined him after 19 appearances. That injury prevented him from being called up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where there was a realistic chance for the then 23-year-old midfielder to be part of the squad. A long and painful recovery followed. In the next season, he made only 12 appearances but managed to win the Portuguese league title in 2019. Subsequent loans helped him regain form.
Tactical Refinement in England
Krovinović spent two seasons at West Bromwich Albion from summer 2019 until the end of 2020. Under coach Slaven Bilić, he performed very well. In his first season, the club played in the Championship—the second tier of English football—but secured second place and promotion to the Premier League. The following season, WBA finished 19th and was relegated again. Krovinović made 51 appearances in two seasons, scoring three goals and providing several assists. In the latter half of the 2020–21 season, he was recalled from WBA and loaned to Nottingham Forest, where he made 19 appearances and scored once. His time in England hardened him in duels and improved his tactical discipline.
Krovinović in WBA
A Pillar of Stability in Hajduk’s Midfield
In summer 2021, Hajduk paid Benfica a transfer fee of 1.5 million euros to bring in the talented midfielder as a major signing under the ambitious club president Lukša Jakobušić. At Hajduk, Krovinović has shown long-lasting stability and reliability on the pitch. He was consistently solid despite frequent coaching changes. Despite playing in various midfield roles—defensive, central, and attacking—the fact remains that Hajduk’s midfield falters without him.
Known as the “good spirit Krova,” he is the most important and best player in Hajduk’s midfield alongside Marko Livaja. Thanks to him, Hajduk has made a significant leap forward, winning two Croatian Cups (2022 and 2023) and competing for the league title until the last rounds in recent seasons. This season, under coach Gonzalo Garcia, Krovinović is playing brilliantly.
Krovinović Should Play as a Number 8 or 10, Not a 6
It’s true that his performances haven’t always been dazzling, but the problem lies with coaches like Gennaro Gattuso, who often deployed him as a defensive midfielder. Although Krovinović is a “box-to-box” player with a wide range from his own box to the opponent’s, he is primarily a playmaker—not a destroyer. He resembles players like Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne. Therefore, he should play as a central midfielder (8) or attacking midfielder (10).
There’s no doubt that playing as a defensive midfielder (6) doesn’t suit him, as he lacks the strong physical constitution needed for that role, but he possesses attacking talent that can only shine if he is freed from many defensive duties. Krovinović needs one or two defensive midfielders behind him to cover while he focuses on distributing the ball forward. In the national team, players like Kovačić, Moro, Jakić, or Petar Sučić could fulfill that protective role.
Krovinović plays fantastic for Hajduk
Why Krovinović Is the Right Solution for the Vatreni
Due to fierce competition in midfield (Modrić, Kovačić, Brozović, etc.), Krovinović realistically had no chance until around 2021. However, with the weakening and departures of the senior players, the door has opened for him, alongside his excellent performances at Hajduk. By 2025, the national team desperately lacks imagination and creative moves that would excite the fans and bring results.
It seems Krovinović, a football wizard and connoisseur, can provide that. Not only can he deliver safe passes to the nearest teammate, but he can also send quality vertical balls that could disrupt the opponent’s defense. Through duels and dribbling, he’s capable of creating numerical advantages in play. His shorter stature, agility, and technique are assets that can help him overcome opposing defensive midfielders or center-backs in duels.
Dalić Is Mistaken Not Calling Up Krovinović
Unfortunately, Krovinović remains an undiscovered and underutilized talent for the Vatreni. Dalić doesn’t call him up because he plays for Hajduk, which, in his view, isn’t a strong enough club for the national team. Although Hajduk hasn’t achieved major results in the past 20 years, Krovinović’s individual quality justifies giving him a chance. This is comparable to other players who didn’t play for big clubs but were regulars for respected national teams. For example, Jamie Vardy played for “small” Leicester City but was a regular for England from 2015 to 2018. Similarly, Antonio Di Natale spent his entire career at Udinese and was a regular in the Italian national team from 2002 to 2012.
Krovinović — The New Modrić?
Popularly known as Krova, he will turn 30 on August 29 and could still play for the national team through the next three cycles, potentially featuring at the 2026 and 2030 World Cups as well as the 2028 European Championship. Dalić should recognize the quality of Hajduk’s virtuoso and give him a chance.
It would be a sin not to give Krovinović a shot, first off the bench and later as a starter. It’s a great loss not to use the potential of a creative midfielder of whom there are few. His vision, spatial awareness, and precise passing could add a new dimension to Croatia’s game. If given trust, Filip Krovinović could become the new Luka Modrić. Only football blind spots could fail to see it.
