HSV legend full of praise: Will Vuskovic go to the World Cup? | OneFootball

Luka Vuskovic spent the most recent international break with the Croatian senior national team. Despite his young age, a World Cup appearance is becoming increasingly realistic.

The central defender made his international debut this summer in a 5-1 victory over the Czech Republic. In addition, he serves as captain of the U21 team, which is currently coached by Ivica Olic, who is still held in the highest regard in Hamburg. The striker played 143 competitive matches—more than for any other club—in an HSV jersey, contributing 71 scorer points and is especially remembered for his passionate playing style.

Before his second stint in the Hanseatic city, Olic was active at VfL Wolfsburg. According to Bild information, he will not miss the clash between his former clubs. The now 46-year-old’s main focus will be on Vuskovic, whose personality he greatly admires: “Luka is a down-to-earth boy who is very mature for his age both on and off the pitch.”

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Vuskovic with a Realistic World Cup Chance

Olic, who worked as assistant coach of the senior team for seven years, continued: “He lives and loves football. You can feel it in every training session, in every game. He always gives 100 percent everywhere.” In addition to his attitude, Vuskovic, at 18, also impresses with outstanding athletic abilities, such as tremendous strength in duels both on the ground and in the air, good playmaking skills, and an exceptional goal threat for a central defender.

Croatian national coach Zlatko Dalic has his eye on this great talent and will invite him again for the final World Cup qualifying matches. “If Luka continues to perform well for HSV and his country and stays healthy, I am convinced he will be at the World Cup,” Olic said optimistically. He also had only praise for his protégé’s career planning: “He was carefully developed, loaned out to Poland and Belgium. And the loan from Tottenham to my former club also makes a lot of sense.”

Photo: IMAGO

After spells at Hajduk Split, Radomiak Radom, and Westerlo, Vuskovic is proving himself for the first time in a leading European league and has impressed for long stretches. “That’s how you develop talent. But it’s important that he continues to play well,” Olic emphasized. In the 2-1 defeat in Leipzig, the central defender made one of his few lapses in concentration, losing sight of goalscorer Christoph Baumgartner before the first goal conceded. He does not want to make a similar mistake in front of Olic.

Photo: Getty Images

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.