The rise of Liverpool target Ivan Perisic

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  • Ivan Perisic netted a superb winner against Spain.

    With Ivan Perisic fast becoming one of the brightest stars at Euro 2016, it is very important to mention the man who made that possible.

    Ivica Olic retired this year at the age of 36, but his influence on the Croatian team is still huge. The striker has always been the ultimate symbol of dedication and hard work – that was his credo. It is only after Perisic moved to Wolfsburg in January 2013 and started training and playing alongside him that he understood what it takes to develop into a real star.

    “I heard a lot about Olic’s commitment before, but only after I had seen him in action did I realise how much harder I had to work and change my habits in order to be even close to him. He became my role model and broadened my horizons at a crucial stage of my career, helping me to choose the right path”, Perisic said two years ago, before the World Cup in Brazil.

    That is not an exaggeration. Perisic was once seen as a hugely inconsistent player, who could be brilliant one day and completely disappear in the next game. He didn’t like helping out in defence, struggled to understand his real status in the team and could easily lose concentration when it mattered most. The talent was clear for all to see, but the attitude threatened to ruin the promising career, never more so than at Borussia Dortmund.

    Jurgen Klopp noticed the young Croat when he starred at Club Brugge and his scouts followed Perisic for two years before the club decided to purchase him in the summer of 2011. It was little wonder they were excited – Perisic was voted Player of the Year in Belgium after scoring 22 goals and setting up countless chances for his team-mates. However, as he arrived at the Bundesliga champions, it was obvious that he couldn’t immediately get a regular place in the starting line-up. Klopp liked Perisic’s versatility, as the new star could easily play in the middle and on both wings, and saw him as an important part in the rotation.

    Perisic wanted more. He scored a phenomenal equaliser against Arsenal after coming on as a substitute for his Champions League debut, and thought that the magical moment would turn him into a superstar. However, as Dortmund won the double in 2011-12, Perisic only started eight Bundesliga games, and the Croat’s patience ended when the situation didn’t change the following season.

    “It feels like the coach has something against me”, the youngster said in one interview, though Klopp replied: “It would have been better if he kept his mouth shut – nobody wins a place in the starting line-up by talking.” A couple of months later, Perisic was sold to Wolfsburg. Dortmund’s management might have rated him as a footballer, but didn’t want to risk ruining the dressing-room harmony.

    It looked like a step down for the Croat at the time, but meeting Olic and working under Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking proved to be a true blessing. Not only did Hecking use Perisic in the starting line-up, he also decided to play him only on the wings, which helped the player to further improve his best qualities. Gradually, he came of age. Croatia fans didn’t rate him highly during the World Cup qualifiers, but the perception changed dramatically during the tournament itself. Perisic was the star of the show in the 4-0 win over Cameroon, assisting Olic and scoring a superb goal himself. He netted in the 3-1 defeat to Mexico as well and was highly praised even though Croatia were eliminated at the group stage.

    It was during that time that he made peace with Hajduk Split fans as well. People in his homeland blamed Perisic for running out of the club in 2006 to sign for Sochaux. Little did they know that it was not his decision but his father’s. In 2014, Ante Perisic admitted in an interview to Jutarnji that he chose to send his family to France in order to sort out the dreadful financial situation at his chicken farm. The 17-year-old Ivan actually wanted to stay, but his wishes were not taken into account.
    In retrospect, Perisic Sr might have put his son’s career in serious danger. Sochaux changed coaches shortly after Ivan had arrived, and the new prodigy was swiftly discarded. He never played for the French outfit, and was eventually loaned out to tiny Belgian club Roeselare whom he helped to avoid relegation. That was a very lucky break, because he was noticed by Brugge scouts and signed in 2009 – albeit against coach Adrie Koster’s initial wishes.

    The rest is history. Perisic flourished, and Klopp was impressed. In fact, he still is. Perisic had a magnificent spell at Wolfsburg, and was especially instrumental when the Wolves defeated Dortmund 3-1 in the German Cup final in May 2015, which happened to be Klopp’s last game at the club. Three months later, the Croat was sold to Inter Milan, and continued to excel. Perisic was one of the most consistent players in a very inconsistent season for the Nerazzurri, and it came as no surprise when Liverpool showed interest.

    Klopp would never hold a grudge against Perisic, even though they had their difficulties in the past. Even more importantly, he knows that the Croat’s mentality has changed in a very dramatic fashion. Perisic behaves like Olic now – dedicated, hard working, ever willing to play in defence when needed. He is ready for the task at Anfield under his former coach. Egocentric no more, he is now a true team player, and has proved that at Euro 2016 more than ever.

    Perisic made some headlines even before the tournament started with his unusual haircut, sporting a map of Croatia on his head:

    He has made a much more important contribution on the field. The winger was the best player in the win over Turkey, scored in the 2-2 draw versus Czech Republic, and performed even better against Spain, leading the team throughout, as well as producing a sublime assist to Nikola Kalinic and scoring the late winner. The sky is the limit for him now, as the Croats take on Portugal in a very tasty game on Saturday.

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