The 2018 World Cup has concluded and Italy fans like Giancarlo Rinaldi found it an oddly empty experience watching from the outside.
The family group chat buzzed only occasionally. We set it up to share our thoughts during the last European Nations and kept it alive for the joy and desperation that only following the Azzurri can provide. Throughout the World Cup in Russia, however, it sat as an all-too-often-silent reminder of Italy's failure to qualify for the first time in a generation or two.
Croatia dominated the World Cup Final for long periods, with Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic on target, but France won the trophy 4-2.
This was the first ever Final for Croatia, while Les Bleus hadn’t been here since losing to Italy in 2006 and star striker Kylian Mbappé was born the same year as their last victory in 1998.
Perisic shook off a thigh injury to start with Inter teammate Marcelo Brozovic, Juve’s Mandzukic and Milan full-back Ivan Strinic. Blaise Matuidi of Juve again played in a more advanced role.
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Borussia Dortmund saw their offer for Mario Mandzukic rejected outright by Juventus, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The report of their interest in the striker first emerged in German media with Focus.
However, the Bianconeri never even took it into consideration and assured Mandzukic is not for sale.
He has had a very impressive World Cup, helping his country reach the Final against France.
This also earned interest from the likes of Manchester United.
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Marco Materazzi praised Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic, as he believes Croatia “have something of Italy in 2006” ahead of the World Cup Final against France.
The most famous moment in Matrix’s career saw him being headbutted in the chest by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup Final.
Until today, that was also the last time Les Bleus had been in a World Cup Final.
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Ivan Perisic is passed fit to start for Croatia in the World Cup Final against Blaise Matuidi’s France.
The trophy is decided at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 16.00 UK time (15.00 GMT).
France sailed through relatively untroubled to the Final and are the favourites, even if it is their first World Cup Final since losing to Italy on penalties in 2006.
Kylian Mbappé is the star name to watch in attack with Antoine Griezmann and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi in a more advanced role.
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Tuttosport reports that Atletico Madrid are ready to step up efforts to sign Nikola Kalinic from Milan.
The Croatian forward has endured a difficult year, falling out with Rossoneri Coach Rino Gattuso before being sent home from Croatia’s World Cup squad for refusing to come on as a substitute.
He appears set to leave the San Siro, with Atletico poised to offer him the chance of a fresh start in La Liga.
And in the coming days, it is expected that the Rojiblancos will push to reach an agreement for the signing of the 30-year-old forward.
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Luka Modric heaps praise on Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic ahead of today’s World Cup final.
Modric and Mandzukic will be aiming to win Croatia their first ever international honours when they take on favourites France in Moscow this afternoon.
And speaking ahead of world football’s showpiece event, the Real Madrid man summed up the importance of the Old Lady forward to his national side.
“He is very important for us because of his character and desire to fight,” Modric commented.
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Stefan Effenberg claims Mario Mandzukic is “one of the three best strikers in the world and would be worth €200m if he was younger.”
The 32-year-old Juventus forward has been instrumental in getting Croatia to their first ever World Cup Final, where they face France tomorrow in Moscow.
He has scored two goals and provided one assist, as well as putting in battling performances all over the field.
“I never understood why Bayern Munich sold him,” wrote ex-German international Effenberg on T-Online.
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Inter winger Ivan Perisic is racing against time to be fit for tomorrow’s World Cup Final, as Croatia take on France.
Perisic was a key figure in reaching their first ever Final, as he scored one and assisted Mario Mandzukic in the 2-1 semi-final victory over England.
He also picked up an injury to his thigh in that match and although tests showed no serious damage, there is precious little time to recover.
Croatia had another training session today and Perisic did not take part.
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Manchester United are trying again for Ivan Perisic, but Inter rejected the offers last year and are in a stronger position now.
The winger had been the subject of an attempted swoop last summer and Jose Mourinho was fulsome in his praise of Perisic after Croatia reached the World Cup Final, where they’ll face France tomorrow.
English newspapers claim that Manchester United are in “advanced talks” for the 29-year-old.
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