Borna Barisic did a fine job against Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale as he took his Scottish Premiership form into Euro 2020 qualifying.
An £86 million Real Madrid superstar paid the ultimate compliment to Borna Barisic on Sunday night during a Euro 2020 qualifier between Wales and Croatia.
Midway through the first half, after failing to get even an ounce of change out of Rangers’ number three, Gareth Bale gave up his role on the right-hand flank in an attempt to force his way through the Croatia’s defence in a more central role.
Because Barisic, lining up on the left of Zlatko Dalic’s backline, threatened to mark Bale out of the game with a display full of diligence and tenacity.
The former Osijek flyer did step over the line at times, slamming into Daniel James early on with the Manchester United winger somehow avoiding a serious injury, but he deserves plenty of credit for his role in a creditable 1-1 draw which keeps the fate of Group E in Croatian hands.
It was telling that Bale enjoyed far more success when he floated away from the right wing in order to wreak havoc in a free role instead. His well-taken equaliser came down the opposite flank and he even swapped wings permanently with James in the second half.
After a debut season ruined by injuries and a dramatic loss of form, Barisic is starting to shine on a consistent basis at Rangers and Steven Gerrard will be thrilled to see him pass a daunting test with flying colours against arguably the most fearsome attacking force in British football.
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