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Kalinic keys Croatian victory, provides hope to Milan faithful

Kalinic keys Croatian victory, provides hope to Milan faithful

  • Matthew Klimberg
With only three goals for his club this season, AC Milan fans were certainly surprised to hear Luka Modric heap praise on Nikola Kalinic following Croatia’s drubbing of Greece last night. 

Kalinic, who stood in for the injured Mario Mandzukic, won a penalty for Croatia’s opening goal scored by the captain, Modric, and netted the second to give the home side a 2-0 lead at Maksimir Stadium. 

Such a performance is what Milan executive, and fans, expected to see on a weekly basis when he was brought to the San Siro this past summer for €20 million. However, after only two goals against Udinese and one against Chievo Verona, Kalinic appears to be a goalscorer who cannot score; akin to a bird that cannot fly.

The performance in the first leg of the international playoff should provide some hope for the Rossoneri faithful. Kalinic is certainly capable of scoring goals – as proven during his time in Florence – and hopefully a performance like last night will help unlock his potential.