Philipp Lahm: Ilkay Gündogan can become the heart of Barcelona

Gündogan and Modric maintain the balance between defence and offence. They are specialists in managing risk on the pitch. That creates stability, security and control

HEARTBEAT: Ilkay Gundogan lifts the FA Cup. Pic: PA

I watched the Nations League with interest. This mini-European Championship was a foretaste of Euro 2024. The emotional highlight for me was Croatia’s victory against the hosts, the Netherlands, in the semi-finals. The stadium was sold out, the Dutch had been unbeaten at De Kuip for 23 years but after extra time 20,000 Croats celebrated in Rotterdam.

Not even 4 million people live in this country, yet Croatia have been to the World Cup semi-finals twice recently.