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CM EXCLUSIVE: Juve back for the 'Croatian Pirlo'
Since last summer, Hajduk 19-year-old Andrija Balic has been admired by many European top clubs.
Born a few kilometers from Split from a professional footballer, the young Balic has started to play as a goalkeeper, just like his father, but later he has become a ductile midfielder.
Andrija’s mentor has been Stanko Poklevopic, who had previously coached his father too, and who made him start in Hajduk’s first team one year ago.
Balic can play as both an attacking midfielder and a defensive playmaker, just like his idol Andrea Pirlo, and has quickly become very popular for the Dalmatian team’s fans.
Last summer, the youngster was about to join Juventus, who offered €3,5 million to the Croatian club, but the latter has asked for more. The bianconeri are still interested in the player, but will have to face the competition of AS Roma, Atletico Madrid and Udinese.
M.G.
