Santander (EFE).- The bad relationship with Racing Santander’s goal was left behind when they brought an unknown Croatian striker to the Christmas market who has become the team’s can-opener.
Roko Baturina has scored four goals, the last one this Friday in the triumph that meant half a stay against Ibiza, in twelve games that he has been playing in LaLiga Smartbank.
His four goals were always the first for the team, which won three of the games 1-0 (Málaga, Granada and Ibiza) and the other 4-1 against Albacete.
But Baturina gives much more than goals. He has distributed three assists and has caused a penalty after his arrival in January from the Hungarian Ferencvàros on loan with a purchase option.
Being 1.87 meters tall and his bulk also make him a very useful player to lower the ball, hold it and wait for the arrival of his teammates in the second line.
It also brings incessant work. In fact, he hasn’t finished any game yet because fatigue usually takes its toll on him in the second half.
goals in Europe
At 22 years old, this player, international with Croatia in lower categories, already knows what it is to score in the Champions League qualifier, with two goals in four games.
He played for the Slovenian Maribor and for Lech Poznan, in Poland, as well as for the Dinamo Zagreb subsidiary and as a racinguista he will wear the number 11.
In his presentation, Baturina acknowledged that the interest from the Santander club “was a bit of a surprise” and in just four months he has gone from being a complete stranger to the Racing fans to having El Sardinero chant his name every game.
In the press conference after the game this Friday against Ibiza, the racinguista coach, José Alberto López, stressed that the contribution of the Croatian striker “is evident”.
“He is doing things very well. We signed a striker due to the deficit of the others”, José Alberto explained about Baturina, who already has the same goals as his three teammates (Sekou, Matheus and Cedric) together.
In José Alberto’s opinion, four goals are “important figures” because he has reached half a season in a foreign league.
“His adaptation has been excellent and very fast. He understands practically all Spanish and already dares to speak it, ”she pointed out.
By Pablo G. Hermida