Kovačić started off as an attacking midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb, but he transformed his game at Inter where he was deployed out wide and also as a central midfielder, functioning as a deep-lying playmaker, while being coached by Andrea Stramaccioni. One of his trademarks is dropping deep to receive the ball and then driving forward, often performing his slalom runs. Under Walter Mazzarri, Kovačić was often used in a more advanced position. Former manager Giovanni Trapattoni once claimed that Kovačić knows how to reach the ball from deep and drive up the pitch like a "raging bull". Proven by his pass completion percentages, Kovačić is known for distributing the ball up the pitch. Kovačić's style of play is characterised by exceptional ball retention and counter-pressing abilities. He combines powerful brute force with nifty changes of pace, which allows him to expertly manoeuvre through tight spaces. He lies in the 97th percentile for players dribbled past per 90 minutes, preferring to charge beyond defenders to create chances from advanced positions. Kovačić is highly proficient at what is known as "press resistance", the capacity to get out of trouble when under pressure from one or more opposition players, often via a dribble or clever pass around the corner.

From English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA