Several new names
Head coach Dalić presents Croatia squad for September matches
20.08.2018.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalić has selected 25 players for the upcoming Portugal and Spain encounters. The World Cup runners-up are led by team captain Luka Modrić and vice-captain Ivan Rakitić, alongside several new names.
At Algarve Stadium in Faro, World Cup silver medallists Croatia will face European champions Portugal on 6 September. On 11 September in Elche, Croatia visits Spain in its UEFA Nations League debut.
Head coach Dalić has selected 25 players - without Danijel Subašić, Mario Mandžukić, and Vedran Ćorluka, the trio that decided to retire from international duty. Karlo Letica, Borna Barišić, Antonio Milić, Matej Mitrović, Ivan Santini, Marko Livaja, Marko Rog, and Mario Pašalić have all missed the World Cup, but now receive their call-ups.
"As agreed with the Croatia U-21 head coach Nenad Gračan, I have not called up Josip Brekalo, Borna Sosa, and Duje Ćaleta-Car, but we watch them closely and count on them in the near future. However, this time they are needed in Croatia U-21, trying to reach the European Championship final tournament. That would be a major success for a talented generation", explained Dalić.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
"Besides the players who have retired from international duty, there is no Ivan Strinić, and we all wish him a speedy and full recovery. We have to monitor Lovren and Kramarić injuries, and I hope there will be no other medical issues. Croatia expects two great challenges, against top opponents, and we want to continue to represent Croatia just like we did in Russia. With bravery, effort, and quality", concluded Dalić.
Croatia national team meets on 3 September in Portugal, and travels to Elche on 9 September.
Croatia squad for Portugal and Spain encounters:
Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić, Dominik Livaković, Karlo Letica
Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Šime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivarić, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrović, Borna Barišić, Antonio Milić
Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mateo Kovačić, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozović, Marko Rog, Mario Pašalić, Filip Bradarić
Forwards: Ivan Perišić, Andrej Kramarić, Ante Rebić, Marko Pjaca, Ivan Santini, Marko Livaja
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