Croatia squad list for March friendlies

Croatia national football team will host Israel on 23 March in Osijek, and then visit Hungary on 26 March in Budapest.

Head coach Čačić called up 20 players for these matches.

#Croatia head coach Ante Čačić presents the squad list for @ISRAELFA and @MLSZhivatalos March friendlies. #BeProud pic.twitter.com/sibWD9nabv

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) March 7, 2016

"We would like to gather all the possible information for the UEFA EURO, that is why I've called up only 17 players and three goalkeepers, in order to allow them maximum minutes on the pitch. We want to win, and all the players standard in their clubs have the opportunity to see France", explained Čačić.

"Croatia has no reason for avoiding to start every single match very strongly. Our players have been recognized in the world of football, they play regularly and are in good form", he added.

Ivica Olić, veteran striker form German side HSV, retired from international duty, but is invited to captain the national team against Israel in Osijek.

"There are not enough words for his contribution to Croatia. We want to give him an opportunity to hear the fans' applause. Undoubtedly, these are difficult moments for him, I know what kind of passion he invested in his appearances for Croatia", concluded Čačić.

Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Hajduk), Ivan Vargić (Rijeka)

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Gordon Schildenfeld (Dinamo), Šime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Ivan Perišić (Inter), Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Alen Halilović (Sporting Gijon), Domagoj Antolić (Dinamo)

Strikers: Mario Mandžukić (Juventus), Nikola Kalinić (Fiorentina), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo)

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