Croatia v Jordan: Domagoj Vida to captain Croatia for the first time
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia will play Jordan for the first time in an international friendly on Monday at Rujevica stadium in Rijeka.
Coach Zlatko Dalić told a press conference on Sunday that he will use the match to give players who are expected to feature in the future a chance.
The match comes just three days after the 0-0 draw against England in the Nations League and a number of players have been rested. Dalić has released captain Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić and Ivan Rakitić back to their clubs whilst Mateo Kovačić has been ruled out with an injury.
“The match will be good to give those who have not had much game time a chance so we can see how they go. The plan is to try Bartolec at right-back and Milić at left-back,” Dalić said, before adding.
“We have 18 players for this match and I hope to give everyone a chance. I expect a nice atmosphere, unlike against England, and a victory,” Dalić said before naming his starting line-up bar any injuries in the training session tonight.
The starting XI is:
Livaković – Bartolec, Vida, Lovren, Milić – Badelj, Pašalić, Rog – Kramarić, Pjaca, Rebić
Dalić said that in the second half he will try Jedvaj and Mitrović at center-back, Bradarić in Badelj’s defensive midfield position and Livaja and Santini up front.
Dalić said that they will be taking the match very seriously as Croatia needs to protect its image and confirmed that Domagoj Vida will wear the captain’s armband for the first time.
“It is a big honour and satisfying. Thanks to the coach for giving me the opportunity, it will be an added motive. I am glad that the crowd ban is behind us and I hope tomorrow for a full stadium again after coming second at the World Cup. I hope we can defeat Jordan and the crowd enjoys themselves,” Vida said.
The match kicks off at 8:45 pm local time on Monday.