Croatian international Marko Pjaca suffers second serious injury

9 March 2019 – Croatian international Marko Pjaca will miss the rest of the season after suffering an injury in training on Friday.

Pjaca injured his left knee whilst training with Fiorentina, where he is currently on loan from Juventus. After a scan today, it was revealed that the attacker has ruptured the ligament in his left knee. 

He will undergo surgery and faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines in rehabilitation.  

This is the second major injury in the last two years for the former Dinamo Zagreb star. Pjaca tore his anterior cruciate ligament back in March 2017 whilst playing for Croatia against Estonia and was out for over 6 months after having surgery.

The Croatian football federation said on Saturday that the national team doctors are in contact with medical staff at Fiorentina and Juventus. 

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić has already been in contact with Pjaca. 

“I’m extremely sorry for this news, it really is bad luck and unfortunate primarily for him and then for the national team. I encouraged him, wished him a successful operation and then maximum recovery, with the deep faith that we would see him again in the Croatian national team shirt. Marko has character, strength, and patience, and we will be with him throughout his recovery,” said Dalić. 

Pjaca was named in Croatia’s squad to face Azerbaijan and Hungary in EURO 2020 qualifiers this month. His place is likely to be taken by Dinamo Zagreb striker Bruno Petković who scored against Benfica during the week.

All of us support you, @marko_pjaca20! ❤️#Croatia international suffers a serious left-knee ACL injury and awaits surgery followed by a lenghty recovery. We wish you all the best, and look forward to seeing you again in the most beautiful jersey. 💪🇭🇷#BeProud #Family #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/oARkwmdNUb

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) March 9, 2019