Four Players Ruled Out of Croatia’s U.S. Tour

Croatia assemble in the U.S. on Monday (Photo: HNS)

The Croatia football team will assemble in the United States on Monday ahead of two friendlies in the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Today coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed that four players named in the initial squad would not be travelling to America.

Ruled out with a foot injury is Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren, Matej Mitrović is out with an injury also while Ivan Santini and Marin Leovac have been left out.

Lovren ruled out (photo credit: HNS)

Croatia faces Peru on 23 March 2018 in Miami, before meeting old foes Mexico in Dallas four days later on 27 March 2018.

“I wanted World Cup sides (to prepare against) and I will give everyone a chance. The seven days will be used for communication, mixing together and getting closer as a squad. We can not expect that there will be some top class performance, but we definitely must show on what path we are on. Peru and Mexico will give us the real picture,” Dalic said.

Coach Zlatko Dalic (Photo: HNS)

Final Squad for U.S. Tour:

Goalies: Danijel Subašić (Monaco), Lovre Kalinić (Gent), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo Zagreb)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moskva), Zoran Nižić (Hajduk), Josip Pivarić (Dynamo Kijev), Ivan Strinić (Sampdoria), Šime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid), Marko Rog (Napoli), Mario Pašalić (Spartak Moskva), Filip Bradarić (Rijeka), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)

Strikers: Ivan Perišić (Inter), Ante Rebić (Eintracht), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Mario Mandžukić (Juventus), Duje Čop (Standard Liege), Nikola Kalinić (Milan)