Slaven Bilić is facing new problems ahead of his return to the helm of the Croatian national team. After Josip Juranović withdrew earlier, Martin Erlić has now also withdrawn, the defender from Midtjylland.
Erlić missed Saturday's league match due to a heel injury, and as reported, he will not join the national team for the upcoming Nations League matches. This is a player who has previously suffered various injuries, further complicating the coach's plans in defence.
Bilić has called up only seven defenders for this campaign, not counting Ivan Perišić, who is expected to play at left-back. As a result, the solution must be sought among players on the pre-call list. Only Marin Pongračić is on the pre-call list, which places him as the logical choice, with his arrival in Rijeka expected on Monday.
The coach recently spoke positively about Duje Ćaleta-Car, who has since played for Sassuolo, but he is not on the reserve list. The updated list of the Croatian national team is valid for four matches in the League of Nations.
The squad includes Dominik Livaković (Barcelona), Dominik Kotarski (Dinamo) and Ivor Pandur (Rangers) in goal. In defence are Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City), Josip Šutalo (Lazio), Luka Vušković (Brighton), Ivan Smolić (Como) and Josip Stanišić (Bayern).
The midfield is composed of Luka Modrić (Milan), Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (Torino), Petar Sučić (Inter), Luka Sučić (Real Sociedad), Josip Mišić (Dinamo), Martin Baturin (Como) and Lovro Majer (AEK).
In attack are Ivan Perišić (PSV), Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Igor Matanović (Freiburg), Franjo Ivanović (Lens), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo), Marko Pašalić (Orlando City) and Petar Musa (Dallas FC).
On the pre-call list are Karlo Ljutić (Lucerne), Marin Pongračić (Fiorentina), Kristian Jakić (Augsburg), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Frk (Rijeka) and Luka Stojković (Dinamo).
