Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has been named to Croatia's 25-man squad for the 2016 European Championship qualifier against Norway, set to take place in Zagreb on March 28.
Croatia coach Niko Kovac expressed his delight at the inclusion of Modric and Wolfsburg forward Ivan Perisic, both of whom have recently recovered from injuries.
"I hope that they will stay in good health so we can face Norway with the strongest team," said Kovac.
Croatia currently sits atop Group H, tied with Italy on 10 points after four matches. Norway is in third place with nine points, followed by Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, and Malta.
According to Kovac, "In qualifiers played so far, Norway showed they deserve a maximum respect. They are a high-quality, tough team, against whom one has to play at the top level."
"We know what the stakes are for both squads in the match, and we’re looking forward to that challenge," he added.
Croatia Squad: ¶
Goalkeepers:
- Danijel Subasic (Monaco/FRA)
- Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split)
- Ivan Vargic (Rijeka)
Defenders:
- Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR)
- Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow/RUS)
- Danijel Pranjic (Panathinaikos/GRE)
- Dejan Lovren (Liverpool/ENG)
- Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev/UKR)
- Gordon Schildenfeld (Panathinaikos/GRE)
- Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo/ITA)
- Ivan Tomecak (Rijeka)
- Marin Leovac (Rijeka)
Midfielders:
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid/ESP)
- Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona/ESP)
- Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan/ITA)
- Milan Badelj (Fiorentina/ITA)
- Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan/ITA)
- Alen Halilovic (Barcelona B/ESP)
Forwards:
- Ivica Olic (Hamburger SV/GER)
- Mario Mandzukic (Atletico Madrid/ESP)
- Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg/GER)
- Ante Rebic (RB Leipzig/GER)
- Andrej Kramaric (Leicester/ENG)
- Anas Sharbini (Rijeka)
- Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb)
