The Euro 2024 deadline for managers to name their final 26-man squad list for Euro 2024 is June7th. “The maximum squad size of the teams was increased from the original quota of 23 to 26 players. Teams must provide the list containing a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26 by the deadline of 7 June.”
Dalić named a preliminary 26-man squad Monday with 9 alternates. No real surprises minus one- Mislav Oršić. The left wing position is still up in the air with the true fitness level of Ivan Perišić unknown. Dalić must seem confident that the left wing trident of Perišić, Ivanušec, Pjaca will get the job done. But why not call Oršić up with him returning off the bench for Trabzonspor in Turkey this season after knee surgery in the Fall?
It’s an odd move, especially with Nikola Vlašić expected to miss Euro due to a muscle tear he suffered 2 weeks ago in his thigh.
No one ever talks about Mauro Perkovic and he’s had a wonderful year at Dinamo and is only 21. I see lots of solid potential there. Anyone else?
Definitely an option to keep an eye on, left footed and can play CB/LB which can help very much based on depth he can provide at LB as well as he’s ability to play CB.
Should definitely be within the squad (as many other within different positions) and fill the LB role after this euros.
Would it be wonderful if we could talk about Luka at the World Cup as our Croatian Roger Miller
That would be a great episode in Croatias World Cup story
Roger Milla is the oldest ever scorer in a World Cup at age 38.
Modric could grab that honor if he plays in 2026.
Milla was oldest ever to score at a World Cup, when he scored 4 goals at Italia 90, aged 38. But he also played, and scored, for Cameroon at USA 94, aged 42.
It’s a shame that they didn’t bring Musa . I say this because old men will not win this cup . Young men will. Any young man with skill and in form should be given the opportunity. I don’t think he ever had a chance at Benifca . Never had enough time . He starting to find form in Dallas . Might not be a starter yet but is good sub he has contributed in Dallas .Our guys have skill . We can’t be giving up on our people so easy . we need to give them opportunities to develop. I don’t think we’ve done that .
I agree. Musa is starting to find his legs in the MLS and I think young legs are always necessary.
Unpopular take: I think Luka should retire post Euro. I know there is talk again now about him going to WC 2026. I think that’s a very risky bet. While an all-timer, we are eventually going to enter a stage where he’s not all world Luka. Is Dalic going to bench him when that is the case? What does that mean for young guys like Baturina and Sucic who then will be entering their primes? Does their growth stall because Luka still thinks he can ball at 40+? I love Luka like the next diaspora but would rather he call it a international career post Euro and we turn the page and see what we have with these young guys.
I agree with this. We all love Luka and know that he is the best to ever represent the repka. It’s sad but his time is here to move on. It’s really what I think is best for the group as a whole. Need to give the younger guys exposure so they can continue to carry the torch that Luka and so many others have lit proudly over the years
Solution: Luka off the bench in 2026
He can play a similar role for us as he does for Real. He doesn’t seem to be stifling anyone’s growth over at Real in his current role.
I agree.
As long as luka goes and doesn’t demand starter mins. Which I think he will be
He’s taken his role at Madrid well
Of course he wants to play but he does want the young guys to grow and team to do well
Luka seems like a good father and he understands the role of how life goes and the next ones come in
To have him give incredible insights to the young guys during the game from the bench even is like a special weapon if you ask me
A player/coach type but more coach
I bet dalic would want to stay as well
Good or bad I don’t know
Yes, but Luka is a (important) cog in the machine at RM. For the repka, he’s “the man”. If he would be willing to take a step back and become what one guy said well i.e. a special weapon type, more coach vs. player, I’d take that
The solution is for Croatia to win these Euros so Luka can bow out on high
Amen
I drink to that
Yes!!!
Re: “marketability” and the like (and importance v-a-v selection)
See latest HNS e-mail for new Euro 2024 merch
Croatian language – pic of Modric
English language – pic of Marco Pasalic
God willing he’s given his change to shine these Euros
Transfermarkt is a joke. They just re valued Austrian bundesliga and put sucic down to $15M. I bet he will go for $25M+ this summer. They under value hrvatski players so much
Nobody takes those Transfermarkt valuations too seriously
Ivan
Stop spamming
I posted in detail the issues re: “MV”
We don’t need ur meaningless posts – which add nothing
Thx
“hrvatski players”….ajme!!
Not to be rude – but not sure Dalic understood the rules what he can announce v-a-v squad (it was the deadline for the PROVISIONAL squad – 26 by June 8th)
e.g.
Serbia (35)
England (33)
Northlands (30)
Slovenia (30)
Germany (27)
Croatia (26)
France (25)
I guess the other interpretation is he is sending a strong msg i.e. we know our team / this is our team – we’ve done our work for past 2 years – we know the 26
France naming only 25 players is completely arrogant – hopefully that comes back to bit them on the a*s – the nerve
The other book-end – Serbia naming 35 – how will they be able to manage training with so many players
Modric aka the Immortal
Looks like the English “pundits” haven’t learnt their lesson about trash talking Croatia
See Jamie Carragher “predictions” for Euros today – he says we’ll finish 2nd in the group – and face Hungary next – but says ur 38 and only coming off the bench at RM these days – and that we’ll lose to the legs and power of Hungary
***.youtube.com/watch?v=C-ybaHEsejA
Start @ 07:00 min
He only said that to avoid having to talk about an England vs Croatia matchup in the quarters (which is probably going to happen this tournament).
100%
The English have such PTSD when it comes to us, it’s funny
Kieran Trippier just went off injured after 36′ in an Aussie friendly vs. Spurs (he’s #2 RB after Walker) – would be silly if he misses the Euros bc of friendly
#1 LB Shaw still trying to recover from an injury
Carragher comes off as a self-absorbed twat (his Champions League schtick of going to have a beer with the fans in the stands at Dortmund was cringeworthy) but let’s be fair regarding this video ……. Just after the two-minute mark he calls Modric one of the absolute greatest we’ve ever seen.
The only reason he threw that in (his true colours come later) is bc he doesn’t want to be snubbed by Modric like he was by Ronaldo
x.com/totalcristiano/status/1561784361351086098
Thanks for letting us know that you know exactly what the pundit and player are thinking.
You’re welcome
Hope ur frantically taking notes – so u can learn – and get better
Orsic has 2 game remaining with Trabzonspor. Watch him score a hat-trick in both games.
Dalic never like Orsic for some reason. Kind of like Blazovic and Prosinečki.
Orisic or not, admittingly, we are looking as strong as could be expected going into the tournament.
Left wing is questionable if Ivanušec isn’t in full form.
CB pairing will also be critical with the “Gvardiol at LB” option still up in the air.
But yes, we seem to have multiple players at every position playing great football right now.
We should definitely be in the quarters this year, and at that point, anything can happen.
i’m kind of bummed that we don’t have a good theme song going into this Euros.
You can Google Vatreni Becarac if you have some cravings
Spurs intelligentsia picking up Vuskovic called up to U21
x.com/attacthespace/status/1792854989821428151
Wonder where they got the news from
????????????????????
@Maminjo
https://croatiansports.com/the-weekend-water-cooler-90/#comments/507141
Tables were turned in the end. The SN poll (still open but hardly active now) gathered over 6,100 votes, and this is effectively the final result:
‘Da’ – 53%
‘Ne’ – 47%
I voted ‘Da’ four times (the last 3 times in order to view the result, ha ha). For anyone who is interested, the poll can be found in the article below— I’m just going to leave its url without hyperlinking.
sportske.jutarnji.hr/sn/euro/skupina-b/dio-navijaca-bit-ce-razocaran-zeljeli-su-ga-vidjeti-na-euru-ali-kod-dalica-za-njega-nije-bilo-mjesta-15462815
Oh well. The issue is closed.
I’m not going to think about it, but it does hurt knowing that we may play England in the quarters and Oršić loves to beat on EPL clubs when at Dinamo.
I relate to your sentiments.
Don’t worry my Croatian Brothers, I Marko Viduka have always regretted my decision to represent the Roos.
I have corrected this grand error by giving my DNA to the HNS. They have been able to clone and age my body to its original peak of the Leeds United era.
This is the answer to all your striker concerns ????
Luka should retire after this tournament. Other players cant shine while he’s there. One could argue Luka should be coming off the bench this tournament. I think Majer ,kova and Brozo should start. With Modric coming on for kova in 70 minute. Sucic for Majer and Pasalic for Brozo.
Next tournament baturina, sucic , will need to be used in meaningful minutes.
Vlasic has no place in the squad i cant see him going he wont be match fit no matter what, Vida shouldn’t be there as well. Hopefully Dalic takes a young striker in the end. 2 strikers that’s not enough.
in terms of modric retirement, I continue to be of the thought that he won’t retire after this tournament and will try to play in the next world cup. I also get this from some my sources close to the hns. Whether that is a good thing for croatia or not is another question…although it is quite possible modric is enough of a character guy to take a reduced role unlike some others
But if you look at modric, he loves soccer. He knows it’s downhill in his life once this sports thing is done. He’s not going to be some great commentator.. He’ll eventually try to dabble in coaching but his odds there are suspect.
His greatest club days are likely coming to an end, which arguably will make his chance to make an impact on the national side even more meaningful .Like many greats, Luka always thinks he is going to win so he’s going to look at a silver, a bronze, and think….hmmmm we can actually win this thing in the US (which of course they can’t)…but that’s what makes him great.
Luka had a phenomenal season in a hybrid role. No reason he can’t repeat that capacity again next season. His little yet strong frame and lung capacity will allow him to play as is for another 2 years. No need for him to retire and he already accepted a reduced role at Real. And if need be he will accept that role post Euro Cup for Hrvatska. Luka is the greatest all around midfielder of all time. I am not talking about attacking or defending. I am saying he does a bit of it all. We could argue Zidane was the best attacking mid or Xavi/Iniesta/Pirlo as passing mids but Luka is the Swiss knife!
Luka’s last dance and an end to a very special era. Lets go out with a bang gentleman.
Bradaric and basic can be considered for standby at least i thought
Disappointed orsic is not called up. Expecting him to replace perisic for a few years after WC22.
EPL is destroying career of many croatians..balaban kramaric vlasic pandur delac eduardo
Well, Bašić is a central midfielder, and Bradarić is injured. If Bradarić were healthy, he definitely should have been ahead of Barišić who barely played this year because of inner politics at Rangers.
About the other comment, the EPL has been great for some and terrible for others. It was probably better for Kramarić that he didn’t shine there because he became a Bundesliga legend instead, and the story is still being written. The story is also still being written for Oršić and Vlašić, so you can’t say their careers were ruined. It’s too early. Eduardo is a different story, and you are right about him and the EPL.
The legend of Orsic lives on in the minds of any Londoners (whether they are Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea or Hammers fans).
The guy murdered them all.
Good point. In that sense, the EPL has been great to Oršić.
Apparently, the secret litmus test to get on to the national team is to camp out in the National Hrvatska league now.
How many minutes would Pekovic be getting if he was in a top international league.
I guess it is complicated. If you go international, you better start, no matter how much you have produced in the past for the national team.
Your track record for the national team should count for some time I believe. Pjaca and Vlasic are unwanted on the national scene, never produce anything for the national team, so now they get to play and Orsic is out. moj bog.
typo , are unwanted on the “international” scene…….
On the one hand, track record and potential. On the other hand, match fitness. Anyone who has played organized football as a starter and off the bench knows that you play your best when you play maximum minutes consistently. The players on the Hrvatska bench need to be match fit. The whole squad needs to be ready to play 120 minutes each game or more, when you count stoppage time and penalties. A player who has only played 56 minutes in the season just doesn’t belong, and he surely knows it. Maybe next year for Oršić.
There are a few players on the squad who have not been regular starters at their clubs, but all of them had multiple stretches in starting roles throughout the season and were major contributors to their squad whether starting or coming in off the bench. Dalić wants to win the trophy, and he needs match-fit players. He made that clear when he sent Kalinić home in 2018.
Anyone have a link to the article about the TV ???? repair man , how Cacic needs to go .. the one that Croatia media picked up / shook HNS up and led to brining in Dalic ..?
I should add its the Croatiansports.com article
Look at England provision 33-person training squad
x.com/search?q=england%20euro&src=typed_query&f=top
Southgate was ruthless – left out a lot of seasoned players (and bringing in a bunch of young guns w/ 0 or limited caps based on how they performed at their clubs this season)
I doubt James Maddison makes the final 26 (he has been very underwhelming since he came back from injury – surprised he’s even on the 33-list)
Out (caps)
Sterling (82)
Henderson (81)
Rashford (60)
Dier (49) – although he played game of his life to knock out Arsenal out of CL (probably bc he said he “enjoyed it quite a bit” knocking Arsenal out – so not great for squad cohesion)
etc etc etc
Too bad Dalic can’t be a bit more like this i.e. 100% merit based (vs. staying loyal to under-performing/under-whelming players just bc of they have certain # of caps to their names – looking at u Vlasic, amongst others)
Southgate is absolute shit, it’s not ruthless to not call up the obvious players who shouldn’t be there, he’s like the English version of Dalic.
I think Dalic made the correct call on this squad. with regards to Vlasic…he is there for an opportunity to make a change, no way he’s already recovered.
as much as we all want Perisic to be ready…I highly doubt he will be so we should expect to see Ivanusec and/or Pjaca in the starting lineup.
Martin gets the comment of the month: “as for Vlasic, he needs to stick to making pickles.” 🙂
Toni Kroos just retired !!!
***.instagram.com/p/C7OkVUKoW_o/?img_index=1
Hopefully RM haven’t p*ssed Modric off too much
With both Nacho and Kroos leaving they definitely need Modric to keep all the kids in order
Luka Modric = the Immortal
I also hate this announcing retirement b4 the tournament starts
I hope – whenever it comes – Modric decides to announce after his last game is finished and doesn’t tell us in advance
In the meantime – we appreciate and savour every second he spends on the pitch – knowing that eventually he will step down
Didn’t Kroos already commit to playing at the Euros?
I assume this retirement announcement would be for Real Madrid, and not for the Euros with Germany as well.
Yup – he’s playing Euros for Germany
The retirement is after Euros (and last game for RM is CL final)
Not sure the point in announcing it now – finish the Euros and then announce it (I guess since he won’t sign an extension with RM he figured folks will figure it out, anyways)
Vlašić is there to buy Dalić time while he and the staff review video of Matanović, Ljubičić, Fruk, Sigur, Sučić, and Jakić. That’s six very different players who could take the Vlašić spot, and if Dalić isn’t yet sure what he should do with it, he shouldn’t name someone to the team definitively. Naming an injured player now gives him an extra few weeks to make up his mind about the final roster spot.
My opinion is that naming an extra striker is the way to go because the squad already has a lot of top-tier central midfielders on it, but only two central strikers.
Also, it’s clear that Duje Caleta-Car is more in-form than Domagoj Vida at this point. Vida should get “injured” so that Duje can go without anyone getting hurt feelings (Dalić probably doesn’t want Vida to retire because of their bond). I say that, but maybe Vida needs to be there.
He could have announced 33 training squad like England if he wanted to take a closer look in person/training of those on standby-list
U have to submit final 26 by June 8th i.e. after our two friendlies
But 100% agree Vlasic is a place-holder
P Sucic > Matanovic, Ljubicic (as latter two both called up to U21, whereas P Sucic wasn’t which suggests he’s high on standby-list)
https://www.manchestercity.news/pep-guardiola-offered-glimpse-into-the-future-with-what-he-had-77m-man-city-ace-doing-v-west-ham/
I didn’t watch the game, but what do you guys think of Pep’s experiment?
Months ago – I’ve mentioned this for the National Team
Essentially Gvardiol playing as a #6/#8 for us in a “double-pivot” (in front of a back 4)
We get his defence higher up (before the attacks progress into the box) plus his passing ability to go forward and/or make runs
But his passing has been very sloppy / off for us in a couple of most recent games so didn’t seem to make sense (based on those performances)
Makes sense (didn’t see the West Ham game – will try to watch it next wk to see how Pep played him)
If Vlasic is out Toni Fruk gets a call hnl leading assist man deserved or Dalic opts for Matanovic or Ljubicic
Croatians are saying kotarski should have made it instead of labrovic.
And expected team imo no shocks no anything.
Matanovic and Ljubicic have been called up to U21 friendlies in June vs. Ireland and Sweden – so will be w/ U21 training camp ahead of then
Unless Petkovic or Budimir pick up an injury in next 25 days
Given Petar Sucic is not called up to U21 (nor on its stand-by list) suspect he is higher in pecking order of who might be called up
Makes sense as we don’t have another “DM” beyond Broz (Jakic DM also on stand-by list) – maybe it doesn’t matter as Gvardiol can play that position
Perišić will be ready and his minutes will be meaningful and impactful.
He is a different level of athlete than anyone in our squad. Although Gvardiol seems to be approaching that level.
Gvardiol at LB behind Perišić at LW is operation Oluja on the left side.
Two, two footed athletic footballers coming at you and locking you down at the same time.
How sharp can Perišić get these next few weeks ?
I’ll take 20/30 minutes of Perišić any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Especially if all he needs to do is play his role.
Speaking of coming back stronger from knee injury setbacks .. Luka Sučić ?!
With all due respect to Orsic, you cannot call up two guys in the same position recovering from horrific injuries…it is too much of a liability. That being said if you take a risk on one player, it has to be Perisic just for what he has done historically. My opinion is that Perisic will only play 20 minutes near the end of the games. He is on the team mainly for leadership and morale. As for Vida…I agree, he needs to retire and as for Vlasic, he needs to stick to making pickles.
My question is why isn’t Orsic at least on the standby list? Especially since Vlasic probably isnt going to be ok. Is there something we don’t know that Dalic knows like Orsic is unusable? Orsic should be on the first team regardless of Vlasic status. Orsic not even being on the standby list is worrisome??????
Unfortunately, Orsic has only played total of 56 minutes for Trabzonspor in the last two months since recovering from the knee surgery. You cannot blame Dalic for not picking him. Hopefully Orsic will be ready for NL matches in September?
Of course you can blame him.
Orsic (like Perisic) missed the majority of the year due to a knee injury and (like Perisic) he is slowly getting back into form.
Neither of them are starting for their clubs (with Perisic playing in an inferior league too), and neither are fully fit to play significant minutes for the National Team…but both are trending in the right direction.
Orsic deserves a little bit of leeway, when you consider all that he’s done for us. I am not sure what Dalic has against Orsic. He’s been such an impactful reserve player for us, and if there is any position we are currently thin on, it’s definitely that left side. So, you would think we’d be more inclined to make an exception and call him up.
It makes absolutely zero sense to not have Orsic at LEAST on the standby list.
What’s funny is that Orsic is the reason Dalic still has a job too. Saved him that embarrassment at Euro2020 when Orsic leveled things up against Spain. If that ended 3-1, Dalic would’ve been gone.
I agree about your Orsic comments, and you did not mention the pass to Petkovic for 1 -1 against Brazil and that brilliant 4th penalty against Brazil. However, we have to be realistic, and say that 56 minutes is just not enough. I’m sure that Dalic and other coaching staff have been watching Orsic play, and they have concluded that he is not fully fit to contribute. I’m sure that they have spoken to him as well.
Perisic has started the last two matches for Hajduk and was subbed off in both after 60 odd minutes. He has another match coming up this weekend against Lokomotiva. I cannot see him starting any matches for us at EURO? at best he may get 15/20 minutes off the bench depending on the score, if he is lucky? Watching him play for Hajduk in recent weeks, to me he looks pedestrian and is only at 60/70 %. Maybe he is taking it easy and does not want to risk injuring his knee again? He looks OK running straight, but I have yet to see someone tackle him or Perisic doing quick and sharp turns. This needs to be tested in the coming weeks to see just how fit and ready he is?
Maybe it comes down to Perisic being VERY marketable while Orsic is not
See Ozujsko ad featuring Perisic recovery 3 days b4 Dalic announced the squad
We can’t overlook/forget that aspect
***.instagram.com/p/C7ClMHjr7XQ/
Perisic being pedestrian at Hajduk makes sense – he is taking no risks ahead of the Euros (while he is still “fragile” increasing his load) – I wouldn’t be surprised if there were STRICK orders to opponents not to tackle Perisic (did anyone tackle him at all during his playing time ?) for the sake of the National Team
Starting line-up @ 2026 WC
Mark this post
This is what is means to build a team around Gvardiol
Sure Belinho & Francis still young but not impossible (see Enrick, Gavi, etc.)
Livakovic [31]
Sosa [28] (hopefully a young-gun LB emerges)
Gvardiol [24]
L Vuskovic [19]
Stanisic [26]
Sucic [24]
Baturina [23]
Lovro Zvornek [21]
Belinho [17]
Francis [17]
Marco P [26]
Subs
Satulo [26]
Sigur [23]
P Sucic [23]
Matanovic [23]
Ljubicic [24]
if Dalic is still rotten / pestering us
that will be impossible – remember
Looks ok but…
Don’t know why vida can’t be a staff cheerleader instead of wasting a spot.
If vlasic is not going to be healthy why bring him? No orsic ? Is he damaged goods now after the injury? Why wouldn’t you bring Orsic? He’s 31 he should be there !!!!
Vlasic is there in the hopes that he recovers in time, but Dalic said that if he is not 100% ready they will replace him with someone from the standby list.
***.instagram.com/p/C7Mcb_YNl8_/?img_index=1
Interesting squad for U21 friendlies in June
Luka Vuskovic has moved up to U21 after only 5 appearances at U19 level (n.b. he still qualifies for U17 based on age)
As smartly previewed previously, important for Croatia to give Luka V the chance – it can be a self-fulfilling prophecy – so step up to U21 is next step (and sends a VERY strong message to Spurs where he ranks in our pecking order)
Sigur, Marin L, Igor M also included – so they will be given an opportunity to shine at U21 level – and if outstanding still time to add them to our Euros
Lovro Z also included
Roko S, Dion only on standby list – pretty big fall in their standing – if they can’t even make the U21 squad for two friendlies
Osijek’s Anton Matkovic also makes step up to U21
Looks like he scored 4 goals in last 6 HNL games
Any1 see him in action / any views ?
I have seen him play for our U17 youth team under Robert Jarni. He was not always the first choice in attack and was often on the bench.
Watched him play for Osijek in recent weeks and he has scored some good goals. He is tall and reasonably quick and has a nose for goals. He is another good prospect and according to Cro media some Italian clubs are following him closely. I guess only time will tell how his development pans out.
Apparently he has the same agent as Gvardiol
Twitter search claims lots of clubs (incl. Man City – seems a stretch) have been watching him recently
Transfermarkt has his “MV” at 400k (while press says Osijek will sell him for 5 m)
Never heard of him b4 – here’s a “scouting report” for his last game
x.com/TargetScouting_/status/1790774146688864604
I was surprised to see Vlasic because the media reports initially said he will be out…maybe they over-exaggerated? If he isn’t expected to recover on time, then its very odd to still have him on the list. Maybe they haven’t decided on who to replace him with yet?
Yeah, everyone thought he was out for sure.
It might be a ploy. Not sure what to make of that.