Dragan Skočić’s squad ahead of the U21 Euros features many top-end talents and all the big names Croatian fans want to see. But the main concern is the fact that just four defenders have been called up in a 21-man roster.
It seems as though the starting back-line is already set with David Čolina and Niko Sigur (who just recently chose Croatia over Canada) at the left and right flanks, and the duo of Nikola Soldo and Bartol Franjić anchoring the defence. Perhaps a defensive-midfielder could replace an injured center-back but the lack of at least two defensive back-ups is a puzzling choice.
On the bright side, this has allowed for more forwards to be called, which are undoubtedly where the stronger talents are found in this squad. The presence of five high-ceiling strikers in this squad makes one wonder which one of them is the most deserving of that starting role come June 21st?
For starters, the most likely pair on the wings will be Biuk and Stojković, with Gabriel Vidović also being capable of adapting his play to the wing. Skočić’s dilemma however, lies in the choice he must make for the number 9 spot…
- Dion Drena Beljo
Beljo is the likely front-runner as the machine from Augsburg has already been called up for the senior NT ahead of the Nations League semi-finals and has finished off his Bundesliga season on an absolute tear.
- Matija Frigan
Frigan has been a revelation this season for Rijeka and the HNL and can very well rival Beljo for that top spot in the U21 NT come late June. He will likely be the second or third choice as Beljo is performing in a stronger league and Frigan is still quite young and will most likely feature in one more tournament with the Mladi Vatreni.
- Roko Šimić
Šimić was once the undisputed starter for this squad but after a hot and cold spell in Zurich, the young striker will see his starting spot challenged by Beljo and Frigan. However, he still holds an impressive stat-line of scoring a goal every second game for the U21 team and perhaps he will always perform when playing in checkers.
- Marin Ljubičić
Ljubičić’s loan at LASK started off ridiculously strong as he was putting up Haaland-esque numbers in the Austrian Bundesliga. He has since cooled off but still has a very high ceiling and offers even more quality to this already offensively gifted squad.
- Gabriel Vidović
It is quite unlikely we see Vidović in the striking role considering there are four other strikers on the squad, so he will most likely be used on the left-wing whether it be as a back-up or starter.
Considering Skočić’s evident offensive ambitions, the predicted midfield three is Baturina, Kačavenda and Pršir, however any combination of Baturina-Kačavenda with a defensive midfielder should work within this squad.
It is important to note that a top 3 result at the UEFA U21 European Championship this summer results in automatic qualification to the 2024 Olympic Games men’s Football.
Do you think Skočić made the right call by omitting 2-3 defenders in order to call 2-3 extra talented attackers?
Croatiansports’ Prediction:
Croatia 3-1 Ukraine
Croatia 0-1 Spain
Croatia 1-1 Romania
Most likely finish:
- Group Stage (20%)
- Round of 16 (25%)
- Quarters (30%)
- Semis (15%)
- Top 3 (7%)
- Champions (3%)
I may have asked before but who does baturina most closely resemble from our midfielders of old and now ?
Man if he progresses
And kacavenda and sucic can recover fully. We have a mean midfield to take over the current ones
Probably Modric to be fair, I used to think Sucic but now I’m seeing more of Rakitic in him.
Niko sigur Burnaby British Columbia born
Same
Amazing stuff
I hope he can crack the repka
Canadian diaspora bringing it home
I didn’t know what his skill set is like but right after confirming he will play for us he gets a call up so I imagine something is there
All the best to the young man
Watched Sigur a few times for Hajduk and he did not impress me at right back. Nothing special, we’ll see how he goes at U21 Euro.
It’s nice to see so many forwards coming up, but I’m most excited about Frigan. He’s already shown so much class and boldness at a young age.
That’s fantastic to hear
Love it
Real Modrić is at the top!!
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10077871-real-madrid-manchester-united-top-forbes-most-valuable-soccer-teams-list-for-2023
With Bellingham arriving at Real in a big money transfer, I don’t expect Modric to be a starter for Real Madrid next season. 🙁 I wonder if he would be unhappy about it and whether the reduced playing time will affect his form for the National Team (expecting him to play on until EURO 2024)…
4 defenders….what formation are we expected to play? are some of these midfield players possibly expected to interchange with a defensive role? I’m curious to know the setup…I can’t imagine we play 4 at the back and nobody to sub in if there are injuries!
This is not the full squad. It literally says preliminary squad on the photo and Skocic has literally said it is not complete.
https://twitter.com/HNS_CFF/status/1663150059163201537
There will be more defenders and I’m assuming there’s a chance someone may get dropped to accommodate that depending on how many players they are allowed to call up. There are currently 21 players on the list. Assuming that the limit is 23, I could see 3 more defenders being brought in and unless they will be playing a 2 striker formation they won’t need 4 strikers so one will probably be dropped.
If no one noticed this, the senior team for the Nations League had 24 players on the list and the bottom of the picture said the final 23-man squad will be published on essentially June 6th (June 5 at 23:59).
https://twitter.com/HNS_CFF/status/1660586425593544704
I’m assuming they plan to drop a striker from that one too so it could be that they are waiting to see if Dalic will actually take Beljo or not.
this is the best call list of all time…
it’s much better than calling the useless Vida-
and we waste our 1 slot player | seriously suck!
I’m pretty sure that this was the incomplete squad for the Euro U21 because I have read as well that maybe Maro Katinic and Mauro Perkovic have also been called up?
With Beljo as well, Dalic would be incompetent to give Beljo to Skocic for that U21 Euros tournament.
NL finals start on 14 June and finish on the 18 June. Euro U21 finals start on the 22 of June so there is no reason why Beljo cannot be at both. I doubt though if Dalic will use him against the Dutch in the first match. If we lose, he might get a run against Italy or Spain in the playoff for third.
The list of players that you have posted is preliminary and will no doubt change to include more defenders. Initially, I had thought that you had posted the Final Squad list.
I guess so, but wouldn’t both training camps collide with senior team and U21s? I also haven’t been aware of a young player who was in a senior team then ends up in a youth team afterwards but there is probably an example out there somewhere.
I’m pretty sure that this was the incomplete squad for the Euro U21 because I have read as well that maybe Maro Katinic and Mauro Perkovic have also been called up?
With Beljo as well, Dalic will be absolutely idiotic to give him to Skocic for that Euros tournament.
I cannot believe that we are taking only 4 defenders. This is a big mistake especially if we get out of the group. There will be injuries and suspensions and having only 4 defenders is crazy stuff and a huge risk.
See? There are 23 yr. Olds on this squad yet it’s an under 21 tournament.
Why is Brajkovic too old? I’m still confused
Z from UEFA website ” players are eligible to play in the EURO Under 17 competitions if they were born on or after 1 January 2006 “. Brajkovic was born on 3 July 2005.
For EURO U 21 rules are different because the qualifying matches are played over a period of 2 years. To be eligible you had to be born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000. That is why some of the players will be 23 at this year’s finals which will be played in a couple of weeks’ time.
Gotcha, thanks!