Ivan Rakitic is out of Croatia's crunch Nations League clash with England, coach Zlatko Dalic has confirmed. Rakitic was substituted during the second half of Croatia's dramatic 3-2 victory at home to Spain on Thursday, with Tin Jedvaj hitting a 93rd-minute winner.
That result set up a decider against England at Wembley on Sunday, but Rakitic will be unable to play due to his injury. "I asked for the change because I had discomfort," Rakitic said after the Spain win.
Croatia will qualify for the finals of the inaugural Nations League if it beats England in a repeat of the World Cup semi-final, but will be relegated to League B if it loses.
Dalic confirmed the injury news at Zagreb airport, with Barcelona midfielder Rakitic set to return to his club for treatment.
READ: Croatia's Lovren antagonises Ramos and 'rude' Spain
"He will go to Barcelona because there is an injury. You know my practice not to risk [players] if there is anything suspicious," Dalic told reporters.
"We want healthy and ready players, Ivan Rakitic at the moment is not a hundred per cent ready for the game, so unfortunately, we go without him."
"We've got [Nikola] Vlasic, [Mateo] Kovacic, [Josip] Brekalo, we have [Milan] Badelj, we always have solutions. We'll look for another solution and that will be fine, I hope."
Rakitic's injury is also bad news for Barcelona, although he is unavailable for their next LaLiga game, away to title rival Atletico Madrid a week on Saturday. He was sent off in Barca's last match, a 4-3 reverse at home to Real Betis, so he will be serving a suspension.
Comments
SHARE