PHOTOS: Croatia hold first training session in heavy rain in Zagreb ahead of EURO qualifiers

ZAGREB, 3 September 2019 – The Croatian football team has trained for the first time last night ahead of important EURO 2020 qualifiers against Slovakia and Azerbaijan this month. 

Heavy rain did not stop Zlatko Dalić putting his squad through a light run in the Croatian capital on Monday night. Missing from training session were captain Luka Modric, who arrived later that evening, and Ante Rebic, who was in Milan signing a contract with AC Milan. 

Tin Jedvaj and Nikola Vlasic only trained in the gym as a precautionary  measure.

Also missing were Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic. Rakitic withdrew from the squad for both matches, whilst an achilles injury has put Kovacic out for the matches. 

Croatia will train again on Tuesday and Wednesday before flying out to Slovakia on Thursday.  Croatia will face Slovakia on Friday, 6 September, before facing Azerbaijan, also away, on Monday, 9 September. 

UEFA Euro 2020 – Group E schedule:

6 September, 20:45 (Friday): Slovakia – Croatia
9 September, 18:00 (Monday): Azerbaijan – Croatia
10 October, 20:45 (Thursday): Croatia – Hungary
13 October, 20:45 (Sunday): Wales – Croatia
16 November, 20:45 (Saturday): Croatia – Slovakia

🤝 The moment we’ve all been waiting for: the #Croatia #family is back together! 🤗#BeProud #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/X9LatyvLw8

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) September 2, 2019

Croatia are currently in second equal spot in the group with a game in hand over group leaders Hungary. The top two teams in the group will automatically qualify for the EURO 2020 tournament.