Croatia Arrives in Faro Ahead of Internationals Against Portugal & Spain

Croatia leave for Faro ahead of two matches (HNS)

The Croatian national football team arrives in the Portuguese city of Faro on Monday ahead of internationals against Portugal and Spain. 

Seven members of the squad flew out from Zagreb on Monday morning, whilst a large contingent will arrive throughout the day in Faro from their clubs around Europe. 

Among those of the Croatia Airlines flight this morning were Inter Milan trio Ivan Perišić, Šime Vrsaljko and Marcelo Brozović, as well as coach Zlatko Dalić.

Vrsaljko, Perišić and Brozović (HNS)

Coach Dalić on the flight this morning (HNS)

Players who will not be in Portugal include Ivan Rakitić, Ante Rebić and Andrej Kramarić. All three have been given dispensation to stay with their clubs and will miss that friendly.

Milić, Letica, Livaković, Čop

Rakitic will join the side however for the UEFA Nations League opener against Spain. 

Marko Pjaca and Marko Rog on their way to Faro from Italy (Twitter)

Croatia will first face Portugal in Algarve on 6 September, before meeting Spain in Elche on 11 September.

Croatia squad for Portugal & Spain: 

Goalkeepers: Lovre Kalinić (Gent), Dominik Livaković (Dinamo) Karlo Letica (Brugge)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Šime Vrsaljko (Inter), Josip Pivarić (Dynamo Kijev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Matej Mitrović (Club Brugge), Borna Barišić (Rangers), Antonio Milić (Anderlecht)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Milan Badelj (Lazio), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Filip Bradarić (Rijeka), Marko Rog (Napoli), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta)

Strikers: Ivan Perišić (Inter), Marko Pjaca (Fiorentina), Ivan Santini (Anderlecht), Marko Livaja (AEK), Duje Čop (Real Valladolid)

Ivica Olić (HNS)