Dinamo defender Dino Perić called into Croatia squad for EURO qualifiers

ZAGREB, 5 October 2019 – Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has called up Dinamo Zagreb’s impressive centre back Dino Perić for this month’s EURO 2020 qualifiers against Hungary and Wales.

Originally on stand-up, Perić will now join the squad when it gathers in Split early next week. The 25-year-old, who has been a standout for Dinamo Zagreb this season, will replace Matej Mitrović in the squad after the Club Brugge defender failed to recover from an injury. 

Perić, who stands 197cm tall, has represented Croatia at U-18, U-19, and U-20 level, scoring twice in a total of seven appearances. This will be the first time he will be among the senior squad. 

Croatia will first face Hungary at Poljud Stadium in Split on 10 October, before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales three days later. Croatia is at the top of Group E with 10 points and two victories in October will seal their spot at next year’s EURO. 

Croatia welcomes back Ivan Rakitić and Mateo Kovačić after both missed the Slovakia and Azerbaijan qualifiers last month. Andrej Kramarić, Šime Vrsaljko, Marko Pjaca and Josip Pivarić are still out through injury. 

Croatia squad for Hungary & Wales:

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livaković (Dinamo), Lovre Kalinić (Aston Villa), Simon Sluga (Luton Town)

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (Bešiktaš), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Tin Jedvaj (Augsburg), Borna Barišić (Rangers), Dino Perić (Dinamo Zagreb), Dario Melnjak (Rizespor), Mile Škorić (Osijek), Karlo Bartolec (Kobenhavn)

Midfielders: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Mateo Kovačić (Chelsea), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozović (Inter), Mario Pašalić (Atalanta), Nikola Vlašić (CSKA Moskva)

Strikers: Ivan Perišić (Bayern), Ante Rebić (Milan), Bruno Petković (Dinamo), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Mislav Oršić (Dinamo)

Remaining matches: 

10 October, 20:45 (Thursday): Croatia – Hungary

13 October, 20:45 (Sunday): Wales – Croatia

16 November, 20:45 (Saturday): Croatia – Slovakia