Euro 2020: Ivan Perišić tests positive for coronavirus

Ivan Perišić

ROVINJ, 27 June 2021 – Bad news for Croatia ahead of their crucial Euro 2020 last 16 clash with Spain on Monday. 

Late in the evening on Saturday night, the Croatian Football Federation received the results of regular testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which showed that Ivan Perišić has tested positive for coronavirus.

“The medical service of the national team isolated Ivan from other members of the national team and immediately informed the competent epidemiological service in detail about the situation, with evidence of compliance with all measures to protect against the spread of coronavirus. Perišić will spend 10 days in self-isolation and in that period he will not be part of the matches of the Croatian national team,” the Croatian Football Federation said in a statement.

All other national team members, staff members and delegations tested negative. 

The Croatian national team has a flight from Pula to Copenhagen at 10:35 on Sunday morning, where they will play the Euro 2020 last 16 match against Spain on Monday, June 28 at 6 p.m.

Perišić has been one of Croatia’s stand-out players at this year’s Euros, scoring a crucial goal in the 1-1 drew with Czech Republic and also scoring against Scotland. 

If Croatia advances through to the quarter-final, Perišić will also not be available. 

AC Milan forward Ante Rebić is likely to replace Perišič in the starting line-up. Coach Zlatko Dalić also has Dinamo Zagreb left-winger Mislav Oršić as an option. Dejan Lovren will also be missing from the team that beat Scotland after picking up a second yellow card.