This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Zlatko Dalic called up 26 players, in addition to nine reserve players as a precaution, for the friendly matches that Croatia will play in Orlando in March against Colombia and Brazil. Compared to the last list in November, Mislav Orsic and Franjo Ivanovic from Benfica have been excluded from the main list and are now on the reserve list. Ivan Smolcic, Lovro Majer, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, and Ante Budimir return to the team. The Croatian national team has a double-header in Orlando, where they will face Colombia on March 26 and then Brazil on March 31. In addition to the 26 called-up players, Dalic also summoned nine precautionary players who may be integrated if necessary before the national team's training camp, scheduled for March 23. The list does not include a natural left-back. Bradaric received only a preliminary call-up, while Borna Sosa is not on the list at all. Dalic has been using Gvardiol in that position, who is recovering from a serious injury but is expected to be fit for the World Cup. Stanisic is expected to temporarily cover that position. Here is Croatia's squad for the upcoming March friendlies against Colombia and Brazil in Orlando, with the FIFA World Cup only three months away! Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo), Dominik Kotarski (Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull City); Defenders: Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg), Ivan Smolcic (Como); Midfielders: Luka Modric (Milan), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Petar Sucic (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka); Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg). Reserve List: Karlo Letica (Lausanne), Domagoj Bradaric (Verona), Toma Basic (Lazio), Luka Stojkovic (Dinamo), Bruno Petkovic (Kocaelispor), Mislav Orsic (Pafos), Franjo Ivanovic (Benfica), Dion Drena Beljo (Dinamo), Franko Kovacevic (Ferencvaros). The Croatian international striker signed last summer from Belgian side Union St Gilloise for 22.8 million euros is currently experiencing limited playing time at Benfica.
Benfica Zlatko Dalic remains central to this story.
Benfica Zlatko Dalic remains central to this story.
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