Čačić: "With best squad into every match"

Croatia head coach Čačić presented 27-player preliminary squad list for the European Championships in France this summer. On Friday, the majority of the player will meet in Zagreb, with only those still active at club level missing, including Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić due to Champions League final.

"We have called-up those who are in good health, who were standard at the club level throughout the year, and a couple of outstanding young players. There are 27 names since some will be missing the first preparation stage. It is important that the call-up is considered a reward. No one will go to France to show off, but we will choose the best squad for every match. Some will not travel to France, some will not play, but the atmosphere has to be good", summarized Čačić.

#Croatia head coach Ante Čačić presents 27-player preliminary squad list for @UEFAEURO in France. #BeProud #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/mWl49fI6T0

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) May 16, 2016

Croatia will play two friendlies ahead of EURO 2016, against Moldova in Koprivnica and San Marino in Rijeka.

"These test matches will serve as preparations for the first EURO 2016 match, against Turkey. There will be certain demands and we'll se how the players will react. Considering the difficulty of our opponents in France, it is good to have a somewhat easier opposition during training sessions. Croatia will work on creative play and clear solutions in every given moment", said Čačić.

Coach Čačić explained that the young players such as Ćaleta-Car, Halilović, Ćorić, Rog, and Livaković have every right to be in this squad: "The only condition were their performances at club and national team level. They are the future of the senior national team".

"Furthermore, since we lost Pivarić and Lovren as left-back solutions, I have decided to call upon Strinić. He plays at Serie A runner-up, when he was playing he played well, he is ready and tactically improved", added Croatia head coach.

Copyright by Croatian Football Federation. Quoting text from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to HNS as a source and providing direct link to the original content at hns.family. Re-use of the photographs is not permitted.