Rakitic, Rebic ruled out of Croatia´s qualifier against Wales

Croatia will be without stars Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier against Wales.

Barcelona midfielder Rakitic and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rebic were ruled out due to leg and knee injuries respectively, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced.

The 2018 World Cup runners-up will host Wales on June 8 before taking on Tunisia in a friendly three days later.

“We have jointly made the decision that Rakitic will not play,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said in a statement on Wednesday.

 Due to injuries, @ivanrakitic and Ante Rebić will miss #Croatia @UEFAEURO qualifier against @FAWales and a friendly against Tunisia.#Vatreni pic.twitter.com/7C6MfVe8QX

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) May 29, 2019

“He has had problems with his leg, it reoccurred in the Copa del Rey final and he won’t be ready for Wales and won’t play against Tunisia either.

“I believe in all the players in my squad, they can replace him with quality.”

The injuries are a blow to Croatia, who won one and lost one of their opening two matches in Group E.