November 14, 2020 – The latest from HNS, as Marcelo Brozovic tests positive for coronavirus and misses the Nations League match against Sweden tonight.
HNS reports that on Friday evening, the Croatia national football team medical service received the results of the additional testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
After national team member Domagoj Vida tested positive on Wednesday in Istanbul, on Friday in Stockholm, the Croatia national team performed additional testing before the match against Sweden on Saturday.
The test results showed two positive results, one national team member Marcelo Brozovic and one member of the national team’s wider staff, which is likely to be a positive due to an old infection (prolonged positivity). Both were immediately isolated from other members of the national team.
Brozovic’s club Inter, as well as Swedish epidemiologists, were informed about the positive test result. Following UEFA’s Return to Play protocol, i.e., epidemiological measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, none of the other national team members need self-isolation.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic held a press conference in Stockholm on Friday, where the current World Cup finalists will compete against the national team of Sweden.
“We came to play a good game, to ensure our stay in the elite group, but we will not play for a point but a victory. If we play for a point, we will lose. A tough opponent awaits us – we respect Sweden; they were better in the second half of the Zagreb game, even though we won. We will not be comfortable, but I believe in my team, and I believe that we can achieve our goal. “
The defense requires progress
“Sweden surprised me in Zagreb in the second half, when they were much better than in the first, even though we know their quality. Berg is their leader, Kulusevski imposed himself, Forsberg is there – someone can always do something. Our goal is to save our net, to be better in the defense phase.”
Everyone is ready to play
“So far, the situation is fine; no one is injured. Livakovic and Petkovic have joined us, and I think we will be able to play the best possible squad.”
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