Mandzukic and Modric spearhead Croatia's World Cup squad

Croatia boss Niko Kovac has caused a shockwave in the Croat media by recalling the forgotten hero of Euro 2008 Daniel Pranjic to the squad to replace injured Dnipro left back Ivan Strinic in the 23-man squad. This means that the former Bayern Munich midfielder is likely to assume first choice left back duties for the tournament opener against hosts Brazil.

Despite the lack of a natural left back, the media in Croatia are building this side up as the best they’ve sent to a World Cup since the incredible side of 1998 which included Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki. This is mostly down to the midfield area of the pitch, which contains two of the outstanding players of the Spanish La Liga in 2013/14. Luka Modric is a man we all know a lot about, he is fresh off playing a key role in Real Madrid’s “La Decima”, the other midfielder, is less well known, but may be even better than Modric.

Ivan Rakitic is the midfield mastermind behind an otherwise ragged rebuilding Sevilla sides ascent to the UEFA Europa League trophy. He had 13 goals and 12 assists in 41 games in all competitions this season and captained Sevilla to their first major triumph since the departure of Juande Ramos. Both these men along with Dejan Lovren of Southampton in defence and Mario Mandzukic (After his opening game suspension) of Bayern Munich in attack will be vital to any success this Croat team achieve.

One midfielder who will not be showing off his wares at the World Cup is Niko Kranjcar. He has been ruled out with an injury sustained in the first half of QPR’s dramatic play off final victory against Derby County at Wembley. He is likely to be replaced in his duties by one of Europe’s most promising talents, Mateo Kovacic of Internazionale.

Misused for most of the season by Walter Mazzari at the Milan club, Kovacic had a phenomenal close to the season which ended in Javier Zanetti’s final home game where the young midfielder stole the show with three delightful assists in a 4-1 victory. He will likely start on the right hand side of a midfield five, with Ognjen Vukojevic holding and Ivan Perisic of Wolfsburg on the left.

For a full view of the Croatia squad visit our Croatian team page.

Goalkeepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov), Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Oliver Zelenika (Dinamo Zagreb).

Defenders: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dejan Lovren (Southampton), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Gordon Schildenfeld, Danijel Pranjic (both Panathinaikos), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Genoa).

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla), Ognjen Vukojevic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivan Perisic (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan), Marcelo Brozovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Sammir (Getafe), Ivan Mocinic (Rijeka).

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich), Ivica Olic (Wolfsburg), Eduardo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Nikica Jelavic (Hull City), Ante Rebic (Fiorentina).

Extratime.ie will be covering the FIFA World Cup 2014 from the first kick of a ball to the last with reports and news. We will also have regular features from our reporter in Brazil – Macdara Ferris.