Soccer
Manager Zlatko Dalic sent his striker Nikola Kalinic home in the midst of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Dalic's decision came as a shock for all of the national squad, mostly to Nikola himself.
Dalic's decision came after the AC Milan striker came with an excuse for not entering the ground in their first game of the tournament against Nigeria on Saturday. Nigeria lost the game 2-0.
A @FIFAWorldCup victory cake for #Croatia! ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·#BeProud #FlamingPride #Family #WorldCup #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/gBoH77zGrp
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) June 17, 2018
Nikola was to come out as a substitute in the 85th minute, but claimed a back problem and refused to enter the battleground, an excuse which manager Zlatko couldn't sink in to.
VIDEO: Striker Nikola Kalinic sent home from World Cup
Marko Pjaca came instead of Zlatko. With the 30-year old striker being sent off to home, now Croatia have just Mario Mandzukic left within their squad as an out-and-out No. 9.
How will Croatia cope with the situation ahead of their clash with Argentina on Thursday, June 21?
Dalic will attend a press conference this afternoon, detailing the situation further.
