Bjelica increases midfield options

By Elvir Islamovic

The Croatia coach Otto Baric has recalled 1. FC Kaiserslautern's Nenad Bjelica for next Wednesday's friendly against F.Y.R. Macedonia as he looks to increase his midfield options for UEFA EURO 2004™.

Recently overlooked
Bjelica, 32, played in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup but was overlooked as Croatia qualified for Portugal. The Croatia midfield of recent years has been bereft of world-class performers in the mould of the retired Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki, however, leaving Baric short on talent in the centre of the park.

Midfield problems
"Nenad Bjelica has been excelling for Kaiserslautern," said Baric. "He is a fine passer and has a great shot. We have problems in midfield. Niko Kovac is not playing for [Hertha BSC Berlin], Giovani Rosso is out of form and Jerko Leko has not been at his best in recent Croatia games. We must beat Switzerland in our opening game and it's imperative that I don't have untried players on the pitch."

Final party
Baric has resisted including NK Dinamo Zagreb youngster Niko Kranjcar for the match in Skopje as he has not fully recovered from injury. However, the Austrian expects Kranjcar to make his final party this summer. "Kranjcar will be playing in the [UEFA] European Under-21 Championship and I'm sure that he'll secure a place in my squad with some good performances."

Didulica chance
The Australian-born Joey Didulica is in line to make his debut for Croatia against the Macedonians. The goalkeeper was named in the squad to face Turkey last month, only for injury to force him out of the 2-2 draw. The Croatians will convene in Zagreb on 25 April, just three days before the fixture. "We don't have enough time to prepare," said Baric.

Croatia squad
Pletikosa, Butina, Didulica, Šimic, Zivkovic, Tokic, Tomas, Šimunic, Neretljak, Tudor, Srna, N Kovac, Leko, Babic, Rapaic, Rosso, Sokota, Pršo, Klasnic, Olic, Bjelica.