Croatia's Pato leaves the squad due to injury, leaving the team short-handed in their upcoming matches.

### Croatia’s Pato Leaves Squad Due to Injury

Croatia’s forward striker Mario Pato has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining an ankle injury during training on Sunday.

Pato, who was expected to play a crucial role in Croatia’s upcoming Euro 2024 campaign, has undergone scans and will undergo further medical evaluation before being able to return to action. The club has not yet announced his exact timeline for recovery or when he might be available for future matches.

This development leaves Croatia’s attack line severely depleted, as they have already lost several key players due to injuries this season. Goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined with a hip issue, while defender Ivan Perisic has missed several games due to suspension.

The Croatian national team coach Luka Modric has expressed concern about the depth of his squad and how it may affect their ability to compete at the highest level. However, Modric has also praised Pato’s commitment to the team and hopes that his absence can motivate his teammates to step up and perform better.

Despite the setback, Croatia remains optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the European Championship. With a strong defense and a talented midfield, they still have a good chance of reaching the knockout stages, but the loss of Pato will undoubtedly impact their performance.

As the team prepares for their next match against Poland on Tuesday, the focus will remain on finding ways to compensate for Pato’s absence and continue pushing towards the goal of qualifying for Euro 2024.