Atletico Madrid full-back Sime Vrsaljko has allayed fears over fresh injury concerns following on from the international break with Croatia.
The 25-year-old had to be substituted off during Croatia’s 2-0 victory in Ukraine on Monday – a result which guaranteed the Croats a playoff spot – but he moved to play down injury fears.
“This isn’t a bad injury,” Vrsaljko told reporters in the mixed zone, as reported by Marca.
“I felt a discomfort in my hamstring and thought it was a better idea to come off so that a player who was fresh and totally fit could take my place.
“It was such an important match for us and I maybe could not sprint properly, so it was the correct decision.”
The former Sassuolo defender has been limited to just 25 appearances for Atleti since joining last summer, due to a series of fitness issues.
