Sergej Barbarez, head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, spoke to the media in Sweden this evening ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Nations League Matchday 5 fixture, in which the “Dragons” will play away at Strawberry Arena in Solna, reports scsport.ba.
He was joined at the press conference by national team player Esmir Bajraktarević, and the head coach fielded questions regarding the upcoming opponent, the team’s fitness status, and expectations for this important encounter.
He specifically highlighted the support the BiH national team receives from its fans, noting that the bond between the players and the supporters is something truly special.
“The connection between us and the fans is special; they give us a unique energy, and it means a great deal to us when they are there,” said Barbarez.
Swedish journalists also asked about Alexander Isak, one of the key players for the home side. Barbarez praised the quality of Swedish football but emphasized that the “Dragons” would not focus solely on a single opposing player.
“I respect and admire what the Swedes are doing and the football education they possess. This is a national team that is on the rise. He [Isak] brings an extra level of quality. However, we are not focusing on just one Swedish player,” the BiH head coach stated.
When asked what tactics he is preparing for tomorrow’s clash, Barbarez offered a simple answer with a smile.
“To score one more goal [than the opponent],” he replied briefly.
He also addressed the team’s injury situation, revealing that most players are fit and available, with one exception. “Only Jovo is having some minor back issues; otherwise, everyone is healthy and eager,” revealed Barbarez.
The head coach confirmed that he already knows who will replace the suspended Tarik Muharemović in defense, but he declined to name the player who will get the start.
“You’ll see when we announce the lineup. The goal is to win the match,” said Barbarez.
He also touched upon the fact that Sweden has nine new players in their squad compared to previous matches, emphasizing that what matters most is how his own team performs on the pitch.
“Their system remains more or less consistent. But when you focus primarily on yourself – when your attention is turned inward – that’s a matter of self-confidence. We might also field some players who didn’t feature in the first match. On paper, they are certainly stronger, but names mean little if the team isn’t functioning well,” the head coach stated.
Barbarez highlighted that the BiH national team has been through a positive stretch, pointing to their performance over the last 15 matches.
“There are small goals and there are big goals. We’ve earned this opportunity through our hard work and effort, and we’ll try to make the most of it tomorrow,” he said.
Finally, he discussed how to contain Sweden’s forwards, while making it clear that the ‘Dragons’ do not fear their opponents and have full belief in their own capabilities. “I have the desire, and we have the tactical plans in place. Things are going well for us—why shouldn’t they continue tomorrow? We won’t be starting a man down; it’s 11 against 11. We’ve seen how Esmir, Kerim, Tarik, and Dedić are performing at their clubs. We have the resources to go toe-to-toe on the pitch,” concluded Barbarez.
The match between Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina takes place tomorrow at 20:45 in Solna; a victory for the ‘Dragons’ would represent a major step toward securing first place in their Nations League group.
