The head coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina football team, Sergej Barbarez, said before the second round of the World Cup group stage match against Switzerland that our team will enter the match without any load, but with great ambitions, stressing that Edin Džeko, Ivan Šunjić and Haris Tabaković are ready to perform.
Barbarez, together with Nikola Katic, answered questions from journalists in Los Angeles, 24 hours before one of the most important matches for the Dragons at the World Cup.
The selector confirmed that Haris Tabaković will be in competition for the team after successfully completing his recovery.
“Haris trained and will be in the squad tomorrow. His readiness is already at a serious level,” said Barbarez.
When it comes to Ivan Šunjić, whose entry against Canada stabilized the game of the national team, the selector pointed out that the midfielder is completely ready.
“Ivan is one hundred percent ready. We will see if he will play from the first minute, but he is completely ready,” he said.
When asked if captain Edin Dzeko will start the match against Switzerland, Barbarez did not want to reveal his plans.
“I know the answer, but ask me tomorrow,” the selector joked.
Switzerland is an experienced team, the pressure will not disturb them
Many believe that Switzerland is under more pressure after the draw against Qatar in the first round, but Barbarez does not believe that this will have a significant impact on the opposition.
“Pressure is an integral part of this job, especially at the highest level. Switzerland is too experienced a team to be disturbed by this. They certainly want to improve the result from the first match, but this is the group stage and each match brings new points. Maybe they have bigger ambitions than us in the group, but I don’t think this match is more important for them than the first or third,” he pointed out.
He reminded that a large number of B&H national team members made their first appearance at the World Championship precisely against the host Canada.
“We had as many as 24 debutants at the World Cup. It was a completely new situation for most of the players. There was certainly some nervousness, but a positive one. We knew we had an intense game against a quality opponent and I think we handled it well. We deserved a point and now we will again focus more on ourselves than on the opponent,” said Barbarez.
The victory against Italy remains a special memory
Speaking to the Italian media, Barbarez referred to the victory against Italy in the finals of the World Cup playoffs, with which Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the World Cup.
It is a match that will always remain in our memory. Defeating such a football superpower and qualifying for the World Cup is something special. We are a national team that is still being built, we have had more than 20 debutants in the last two years and many young players. Such victories give additional confidence. I’m sorry that Italy didn’t go through and I wish them the best of luck with their new coach. I send a big greeting and respect to Gennar – said the BiH coach.
Satisfied with the opening of the championship
Barbarez pointed out that he is very satisfied with the way his team opened the World Cup.
For most of the players, but also for us in the coaching staff, it was a new experience. Playing against the home team in the opener carries additional pressure. However, we deserved to be here. The most important thing is that everyone gives their best at all times. When that happens, results are usually inevitable. I am very pleased with how we opened the championship and I hope we will continue in the same rhythm – he said.
“We have to be better than the Swiss”
Analyzing the next opponent, the coach emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina must provide another top-notch game in order to achieve a positive result.
– We have to be better than the Swiss if we want to win, or at least have a little bit of sporting luck. If we show what we know and give one hundred percent of our abilities, I am convinced that we can play a good game. Of course, a lot depends on the opponent, their form and mood that day – he said.
He added that the group is extremely even and that the results so far confirm how difficult it is to predict the outcome.
“Every game brings something new and unexpected. We see a lot of surprises and undecided results. It is not easy for anyone, regardless of whether they are the favorite or the underdog. The key is to have good daily form, enjoy the moment and believe in yourself,” he emphasized.
“At the World Cup, every match is a final”
At the end of the conference, Barbarez emphasized that he views the match against Switzerland as a new final.
“Although the format of the competition leaves room for things to be improved or confirmed in the last round, we all want to finish the job as soon as possible and secure a good position in the group. That’s why I see this match as a little final. At the World Cup, every game is a final and our focus is clear – we want to win,” said the head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
