The coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, Sergej Barbarez, said at a press conference that tomorrow’s World Cup play-off final against Italy is just as emotional for him as the match at Koševo against the Danish team in 2003, in which we were only one goal away from qualifying for Euro 2004. You can watch the football spectacle at Zenica’s Bilino Polje exclusively on BHRT tomorrow from 8:45 p.m.
Barbarez, who played in the attack of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team at the time, believes that the Bosnian football players probably entered the match against the Danes too emotionally, which is why they ultimately failed to achieve victory, and that the team he is now leading will certainly not make the same mistake, BHRT writes.
“That was probably a minus for us from which we could not recover. It is certain that we will not enter the match against Italy in that way. This match is as important for Italy as it is for us, because playing in the World Cup is never a small thing, but we must be aware that after that match we will return to everyday life and continue our lives,” said the selector.
He pointed out that one of the goals of the national team’s coaching staff was to prepare this selection well, which was visible in the match against Wales, which was decided only after extra time and penalties.
“We saw that some players were suffering from cramps against Wales, but they didn’t want to give up, so in all of this, there is a very important and willing moment, which this team certainly does not lack,” he explained.
He emphasized that the preparation for the match against Italy is 90 percent based on his team’s play, and that he is only interested in Bosnia and Herzegovina. national team members and their style of play.
“I don’t care what anyone said on the sidelines. We analyzed each other and that’s where the story ends,” said Barbarez, adding that all players are in good health, although the match against Wales was exhausting.
The captain of the BiH national team, Edin Džeko, commented on the celebration of the Italian football players after they learned that they would be playing against BiH in the play-off final. He does not see a problem in the reaction of the Italian football players, because he believes that this is a normal reaction of any athlete who has certain preferences.
“Sometimes you have to be smarter because we know how social media works today, but as far as I’m concerned, I don’t see a problem in their reaction,” said Džeko.
He reflected on his long-standing national team career and emphasized that a football player’s career passes quickly, and emphasized that “you should enjoy every moment.”
Džeko notes that he has played with a large number of Italian national team players who will play against BiH tomorrow, and that, knowing the Italians, their selection will certainly analyze the game of the BiH national team very well.
“Italy knows who they are playing against and will prepare well, it is certain that they will not underestimate us. They know that we have quality and it will not be easy for them. I hope that we will be at our highest level and that we will achieve victory”, concluded Džeko.
The final of the play-offs for the World Cup in Canada, the USA and Mexico between BiH and Italy will be played tomorrow at the “Bilino Polje” stadium in Zenica starting at 8:45 p.m., with a live broadcast on BHRT.
