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MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 20: Hasan Salihamidzic, Sporting Director of FC Bayern Munich, looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on May 20, 2023 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Ex-Juventus winger Hasan Salihamidzic names two Bosnia and Herzegovina talents who might hurt Italy in the World Cup play-off Final and warns the Azzurri: ‘When the Old Lady goes to the top, the national team follows.’
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Italy visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final tonight.
Salihamidzic: Bosnia will show ‘quality’ against Italy
It will be played at Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium, whose capacity has been cut by 20% following incidents in Bosnia’s most recent home match against Romania this past November.
“It’s a small stadium with an even reduced capacity, but the atmosphere will be unique, don’t forget it,” Salihamidzic, a former Juventus and Bosnia winger, told Gazzetta.
“The people will be the extra player, then the pitch will do the talking. Even if somebody thinks otherwise, there will be quality.
Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, and Esmir Bajraktarevic, 21, are two of the most exciting prospects in the Bosnian squad.
“I don’t know if Alajbegovic will start, but he’s a generational talent. Nobody doubts he has a bright future ahead. There are champions like Dzeko, and this team and his experience can surely be useful. But he’s not the only one,” said Salihamidzic.
“There are many young players who, when they are on their day, know how to turn games around: Bajraktarevic is making a name for himself at PSV. Demirovic is a bit older, but is now a pillar of Stuttgart.
“The Azzurri are in a difficult moment; the whole movement is weaker compared to the past, and not just this year. To me, the thermometer of football is called Juventus, a club I love. I’ll forever be a Bianconero,” he concluded.
“When the Old Lady goes to the top, the national team follows, and vice versa. I’m sure Juventus and Italy will return to the top, but hopefully after this play-off. For our people, it’s too important to go to America.”
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
