Bosnia-Herzegovina Aims for Upset Against Switzerland After Historic Win Over Italy

Bosnia-Herzegovina's head coach Sergej Barbarez, along with defender Nikola Katic, is gearing up for a significant match against Switzerland in Los Angeles on Thursday, following their remarkable qualification for the World Cup by eliminating Italy. The team, eager to showcase their potential, hopes to prove that their earlier success was no mere coincidence.

Notably, veteran striker Edin Dzeko, who missed the team's 1-1 draw with co-hosts Canada in Toronto, is set to return to the lineup. Coach Barbarez's squad aims to pull off another surprise against the top seeds in Group B. He expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete, stating, "We have shown in very recent times we can come on top against 'stronger opponents' on paper." He dismissed any notions that the Swiss players might underestimate a team ranked 44 places below them in the FIFA standings.

"Everyone has the right to their own opinion and show their confidence," he noted in a press conference, recalling a similar sentiment before their match against Italy. Barbarez emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than external expectations.

Defender Nikola Katic echoed this sentiment, feeling that Bosnia's achievement in defeating Italy has not been fully recognized. "We managed to beat one of the biggest nations in the history of football," he remarked, adding that discussions often centered around Italy's failure rather than Bosnia's success. He believes their victory will serve as a confidence booster moving forward.

With ambitions set on advancing beyond the group stage, Bosnia is competing in its second World Cup, having previously exited during the group phase in Brazil in 2014. Meanwhile, all teams in Group B currently hold one point after Switzerland's unexpected draw with Qatar, a team that had never previously scored in a World Cup match. Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler acknowledged the need for self-reflection after the missed opportunity, stating, "We have to look at ourselves and we have to be critical." He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong defensive play when leading in matches.