Scouting Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina will be playing in a World Cup tournament for the first time in their history after topping their qualifying group ahead of Greece, with an emphatic goal difference of +24. Bosnia’s impressive qualifying campaign saw them rack up eight wins from 10 matches; they scored 30 goals in total whilst letting in just eight at the other end. Despite being World Cup debutants, Bosnia’s experienced squad should stand them in good stead to face the challenges that lie ahead, with several of their players regularly parading their talents in the biggest leagues in Europe.

In their first Group F match they face a stern test against one of the tournament’s favourites, Argentina.  The final two fixtures in the group look far easier, though, when they take on Nigeria and Iran, and they will be confident of their chances here, especially with the potent goalscoring threats of their strikers Vedad Ibišević and Edin Džeko. On paper, qualification looks a very real possibility for Bosnia.

THE 24-MAN SQUAD

Player                                             Club

Goalkeepers

1    Asmir Begović                Stoke City FC

2    Jasmin Fejzić                 VfR Aalen

3    Asmir Avdukić                FK Borac Banja Luka

Defenders

4    Emir Spahić                   FC Bayer 04 Leverkusen

5    Toni Šunjić                    FC Zorya Lugansk

6    Sead Kolašinac             FC Schalke 04

7    Ognjen Vranješ             FC Elazigspor

8    Ervin Zukanović            KAA Gent

9    Ermin Bičakčić              FC Eintracht Braunschweig

10   Muhamed Bešić           Ferencvarosi TC

11   Mensur Mujdža            SC Freiburg

Midfielders

12    Miralem Pjanić            AS Roma

13    Izet Hajrović               Galatasaray AS

14    Haris Medunjanin         FC Gaziantepsor

15    Senad Lulić                 SS Lazio Rome

16    Anel Hadžić                SK Sturm Graz

17    Tino-Sven Sušić         HNK Hajduk Split

18    Sejad Salihović          TsG Hoffenheim

19    Zvjezdan Misimović    FC Guizhou Renhe

20    Senijad Ibričić             FC Erciyespor

21    Avdija Vršajević          HNK Hajduk Split

Forwards

22    Vedad Ibišević           VfB Stuttgart

23    Edin Džeko                Manchester City FC

24    Edin Višća                 Istanbul BB SK

*The reason for coach Safet Susic naming 24 players instead of the usual 23 is due to Bosnia’s first choice right-back Mensur Mujdža being fairly injury prone. Should the player miss out altogether through injury, Avdija Vršajević is expected to drop back from his normal right-wing position and provide cover.

PREDICTED LINEUPS/FORMATIONS

———————Begović—————-

Mujdža – Bičakčić – Spahić(C) – Kolašinac

———————Medunjanin—————-

–Pjanić——- Misimović—— –Lulić— — —

——-Ibišević – — —- —Džeko———

———————Begović—————-

Mujdža – Bičakčić – Spahić(C) – Kolašinac

——-Medunjanin – — —- —Bešić———

–Pjanić——- Misimović—— –Lulić— — —

———————Džeko—————-

———————Begović—————-

Mujdža – Bičakčić – Spahić(C) – Kolašinac

——-Salihović – — —- —Bešić———

–Lulić——- Pjanić—— –Hajrović— — —

———————Džeko—————-

Safet Susic had toyed with different formations throughout the qualifiers, but predominantly favoured a 4-1-3-2 formation. This sometimes left them exposed in defence, and it’s expected that Bosnia will revert to a 4-2-3-1 against more testing opposition. This would likely see Ibišević drop out of the starting XI, with Džeko leading the line on his own. The back four is likely to remain constant, injuries permitting. Spahić is the leader and rock in central defence, whilst Bičakčić is currently in favour as the second defender alongside the captain. Šunjić appears to be third choice in the pecking order at centre-back, while elsewhere, Zukanović and Vranješ provide cover at both full-back and central defence.

There are several players in the squad who are able to cover in a number of positions. For example, Lulić and Salihović can both feature on the left-wing, with Salihović also known to cover at full-back, central midfield and in defensive midfield. Muhamed Bešić can provide cover in central defence and also as a regular starter in defensive midfield. Izet Hajrović can play on the wings or also as an attacking midfielder. He is supposedly blessed with good dribbling skills, is known for taking long-shots and does put his name in the hat for free-kicks too.

Pjanić has been used on the right-wing by Susic, but does like to drift into central areas where his playmaking skills can be fully utilised. Misimović has often played behind the two strikers, and has generally been the chief string-puller in games, creating plenty of goals. He’s also regularly taken Bosnia’s penalties, and i’m not quite certain whether or not it will be Džeko on spot-kick duties in Brazil

KEY PLAYER

Edin Džeko is the third most experienced member of the squad with 60 caps, and will be vital to Bosnia’s chances of going far in the tournament. He is their leading goalscorer with 33 goals to his name, with the next best being Misimović on 26. Džeko arrives at the tournament full of confidence after helping Manchester City clinch a second league title in three years, with his goals proving crucial at the business end of the season. Džeko was instrumental in qualification as he scored 10 goals, with his strike partner Ibišević finding the net eight times. Džeko also scored the crucial goals against Greece, which effectively sealed their first-place position in the group, meaning they avoided a play-off. Not many would disagree on Argentina topping the group with maximum points, therefore Dzeko’s goals will be crucial in helping see off fellow challengers Nigeria and Iran for second spot in the group.

YOUNG GUN

Sead Kolašinac is just 20 years of age, but has already established himself as a regular left-back in the Bundesliga for Schalke. Left-back had been a real problem area for Bosnia, with the coach trying out several combinations, until Kolašinac put his name in the frame after declaring to play for Bosnia, thus turning his back on Germany. Previously, the coach had tried both Lulić and Salihović at left-back, but neither were convincing enough to keep faith with. Kolašinac got his chance and impressed in a friendly against Argentina, and his reputation amongst the Bosnian faithful has grown ever since. Despite only having a few caps to his name, Kolašinac will be the starting left-back for Bosnia in Brazil. Impressive showings here could see him catch the eye of the bigger clubs in Europe, with Man United having previously been linked with the player, as a solution to their left-back conundrum.