Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko believes Italy is feeling the pressure ahead of their World Cup playoff final, and he’s not backing down.
The controversy surrounding Italy players celebrating Bosnia’s win over Wales has only fueled the fire, with Dzeko saying it’s a sign of Italy’s desperation.
Dzeko brushed off the incident, saying it’s normal for teams to have preferences, and he’s not bothered by it. “What happened is something completely normal because we all have our preferences, mine was maybe not to play against Italy,” he told reporters.
Italy is indeed under pressure, risking missing out on World Cup qualification for a third consecutive time. Dzeko thinks this might be affecting their game, saying, “If they’re afraid of playing in Wales, it means something isn’t working.”
The 40-year-old striker is familiar with Italian football, having played for Inter, AS Roma, and Fiorentina. He’s not impressed with their current form, saying their media complain about lacking intensity, which is why Italian clubs are struggling in Europe.
Bosnia, on the other hand, is aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Dzeko is confident they’ll give Italy a tough match, saying, “I expect a very tactical match, given what’s at stake for both.”
Dzeko’s form is also a concern for Italy, having scored in every year since his Bosnia debut in 2007. He’s showing no signs of slowing down, saying, “As long as I feel good and as long as I can help, I’ll be here.”
