Barbarez: Niko Janković will not play for BiH, Ahmedhodžić is a closed chapter

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is gathering today in Sarajevo ahead of the matches against Cyprus and Malta, and Sergej Barbarez held a press conference where he revealed his expectations for the aforementioned encounters. Around 15 players are expected to arrive during the day.

The Dragons continue their World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Cyprus, which our team will play in Larnaca on Thursday, and three days later we will visit Malta for a friendly match.

Barbarez confirmed that Haris Hajradinović has been ruled out due to injury and will be out of action for at least 4-6 months.
"Instead, we have invited Dino Beširović, a player who has been on my list for some time due to his versatility and to ensure we have enough players in the midfield. He can play multiple positions, but the idea with him is to have him here instead of Haris and Šarić, who has also been absent for a while; we need that style of play, and that's why this decision was made," said Barbarez.

The Dragons will train in Sarajevo and travel to Cyprus on Wednesday.

"I have always said that October will be the most important for us, either we secure second place or we fight for everything. We go into every match aiming to win and capitalize on the excellent position we have, which I believe we deserve, and in football terms, we are attacking every game."

Does this mean we have given up on fighting for first place? Cyprus is one of the underdogs; is this match the most important for us right now in the fight to advance?

"I said that our matches against Romania and Austria will decide our fate in the fight for first place, of course, if we beat Cyprus. I have always said that Cyprus is not a naive team and can cause problems for anyone. They did that to the Romanians, and they will do it to us too if we are not 100% focused in the match. This is a match that will determine these November encounters, and that's it."

The Romanians and Austrians play on Sunday; are you thinking about that in the context of our match? The call-up for Beširović?

"I just explained why Dino is here. Luka and Dennis are also back after a longer break. Every national team welcomes back players after 4-5 years, and that means nothing; the most important thing is how a player performs. It happens that someone debuts for the national team at 35 and impresses. Romania - Austria? I'm not thinking about it; it doesn't matter to us because we are only thinking about Cyprus right now. We cannot influence that match, so it's not important to us."

Does Dedić's form make you happy?

"Dedić's form and the team he plays for are certainly pleasing. We must understand that his playing for Benfica and for the national team are two different things. We cannot expect it to be the same because the style of play is not the same; here, he has many more defensive than offensive tasks."

What is the situation with Emir Karić? He obtained citizenship last year and received one call-up then, but hasn't been seen since. What about him?

"I will talk about someone who is not here; I will make that slip. I just see that at the moment, we have two, even three players in that position when Kolašinac returns. I have nothing against anyone, and that's it. He is eligible to play; he has earned the right."

A question for Demirović because he is in excellent form at his club, but plays in a slightly different position for the national team? And, a comment on Muharemović's great performances at his club?

"Ermedin is what we need; he has always been a team player. He has now moved into the central part of the team, but last season he had a different role, similar to here. When you have a player like that, you are the happiest coach because nothing is a problem for him to play. He will always be where you need him as long as I am here. Muharemović? He has made an incredible leap. He has made the biggest progress among us and has become extremely important. I am very happy about that and that he feels he has become an important player, as it is not easy to achieve that in Italy at 23."

Cyprus's characteristic is their aggressive play; are you preparing for that?

"A very tricky team, and if we don't give over 100%, we will have problems, especially since they feel confident after Austria and Romania. They will surely be looking for a win, just like here; that's how they approach the match. They have that southern stubbornness and aggression; if you give them some confidence with poor actions, it won't be good. Courage will be the most important thing, and we must show that there. Playing very smartly and bravely will be the recipe for them."

He also commented on Ahmedhodžić's statements to Dutch media about the BiH national team.

"Believe me, I have no comment. That is the director's problem, and he is dealing with it. Players who withdraw from the national team themselves, we have nothing to fix there. I only want guys who will fight and sacrifice for this crest. That is a closed chapter for us."

What is the situation with Kolašinac; can we expect him in November?

"I am in communication with Sejo; he has started serious training. We pushed a bit for him to be with us, but the club was against it because they feared he would be pushed to play. I have open communication with him and the team. Unfortunately, he won't be here now, but I am sure he will be in November.

When asked about Niko Janković and Vitaly Janelt, the coach confirmed that Janković will not play for BiH.

"Niko Janković will not play for BiH because he and his father decided after accepting and our conversation and after the joy and everything, they called us and said they did not want to be part of this story. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I am disappointed by that attitude and that they broke their word. Janelt? A very difficult situation, unfortunately. We have one more joker there, and we will see if it works out and if he gets a call-up."