Barbarez on the national team: I'm leading guys who are proud to wear this jersey

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is playing a friendly match against North Macedonia tomorrow at Koševo before heading to the World Cup. A press conference was held at the Football Federation of BiH premises, where coach Sergej Barbarez addressed the media.

The Dragons gathered in Sarajevo last weekend to begin preparations for the World Cup, and before leaving for America, the BiH team will play a friendly match against North Macedonia.

The match with the Macedonians is scheduled for tomorrow at Koševo, and then on June 2nd, the Dragons will travel to St. Louis, where four days later we will play the "dress rehearsal" against the Panama team.

At the beginning of the press conference, Barbarez revealed the health status of the players.

"Just a quick update on the health status. Regarding Tabaković, I've already mentioned that there are no daily updates, we know we are on the right track and within the timeframe we set. He will join before the trip, but there is also an option for him to continue his treatment so that we are sure he is ready when he joins us," said Barbarez.

"As for Šunjić, it's the end of the season... A minor muscle injury in his leg, but he will return by the weekend and be ready. The situation with Ivan is not worrying. Edin has had a short break, more as a precautionary measure. It's better for them to rest now than when we get to America."

How would you rank North Macedonia?

"If you are not serious, you shouldn't rank anyone. If you are not serious and don't take all tests seriously, you will lose every match. I don't like to belittle or categorize anyone, just as I don't like anyone to do that to us. They are a very serious opponent with a new coach, and this is certainly an important match for them, they will surely try to win, just like us."

North Macedonia is for fine-tuning, what is the plan?

"You can't attack or defend for the entire 90 minutes. We will certainly work on both offense and defense. This match is an opportunity to see everything, to give everyone at least half a game, and that's the idea. To rest some players who have minor issues, not to risk them. The match is of a serious nature, there is no doubt about that."

Barbarez was also asked about the construction of the new National Stadium in Zenica.

"Believe me, I am not up to date on that. I don't believe they will tear it all down and build a new one; I believe the idea is to work on it section by section. I am not up to date."

Will we stick to everything we played in the qualifiers, or are you preparing some surprises for us?

"All the guys who play must give 100%; this is a match where character must be shown. No slacking, this is a test of character for them. There are some ideas, we will certainly try something different. We have already proven during matches that we can change things and that it's not that risky. The idea is to change the formation a bit and have a Plan B, nothing too special. As for Panama, that's the dress rehearsal, we won't take risks, these are initial ideas and we'll see."

Koševo is sold out, how much does that support and atmosphere mean to you, as you have revived the national team spirit, which you always said was your goal?

"Of course, we see this as a result of our work because people have recognized that this is genuine and that we are giving our all. For me, it means everything, not just a lot, but everything, when the stadium is full. Our biggest stadium, and I am truly looking forward to all of it tomorrow, before and after the match. We have all deserved this, we will enjoy it, and we will give our best to make the fans even happier."

Comment on the period when you arrived and the current one, when everyone calls you a coaching magician.

"Barba was the same in 2024 and will always be the same. Barba believes in things, has a vision, and wants to have the right path and lead guys who are proud to wear this jersey, and that was the first condition for selection. We stick to that to this day, the quality is growing, which makes us happy. I can't wait to go to America, as if we're going on an excursion, I swear. I'm so excited, we're playing the World Cup, I'm happy beyond words."