Baždarević: There is pressure, but my players can play a good game

The coach of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, Mehmed Baždarević, ahead of the crucial match with Belgium on October 7th as part of the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, said that his Dragons must play a good game against Belgium:

- We must respect them, but they must not scare us. It doesn't have to be the best game, but a disciplined and engaged one, because we need a result. These players are ready to play quality football - said Meša, writes Patria agency.

He said there is not much room for surprises, but that they can happen.

- This is the right match for such a player to emerge, we have and are thinking about certain players, but I think this match needs to be carried by a strong and good collective.

Miralem Pjanić, who is injured, will not be playing in the match against Belgium.

- I think those who are in the best form will be the leaders of this match. There are about 20 Belgian players who are constantly changing, playing for a win, it's a national team that cannot afford to calculate. They will come to play to win with any lineup, and that should be a motivation for us - Baždarević stated. 

He reiterated that the result will depend on how much everyone gives on October 7th. The coach admits there is pressure because the match is important, but that it must not block them.

- There must be pressure, we know what a positive and what a negative result brings. As for criticism, I respect all of it, except for the false and insincere ones without arguments. I have been in football for 35 years and will be until the end of my life, criticism drives me to show that we can do even better, and the best opportunity for that is the match against Belgium.

- Perhaps this is some kind of destiny that the match is being played at Grbavica. I hope it is the writing of a beautiful history for all of us who are connected to this city and stadium.

Baždarević said that everyone needs to give both heart and mind on the field for 90 minutes.