Is Milošević leaving after the defeat: That doesn't depend on me, it's a complicated story

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team was defeated on Thursday in the semi-final of the European Championship playoffs by Ukraine after a 2:1 comeback, and after the match, coach Savo Milošević shared his impressions at the press conference.

Bosnia and Herzegovina had a 1:0 lead, but the Ukrainians managed to turn the tide in the final three minutes of the match and secure a victory, advancing to the final of the Euro playoffs.

At Bilino Polje, a press conference was held after the match where Savo Milošević had plenty to say following the defeat in a game where our team was on the verge of victory.

"I really don't know about you or the fans, personally I have not a single complaint for the players. I wouldn't have a conscience if I blamed anyone for anything. For 80 minutes we neutralized a serious team, then confusion set in in the last 10 minutes, probably partly due to substitutions and partly due to a drop in concentration from fatigue. That's football, unfortunately, a small drop was enough. I'm sorry because we managed to match them and ended up losing the match. I can't blame the guys for anything, everything else can be my fault or responsibility," Milošević said at the beginning.

Can you explain the substitutions a bit?

"Two substitutions were forced and we couldn't predict them. There is always a plan for some substitutions, we already had two substitutions ready when Ahmedhodžić got injured, and before that Dedić had been injured since the 20th minute and held on through character until the 60th minute. We knew Dedić would leave the field at some point, we had some plan, I had another idea and unfortunately I didn't go with it. We opted for Ćivić and maybe that was decisive in the end. I have absolutely nothing to blame the players for. Two forced substitutions essentially compromised two positions, those substitutions changed a lot and they are my responsibility, and I don't run away from that. The fault and responsibility are mine," he said and continued.

"I can't comment on situations from previous years or decades. What happened tonight, heads are still hot, but essentially we were on the field, if not better, then a more experienced team in terms of age. We could have played the last 10 minutes a bit smarter. The game plan we had was followed by the guys until the 85th minute, at which point most experienced teams would have held onto the game much more and used some non-football things, and we didn't do that, and that's why we conceded two goals. If we had just thought a bit more experienced in the last 10 minutes, stopped the game, made fouls... But we didn't do that and we played like the rest of the match. A minute before their goal we had a chance for 2:0 and we didn't succeed. That's my explanation for this match."

Can you describe the situation in the 84th minute when Ćivić stays up, makes a mistake and leaves the entire side open?

"It could be said that it's his mistake, but first of all it's mine for putting him in, my responsibility. There were too many of us up and we allowed them a counter in that situation when we had the result. Now to put the blame on one guy... I explained what a more experienced team would have done, we had too many players on the opponent's half when there was no need for it. It never crossed my mind to blame anyone, all the decisions we made about the team and tactics are my decisions and those of the coaching staff. Individual mistakes, if there were any, are an integral part of football. If a player didn't adapt to a position, it's my responsibility for putting him there."

Tahirović in the stands? Why didn't you go for closing out the match in those last 10 minutes?

"As for Tahirović, that was my decision. You saw from the list that there were too many players and we knew someone would have to be left out. That's my decision, I have nothing against any player and they are all the same to me. Those who played and were on the bench are currently at an advantage without going into details. I personally spoke with Tahirović and told him he needs to change some things if he wants his career to go in the right direction."

"I started preparing substitutions when Anel's injury happened, that disrupted everything after Dedić's injury. Closing out the match from my perspective, the midfield and the entire team were functioning so well and our thinking was to make changes only in the last 10 minutes, and I was afraid to disrupt the excellent play with substitutions before that, so I didn't make changes earlier. Everything was working perfectly."

What next? Are you staying?

"That certainly doesn't depend on me. There are a number of things that could happen, but given the result and everything, you are aware that it's a complicated story. Would I stay? I wouldn't even be here if it weren't so."

(sportsport.ba)