PATRIOTIC HEART Džeko: It is an honor for me to play for the national team, and as long as I can help and the coach wants me, I will be there

(Patria) - The captain of the BiH football team, Edin Džeko, summarized his 20 years in the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina at today's press conference.

Džeko has been scoring goals for BiH for 20 consecutive years, and he emphasized that this is just proof of how quickly a player's career passes.

"I didn't even know I had been scoring goals for 20 consecutive years; it's a sign that a player's career flies by in an instant, as they say, in the blink of an eye. You have to enjoy every training session and every match because it ends quickly," said Džeko, and then commented on the Italians.

"The Italians certainly know me well, but I know them too, as I have played with most of them at Roma, Inter, Fiorentina... Knowing them, they will surely analyze us thoroughly."

How aware are you of how much people love you in this country?

"You can see it all in my smile. I am certainly pleased, and it is impressive, and it is a sign that I have given something to this country, which is the most important thing to me. I have always said that it is an honor for me to play for the national team, and as long as I can help and the coach wants me, I will be there."

Where should we look for our chances against Italy, and what do you wish for tomorrow?

"What do we wish for? A win, that's the most important thing. Every match brings something new, and the Italians know who they are playing against and will prepare well. I wish for us to be at our highest level, and that is the most important thing."

This is our sixth playoff, and you have played in all of them. How did you feel in Wales when you scored and after Kerim's penalty for the win?

"You know I don't like to dwell on the past, and you keep bringing me back to it. Every match is different. We went to Wales with positive confidence because we know how much this team has progressed in the last two years, and we knew we could win. That goal brought security and faith that we could turn things around and win. When I saw they missed the last penalty, I knew Kerim would score; the kid has such confidence, and it was evident he would score."

He again commented on the controversial video of the Italians celebrating that they would play against us, not Wales.

"The very fact that Dimarco sent it and attended the conference suggests that they are not happy that it happened that way. I believe they respect us; they know we have quality. We are playing in front of our fans, and they know it will be a tough match for them."

"I expect a very tactical match tomorrow, considering the high stakes for both sides. I believe both teams will be very cautious from the first minute."