Match Progress and Early Moments
10 min: The teams are settling into a rhythm with some traditional passing at the back, demonstrating a patient approach reminiscent of the 1960s style of play.
8 min: Tonali delivers a fast, flat cross from the left. Retegui attempts a flicked header about ten yards out but fails to connect properly. The hosts counterattack with Dzeko sending a looping ball down the left for Memic to chase. Barella intervenes to force the ball out for a throw-in. Bosnia and Herzegovina's coach Sergej Barbarez indicates a high-kick was directed at his player, though this goes unnoticed by others.
7 min: Demirović gains possession in the centre circle and advances down the inside-right channel to the edge of the box. He takes a shot, which is straight at Donnarumma, who collects it securely. The positioning of the Italian midfield during this play is questionable.
5 min: Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso is already on the touchline, signaling for calm with palms down, an international gesture to settle the team. Charles Antaki comments,
“All eyes, then, on Gattuso as his players succeed or fail. Never blessed with classic Italian good looks, dear old Gennaro has filled out a bit since his prime years with Milan, and his slightly frog-like outline now makes you worry whether the tension might make him puff up and burst. Much to play for.”
4 min: Dzeko causes disruption near the Italian box and passes to Dedic on the left. A low cross is cleared by Calafiori but falls to Locatelli, who returns it out for a corner. The Italian defence appeared disorganized during this sequence, but the corner yields no significant threat.
2 min: Dimarco launches a long ball for Kean, who controls it and passes to Tonali. The ball is then played wide to Politano, one of Italy’s stronger performers against Northern Ireland. His cross is intercepted by the first defender, and Bosnia and Herzegovina clear the ball.
Bosnia and Herzegovina commence the match. Early on, Calafiori and Dedic collide in a comical manner but play continues.
Pre-Match Atmosphere and Context
The teams enter the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica amid a lively atmosphere, despite one stand remaining empty. The setting provides an intimate environment, which Bosnia and Herzegovina sought. Coaches Sergej Barbarez and Gennaro Gattuso share a warm embrace before the anthems. The home crowd sings passionately, while the hosts stand solemnly with hands on hearts, underscoring the significance of this match. Kick-off is imminent.
Recent controversy surrounds the match, as two Italian players, Guglielmo Vicario and Federico Dimarco, were filmed celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penalty shootout victory over Wales. This incident is likely to be addressed in Bosnia’s pre-match briefing. Edin Džeko remarked,
“I don’t know why Italy preferred not to play in Wales. We went there without fear and won. If Italy are afraid to play in Wales, something isn’t right.”This statement highlights the psychological dynamics ahead of the game.
Gattuso has attempted to minimize the controversy, stating,
“Despite what happened the other day, we know the truth of the matter is there isn’t a difference between Wales and Bosnia. It’s honestly not a cliché to admit this is a tough match and we respect them.”
Pre-Match Insights and Kit Details
In the pre-match analysis, Bob Kurac notes,
“Bosnia play in Zenica, not the capital Sarajevo where there is a far bigger stadium, as it tends to rattle visiting teams. I saw them hold Portugal to a very creditable 0-0 in a Nov 2011 Euro qualifier first leg, despite Ronaldo hitting the bar in the last minute. Maybe the ground got to the visitors: however, they tonked them 6-2 in the second leg. No second leg tonight though.”
Justin Kavanagh adds a personal note,
“Isn’t Signor Gattuso married to a Scottish woman? Should his charges fail to qualify tonight, he will face a hard summer of watching the other team in blue go into battle to the cheers of his other half. Even if the jibes and banter will inevitably stop after three games.”
Regarding kits, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the home side, wear their blue shirts with yellow trim. Italy is compelled to wear their second-choice white kit. Italy traditionally looks sharp in white, though there is some dissatisfaction with the redesigned shield, which is perceived as less pointed at the bottom. Additionally, Italy’s current kit supplier adidas is not universally favored, with some nostalgia for the previous supplier, Diadora.
Team Lineups and Officials
Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez makes one change from the side that started in Cardiff, substituting Benjamin Tahirović with Ivan Bašić in midfield. Sead Kolašinac, despite an injury concern, starts in defence. Veteran striker Edin Džeko, aged 40 and formerly of Manchester City, leads the attack.
Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso names an unchanged starting eleven, hoping Sandro Tonali can influence the midfield throughout the match.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Starting XI: Vasilj, Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac, Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Memic, Demirovic, Dzeko.
Subs: Hadzikic, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Celik, Tahirovic, Tabakovic, Radeljic, Alajbegovic, Burnic, Hadziahmetovic, Bazdar, Gigovic.
Italy Starting XI: Donnarumma, Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori, Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco, Kean, Retegui.
Subs: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Raspadori, Pisilli, Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Gatti, Cambiaso.
Referee: Clement Turpin (France).
Match Stakes and Historical Context
Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy are vying for qualification to the 2026 World Cup finals. However, the focus is on Italy, who risk becoming the first major footballing nation to miss three consecutive World Cups. Uruguay, France, Spain, and England have each missed two consecutive tournaments, but a third absence would be unprecedented for a nation of Italy’s stature. It is noted that the pre-total football Netherlands are not considered in this context.
Italy’s recent form was underwhelming against Northern Ireland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina also showed vulnerabilities in their narrow victory over Wales. Historically, Italy has a strong record against Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning four of the last five matches between 2019 and 2024, with one draw. Bosnia and Herzegovina won the initial encounter in 1996.
Given these factors, Italy is generally favored to qualify for the tournament in North America. However, past surprises, such as Italy’s failure to qualify in 2018 and 2022, caution against complacency. The match kicked off at 7.45pm BST.
