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Bosnia
Frustrating and disappointing, but not over yet
Comments(17)
So what is there to say? It’s only been a few hours, but I’m already sick of thinking about this game. To sum it up, Carlos Quieroz prepared his team every bit as well as I expected. Of course, this hardly makes him an evil genius – Ciro made it a lot easier on him by not changing a god damn thing. For the past month we’ve all expected that the Portuguese wanted to shut down our playmaker and force their way down our wings, and that’s exactly what they did. Misimovic was practically invisible, always covered by two to three red shirts, and without him there was absolutely no one to distribute the ball. (More below the field).
Why? Because Ciro insists on forcing Muratovic into the line-up when the man already has one foot in the footballing grave. Granted, the problem isn’t so much that Muratovic plays bad per se, but that including him severely limits what our formation is capable of. As the second central midfielder, he needs to not only be able to assist in defense but to assist in distributing the ball up the field. But he can’t, and so with Misimovic out of the game there was no creative force to link our forwards with the rest of the team. The wing-backs? Neither Salihovic nor Ibricic are actual wing-backs, and this can be seen in their lack of speed. The forwards? Not so much subpar as simply stranded and alone – you can’t expect Dzeko to dribble past both two midfielders and two defenders.
The obvious solution is named Miralem Pjanic. In the mere five minutes he had at the end of the game, he showed exactly why he needs to play the full 90 minutes. It was his play that set up the already infamous crossbar/post combination, and I’m sure there would have been more had he been around longer. The Portuguese have shown that they can completely stiffle Misimovic, but I don’t think they can completely stiffle both Misimovic and the creative engine behind Olympique Lyonnais.
Now as for that crossbar/post. On the one hand, it’d be quite rich to say that we were unlucky. The Portuguese dominated the game, particularly in terms of sheer possession, and in fact we were lucky that they have absolutely no idea how to finish. Sure, they got the ball to our third of the field and it looked pretty, but then they did little more than dance around the penalty box. Part of it is our obvious height advantage, but that hardly explains it. Horrible crosses, lame set pieces, persistently wide shots, bundled passes… frankly, a team with that kind of advantage in possession should have scored at least another goal. The Portuguese didn’t, and it’s not because they were terribly unlucky but because they just don’t know how. But going back to my original point, while we were by far the weaker team for vast stretches of the game, it’s also a fact that we could very easily be heading back home with a draw right now, and in that sense we’re unfortunate not to.
Speaking of home, what can we expect? I’m not too optimistic. Not so much because of what we saw tonight (I believe it would’ve looked different with better player selection), but because we lost Emir Spahic to yellow cards. It was because of him that Nani was never able to do much after passing Salihovic, and it’s hard to exaggerate what this loss means to our defense. None of our potential substitutes come close to filling his shoes, in large part because they’re nowhere near as mobile as him. With that in mind, it’s hard to see the Portuguese not scoring a goal, and if they do so before us then we’re probably done for. When it’s all said and done, I’m afraid that our chances at World Cup qualification will turn out to have sailed away with that damned crossbar.
But while there’s still a game left, we’re allowed to have hope, right? First off, the yellow cards have also given us a blessing in disguise, since Muratovic and Rahimic can no longer play and Ciro will finally be forced to put in more creative options (i.e. Pjanic and Bajramovic respectively). Our defense will have to come through big time; Safet Nadarevic will have to repeat his performance tonight, Sanel Jahic will have to do better and (most likely) Boris Pandza will have to do at least as well as he did against Belgium. From there we simply have to overwhelm them offensively, which seems laughable after tonight’s performance, but I think it’s entirely possible with Pjanic on the field. One goal is all it would take to put us back in the driver’s seat, and with two creative midfielders and 20,000 screaming fans I think we’re up for it.
Ratings:
Hasagic (7.5) – Very impressive tonight. Regained the confidence of the fans and dispelled concerns about being out of form. His needless dribbling has given us heart attacks for years, but he did everything else right. Not to blame for the goal.
Jahic (5.5) – A relatively poor performance, mirroring that of the team as a whole. The weakest of our three center-backs.
Nadarevic (7) – A strong performance. He’ll have to lead the defense in the home tie.
Spahic (6.5) – A sloppy handball, but he ultimately made a number of crucial interventions. He was responsible for stopping Nani and will be sorely missed.
Ibricic (5) – It was painful to watch a man with a reputation as a dribbler turn around at nearly every challenge and pass the ball back to his defense. His work ethic has often been enough to overcome his many limitations at this position, but not tonight. A nice crossbar, but direct responsibility for the conceded goal as well.
Salihovic (5.5) – Worked very hard offensively, but found to be lacking against a winger of Nani’s qualities. Partial responsibility for the conceded goal by conceding the ball in midfield.
Muratovic (5) – Distinctly average. Occasionally held up the ball well, but did nothing to assist our attack as a player in his position should. Taking up space.
Rahimic (5.5) – Some clumsy moves, but also never really allowed to do his job properly by the referee.
Misimovic (4) – Arguably his worst ever outing with the national team. The Portuguese stuck to him like glue, and he didn’t have the speed or breathing space to do anything about it.
Dzeko (6) – Did all he could. Worked his ass off, dribbled past Portuguese midfielders and even had a few chances.
Ibisevic (5.5) – Perhaps more limited in this formation than Dzeko, but ultimately stranded as well.
Muslimovic (6) – Showed a spark coming off the bench. Could well replace Ibisevic in next Wednesday’s line-up, further compounding our height advantage.
Pjanic (n/a) – Incomplete. Could have earned a 7 if he had kept going. Absolutely has to start the next game.
Ciro (4) – No substitutions until the 82nd minute. Muratovic from the get go. The fact that we’re playing an antiquated formation in the first place.
Notes on the opposition: Portugal is a very impressive team. Played some very nice football, even if their finishing was quite poor. Pepe was man of the match and put in a great performance. Several of their players – namely Nani and Liedson – got on my nerves for going down at the slightest contact.
And lastly, what was with the random music they kept blaring over the speakers? Was that Europe’s “Final Countdown”? I can’t even begin to describe how annoying it got. But two can play that game. I propose we wire the speakers in Zenica to loop the introduction to “Lipe Cvatu” every 15 seconds. That will show them.
I dunno about frustration. I think most people who want to see Bosnia get through would have taken this result before the game. Pranjic and Muslimovic did seem to make a huge difference though. I am not sure about winning by two, but i thought Hasagic looked fairly solid in nets, and there was a spell around 60 mins where portugal looked really impressive but they couldn’t get through so I am not giving up hope just yet. I think even with a Portugal away goal, BiH could get three. Here’s hoping.
Have to say I thought both of these teams looked a lot better than either Greece or Ukraine.
Shame about that post/crossbar thing. Ciro is stubborn as he is old. He’s probably keeping Pjanic off just to show that his authority is the law and that he ain’t gonna buckle to no one’s request. Even if it means doing the right(obvious) thing. Also, the overall lack of reaction from the bench was disheartening. You had the feeling Ciro would have signed that 1:0 scoreline rather then come out for the 2nd half, even if Portugal looked out of depth (Queuroz era specialty) and ready to concede. Then again, Ciro was always known for his motivational skills, not for his tactical prowess.
Sadly, it’ll take something special on the night for BiH to pull it through. And I hope the first line Ciro gives to the press on Wednesday evening won’t be on how Bosnia blew its chance four days earlier.
lol ciro is terrible, shame no one saw this earlier on as everyone was jumping on this bs bandwagon.. he didnt even use all subs and gave pjanic 5 min.. rubbish display of football on bihs part.. yes they hit the post a couple times but portugal controlled the match and they too could have put a couple more goals in the back of the net.
anyway a draw was really needed for bih and they threw it away…the best result for bih in zenica will be a draw i think.. world cup qualification bid is in serious doubt now.
Posted from 
Australia
I’m with you Buzz, at least as far as Ciro is concerned. If we don’t qualify, the blame will fall largely on his shoulder. Where I disagree with you is about Zenica. I am confident in a win, I’m just not sure if I have faith in one that is large enough.
Posted from 
United States
But do you really beleave that you deserve to be in the worldcup?
the fact is that you didn’t attack in 90 minutes. And what to say about the fairplay that you have shown today? Nice, very nice.
Posted from 
Portugal
Honestly I must say I was quiet shocked that Ciro did not put in Miralem Pjanic sooner than he did .. Everybody on the Bosnian side knew that he would bring him off the bench but to let him play only 5 minutes was mind boggling. This old and often described “charismatic” man might have doomed us with that move along with playing Muratovic as you described Harun. It will take something special from our players to overcome this 1 goal deficit and not allow the Portuguese to score (with Spahic being out, this indeeed will be quite a task).
As the saying goes, where there is a will there is a way .. I guess come wednesday we will find out with how much heart these Bosnian players will come out with ..
Posted from United States
only to say that’s it’s a shame the airport reception today of the portuguese nacional team. the bosnian supporters are loke animals!
because of that, bosnia is out! believe me !
The Ref. will make the rest…
have a nice day……
Posted from Portugal
I’m not much of a believer in “deserving” to be at the World Cup – you either qualify or you don’t. But if you insist, we can have that argument too. It’s ridiculous to say that “we didn’t attack in 90 minutes,” seeing as we had twice as many legitimate scoring opportunities as you with seemingly half the possession. We played our usual formation with two strikers so, yes, we were attacking, you just managed to stifle our playmaker and so it didn’t look very good. Wait until Wednesday when you have to deal with Miralem Pjanic instead of Samir Muratovic in midfield and you’ll see what attacking football looks like. It’s highly likely that you’ll also see what finishing looks like, so I hope you’re taking notes.
As for the airport incident, I’m not about to call for “an eye for an eye,” but I find it quite rich for Portuguese fans to complain about “fair play.” Our players were held up at the Lisbon airport for two hours. Our fans were attacked by policemen who were instructed to use “extra force.” A 39-year-old woman ended up with a fractured skull. Fans were beat indiscriminately.
And on the field, Nani’s behavior was an absolute disgrace. You were given something like four free kicks from just outside the penalty box, as your players collapsed at the slightest touch and then had the nerve to complain. So sorry if your treatment in Sarajevo and Zenica turns out to be less than idyllic, but I wouldn’t be surprised after the events in Lisbon.
Posted from United States
Antonio – I wish you knew a little bit more about the reception our fans and players received in Lisbon before speaking about this. However, I agree with you, unfriendly behaviour is really unnecessary and stupid.
Antonio .. “the Ref. will make the rest” .. I bet this ref is from Brazil which will bode well for the Portuguese since half their players are Brazilian ..
Posted from United States
HARUN
What’s the latest?? I imagine Pjanic will finally get the start? Also does Ciro put Muslimovic instead of Ibisevic (I know its a stretch but could it be a possibility?) .. Im guessing (and per your previous comment) Boris Pandza will get the start instead of Spahic who got the “unfortunate” yellow?
Also I am very surprised I guess for the fact that the players did not voice their concerns about Ciro really not making ANY adjustments in the last game .. what are your thoughts?? Are they just a young group of guys respecting their leader and not wanting to “disrespect” their old coach?????
Posted from United States
Misimovic out now with an injury? Medunjanin to start? OUCH
Posted from United States
Medunjanin is a good player but not a playmarker in the same vein as Misimovic. With Pjanic playing behind him thats actually a pretty good line up though. Replacing Rahimic however is harder. We haven’t got another box to box midfielder like him but Bajramovic is a decent player and really the only other option.
I’m finding the doomsday opinions of some of my fellow Bosnians disheartening when we’re bound to go into this game with a great attacking line up and solid determination AT HOME. I fully expect us to win this game and announce our presence to the world even if we don’t go through to the world cup. We should be grateful for what we’ve achieved.
As for the hooligans, the racism, and the biased drivel so many people are spitting out: Fuck you. You’re a tool and a detriment to the game. An eye for an eye is bullshit and just because a few of the Portuguese fans have behaved like animals doesn’t justify us behaving that way. The same is true for the reverse
Posted from Australia
SEE YOU GUYS AT SOUTH AFRICA !
ANTONIO (FCPORTO THE BEST)
Posted from Portugal
@ Antonio
Dude, you are one immature arrogant kid. Imo Bosnia should have win you in Portugal back then, just u were damn lucky. I really hope Serbia will play with Portugal, cause with gameplay u have shown so far there is no chance you will beat any searious team there. My 2 cents.
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The 2-3 post/crossbar chances were frustrating to say the least. I totally agree with your game assessment, not good enough, we could have been better if just for better tactical management by ciro. Not that I think that we couldn’t win in Zenica but I am not optimistic that we wouldn’t give an away goal to the Portuguese. I can see us winning 2-1 in Zenica and in the end the away goal fucks us up.
Posted from
Canada