Sergej Barbarez Confident in Bosnia's Young Talent Ahead of England Clash

Sergej Barbarez, the newly appointed manager of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, is set to lead his team in his first match against England today. Barbarez, who took over the role in April after Bosnia failed to qualify for Euro 2024, is optimistic about the team's future, particularly with the inclusion of several young and uncapped players.

The squad for the match includes nine players who have never played for the national team and three who have only made a single appearance. This comes due to injuries to key senior players such as Sead Kolasinac, Rade Krunic, and Amar Dedic. Despite these setbacks, Barbarez is confident in the potential of his young squad.

Barbarez, recalling his own debut against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, emphasized the importance of giving young players the opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage. He stated, "Of course, the results are important, but at this point, we want to use the upcoming games like the one against England and the whole year ahead of us to change the perspective of the national team. We want this team to be successful and respected again, but more than that, we want it to be loved again."

The match against England is followed by a game against Euro 2020 finalists Italy on Sunday, providing a challenging start for Barbarez's tenure. These high-profile matches are seen as opportunities for the young players to gain valuable experience and for Barbarez to assess the team's capabilities.

Among the young talents is Nikola Vasilj, the 28-year-old goalkeeper of FC St. Pauli. Vasilj, who has been nominated for the national team for years, now has the chance to become the new number one goalkeeper following the retirement of long-time goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic. Vasilj has the advantage of playing in the Bundesliga, giving him a competitive edge over his peers.

Barbarez's vision for the national team goes beyond immediate results. He aims to restore the importance and appeal of playing for the national team, which he believes has diminished over the years. "Playing for the national team has lost its cult status. We want players to feel proud and excited again for playing for their country. That is the first step," he said.

Veteran striker Edin Dzeko, who is set to win his 135th international cap, expressed his ongoing honor in representing Bosnia and Herzegovina. *"Even now that I am 38 years old, and even earlier, playing for the national team is a great honor and a dream for me,"* Dzeko remarked.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina prepare for their upcoming matches, Barbarez's confidence in his young players and his vision for the future of the national team will be put to the test. The coming games will not only gauge the team's current strength but also set the tone for its future development.

Key Takeaways

• Sergej Barbarez is the new manager of Bosnia and Herzegovina's national football team.
• Barbarez's first match is against England, with 9 uncapped players in the squad.
• He aims to restore the national team's prestige and make players proud to represent their country.
• Veteran Edin Dzeko will win his 135th international cap in the England match.
• Barbarez's vision is to build a successful and respected team for the future.