Bosnia-Herzegovina stand in Ireland’s way for a place at next summer’s European Championships in France.
A two-legged shoot-out takes place over the next few days and it is certainly the last-chance saloon for both sides after finishing third in their respective groups.
Bosnia’s campaign started slowly but gathered momentum with three wins to finish, to secure the play-off berth, while Ireland stuttered through their campaign with the two games against Germany, the only real highlights of an average campaign.
First up, we’re off to Zenica, and while Ireland might hold a slight advantage to be at home for the second leg, Martin O’Neill’s side will need to make sure the result at the Bilino Polje Stadium (Friday, 7.45pm live on RTÉ2) means that there is something to play for in Dublin on Monday night.
Bosnia will also be keen to make the most of their home fixture and will be anxious to keep a clean sheet with away goals coming into play at the Aviva, if necessary, when this fixture draws to a conclusion.
So here's a look at Bosnia-Herzegovina’s probable XI to face Ireland in this vital European qualifier, with coach Mehmed Bazdarevic playing with a 4-1-4-1 formation, most likely:
Asmir Begovic
This keeper needs no introduction, as he has been an English Premier League regular for the last six seasons with Portsmouth, Stoke City and now Chelsea. Standing 6ft 6in tall, Begovic is one of the most commanding goalkeepers in England and is a very good shot-stopper.
Fantastic and intelligent distribution when in possession and can often set up a quick counter-attack with his pin-point throw-outs. It will take a great strike to beat Begovic who is certainly not to blame for Chelsea’s lack of form. Several former team-mates in the Ireland camp just might possess that local knowledge to help topple the big man.
Mensur Mujdza
The Bosnia formation encourages the right full-back to get forward and join in with the attack, but, to be honest, the Freiburg man doesn’t add much from an attacking sense. In fact, there really is nothing to fear for Ireland about Mujdza and should be targeted as a real area where O’Neill’s men can put pressure on the hosts. A lively left-winger or overlapping full-back will expose Mujdza’s weaknesses.
Toni Sunjic
The towering Stuttgart centre-half will partner Emir Spahic in the middle of the defence but there appears to be a real lack of understanding between the two, and huge gaps are often found between the far-from-solid partnership, with midfielder AnelHadzic often dropping deep to close down the space.
Sunjic is a potential weak-link in the heart of the defence as he is often dragged across to cover right-back Mujdza.The pair play a high line and there will be plenty of space to exploit for the Irish attack. The Bosnia central defenders also like to play the ball around and out from the back, but are prone to giving away possession, as well as putting the keeper under pressure.
Emir Spahic
The real experience in the Bosnia defence, Spahic actually retired from international football at the end of the 2014 World Cup but was recalled after an early group defeat to Cyprus. The 35-year-old currently earns his living in the Bundesliga for Hamburg, having previously played with Bayer Leverkusen. Spahic reads the game very well but the former Sevilla defender can get caught leaving his man as he looks to cover the mistakes of others.
Ervin Zukanovic
The Sampdoria left-back gets forward at every opportunity and links up well with another Serie A player, SenadLulic, on the left side of the Bosnia attack. Zukanovic is, no doubt, an excellent player and a real threat in attack, but also partakes in on-field theatrics, which is never a good sign for a defender. Seamus Coleman’s pace might give him an even bigger headache, which could put a halt to those carefree forays.
Anel Hadzic
Only made his way into the manager’s plans at the tail-end of the qualifying campaign and has been handed the unenviable role of sitting in front of the back four. As mentioned, Hadzic can often get dragged too deep, almost becoming a defacto centre-half, which can leave too much room behind the attack-minded midfield. Needs more support from his fellow midfielders and will struggle to cope if Ireland can get some runners coming from midfield.
Edin Visca
Plying his trade in Istanbul, Visca is an old-school tricky winger who will hug the right touchline and run at the defence when in possession. Surely the Bosnia coach will have noted Ireland’s defensive frailties in the left-back position and Visca will be told to attack. Works hard for his team when not in possession and adds cover to his full-back.
Miralem Pjanic
Such a gifted player and an absolute joy to watch, the Roma midfielder is a real threat to Ireland. The creative midfielder’s chemistry with front-man EdinDzeko will be vital for Bosnia if they are to open up this mean Irish defence. The two are club-mates now and that has helped nurture a greater understanding, which is a real bonus for the international side.
Pjanic, however, can often drop too deep looking for possession, if the ball is not coming out of defence quick enough, which can leave the front man stranded. On the other hand, his set-piece delivery is exquisite, so Ireland will be anxious to avoid giving away needless free-kicks in the vicinity of the penalty box.
Haris Medunjanin
The Deportivo La Coruna man should get the nod over Sejad Salihovic in the centre of midfield. The former Netherlands Under-21 player returned to the country of his birth in 2009, having left war-torn Sarajevo as a child. Meunjanin possesses a good eye for goal, having bagged a brace in the final qualifier in Bosnia’s 3-2 against Cyprus, and will shoot on sight, should the opportunity present itself. Appears to have a good understanding with Senad Lulic and Miralem Pjanic, which offers Bosnia a real attacking threat from midfield.
Senad Lulic
The Lazio midfielder was on the losing side in last weekend’s Rome derby, losing out to Roma 2-0. Lulic links up well with his marauding left-back and that allows the Lazio man to drift inside. Two good feet and is fond of a trick, but Lulic also has a bit of a petulant streak and is known for a late challenge. Discipline is paramount in two-legged affairs and Lulic will want to keep his composure to make sure he is on the flight to Dublin at the weekend.
Edin Dzeko
Fully recovered from a knee injury that ruled him out of the Wales game, the former Manchester City striker scored a penalty in his new side Roma’s 2-0 win over city rivals Lazio at the weekend. Dzeko’s threat is well known and the striker is more than capable of leading the line on his own, as well as proving an excellent link-up player with an attack-minded central midfield. At his best, he can create something out of nothing and prove a real match-winner, but on an off-day the striker can get frustrated and can appear to lose interest, making him largely ineffective.
