Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill may no longer be particularly interested in the Nations League but that is not a view shared by Bosnia and Herzegovina counterpart Robert Prosinecki.
The two will pit their wits against each other on Monday night starting from very different positions.
Bosnia's victory against the run of play in Belfast last month has helped propel them to the top of Group B3 while O'Neill's men sit bottom after a 1-0 defeat to Austria, yet to pick up a point and facing the prospect of relegation.
O'Neill has insisted that would be of no great concern to him as he is focused on next year's Euro 2020 qualifiers, but Prosinecki is targeting top spot and a promotion to League A.
"I would ask [O'Neill] if he would say the same had they won the last match," Prosinecki said through a translator.
"Definitely for them maybe it's more important to look to different matches for the Euro 2020 qualifying.
"For us, this is very important because the UEFA Nations League is an important competition and to be in League A is not a small thing.
"It's definitely in our interest to be in first place, to be the best, and to play the best teams in Europe."
But asked if O'Neill's comments might indicate Northern Ireland would not play with the same determination on Monday, Prosinecki said not.
"When it comes to Northern Ireland's attitude and the idea they might not try hard, I don't believe so," Prosinecki said. "It will be a difficult match and they will definitely try."
Last month in Belfast, Northern Ireland dominated the match against Bosnia only to be undone by defensive mistakes in a 2-1 defeat.
O'Neill's side enjoyed 67 per cent possession and had 26 attempts on goal at Windsor Park, but Prosinecki is confident there will be no repeat of that.
"I expect a completely different match this time around," he said. "What's important to mention is that we will play in front of our own fans.
"We know Northern Ireland well; we know this is a very, very good team. They had a strong chance against Austria and I think the result was not fair.
"We know quite well their mentality, which is that they will not give up. What is important for us is that we will try to dominate the match."
The match will take place at the 13,500-capacity Grbavica Stadium, rather than the larger Asim Ferhatovic Hase Stadium across town or Bilino Polje in Zenica - the two stadiums where Bosnia usually play their home games.
Bosnia last played in Grbavica 12 months ago and suffered a 4-3 defeat to Belgium which is their only home loss in a competitive match in the last 11 outings.
Since then the pitch has been relaid as part of a number of improvements, a welcome sight for captain Edin Dzeko. The Roma striker began his professional career at Grbavica with Zeljeznicar - who used to deploy him in midfield.
