Eye Of The Dragon
Hello everyone.
Many thanks to you, Constant Reader. You make this a fun task, rather than a chore.
This is the second in a trilogy of scouting reports on the Super Eagles’ World Cup Group Stage opponents. The previous one profiled Argentina, and if you didn’t see it, be sure to look it up.
Now, onto the present body of work.
“I know where you keep your gun…”
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Manager: Safet Susic
FIFA Ranking: 21
Captain: Emir Spahic
World Cup Honors: debutantes
Nickname: “Zmajevi” (The Dragons)
Bosnia is every romantic’s darling, a National team that rose from the ashes of civil war to finally qualify for a major FIFA tournament after quite a few unlucky misses. Heartbreak in play-offs against Portugal on the two most recent occasions had their fans edgy on the eve of their final group game, with one fan famously stating he’d rather the team failed outright than have to endure another play-off.
They pulled through, besting Greece on goal difference to win their qualifying group (knowing Greece, that’s really easier than it sounds), and boast a vibrant attacking philosophy under PSG legend Safet Susic.
HOW THEY LINE UP
Susic has created an attacking side, and while his basic formation had frequently fluctuated, he seems to have decided that he has to play a system with his two best strikers upfront. Dzeko is slightly unfortunate to be at Manchester City of all clubs, he would almost surely be a starter anywhere else, such is his ability. Vedad Ibisevic comes with a guarantee of goals, and is in excellent form at Vfb Stuttgart.
The creativity is provided primarily by the delightful Zvjezdan Misimovic, but the roles of the other two in the attacking midfield band differ wildly. Senad Lulic plays an energetic role on the left, as you’d expect from a winger, charging up the line, while Roma’s Miralem Pjanic, Bosnia’s golden boy tucks in on the right, essentially playing as an extra body in central midfield. In order to maintain width, Ibisevic periodically drifts out to that right side.
Asked about his all-out attacking style amid suggestions of tactical naivety, Susic is said to have replied “…I play with the cards that I’m dealt. We cannot defend, so we attack.”
STRENGTHS
The form and quality of their front two, and the attacking bent of their midfield. With the predominance of one striker systems, many modern defenders struggle to deal with two in tandem. It seems almost as though they have forgotten how to match up against it. Dzeko and Ibisevic have the quality to worry any defence; with Misimovic adept at threading through balls, Pjanic offering good movement and a set-piece threat, and Lulic’s aggressive running, Bosnia will be a handful.
WEAKNESSES
The attacking bent of their midfield, and a weak defence. Coach Safet Susic’s insistence of crowbarring his best players into the lineup with little regard for balance is a huge source of worry for the Bosnians. He has created a strength that is in itself a weakness.
In front of the defence, the elderly Elvir Rahimic patrols alone, all 37 years of him. Needless to say he can be very easily overrun in that zone, leaving an already weak defence creaking. Susic had a stroke of good fortune in finally getting the promising Sead Kolasinac from Schalke to represent Bosnia, thereby solving a long-standing left-back problem, but seeing as the fullbacks fulfill attacking roles anyway, Bosnia basically defend with three: the aforementioned Rahimic, captain Emir Spahic, and impressive but inexperienced youngster Emir Bicakcic at transitions.
HOW TO PLAY IT
This game would have been ideal as an opener for the Super Eagles, in order to take advantage of Bosnia’s nerves as debutantes. However, that’s just the psychological side. There’s a good chance they’ll lose their opener to Argentina, and that they’ll legislate for that loss and expect their other two games to yield the points. This means they’ll come at us firing on all cylinders.
To get at them, we need to impose ourselves on the game physically from the off. A good attacking side they may be, but a lack of physical prowess and stamina is their weak underbelly, especially in midfield. We must press aggressively when out of possession, control the ball efficiently when we have it and make them chase it.
It is also vital to get our striker(s) to work the channels well. This will drag their weak defenders out of position and open up space for midfield runners, with Rahimic unable to stem the tide.
So, that’s a wrap for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Hope you find this insight useful. Thanks a lot for reading. As always, corrections, observations and comments are very welcome. Onto Iran in the next post.
