Miralem Pjanic, the esteemed former midfielder for Juventus, Roma, and the Bosnia national team, has voiced his confusion regarding the Italian players’ celebrations following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s victory over Wales. He asserts that Italy will need to demonstrate significant personality and resilience when they face off in Zenica.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Pjanic remarked, “I don’t understand why. Bosnia is waiting for them with open arms,” he added with a smile. “Italy is Italy, and we hold them in the highest regard, but who knows? They will need to perform exceptionally well in a formidable atmosphere. They will require strong character to leave Zenica with a victory.”
Italian players, notably Federico Dimarco, were captured on camera celebrating Bosnia’s win, a video that rapidly gained traction across social media platforms. The context for this fixture saw Italy secure a 2-0 home victory against Northern Ireland to advance to the World Cup play-off final, while Bosnia and Herzegovina clinched their spot by defeating Wales in a penalty shootout.
Dimarco subsequently clarified his reaction during a press conference, emphasizing that his actions were not born out of arrogance and that broadcasting the Azzurri’s celebration live on television was “disrespectful.”
The decisive World Cup play-off final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 31, in Zenica at 20:45 CET.