Edin Dzeko responds to Federico Dimarco and ignites Bosnia-Italy

Edin Dzeko, on the eve of the World Cup play-off between Bosnia and Italy, spoke right away about the issue related to Dimarco’s exultation: “It’s a very normal thing. We spoke, he told me that he did not want to offend anyone and I told him that there was no problem. We all have preferences. Maybe mine was not to play against Italy: I cannot jubilate because I play against them.”

“Today with social media you have to be very careful: even the most normal things like this are magnified. They didn’t want to play in Wales, I don’t know why. We went there without fear and won. I don’t know why they should be afraid of Bosnia or Wales. Italy is an incredible national team, they have won four World Cups. If you are afraid to play Wales something doesn’t work…”.

The Bosnian captain then tried to shift the pressure on the Azzurri, stressing the importance of what is at stake: “Maybe we have to see it that way as well: after two lost World Cups they play so much and I can suffer from the mental aspect. They are afraid. But I’m sure that, especially after the words of Dimarco and Vicario, they will not underestimate us.”

Dzeko finally stressed that he knows the Italian environment very well, also thanks to his long experience in Serie A: “I lived in Italy for 9 years, with some of them I also played between Inter, Roma and Fiorentina. We know each other well. Compared to the past there are missing … the Totti, the Del Piero. Even today there is quality but those of the past were on another level.”