Bosnia's football coach eyes pivotal game against Israel

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Mehmed Bazdarevic, manager of Bosnia and Herzegovina's national football team, has estimated that his team faces a do-or-die situation in the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying match against Israel on June 12. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina find itself in fifth place after five games of Euro 2016 qualifiers. They need to be at least in third by the end of the qualifiers if they hope to make it to the European tournament to be played in France in June 2016.

"We must be well prepared, victory is imperative," said Bazdarevic. 

 Over two weeks ago, Bosnia managed to defeat last-place Andorra, 3-0, and draw with Austria, 1-1.

"(These matches were) not bad. I commend the behavior, seriousness and results," said Bazdarevic in an interview with The Anadolu Agency Thursday. "We were looking for victory in the qualifying match for the Euro 2016 in Andorra and we achieved it without major problems. There was a lot of nervousness."  

He added that the real challenges for the national team were yet to come. 

However,  Bazdarevic already has his plate full before the upcoming match with Israel. Most team members are not in great form, as many do not have sufficient playing time in their respective clubs. Moreover, after a fight with security guards, Bayer Leverkusen terminated the contract of fullback Emir Spahic, in whom Bazdarevic has great confidence. Furthermore, Spahic is injured and it is uncertain whether he will be able to play against Israel.

"I believe that Emir will be with us. He is going through a period which is not easy for him. We need Spahic as a man and as a player... We need him to be ready for the match against Israel," said Bazdarevic.

The Bosnian team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2014. Following Israel, Bosnian and Herzegovina will face Belgium, Andorra, Wales and Cyprus. 

Ibrahimovic the best player nowadays

Bazdavericalso commented on the Champions League quarterfinal game, which saw the defeat of French club Paris Saınt-Germain (PSG) at the hands of Spain's Barcelona, 3-1.

"Favorites for the title in the Champions League are four teams that everybody constantly talks about - Bayern, Real (Madrid) and so on ... I had my favorite. It was PSG, but I think that after the last defeat PSG has no more chance," he said.

When asked who he thought the best player nowadays was, he replied: "I think it is Zlatan Ibrahimovic," referring to PSG's Swedish striker.

"Not Messi, not Ronaldo?"

"Not Messi, I think Zlatan is the most complete player," he concluded.