Intro
Veteran striker’s aerial threat tests Italy defence in high-stakes World Cup qualifier
Rome
Edin Dzeko stands between Italy and a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup as the Azzurri prepare for a decisive playoff clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy, desperate to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup, must find a way to contain the 40-year-old striker, who remains a potent attacking force. Dzeko, Bosnia’s all-time leading scorer with 73 international goals, is a familiar figure to several Italian defenders, having shared dressing rooms with them during his time at AS Roma and Inter Milan.
Defenders Gianluca Mancini, Riccardo Calafiori, and Alessandro Bastoni have all played alongside Dzeko at club level, adding an intriguing personal dimension to the encounter. Italy winger Federico Dimarco, who also shares a close bond with the Bosnian forward, acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“Edin is a great player and a great person,” Dimarco said, while stressing that friendships will be set aside once the match begins.
Bosnia earned their place in the playoff final after a dramatic win over Wales, with Dzeko scoring a crucial headed equaliser. His aerial ability, combined with his physical presence, poses a significant concern for Italy’s defence — an area that has shown vulnerability in dealing with crosses.
The match will be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, where a charged atmosphere is expected despite reduced capacity following sanctions by FIFA for crowd misconduct. Concerns over pitch conditions due to recent snowfall add another layer of uncertainty.
Italy enters the contest under immense pressure, having failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. Players like Matteo Politano are acutely aware that this could be their final opportunity to feature on the global stage.
With young talents like Pio Esposito pushing for a starting role and experienced names leading the charge, Italy’s fate hinges on their ability to neutralise a familiar but formidable opponent in Dzeko.
