Bosnia vs Italy: Federico Dimarco does not underestimate the opponent

JAKARTA - Italy is optimistic that it can overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup playoff final. However, midfielder Federico Dimarco does not underestimate the opponent in the match at the Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 early morning WIB.

There was an interesting incident when Bosnia successfully eliminated Wales through a penalty shootout. Italy, who had previously ensured their qualification to the final playoff by defeating Northern Ireland 2-0, looked happy and even celebrated because they would only face Bosnia. On paper, Italy is more favored to overcome Bosnia even though they have to play the match at the opponent's home.

Only, the celebration of the Italian players was accidentally recorded on television which then went viral. The celebration indirectly showed that the team under Gennaro Gattuso was confident of being able to overcome Bosnia.

Their behavior that seemed to underestimate the opponent in the playoff final was also in the spotlight. Not less than former Bosnian player Miralem Pjanic criticized Dimarco's actions. Even the former AS Roma and Juventus midfielder said Bosnia would make a surprise.

"Dimarco and other Azzurri players are rejoicing? Honestly, I don't understand why," Pjanic said, as quoted by Football Italia.

Not only that, Pjanic who spent nine years in the Italian Serie A predicted Gianluigi Donnarumma et al would face pressure with a hot match atmosphere like in hell. He also reminded that this match was not a friendly.

"We will create an atmosphere like in hell during the match. Only the away team with a strong character can win when they come to Zenica," he said again.

"We'll see how it ends. It must be admitted, Italy is still Italy and we have respect. But who knows?" said Pjanic. "They have to play well in a game with a terrifying atmosphere," said the former Barcelona player.

Even though he is no longer part of the Bosnia national team, Pjanic's statement immediately received a response from Dimarco. The Inter Milan midfielder stated that his party did not underestimate Bosnia at all. If the Italian players celebrate Bosnia's victory over Wales, it does not mean that they are happier to meet Edin Dzeko et al.

"I have respect for every club and more than that for the national team. If someone cheers, the reaction comes from instinct. How not, we are watching the penalty shootout with friends," said Dimarco who immediately cheered with others after the fifth kicker Bosnia finished the task and they won 4-2.

According to Dimarco, after the match he immediately called Dzeko because they had played together at Inter. He also hopes that the Bosnians do not react to him excessively.

"I spoke to Dzeko. He is a close friend and I congratulated him. I repeat again, I am not disrespectful to anyone, whether it's the Bosnia team or the Bosnians. We are polite people," said Dimarco.

Italy itself hopes to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after missing out twice for failing to appear at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

In the 2018 World Cup playoffs, they were eliminated by Sweden. Even four years later, the Gli Azzurri, who were then European champions in 2021, were humiliated by the small team of North Macedonia in the playoffs. Now Italy does not want to repeat the failure for the third time.

"I heard we were considered arrogant. There is no reason to be arrogant because we were absent from two World Cups. It's really sad. But I think if someone takes a picture of us, it shows disrespect," he said.