Tarik Muharemovic was in a magnanimous temper after Bosnia’s World Cup playoff victory over Italy, providing heat phrases for a rustic the place he has constructed his membership profession whereas celebrating the realisation of a lifelong dream.
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The Sassuolo defender, who performs his membership soccer in Serie A, spoke to Swiss Italian channel RSI within the rapid aftermath of the penalty shootout win, fastidiously navigating the emotional complexity of eliminating a nation he clearly holds in real affection.
“My dream was to play on the World Cup with Bosnia, the best dream of all of us,” he mentioned, with .
“All my respect to Italy, my mates and brothers.”
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina competes for the ball with Marco Palestra of Italy through the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photograph by Getty Pictures/Getty Pictures)
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Bosnia star Muharemovic: ‘I’m very pleased in Italy, I by no means misplaced respect’
He was additionally eager to make clear feedback from a earlier interview that had apparently been misinterpreted.
“I hope they didn’t take it badly, as a result of I’ve many mates and brothers there. I’m very pleased in Italy. I’ve by no means misplaced respect, I do know the place I come from and that I’m humble. Italy is all the time in my coronary heart.”
On the match itself, Muharemovic acknowledged how tough the Azzurri had made issues regardless of taking part in with ten males for almost all of the competition following Bastoni’s pink card.
“They tried the whole lot, even with one fewer participant, and it was not straightforward to carry on for 120 minutes. I’m sorry for them.”
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His pleasure in Bosnia’s achievement, nevertheless, was unmistakable.
“Bosnia is again and making itself recognized, that is solely the start. We are able to present far more.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring the 1-1 aim through the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Sassuolo Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
With the World Cup now on the horizon, his message was easy. “We’re prepared. Now we have fun, then we take into consideration the World Cup.”