"We need to beat Ukraine": Bosnian football legend on the Euro-2024 play-off draw

The legendary Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic called the national team's match with Ukraine in the playoffs for the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament an opportunity for his countrymen to regain confidence. The 2014 FIFA World Cup participant urged not to ignore the strength of the Blue and Yellows.

Halilhodzic said this in an interview with the Avaz portal. The former coach of PSG, Côte d'Ivoire, Japan, Algeria and Morocco emphasized that the Bosnian team had a unique chance to go to the European Championship for the first time in history and should take advantage of its home field.

"This is an outstanding chance. It doesn't matter if the opponent is stronger or better. It's unique when you have the opportunity to go to the European Championships despite poor results. That's why we need to do everything we can to beat Ukraine. I see that they played well against the Italians and that they are an outstanding team. But this is a good opportunity to regain confidence. I believe that when you play at home, the chances automatically increase, and you have to take advantage of it," Halilhodzic said.

As a reminder, the semifinal of the Euro 2024 playoffs between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine will take place on March 21. Bookmakers have already determined the favorite of the confrontation. The Balkans' head coach Savo Milosevic admitted that he was not very satisfied with the results of the draw for the head-to-head matches.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, the President of the European Football Union (UEFA) Aleksander Čeferin wished the Bosnians to reach the championship before the draw for the Euro 2024 playoffs.

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