Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, March 30, 2026 9:26 p.m. / Updated Monday, March 30, 2026 9:29 p.m.
Gennaro Gattuso commented at the press conference before the 2026 World Cup qualification play-off final what the Bosnian opponent had said a little while earlier. “I remember when he was playing. Barbarez was a good striker, but now he loves poker and I know he is a skilled coach who gets to the heart of the players,” explained the Italy coach.
At the meeting with the journalists in Zenica, Sergej Barbarez revealed how he will approach the WC 2026 play-off final against Italy, match scheduled for Tuesday at 21:45 (live text on GSP.ro, live on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 2).
If we score 1-0, we will park the bus on one side (no – defensive). But if we score a goal, we will park it on the other side (no – in Italy's box). We are happy to have come this far, I can feel and see the love coming from these players of mine,” said the Bosnian coach.
Serghei Barbarez, the coach of Bosnia-Herzegovina / Photo: Imago
A few hours away, Gennaro Gattuso did not fail to give him a reply when the Italian journalists informed him about the tactics prepared by the Zenica hosts: “Sergej Barbarez is a great poker player and I appreciate him a lot. I remember when he was playing, he was a good striker. Now he loves poker and I know he is a skilled coach who gets to the heart of the players.”
Sometimes in our history we became champions even if we were not the most valuable. The difference was made by the great determination, mentality and special team spirit. We must not miss that tomorrow
– Gennaro Gattusothe Italian coach
Gattuso: “We were stupid to hurt ourselves, it's stupid! Bosnia are a physical team who know how to cause us problems”
The Italy coach also spoke about the controversy with Dimarco and the celebration after the Bosnians qualified in Cardiff: “We were stupid to hurt ourselves, but that's stupid. Bosnia are a physical team who know how to cause us problems. We know that and Barbarez knows it too, there is a lot of respect from us.
As for the field, if its condition is bad for us, it will be the same for them. Only the weak make excuses. For me, gasin is good. What matters is the attitude and the approach to the match”.
Gennaro Gattuso, on his debut on the bench of the Italian national team / Photo: Imago Images
Gattuso refused to consider a possible defeat of the Squadra Azzurra: “It's not the time to talk about it and I'm not the right person to do it. It would be a disappointment and a terrible blow if we didn't qualify and I would take on the coaching responsibilities.
But we haven't cracked our heads yet, so let's not start setting things up now! I have my own thoughts, but I'll keep them to myself. For better or for worse, I'll make myself available face to face, as I always have.”
I spent a year at Hajduk Split. Bosnia have a mix of physically and technically strong players. They have the same qualities here that we saw in Croatia. The players are fearless, bold, know how to play football and have really great physical strength
– – Gennaro Gattusothe Italian coach
