Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro, the two former Yugoslav republics, face each other at Bilino Polje in the UEFA Nations League round 5. Top position in Group 3 is at stake, and, no doubt, there will be fireworks when the two teams meet in Zenica on Friday. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Inter striker Edin Dzeko, who scored a brace in a 3-2 win over Finland, while Dinamo Zagreb winger has been ruled out with injury. The opposition back-line should have experienced midfielder Miralem Pjanic at bay as well.
The Montenegrins, on the other hand, aim to build on a thrilling 3-0 win over Romania where Visel Kobe attacker Stefan Mugosa scored a hat-trick. Fit-again Hertha attacker Stevan Jovetic is back to the squad, but seeing that Bosnia have turned Bilino Polje into a real fortress, we do not believe that the visitors are capable of grabbing something from Friday’s clash.
Highlighted Player (Rade Krunic):
Rade Krunic is a product of Sutjeska Foca youth football school. The Bosnia international was born in Foca on October 7, 1993 and 19 years later he made his senior debut with his hometown club Sutjeska.
After scoring three goals in 15 appearances for the Bosnian club, the Bosnian midfielder moved to Serbian side Donji Srem in 2013. In 2014 he signed a contract with Italian side Hellas Verona, but he was immediately loaned back to Donji Srem. In 2015 Rade Krunic made 13 appearances for Serbian side Borac Cacak before joining yet another Italian team Empoli.
He has been playing for the Azzurri ever since and it has to be noted that he scored his first goal for the Serie A side in a 2-0 win over Genoa in October, 2015. Speaking of his international career, Krunic made his Bosnia and Herzegovina debut in a friendly against Denmark on June 3, 2016. He has 8 caps for Bosnia and Herzegovina U21 team as well.
Highlighted Team (Montenegro):
Montenegro is yet another former Yugoslavian republic. The Montenegrins declared their independence in 2006 and they played their first official match under the name of Montenegro in March, 2007. The Hrabri sokoli defeated Hungary in their first official game, with the team coming from behind to beat the Hungarians.
Serie A superstar Mirko Vucinic and Igor Burzanovic scored for Montenegro in the 2-1 triumph over Hungary. Montenegro national football team participated in the UEFA Euro 2012 playoffs and that is regarded as the team’s biggest success. The Hrabri sokoli faced Czech Republic in the double-header, but they eventually failed to book their place at the showpiece tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
Aforementioned attacker Mirko Vucinic is seen as one of the most famous footballers who played for the Montenegro national team, but we should mention former Manchester City ace Stevan Jovetic as well. Montenegro play their home games at Stadion Pod Goricom and they recorded their biggest win against San Marino (6-0) in September, 2012.