At the , the USA are hoping to win a knockout match for the first time since the 2002 edition, but in Bosnia and Herzegovina they face strong opponents who will push Mauricio Pochettino’s side all the way.
"Bosnia and Herzegovina are a very combative, aggressive and physical team, but they are also well organised and have a very good coach," explained Pochettino ahead of the Round of 32 clash at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
"When you watch their group-stage matches or their qualifier against Italy in March, you can see they have quality. It’s not just that they are aggressive and well organised; they have quality players and a coach who gives them the platform to perform."
The idea of approaching every match like a final is certainly nothing new and plenty of coaches have said as much during this World Cup. Pochettino, however, has been trying to drill that mentality into his players since long before the tournament began.
"Of course, tomorrow is a final, but the game against Paraguay was a final too,” the 54-year-old coach added. We tried to recreate that feeling when we played [the warm-up matches against] Germany in Chicago, Senegal in Charlotte, Uruguay in Tampa and Paraguay in Philadelphia. We wanted to recreate those emotions and that intensity."
Alongside that focus on mindset, Pochettino insists his side have prepared carefully for a range of eventualities, including a penalty shootout. "Yes, we will be ready if it comes to penalties," the USA coach said., "We started working with a few companies on that area because I think it’s really important. I don’t want to say too much about it, but we have been working on it because, as a coaching staff, we believe we can give the players tools to improve and help them find the best way to deal with situations like this."
Asked about the USA’s Round of 32 opponents, Pochettino made it clear that they would not underestimate them. In fact, quite the opposite. "We have complete respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina. I don’t believe we are the favourites. Over the past few days, we’ve all seen how difficult this World Cup is. I think it’s easier to talk about favourites after the matches, not before."
Bosnia and Herzegovina coach Sergej Barbarez, however, took a different view when it came to the favourites tag. "I still see the USA as favourites. They are above us in the world ranking, they’re on home soil, with some excellent players and a really strong pedigree,” said the 54-year-old.
“Being the underdog has never been a problem for us, but once the match kicks off, none of that is important. All that matters to us is what happens on the pitch. We have studied the opposition, prepared our match plan and want to show what we are capable of.
"Of course we respect the USA, but that does not mean we won’t take the game to them tomorrow,” Barbarez said. "We will give as good as we get and hope to come out with the win. We’re not going to abandon the approach that has got us to this point over the past 18 months.
"I want to see the players celebrating and enjoying the moment together,” Barbarez concluded. "That is my biggest wish."
Sources: FIFA Official
