Bosnia And Herzegovina Vs Italy [1-1 (4-1)] – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Playoff Final – Tactical Analysis

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy went toe-to-toe in a one-off game that would determine which nation would go into Group B of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, with the Bosnians winning on penalties.

They played out a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes of football, and two missed penalties cost the Azzurri in the shoot-out.  

This was an emotionally charged fixture.

It felt like the weight of the world was on Italy’s shoulders, looking to avoid missing out on a third consecutive World Cup.

They were last seen on football’s biggest stage in 2014, in the game famous for Giorgio Chiellini feeling Luis Suárez trying to take a chunk out of his shoulder. 

Manager Gennaro Gattuso had seen off Northern Ireland 2-0 last week, while Bosnia-Herzegovina went the distance in Cardiff, drawing 1-1 and winning on penalties; sound familiar? 

Italy started off well in Zenica, but even before Alessandro Bastoni’s red card in the 41st minute, they struggled with the intensity of the fixture.

On the other hand, Bosnia were high-intensity and front-footed, as they secured a second World Cup appearance in their history. 

This tactical analysis focuses on how Bosnia took the game to Italy through early crosses, how Italy might be left to rue missed chances, and on breaking down the fixture's major events.

Bosnia-Herzegovina Vs Italy Lineups & Formations

Bosnia manager Sergej Barbarez opted to make one change from the Wales tie five days prior, with FC Astana’s Ivan Bašić replacing Brondby IF’s Benjamin Tahirović.

He started with his much-favored 4-4-2 formation.

The irreplaceable centre back duo of Tarik Muharemović and Nikola Katić had Amar Dedić and Sead Kolašinac flanking them. 

In midfield, Basić was partnered with Ivan Sunjić and wide midfielders Esmir Bajraktarević and Amar Memić.

Up front, the talisman of the side, 40-year-old Edin Džeko, was partnered by Ermedin Demirović.  

Barbarez was proactive with his substitutes, influenced by the first-half red card.

An attacker (Kerin Alajbegović) and a midfielder (Tahirović) came on for a defender (Kolašinac) and a midfielder (Sunjić) at half-time.

Bringing on Haris Tabaković, the 653 forward, felt very kitchen sink-like, and it paid off. 

Italy also stuck to their guns, naming an unchanged lineup from the one in Bergamo last week.

Lining up in a very Italian 3-5-2, he started with Gianluca Mancini, Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori in defence.

Federico DiMarco and Matteo Politano flanked the midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Barella.

The front two were the trusted duo of Moise Kean, who was looking to score for a sixth consecutive Italy game, and Mateo Retegui. 

Gattuso’s substitutions were enforced by the red card.

In the aftermath of the decision, Federico Gatti replaced Retegui to reinforce the side that already had a 1-0 lead.

He then used half-time to make further adjustments.

Marco Palestra, the young wing-back on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, replaced Politano to bolster the defence.

Locatelli and Kean were replaced before Bosnia’s equaliser by Bryan Cristante and Francesco Pio Esposito for fresh legs.

Barella and DiMarco were then replaced late into the tie by Leonardo Spinazzola and Davide Frattesi.