NO SUCKER PUNCHES
Northern Ireland still planning for a real tough battle despite Bosnia being severely weakened by coronavirus and injuries
NORTHERN IRELAND’S Euro play-off opponents Bosnia have been hit by a coronavirus crisis and injury ahead of Thursday’s semi-final showdown.
Ian Baraclough’s men are boosted by the return of Jonny Evans – but striker Josh Magennis claims it would be a mistake to assume Bosnia will be weaker.
Up for grabs is a home match against Slovakia or the Republic of Ireland on November 12 for a place in next summer’s finals.
Hull hitman Magennis said: “We don’t rub our hands and think happy days, that player and their assistant manager has coronavirus. We still have a job to do regardless.
“If they have a player who has to step out because of coronavirus or injury, they have other capable players who can step in and do a job. We just have to keep going as if they were at full strength and focus on our gameplan.”
Nimes winger Haris Duljevic and assistant coach Rusmir Cviko are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.
Bosnia will also be without defensive cornerstone Ermin Bicakcic as the Hoffenheim centre-half has withdrawn from their squad through injury.
Bosnia will be allowed 2,000 fans inside the stadium in Sarajevo with their coronavirus situation not as bad as in other parts of Europe.
Magennis is relishing playing in front of supporters – and hopes Northern Ireland can use the crowd to their advantage by pegging Bosnia back and silencing them. He said: “I think it will be a weird scenario seeing fans in and around the stadium again, chanting and singing when we’re going out for the warm-up.
“There will be a real atmosphere and not one from the speakers. It will be fantastic because fans can swing a game. Hopefully it can work for us if we’ve got them on the back foot, nervousness can set in.
“I know there will only be 2,000, but that will still make for an atmosphere. We’ve gone so long where you can only hear each other speak and your manager.
“Unfortunately our fans won’t be in there too and that’s a downside because they are a massive part of our team.”