Bosnia Coach Sergej Barbarez Criticizes Newcastle Over Amar Dedic's Hamstring Setback
Sergej Barbarez, the manager of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has voiced his frustration at Newcastle United following a serious injury to defender Amar Dedic. The full-back aggravated a pre-existing hamstring problem during recent matches, sidelining him for an extended period.
Dedic’s Injury Troubles Deepen
Dedic had shown promise early on since joining the Magpies, but a recurring hamstring issue first appeared during a Carabao Cup match against Millwall earlier this month. Despite optimism from Newcastle’s medical team, playing him in a Premier League game against Leeds United backfired. He lasted just 58 minutes before having to leave the pitch, a setback that Barbarez feels has cost Bosnia an important player for their current international fixtures.
National Team Boss Details Injury Severity
At a Sarajevo press conference, Barbarez was clear about Newcastle's role in the injury worsening. He said the damage from the Leeds match was more serious than the initial strain from Millwall and that if Dedic had rested, he would still be available for international duty. Barbarez estimated the defender would miss three to four weeks, ruling him out of matches against Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
"I would like to say a few technical things regarding the extent of Amar Dedic’s injury. He renewed his injury against Leeds, the extent of the injury is greater than before. If he had rested that game, he would certainly be with us now, but such things happen. He will be absent for three or four weeks. He will not be ready for these four games," Barbarez stated.
Other Squad Injuries Force Changes
Barbarez also revealed another blow to his squad with the absence of young midfielder Kenan Busuladzic, who faces nearly a year out after tearing his cruciate ligaments. To compensate for these absences, the coach called up four new players: Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic, and Luka Duric. Duric’s recent performances in Germany’s second division with Paderborn earned him a place, as Barbarez wants to observe his progress closely.
"We handed out several invitations, we invited Benjamin Tahirovic, Ajdin Hasic, Arjan Malic and Luka Duric from Paderborn. He made a step forward in his career, he plays in the Bundesliga. Although the start of the season was not the most important thing, we want to see him in action so that he can be part of our team," said Barbarez.
Positive News for Juventus Prospect Alajbegovic
On a brighter note, there was some relief over Kerim Alajbegovic, a promising talent at Juventus. Concerns arose when he was substituted at halftime in a recent game against Atalanta due to hip pain. After consultations with medical staff and the player, Barbarez reported the injury as minor and expects only a short break.
"We spoke with Alajbegovic last night. He is slightly injured, he felt pain in his hip. Juventus doctors examined him last night and he is on his way to Sarajevo. He may take a break for a day or two, but it shouldn’t be anything special," the coach confirmed.
Upcoming Fixtures
- UEFA Nations League B: Poland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 25 Sept 2026, 21:45
- Premier League: Coventry City vs Newcastle United, 12 Oct 2026, 22:00
