Barbarez ahead of USA clash: “We love being David against Goliath”

The former Hamburg SV legend believes reaching this stage is already a major achievement, but insists his players want even more.

"I told the players that our country needs new idols. Bosnian football hasn't had many reasons to celebrate for years, and qualifying for the World Cup was already a huge step. Now we want to keep going," Barbarez told German newspaper Bild.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are appearing at the World Cup for only the second time in their history, but Barbarez says his side is not satisfied with simply taking part.

"We love football. I keep telling my players that. That's our strength," he said.

The Dragons enter the match against the United States as clear underdogs, but Barbarez believes that role suits his team perfectly.

"We have to go into the game with a lot of emotion - for the fans who will be in the stadium and for the people back home in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But it's just as important that we enjoy playing, that we have joy on the pitch. That has to be our approach," he said.

"We love being David against Goliath. Those are the situations in which we've performed best so far," Barbarez added, making it clear that the pressure rests firmly on the tournament hosts.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina coach admitted the unprecedented excitement surrounding the national team has exceeded even his own expectations.

"Sometimes I feel like none of this is real, like it's a movie or a dream. The level of excitement surrounding the national team, both here in the United States and back home in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is something we've never experienced before," he said.

According to Barbarez, the team's remarkable run has united the country in a unique way.

"Even people who have nothing to do with football are following us now. It's an incredible feeling. This is a source of pride for the whole country, something that brings us together regardless of the final result," he concluded.