Juventus: Alajbegovic scores and suffers a muscle problem in Bosnia-Sweden. Head coach Barbarez reassures: "Cramp"
Kerim Alajbegovic stole the show in the Nations League clash as Bosnia drew 1-1 with Sweden, a game that also saw the national team effectively say goodbye at the Zenica fortress to their idol Edin Dzeko, who is ready to retire from international football.
For the Juventus playmaker, though, the late equaliser was not the only talking point. Concern followed for Juventus fans when he was forced off in the 87th minute with a muscle problem, shortly after scoring.
Driving force
Alajbegovic was one of Bosnia's standout performers. The Juventus player, born in 2007, threatened in the first half when his effort on target in the 11th minute was well saved by the Swedish goalkeeper. He then took centre stage late on, grabbing a fortunate equaliser in the second half. Sweden had gone ahead in the 61st minute through Viktor Gyökeres, but Bosnia responded ten minutes from time.
By the 80th minute, Alajbegović had picked up a second ball after a wide free-kick and tried to put it into the middle: the cross took on a teasing trajectory, nobody touched it and it bounced towards the far post, beating goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who could not keep the score level.
Forced into a substitution
Juventus fans were left concerned, though, when Alajbegovic went off in the 87th minute. Bosnia head coach Barbarez called him back to the bench during a good spell for the national team and sent on Zinedin Smajlović.
The decision immediately looked tied to the Juventus playmaker's physical condition who suffered a muscular problem. Before the change, the player asked for the medical staff to step in and massage the adductor muscles in his right thigh.
"Just cramp"
Speaking at the press conference after the match, the Bosnia head coach moved to reassure everyone over Alajbegović's condition: "Kerim did not want to come off, he had cramp and so we took him off. Many were like him, four matches in such a short time make things difficult".
Barbarez effectively ruled out a muscular injury, making it clear the substitution was caused only by cramp. It does not appear to be anything serious, but Bosnia's medical staff will continue to assess his condition ahead of the national team's upcoming fixtures and his return to Turin.
