Muharemovic: ‘Not worried’ about Italy, McTominay ‘made my head spin’

Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic is not worried about potentially facing Italy in the World Cup play-off Final and admits Napoli’s Scott McTominay is the best player he’s faced in Serie A so far: ‘He really made my head spin.’

Bosnia and Herzegovina international Muharemovic does not fear meeting Italy in the World Cup playoff Final next year. The two countries are on the same side of the draw, but Italy will play the semis against North Macedonia, while Bosnia will visit Wales.

“I’m not worried, I’ll be waiting for you. At our home,” the Sassuolo defender told Gazzetta.

“I used to be more shy, and I was scared even when I was playing. I had a personality close to my mother’s. Now I’ve become tough like my father. He changed me. He made me understand that, as the older of two sons, when he was away from home, it was my responsibility to protect the family. In the same way, today I feel the duty to defend on the pitch, even the more experienced teammates.”

A former Juventus NextGen defender, Muharemovic, joined the Bianconeri in 2021.

“I never would have expected Bonucci, who didn’t even know who I was, to stop and talk to me at our very first meeting,” said the Sassuolo centre-back.

“Leo gave me so much advice on how to defend better, how to use my body…Chiellini did the same, always smiling. Like him, I celebrate after avoiding a goal. I’d like to have the same personality as Bonucci, that aura that made me think: today Bonucci is protecting me.”

This is Muharemovic’s first season in Serie A, so who’s the best player he’s faced so far?

“He’s not a striker, and I faced him on Matchday 1. He really made my head spin. I’m talking about Napoli’s McTominay,” the 22-year-old replied.

“He was popping up all over the pitch; he was truly everywhere. One moment he was wide, the next one he scored a header right inside the box, beating me to it. Then there are Lautaro and Thuram, but I haven’t faced them yet.”

Muharemovic has a long-term deal at the Mapei Stadium, but he dreams of playing in the Champions League one day.

“I’ve signed with Sassuolo until 2031, and I’m really happy here, but of course, I want to reach the point where I’m playing in the Champions League.

“I really like Serie A, but the Premier League is everyone’s dream. As a kid, however, I supported Barcelona, like my dad. I used to argue with my cousins, who are all Real Madrid fans.”