Misimovic

Misimovic and Pjanic both naturally play quite narrow, which alleviated the danger of being caught with two against three in the middle.

Bosnia aim to get it pitch perfect against Portugal | Jonathan Wilson 2011

When the ball did reach Edin Dzeko, he was too often isolated; in Paris he had always had Zvjezdan Misimovic, Pjanic, Senad Lulic or the right-back Mensur Mujdza.

Bosnia aim to get it pitch perfect against Portugal | Jonathan Wilson 2011

With naturally attacking full-backs judiciously pushing into midfield untracked by Nani and Ronaldo, Portugal's full-backs, Fábio Coentrão and João Pereira were accordingly driven back; or at least they were once Misimovic had beaten Pereira to cross for the first of the two glorious opportunities Ibisevic squandered.

Bosnia aim to get it pitch perfect against Portugal | Jonathan Wilson 2011

The Group D leaders France were held to a goalless draw by Romania in Bucharest and now sit just a point clear of second-placed Bosnia, for whom Zvjezdan Misimovic earned a late 1-0 win over nine-man Belarus in Zenica.

Italy secure qualification as Denmark, Holland and Sweden also win 2011

However, Zvjezdan Misimovic converted a 41st‑minute penalty awarded after Fábio Coentrão was ruled to have handled in the box.

Portugal 6-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina (6-2 agg) | Euro 2012 qualifier report 2011

Lulic, meanwhile, dropped in to left-back as Senad Sahirovic went off, with Misimovic moving to the left and Vedad Ibisevic coming on to operate as a second striker alongside Dzeko.

Bosnia aim to get it pitch perfect against Portugal | Jonathan Wilson 2011

Medunjanin will then be the more creative holder alongside the stooping bald veteran Elvir Rahimic, with Pjanic on the right, Misimovic central and Lulic left in the creative line behind Dzeko.

Bosnia aim to get it pitch perfect against Portugal | Jonathan Wilson 2011

But Zvjezdan Misimovic ensured the outcome of the game was still in the balance at half-time after he converted a 41st‑minute penalty awarded after Fábio Coentrão was ruled to have handled in the box.

Portugal, Czech Republic and Croatia qualify in Euro 2012 play-offs 2011

Džeko is a Bosniak Muslim; the national team's most experienced player and co-captain Zvjezdan Misimovic is Serb; the defender Boris Pandža is Croat.

The Guardian World News Ed Vulliamy 2011

Bosnia-Herzegovina 5 Dzeko 12, Misimovic 15, 23-pen, Pjanic 37, Medunjanin 51 Luxembourg 0

NEWS.com.au | Top Stories 2011