Mato Jajalo is one of the players who were called by coach Bazdarevic for the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Cyprus. Jajalo played for Slaven Belupo, Siena Köln, Sarajevo and Rijeka so he's well known to football fans. He arrived motivated and eager to justify coach's confidence, and when asked whether he was surprised by the call he said:

"I wasn't expecting it, but also it didn't surprise me. I've been in touch with coach for a while, but I had some problems with injuries earlier. Now I'm healthy, I started playing, and I'm glad I joined the team. I had no problems adjusting whatsoever, I know many guys from before, and I even think I played against most of them. It feels like I've been part of the team for much longer."

Are you expecting to make a debut against Belgium?

"I'd lie if I said I didn't, probably each of us thinks so. Every athlete aspires to play, to perform and do his best to help the team. We'll see what coach says about that."

How did you fare in Sicily?

"I've been there for two years now, and it's great. I lived in Italy before, I knew the language so the adaptation was fairly easy. My teammates also made it easier for me."

This former player of FK Sarajevo commented on his club:

"Most of the players whom I played with are no longer there, a lot has changed since then, but that's how it goes in football. Of course I keep supporting them and following everything."