Juventus: Alajbegovic goal and forced substitution in Bosnia-Sweden. Head coach Barbarez reassures: "Cramp"

Kerim Alajbegovic stole the show as Bosnia drew 1-1 with Sweden in the Nations League, on a night when the national side effectively said 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 also brought a little concern for Juventus fans, who then saw him 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, had a good chance in the first half when the Swedish goalkeeper saved his shot on target in the 11th minute. He then made his mark late on, finding 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.

After 80 minutes, Alajbegović picked up a second ball following a free-kick from out wide and tried to send it into the middle: the cross took on a deceptive trajectory, nobody got a touch and it bounced towards the far post, beating goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who could not keep the scoreline intact.

Forced into a substitution

Juventus fans' main concern, though, was Alajbegovic's enforced substitution in the 87th minute. Head coach Barbarez brought him off for Zinedin Smajlović during a good spell for Bosnia.

From the outset, the decision looked to be linked to the Juventus playmaker's physical condition who suffered a muscular problem. Before the change, in fact, the player had asked for the medical staff to intervene 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.