Amar Dedić Injury Controversy: Bosnia's Frustration
Newcastle’s handling of Amar Dedić’s injury has come under fire from Bosnia and Herzegovina boss Sergej Barbarez, who believes the defender should never have been on the pitch against Leeds United.
Dedić, who made an eye-catching start to life at St James’ Park, is now out of the current international window with a serious hamstring problem. The setback has cut short the momentum he built in his early weeks in England and left his national coach openly frustrated.
The issue first flared during a Carabao Cup tie against Millwall earlier this month. Newcastle’s medical team were initially optimistic, and Dedić was cleared to feature in the Premier League defeat to Leeds. That call now sits at the heart of the controversy.
He lasted just 58 minutes before limping off. For Barbarez, that was the moment Bosnia lost a key player for their Nations League campaign.
Barbarez points the finger
Speaking in Sarajevo, Barbarez did not soften his words. He argued the situation was avoidable and that Dedić should have been protected after the first knock.
“I would like to say a few technical things regarding the extent of Amar Dedić’s injury. He renewed his injury against Leeds, the extent of the injury is greater than before. If he had rested that game, he would certainly be with us now, but such things happen. He will be absent for three or four weeks.”
The coach explained that the damage suffered in the clash with Leeds was significantly worse than the original strain at Millwall, turning what looked like a manageable issue into a three-to-four-week lay-off. The timing could hardly be worse: Bosnia face Poland, Romania, and Sweden without one of their most reliable defenders.
A second major blow: Busuladzić out long term
Dedić’s absence is not Barbarez’s only headache.
Kenan Busuladzić has been ruled out for around nine months with a torn cruciate ligament, a brutal diagnosis that strips Bosnia of a young midfielder just as he was pushing towards a regular role.
“We also miss Kenan Busuladzić. He will not be in the game for nine months because he tore his cruciate ligaments,”
Barbarez confirmed, laying bare the scale of the loss.
Two important pieces gone. A tight Nations League schedule ahead. The response had to be swift.
Four fresh faces drafted in
Barbarez has moved to reshape his squad, calling up four players to keep Bosnia competitive during the condensed window: Benjamin Tahirović, Ajdin Hasić, Arjan Malić, and Luka Durić.
The selection of Durić stands out. The Paderborn man has been progressing in Germany’s second tier and, as Barbarez pointed out, has taken a meaningful step in his career.
“We handed out several invitations, we invited Benjamin Tahirović, Ajdin Hasić, Arjan Malić and Luka Durić from Paderborn. He made a step forward in his career, he plays in the Bundesliga. Although the start of the season was not the most important thing, we want to see him in action so that he can be part of our team,”
the coach said.
It is a clear signal: this break will not just be about survival without key players, but about testing who can grow into long-term roles.
Alajbegović scare eases
Amid the grim injury news, there was at least one ray of light for Bosnia.
Kerim Alajbegović, the Juventus talent who came off at half-time in a recent match against Atalanta, had raised fears of yet another blow. Those concerns have eased after medical checks in Turin and a direct conversation between player and coach.
“We spoke with Alajbegović last night. He is slightly injured, he felt pain in his hip. Juventus doctors examined him last night and he is on his way to Sarajevo. He may take a break for a day or two, but it shouldn’t be anything special,”
Barbarez said.
So Bosnia arrive in this window patched up but not broken, carrying anger over Dedić’s treatment, the long shadow of Busuladzić’s injury, and the hope that new blood like Durić and Tahirović can seize their chance. How quickly they adapt may define more than just this international break.
