Expectations are as high as possible. Of course, we anticipate a tough and demanding match, especially since Velež has consolidated its ranks with the arrival of Ibro Rahimić and gained stability. They have an idea and energy," stated the strategist of the Plemići ahead of his third Mostar derby.
In the first, they celebrated a 3:1 victory away at their city rivals; in the last one, in December, it was 1:1 at Pod Bijelim Brijegom.
"It's nice to play these matches. It should be a delight for everyone. Although there is tension, one must be psychologically prepared because these matches carry high intensity. I would say they are two levels above others in that regard. But the players have already shown many times that they know how to handle it," emphasized the head coach of the second-placed team in the WWin League of BiH.
The visit to Velež will be the first match after the international break, which, as Štimac pointed out, came at a good time for both sides.
He added that this especially applies to Velež, whose team accumulated many injuries before the break, while his squad is almost fully available, only missing the suspended Matej Šakota and Dan Lagumdžija.
Regarding the approach to the derby, Štimac knows well what awaits his team, which before this 27th round has a nine-point deficit behind the leading Borac, while Velež is fourth.
Incidentally, in a positive context, he highlighted the appointed referee Dragan Petrović.
"The table is not so important for us and Velež; it's played for city prestige. That requires greater energy; the players are aware of how important a victory is. As for the match itself, what we cannot know is the criteria the referee will adopt. An excellent referee has been chosen who knows how to handle such duels. He showed that in the Super Cup against Sarajevo, where I saw the best, most correct officiating since I've been here," he emphasized.
Regarding Velež, he noted that it is a team that concedes few goals but also does not win by large margins.
In that context, he also highlighted Zrinjski's unpredictability lately, a detail that some media used to announce Štimac's dismissal in case of a defeat to Velež.
"It's not for me to think about that. I don't know why anyone would think about that. We have cemented second place before the final quarter of the championship, we achieved the greatest club success in Europe, won the Super Cup, and are in the Cup semifinals. I am a bit surprised by such a question," Štimac concluded.
Alongside the derby at the Rođeni stadium, on Friday at 20:30, the match between Rudar and Sloga will also be played, with the three remaining matches of the 27th round scheduled for Saturday.
On the first day of the weekend, at 13:00, Radnik hosts Široki Brijeg; at 18:30, the duel between Posušje and Borac begins; and the round will conclude with the derby between Željezničar and Sarajevo at 20:45.
In the table, Borac leads with 62 points, nine more than Zrinjski, while third-placed Sarajevo has 42.
They are followed by Velež (38), Široki Brijeg (37), Željezničar (29), Posušje (27), Radnik (26), with Sloga (23) just above the relegation line, while Rudar (20) is at the bottom.